I think one of the real problems with formulated Christianity is it fits well with usually no more than one personality type, depending on the church.
I am not much of a pray with other people guy. I do because I feel it is a real point of power release—you know two or three gathered together can ask anything (Matt. 18:19).
But I am mostly an introvert that loves people.
I don’t pray over my food. And I feel just fine about it. I always compliment the cook if it is due. But it just seems kind of rote and religious to me. But if you pray for your food I’ll pray with you.
I like to pray the scriptural prayers. I own a book that has all the prayers in the Bible. I like to pray my way through them. I like to write out my prayers.
I can’t sit still for long periods of time so I like to walk around when I pray even with a group. I use my hands a lot when I pray. I have said bad words to God a time or two while praying. I never call him daddy as one of my friends does (the cat is weird)…I am in awe when I pray.
I saw one day that complaining is as much a part of praying as is giving thanks. Just read David’s prayers: The guy didn’t mind threatening, complaining, or challenging God.
If your honest about praying I think you do those things.
I get up at five thirty every morning because my wife gets up to go to work. But I am not a morning person. I have to take naps. I just can’t pray in the morning. I do my best praying after 11PM at night.
I hate it when our service team has to pray before the service. I am so prayed up I can’t see straight already. And sometimes the prayers prayed steal my faith. And I figure if you haven’t gotten things prayed for by the time you get there a last minute effort isn’t going to help much.
I can pray myself into being pretty fearful. So I often have to just say Jesus help me and leave it at that. I pray with my computer in hand. I write my prayers out and keep a record of them. It is amazing how much does get answered you don’t pay much attention to.
I like to tell people what I am praying so God will be on the hook.
I don’t really get praying. If God knows everything why ask us to talk to him about it?
I have concluded that maybe God has chosen to not know everything that will happen but to know everything thing that could happen. Maybe he knows major stuff and we create the other stuff with him and prayer allows us to partner in creating a kingdom on earth that is His. Maybe praying makes us into Jesus type people. Maybe we get to share the joy with him that comes form receiving what we have prayed. Maybe it’s just the way it is and it’s none of our business why.
I don’t really know.
Basically I pray to enjoy God. I love God. I enjoy being with him. I enjoy everything about him. And I am compelled to pray because of that.
[Hey folks...I think I am taken much more seriously than I thought. I actually don't read my emails while my wonderful service team is praying. I was attempting to be facetious but failed. I guess. I meant to communicate that - before a service I am pretty wound up and prefer praying by myself. A lot of direction in prayer before I speak really effects me. But the bottom line is I don't even bring my phone to service. I leave it in my trusty truck.
I am sorry I communicated pretty much the opposite of what I was intending to communicate. It's not that I lie. I just try and be funny sometimes.
But I am grateful for all the input. I think too few are open to being criticized and hence never improve.]
