Prayers

I give Him thanks and also I guess you can call them petition. No bargaining!

I think that when some people try to bargain with God they are in a desperate situation.

Mary, A spiritually informative piece and attractive, in the sense you classified your three varieties of prayers (or should I say begging? even to glorify God is a entreaty, isn't it?). But I would like to add a fourth one which does not at all fall in the 3 categories you suggested - I pray for others whereas at no time in my life (no that is a lie from me), rather it is a long time ago I used to pray for myself - in fact that used to be at school. Now-a-days I pray for others and for you too. My walking, my sleeping and my working is all a prayer. In the church I only just attend Mass but no entreaties or prayers. I feel my attending Mass is good enough to accomplish Jesus' advice "Do this in memory of me". And yea, I forgot to tell you, by my mere praying for others, I receive more than my expectation from God. I must tell you one last bit - you are also very much in my prayers and not only you (Can you imagine?), the whole world is in my prayers!

Thank you for your thoughtful reply, Vinod. I pray for others as well. I pray for their health, safety or well being. I pray for their lack of a job, or finding a better one. I pray for the homeless and hungry and for those in war torn countries, I pray for many more people and reasons than these. I guess I consider these prayers of petition because I am asking for God's blessings, care and love.

It is wonderful to consider every waking act a prayer, as you do.

I give thanks for my life and my wonderful family.

I cannot say there is something standard when I speak to god and I do all the time. It is not a stereotype, but mostly like speaking to anyone else who in turn is god as s/he is in everything that surrounds us.

It was interesting to bring up such a question and loved to read the replies.
Love and joy

Nature and music are the two most spiritual parts of my life. And I see God in other people.

I'm still on the fence about God, after all my years of Catholic schooling.

Christine, I had 13 years (K-12) of Catholic schooling myself. In my 40's I joined the Presbyterian church which I stayed in for 10 years. After a one year hiatus, I then joined the Episcopal church and I feel like it's the church I've been seeking all my life. I have been there for 11 years now. I love the worship and preaching, I love the music, and sing in the choir. I really enjoy the ministers and the people in my parish and I'm active in community service as an outreach of my church.
Perhaps, (if you think you could) you could explore other faiths like I did, you might find a better fit. I haven't been a steady churchgoer all of my adult life. I didn't attend very often in my 20's and 30's at all. But now that I've found the best expression of my faith, I don't see myself anywhere else. I do believe that if one remains spiritual that is the most important thing and that organized religion isn't for everyone. I've met too many people of different faiths or of no faith to believe that God doesn't include those people in His plan.

I am a Stranger to God. I practive all of these and a few more. I have personal discussuions and look to the clouds for his answer. I have personal revelations and understanding when merely thinking of God and specific issues.
I am not one that believes in anything without proof, say for istance, I track for Bigfoot, but until I get the proof I need to prove what I have seen, it is just an ambition and possible Goal. I do wonder what all God has created and often ask to see more. I have recieved proof of Gods existence...so i see it from my point of view. I often feel him watching over me. Yes, it is beautiful that there are so many faiths in the world. I do imagine most practice thes ethree fundamental prayers. Glad to see you are so devoted. Peace Madame Butterfly...something I can actually be greatful for (I lose so much in other fields).

I don't know why you think of yourself as a stranger to God, David. Or did you mistype? I think you are a very spiritual man.
After thinking about my post, I realized that I say "thank you" after finding something I'm looking for. It's become automatic for me. I say it without thinking. I guess that's a simple prayer, though I never realized that before.

interesting, i never thought of it that way b4. 10

Mostly, I consider postitive thoughts as one type of praying. Focusing on bringing about something of love or joy in stead of just quiet meditation gives me a greater sense of hope. And taking action, positively reinforcing action that reaches out to others for the purpose of improving the quality of life is the kind of praying I consider most relevant to my spirituality.
Great post!

Those are wonderful thoughts. I agree with you completely. Positive thought are so important in this cynical world.

A wonderful post. I say all kinds of prayers, along with "listening" (meditation).

I'm eager to read more from you, Mary Ann!

That's very kind of you, Alison, but I don't consider myself a writer. I read many posts and only comment occasionally; just like I listen more than I talk.

But when you speak, we listen to your wisdom. So please do share a li'l more often :-)

I pray: I beg of thee! Then I pray: O' how I thank thee! Then I pray when beauty I see: Thou art an awesome God!

And ya don't wanna know the things He & I say to each other in between! :-)

I have most recently been praying for my son to find a new job; he was laid off and unemployed for nearly a year. Now, I am thanking God for his new job in a new field which he begins tomorrow!

Congratulations to your son! That's great news!

Yes, we are all happy about that.

I like to have regular conversations with God usually at night. I do pray a lot for others and also ask for things for myself (i.e. "Please help me to accept this situation with grace..."). I pray a lot for my kids since I love them so much. I also generally end my God conversations with an entreaty for God to look out for all those who are suffering.

Me too, Clare!

I volunteer with a project for the homeless so I pray for the homeless and the hungry, especially during our cold winters in Minnesota.

Prayers of thanks for myself and prayers of petition, but always for other people who are less fortunate than me because I am blessed.

If I am unhappy about something I don't have because I can't afford it then I remember that there are many in my country and especially in other countries who have far less than I have. It serves as a reminder to be very grateful for all that I do have. (Same as you, Jennifer.)

Madame, Your winters are certainly cold in Minnesota. I went there once in the winter and remember the ground especially - rock hard and frozen with snow - crunchy when I walked. I would hate to think of anyone having to be homeless there. We are the richest country in the world. We should not have any homeless people.

If the holier than thou would just stop and read what the Bible says, we would not have homeless people. You make a good point Clare.

Prayer, in my opinion, needs to always be said with thankfulness no matter the scenario. I believe that is the lesson of Job.

Ah, yes. The patience of Job. That is a good lesson.