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Religion/spirituality

Do you say prayers?

(132 Posts)
Daddima Mon 02-Sept-24 14:00:03

I’ve just been reading social media posts to someone who has been bereaved, and many say things like, ‘ My thoughts and prayers are with you’. This made me wonder how many of these people would actually pray for the bereaved person, and being the cynic that I am, I’d guess not many, and the Facebook post will be as far as it goes.
I’m not a big prayer as such, but I do like a wee quiet time in church.
Do people still do the kneeling by the bed at night kind of praying?

JudyBloom Mon 02-Sept-24 20:38:56

Yes I do pray, but not the kneeling down at night kind of praying. I also like to read daily reading Devotionals from the Christian bookshop and I have my own Bibles to refer to.

Georgesgran Mon 02-Sept-24 21:08:39

Another non-believer, so no.

Greenfinch Mon 02-Sept-24 21:13:16

Some of you may be interested in something I was introduced to by someone I met on holiday. It is called Christian Art and can be accessed online. Every day there is a different painting followed by a Bible reading and a reflection on the painting. It can be an aid to prayer or just food for thought. I often turn to it in the night if sleep eludes me. Just type in Christian art and go to the gospel reading of the day.

Skydancer Mon 02-Sept-24 21:23:38

I do pray sometimes but I am not a Christian. I just know there must be a higher power when I look at the incredible world we inhabit.

ginny Mon 02-Sept-24 21:55:17

Nonbeliever , so no I don’t pray.
I will of course keep someone in my thoughts and feel for them.

Carenza123 Mon 02-Sept-24 22:05:54

I believe in the power of prayer and do pray regularly. My friend’s mother impressed me with her strength of faith before she passed away and I just envied her commitment to her faith.

Redrobin51 Mon 02-Sept-24 22:16:39

Yes I pray. If someone I know is having a bad time I always pray that they will be helped. It is also a way of keeping them in my thoughts.

polomint Mon 02-Sept-24 22:29:57

If someone asked me to pray for them and I said yes then I would definitely pray for them. I have faith and prayer is very essential to me. I pray every night and through the day if I feel I need support

grannyactivist Tue 03-Sept-24 00:10:22

My husband and I actually met at church, so our faith has always been fundamental to our relationship. We pray, both together and individually, and because many of our friends know we do we’re often asked to pray for particular situations. We usually do so immediately or as soon as we’re able. Sometimes prayer is accompanied by fasting, though that’s more frequently my husband’s response than mine.

mumofmadboys Tue 03-Sept-24 06:28:47

I don't kneel to pray. I like to pray when I am out walking but also when I potter round the house.

DanniRae Tue 03-Sept-24 07:30:50

I pray every morning and during the day if a situation arises that I need to pray about.
It is a great comfort to me smile

Marydoll Tue 03-Sept-24 07:54:09

mumofmadboys

I don't kneel to pray. I like to pray when I am out walking but also when I potter round the house.

I can no longer kneel to say my prayers, but like you, MMB, I pray as I got about my daily business.
My mantra is ^ Laboratory est orare!^.

Cabbie21 Tue 03-Sept-24 08:46:14

I do pray, but not in an organised or kneeling down by the bed way.

Sarnia Tue 03-Sept-24 08:55:10

Some people will say that they will offer prayers because they feel it is the right thing to say. How many times do you hear people saying things like 'God help me' when they are non-believers?

grannytotwins Tue 03-Sept-24 11:10:40

I’m amazed at these posts. The majority saying that they pray. I don’t know anyone, family or friends that has religious beliefs. I’m 74, so not a cool young person.

DeeAitch56 Tue 03-Sept-24 11:18:42

I’m a staunch non believer so no

Moggycuddler Tue 03-Sept-24 11:21:31

Gave up with religion a very long time ago when praying to an invisible something started to seem absurd. I also wondered why a loving "god" would answer the prayers of some and not others. Why does one person's beloved child die but not another's? Living without religion is freeing.

Tuskanini Tue 03-Sept-24 11:32:12

Yes, ‘Thoughts and prayers’ has become a cliche, which may well not imply any actual praying.
I avoid it. Partly because I don’t subscribe. Partly because it’s tainted as the standard utterance of gun-supporting American politicians after a mass shooting.

Sarnia Tue 03-Sept-24 11:41:06

Moggycuddler

Gave up with religion a very long time ago when praying to an invisible something started to seem absurd. I also wondered why a loving "god" would answer the prayers of some and not others. Why does one person's beloved child die but not another's? Living without religion is freeing.

I agree with you. What loving and compassionate 'God' would allow the carnage the world is seeing at the moment? Religion is in the mix of most of the wars and conflicts. I was brought up to treat others with respect 7 days a week and that's what I try to do.

RosesandLilac Tue 03-Sept-24 11:45:19

Charleygirl5

The nuns finished me off with religion of any sort at the age of 17.

Me too <shudders>
They condemned any girl who wasn’t RC, especially if they refused to convert to the religion.

meddijess Tue 03-Sept-24 11:54:17

Me too!

jocork Tue 03-Sept-24 11:58:25

I'm a christian and, 'Yes, I do pray' - but not in the kneeling by the bed way. I often pray for someone because they simply come to mind in the course of my day. Our church have a WhatsApp group for prayer requests and I find it very reassuring to know that friends will pray if I'm in need.

schnackie Tue 03-Sept-24 11:58:44

Agreeing with Moggycuddler and Sarnia. I worked in Children's Hospice and the cruelty of one family whose child recovered going around saying "Thank you Jesus! You've answered our prayers" (This was obviously in America, but not the deep South), and another family who were devout churchgoers, praying by their child's bedside all day and night, only for their child to die a painful death, never did sit right with me.
I believe in a higher power, but when I pray it is always a 'Thank You' for the health and happiness of my family but never to request anything.

Etoile2701 Tue 03-Sept-24 12:06:02

I do pray but I don't know who to. I was brought up as a Catholic and suffered from constant guilt as a result. Then I got involved with a group of evangelical Christians who constantly talked about sin and hell. It put me off organised religion.

Hels001 Tue 03-Sept-24 12:06:21

Yes still pray I don't feel the need to kneel at the side of the bed however not sure id get back up! But yes I do and like some others sometimes have a quiet word during the day.