Questions tagged [prayer]
The way in which believers communicate to God
290
questions
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1answer
42 views
Prayer and accepting God's will in Catholicism
Is prayer supposed to be the unique means of accepting God's will under Catholic theology? How is a good Catholic supposed to overcome resistance to or confusion about God's will? What do key ...
3
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1answer
134 views
What was the early Church's understanding of the practice of “praying in the Spirit” during the ante-Nicene period?
The Apostle Paul alludes to the practice of "praying in the Spirit" in at least two of his epistles, namely:
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV):
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and ...
2
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0answers
58 views
Why did the members of the Local Churches not mention the name of Witness Lee in their prayers when he was on his deathbed?
When Witness Lee was terminally ill, all the members of the Local Churches (also known as Recovery) around the globe were asked to pray for him, yet without mentioning his name in their prayers. Why ...
1
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1answer
87 views
Homilies during liturgical seasons?
I would like to know the differences, if any, seen in homilies offered at Mass during different liturgical seasons. For instance are both Marian and Rosary-based prayers included customarily or are ...
4
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2answers
1k views
When the Pope says “We commend to the Lord the souls…” what does it mean exactly? It it a symbolic gesture, a prayer, something else?
The recent NPR news item Pope Francis Expresses Sorrow But No Apology For Indigenous School Deaths In Canada includes the following quote:
"We commend to the Lord the souls of all the children ...
1
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1answer
67 views
Do Biblical Unitarians believe that Christians can pray to Jesus and, if so, that he can answer a prayer in which he is asked about his divinity?
I personally believe that there are biblical grounds for praying to Jesus (e.g. this and this), and, as far as I'm aware, many Christians believe the same. However, I'm currently in ignorance with ...
3
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1answer
57 views
What can be deduced from the Gospel of John about prayer?
I´m looking for resources for a seminar paper about prayer in the Gospel of John. Unlike other gospels, it does not use the words proseuche or proseuchomai. It contains no explicit instructions on ...
3
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5answers
237 views
What is the origin of closing one's eyes during prayer?
I have been a Christian since my youth, but I have never received a satisfactory answer to this question.
Why must a Christian close their eyes during prayer?
In large services in the west, (I am not ...
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2answers
54 views
Did the Jansenists deny the gratuity of grace?
Did the Jansenists deny the gratuity of grace? That is, did they think praying more or doing more works of supererogation could always coerce God into granting them more grace, not that God grants or ...
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2answers
61 views
What are the meaning of and the biblical basis for the practice of pleading the blood of Jesus in prayer?
I've heard people say this phrase in prayer many times. A simple Google search for the exact phrase "plead the blood of Jesus" confirms that this is the case, returning about 280,000 hits (...
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3answers
69 views
Is prayer obligated in Christianity, and if so how many times a day? [closed]
Is prayer obligated in Christianity (as it's in Judaism and Islam), and if so how many times a day?
I've heard so many different pieces of information and I'm confused about it.
4
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1answer
129 views
About the intercessions of Saints to God, on one's behalf?
From a Catholic standpoint, and AFAIU, one prays to saints to intercede for one, on one´s behalf, to God. That being said, if you ask for help or a miracle to a saint through a prayer, and if you at ...
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3answers
152 views
How do Catholics make sure that the supposed saint they are asking intercession of is truly saved?
The doctrine of the intercession of saints states that deceased saints can be asked (via prayer) to intercede for the living. This assumes that there is:
A living Christian.
A deceased saint.
A one-...
-4
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1answer
63 views
What did Jesus mean by saying “Watch with me… ”at Gethsemane?
We read at Mtt 26: 36-45 an account of Jesus' Prayer at Gethsemane:
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” And ...
2
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0answers
56 views
According to Catholicism, was there a co-relation between the time of Transfiguration of Jesus and that of his Prayer at Gethsemane?
We read in Luke 9:28-32 an account of the Transfiguration of Jesus:
Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And ...
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1answer
148 views
According to Trinitarianism, should prayers always be directed at one Person at a time, or can we pray to the whole Trinity simultaneously?
According to Trinitarianism, is it valid to pray to God "in general" (the whole Godhead) without specifying the Person (Father, Son or Holy Spirit), or should we always be explicit about ...
4
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2answers
239 views
What is the purpose of the ten Hail Marys in the Rosary if you should not focus on them?
Many Catholics pray the Rosary every day. This is very good. They are meditating on the holy Mysteries. What I don't really get is the ten Hail Marys. I am not saying that it's vain repetition. That's ...
