Prayer
I am trying, this third time, to start a forum conversation on the subject of prayer. I am specifically interested in your ideas and experience in prayer as a normal Christian practice.
I’ll start by saying that I have personally grown by reading and meditating on prayers recorded in The Bible. By looking at the person(s) praying, the specific setting, the situation, and the motivation (as far as it can be discerned). I have discerned some aspects of biblical prayers that are always present. I have also noticed some common modern practices, that I observe in contemporary Christian settings, for which I cannot find a precedent or encouragement in the bible.
I would like to get other believers perspectives on the practice of prayer, specifically how The Holy Spirit of God has formed prayer as a normal practice in your life; how prayer is a genuine expression of an active relationship.
For discussion: If I were to say: “I prayed this morning”, what do you immediately think I did?
(1) Asking / petitioning: Do you think I was asking God to change some situation, provide for some need, or to protect some plans I have made?
(2) A monologue / expression: Would you think I was telling God something about myself, giving Him information, or expressing something of how I see Him. This includes praise, adoration, thanksgiving, reliance, acceptance of His works, and details about my life.
(3) Conversation / dialogue: Would you immediately think I was speaking with God on some subject(s), conversing, expecting Him to respond in some way. I was both speaking and listening with expectation
(4) Something else: This may include things like memorized recitation, conversational meditation, practicing a ritual, reciting scripture, some kind of bodily posture, or anything else that is not included here.
Even though our English word “pray” comes from the idea to “ask” or “entreat”, we use the word in modern conversation to mean much more than that. Prayer encompasses a larger scope of interaction than to “request”.
When you use the word “prayer”, what do you mean by it?
How do you know if what you are doing is close to those prayers we find recorded in The Bible, or does it need to be?
Hoping to grow from your perspectives.
I know a couple of you have previously responded to this same plea in the past. I am still interested in your personal perspectives, along with the important perspectives of those who have not considered this topic.
KP