True comment from a visitor: “You monks pray two hours per day? Every day?? What do you pray for? There can’t be that many needs in the world!”
True–but most prayer is not asking for needs. There is also thanks for prayers answered–whatever that answer may be. There is praising God for who He is. There is sorrow and repentance for sin. There is listening to God’s Word. There is sitting in silence with one another. There is asking advice, and listening to the reply. And so on…
I never seemed to be able to pray as part of a group in church. If I was talking to God during church it was usually something about hurrying up the service, and letting me get out of that place. Or helping me not freak out in front of all those scary people.
Plods with ...™ almost 14 years ago
Overheard from a little girl after the preacher asked how she liked her first day in the big church:
“The music was great, but the commercials were too long.”
freeholder1 almost 14 years ago
Especially for those who don’t talk to the Guy on the other end very often.
kab2rb almost 14 years ago
Doctor Toon that is marvelous to say. For some it’s not what the prayer is saying is what God really hears that matters.
bmonk almost 14 years ago
True comment from a visitor: “You monks pray two hours per day? Every day?? What do you pray for? There can’t be that many needs in the world!”
True–but most prayer is not asking for needs. There is also thanks for prayers answered–whatever that answer may be. There is praising God for who He is. There is sorrow and repentance for sin. There is listening to God’s Word. There is sitting in silence with one another. There is asking advice, and listening to the reply. And so on…
freeholder1 almost 14 years ago
Paul: “Pray unceasingly.”
MisngNOLA almost 14 years ago
Were I the praying type, I could sure find more to pray for than two hours worth a day, and that’s without praying for anything for myself.
bmonk almost 14 years ago
@MisingNOLA, that’s just the public prayer of the monastery…
MisngNOLA almost 14 years ago
I understand, boo-monk. My remark was intended to be more about the person who asked you about how much there could be to pray about.
Ooops! Premium Member almost 14 years ago
I never seemed to be able to pray as part of a group in church. If I was talking to God during church it was usually something about hurrying up the service, and letting me get out of that place. Or helping me not freak out in front of all those scary people.