4
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1answer
62 views
I've heard it said that Pope St. John Paul II wrote in front of the blessed sacrament. Is this true?
I occasionally get the dirty look from people in the adoration chapel, when writing, and was wondering if it's true that Pope St. John Paul II wrote in the adoration chapel.
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1answer
72 views
Our prayers should be aimed at who? [closed]
I know that Jesus died for my sins, and I know that we pray in Jesus' name, but should we ask Jesus or God the Father?
7
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3answers
148 views
What is the biblical basis for praying to the Holy Spirit?
There is a question about praying to Jesus already, but I noticed there is no question about praying to the Holy Spirit. What is the biblical basis for praying to the third person of the trinity?
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1answer
35 views
In Luke 18:8, does the Geek word translated “quickly” mean “suddenly” in this instance?
We know that in our lives on planet earth the Lord does not always quickly protect those who are suffering injustice. Definitely, he will on the day of his visitation correct injustices and he will ...
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3answers
2k views
Are there any biblical examples of Early Church disciples praying to deceased saints in order to request their intercessory prayer?
Certain Christian denominations, notably Catholicism and Orthodoxy, hold the belief that living Christians can pray to deceased saints in order to request their supportive intercessory prayer. Is ...
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1answer
51 views
Provenance of Novena of Abandonment
I came across the "Novena of Abandonment" prayer, first via a friend, then saw it on many blogs online etc, for example here: Jesus, You take over and the Rosary of Abandonment. It reads ...
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1answer
72 views
Is praying the rosary, heard when our attention is difficult to maintain?
If someone is 90 years of age and believes that they have an Attention Deficit issue, is their prayers heard?
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2answers
41 views
Is intercessory prayer valid? [closed]
Acts 13:48 Good News Bible "and those who had been chosen for eternal life became believers." If believers are chosen then intercessory prayer for unbelievers would seem to be futile. What ...
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3answers
213 views
Why there isn't a daily prayer structure like Liturgy of the Hours among Protestants?
Why the protestants, (and I exclude Lutherans & Anglicans, maybe some Methodists too), don't have a daily prayer rule ?
Even if it isn't as elaborate as the Catholic or Orthodox ones, they can ...
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2answers
108 views
Would an actual Christian (in the 1920s or today) actually make a “prayer sign” like this in this context?
In the Charlie Chaplin film "The Kid" (1921), there is a scene where his character, who is apparently supposed to be Christian, is being threatened with violence by a thug. As he walks ...
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1answer
37 views
What did St. Theresa of Àvila mean by the “Prayer of Recollection”?
From The Way of Perfection, chapter 28
It is a prayer that brings with it many blessings. This prayer is called "recollection," because the soul collects its faculties together and enters ...
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1answer
70 views
Which sects of Christianity recite verses of God and prostrate to God during the night?
I'm looking that this verse if Quran.
Āl ʿImrān:13
They are not (all) equal. Of the population of the Book (Or: Family of
the Book; i.e., the Jews and Christians) is an upright nation (who)
recite ...
4
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2answers
141 views
What is the biblical basis for switching between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as recipients during prayer?
I've noticed that some Christians seem to switch the recipient of their prayer as they pray. For example, they may begin their prayer by addressing the Father, but at some point they suddenly switch ...
asked Nov 18 '20 at 22:11
Spirit Realm Investigator
3,0281 gold badge7 silver badges38 bronze badges
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0answers
50 views
Can '15 Prayers of St. Bridget of Sweden' be divided and prayed through the day?
Can '15 Prayers of St. Bridget of Sweden' be divided and prayed through the day? What about '7 Prayers of St. Bridget of Sweden', can they be likewise divided? Prayers mentioned are full of content, ...
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0answers
44 views
Did any saint pray '15 Prayers of Saint Bridget of Sweden'?
Was there any saint (or blessed, or venerable) that prayed '15 Prayers of Saint Bridget of Sweden'? Does any saint (or blessed, or venerable) recommend that prayer? Did the St. Bridget pray them?
1
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1answer
39 views
Hymns that talk to God [closed]
I am looking for hymns that talk to God / Jesus / Holy Spirit instead of about Him or us. Prayer like hymns if it makes sense.
English is not my primary language so I know only one: "Fairest Lord ...
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2answers
119 views
What is the origin and basis of the idea of spending an hour each day in prayer?
