Prayer: So how do you know?

[Conductor42]

Ok, so I was sitting in my room, trying to get ready for bed. I'm thinking about something I've been thinking about doing for a while, which has the potential to be one of the more important decisions in my life (or maybe that's just young naivety), but I keep postponing it because I'm extremely nervous about it. I was going to do it today, but I figure I'll do it tommorrow. But then again, that's what I've been saying to myself for the past week or so. And every time I have actually tried to do it, I've ended up ditching it and thinking that I'll do it later.

And please, don't ask me what it is.

And so I'm thinking about it, and the many ways I could tackle (or ignore) this thing, and then I'm thinking "why not pray about it?".

This strikes me as wierd (and a little uncomfortable) for two reasons.

1) I'm mostly agnostic. (What am I even praying for? Heck, for that matter, what am I even praying to?)

2) The thought pops up into my head - "God doesn't do for man what man can do for himself." I.e. I have the means to tackle this issue without consulting with the Almighty, why should I bug him/her with something he/she already knows about anyways?

So for the past half an hour or so I've had the two issues bouncing back and forth in my head, and I can't sleep. So my question is this:


How do you decide if something is worth bringing before the Almighty? How do you know if you should pray about something? (And please people, let's keep this thread peaceful)

[shunyadragon]

Ok, so I was sitting in my room, trying to get ready for bed. I'm thinking about something I've been thinking about doing for a while, which has the potential to be one of the more important decisions in my life (or maybe that's just young naivety), but I keep postponing it because I'm extremely nervous about it. I was going to do it today, but I figure I'll do it tommorrow. But then again, that's what I've been saying to myself for the past week or so. And every time I have actually tried to do it, I've ended up ditching it and thinking that I'll do it later.

And please, don't ask me what it is.

And so I'm thinking about it, and the many ways I could tackle (or ignore) this thing, and then I'm thinking "why not pray about it?".



This strikes me as wierd (and a little uncomfortable) for two reasons.

1) I'm mostly agnostic. (What am I even praying for? Heck, for that matter, what am I even praying to?)


2) The thought pops up into my head - "God doesn't do for man what man can do for himself." I.e. I have the means to tackle this issue without consulting with the Almighty, why should I bug him/her with something he/she already knows about anyways?

So for the past half an hour or so I've had the two issues bouncing back and forth in my head, and I can't sleep. So my question is this:



How do you decide if something is worth bringing before the Almighty? How do you know if you should pray about something? (And please people, let's keep this thread peaceful)

First, from my perspective your not asking He/She. I take more of a Buddhist/Taoist/ Baha'i perspective of a blend of meditation and prayer. Your goals in prayer are more towards desiring enlightenment, understanding and awareness of the Will of God and the nature of your journey. It is best to pray for the abilities of patience, humility, strength and understanding and to accept the unfortunate events in our lives than to pray what you want to happen or miraculous intervention. Praying for others is much preferable to praying for what you want and need. The results of my prayer/meditation over the years has not been comforting or self fulfilling, and most the results are not what I want.

[Ryokan]

Ok, so I was sitting in my room, trying to get ready for bed. I'm thinking about something I've been thinking about doing for a while, which has the potential to be one of the more important decisions in my life (or maybe that's just young naivety), but I keep postponing it because I'm extremely nervous about it. I was going to do it today, but I figure I'll do it tommorrow. But then again, that's what I've been saying to myself for the past week or so. And every time I have actually tried to do it, I've ended up ditching it and thinking that I'll do it later.

And please, don't ask me what it is.

And so I'm thinking about it, and the many ways I could tackle (or ignore) this thing, and then I'm thinking "why not pray about it?".

This strikes me as wierd (and a little uncomfortable) for two reasons.

1) I'm mostly agnostic. (What am I even praying for? Heck, for that matter, what am I even praying to?)

2) The thought pops up into my head - "God doesn't do for man what man can do for himself." I.e. I have the means to tackle this issue without consulting with the Almighty, why should I bug him/her with something he/she already knows about anyways?

So for the past half an hour or so I've had the two issues bouncing back and forth in my head, and I can't sleep. So my question is this:


How do you decide if something is worth bringing before the Almighty? How do you know if you should pray about something? (And please people, let's keep this thread peaceful)

Well, for some people, nothing is to big or too small for the almighty. For you, though, it might be a good way to hedge your bets on a serious issue. So try it.

[Conductor42]

Thanks Dragon, Ryokan.

anyone else?

[cbro]

Ok, so I was sitting in my room, trying to get ready for bed. I'm thinking about something I've been thinking about doing for a while, which has the potential to be one of the more important decisions in my life (or maybe that's just young naivety), but I keep postponing it because I'm extremely nervous about it. I was going to do it today, but I figure I'll do it tommorrow. But then again, that's what I've been saying to myself for the past week or so. And every time I have actually tried to do it, I've ended up ditching it and thinking that I'll do it later.

And please, don't ask me what it is.

And so I'm thinking about it, and the many ways I could tackle (or ignore) this thing, and then I'm thinking "why not pray about it?".

This strikes me as wierd (and a little uncomfortable) for two reasons.

1) I'm mostly agnostic. (What am I even praying for? Heck, for that matter, what am I even praying to?)

2) The thought pops up into my head - "God doesn't do for man what man can do for himself." I.e. I have the means to tackle this issue without consulting with the Almighty, why should I bug him/her with something he/she already knows about anyways?

So for the past half an hour or so I've had the two issues bouncing back and forth in my head, and I can't sleep. So my question is this:


How do you decide if something is worth bringing before the Almighty? How do you know if you should pray about something? (And please people, let's keep this thread peaceful)

Did you ever sleep? 2cor10:5 says "take captive every thought" and there are other verses as well. Do you know anyone who can show them to you?

[Meh_Gerbil]

Teh Hobbit:

My recommendation is to take all these concerns to G_d.

What I mean is, tell Him you have no idea what he should be bothered with and what he shouldn't be bothered with -- I mean, why ask us? -- ask G_d Himself.

It wouldn't hurt to shut the door, turn out the light, lay on the floor and look up at the ceiling and begin asking questions - asking how to understand -- and asking what you should be doing and how.

I ramble all the time to G_d - talk about anything that comes to mind - laugh, cry, pout, shout, complain, rejoice -- whatever.

If there is no G_d, nobody even has to know that you've been foolish.
If there is a G_d, maybe you'll get an answer.

The important thing is to truly leave the ball in His court.
Don't cut deals, make promises or any of that nonsense - just let Him know that if He's listening that you are content to wait.

Go for it dude.

[James Peter]

I'm in the 'nothing is too small' camp. I mean, it isn't as if God is too busy listening to other people or only has finite resources and you'd be being selfish getting some of them 'wasted' on you which could be better used, I don't know, curing somebody's cancer or something.

On the first point you're agnostic, not atheistic. That means you believe something is probably out there, you just don't know who it is or what it is like. So just prayer to whatever seems most naturally ('God', 'Father', 'Ultimate Being' etc.) and trust that He'll know that you're talking to Him...