In my society there is this odd thing being discussed or requested of people to pray i.e to spend one hour a day praying.
I do not understand why one needs to pray for one hour. The closest is the ...
2
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1answer
141 views
How do you know someone is in heaven? [closed]
How do you know that a person is in heaven?
I just read the very thoughtful answers/comments to a question about praying to someone outside the trinity and have a follow up question. Most of the ...
7
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2answers
400 views
How to pray and meditate while saying the rosary?
What to think about when praying the rosary? If one thinks about the mystery (e.g. sorrowful mystery) while praying, then one can not pay attention to the words of Hail Mary but if one concentrates on ...
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6answers
300 views
Can Christians accept prayers from other religions? [closed]
For example, can a Buddhist prays for a Christian and let the person know like health and peace? If yes/no, where is it written in the Bible.
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4answers
370 views
“Ask and it will be given to you” vs. “Not my will, but yours be done.”
So, please clarify something for me. I'm trying to get a better understanding of presenting my requests to God, but also recognizing that it is not my will, but His will be done. Here are three verses ...
6
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2answers
150 views
How to pray for a corrupt government involved in drug trafficking?
Venezuelan government/regime is destroying the country through corruption, drugtraffiking to the USA and Europe, murder, kleptocracy, unjustified imprisonments. The government palace is full of ...
2
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1answer
51 views
Is there a standard text of the Litany of Loreto accepted for universal use by the Catholic Church?
The Litany of Loreto recited in Southern India contains a prayer "Glory/pride of the Order of Carmelites, pray for us" just before the last prayer "Queen of peace, pray for us". That prayer is not ...
asked May 6 '20 at 4:31
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan
7,3713 gold badges21 silver badges47 bronze badges
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1answer
60 views
Has the Catholic Church ever thought of replacing the prayer “Tower of ivory, pray for us” in the Litany of Loreto?
The Litany of Loreto to Our Lady contains a prayer: "Tower of ivory, pray for us". Of course, this prayer was written at a time when ivory was in abundance, and there was no prohibition against its ...
asked May 4 '20 at 3:57
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan
7,3713 gold badges21 silver badges47 bronze badges
4
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3answers
548 views
Can one pray for something “bad” to happen to yourself?
Short version: In the context of Christianity and in particular the New Testament, is it possible to pray for something that one perceives as "bad" for oneself, and receive it?
Long version: The New ...
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1answer
73 views
Does Pope Francis want Catholics to pray both new prayers at the end of the Rosary or just one or the other?
So this question might be rather meaningless in a few months, but I figured I might as well ask here in case someone can parse the Pope's meaning
The Holy Father said:
I am also providing two ...
3
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2answers
148 views
Has the Church of England responded on the latest comment of its “Head”?
In a brief speech recorded on first April and televised on the fifth, the "Head" of the Church of England (that is to say its professed "Head" Queen Elizabeth II) mentioned 'prayer and meditation' but ...
3
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1answer
48 views
Does a Mass intention have any value now, if the Mass will be held, possibly, a year later?
Does a Mass intention have any value now (as expressed, submitted and donation made now), if the Mass will be held, possibly, a year later (due to long waiting list of intentions)?
I would like to ...
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2answers
113 views
What did Clement mean when he said: “Fasting is better than prayer, and charity than both”?
In his second letter to the Corinthians (16:3), the anonymous church father, believed to be Clement of Rome, wrote:
"Fasting is better than prayer, and charity than both".
What did he mean by that?...
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1answer
46 views
Can one take up the cross of someone who is suffering from illnesses and carry them like Simon of Cyrene and pray that to God?
If family members are sick and one wants to pray for their recovery and carry their crosses can they pray to God to bestow their suffering on him or her?
Is that a valid prayer?
Can one take up ...
2
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1answer
422 views
Gender Segregation in Small Groups and Prayer
TL;DR
What Biblical justification is there for gender segregation in prayer/small groups? and has there been any study on the affect which this segregation has on the people involved?
In various ...
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2answers
229 views
What is the origin and meaning of the rosary?
What is the origin and meaning of the rosary?
It’s a repetitive customary prayer of “Hail Mary, the lord’s prayer, glory be, and oh my Jesus”.
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5answers
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Is there a Bible-verse, what says that one must not quote the bible all the time? [closed]
Can someone advice me please. I have an acquaintance who is highly religious and reads and quotes bible verses and prays almost all the time, many hours in a row. Is there any bible verse, with what ...
