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The way in which believers communicate to God

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How does God communicate to people today?

We all know that prayer has always been considered the standard way in which people can communicate to God, but what about the different ways in which God can communicate back to people? I'm ...
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114 views

Which translation of the bible does this version of the Lord's Prayer come from?

When I was very young, the version of the Lord's Prayer that I was taught went like this: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in ...
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According to 'Intercession of Saints' adherents, is two-way communication between the dead and the living possible?

Simple question: according to adherents of the doctrine of Intercession of Saints, just like the living can communicate with the dead, is it also possible for the dead to communicate with the living? ...
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76 views

Are there theological explanations for why God would condition his divine intervention and mercy on intercessory prayer?

Ezekiel 22:29-31 (ESV): 29 The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice. 30 And ...
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3answers
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Do any Christian groups or denominations believe that miracle-working faith can be cultivated through prayer and fasting?

I've been putting together an answer to my own question What is an overview of conditional Biblical promises for truth seekers that can be empirically tested in their lifetime?. While doing this ...
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1answer
84 views

Do the teachings of Catholic Church prohibit the use of “Amen” for purposes other than prayers?

Amen is a secular word of Greek and Hebrew origin, and is used to express solemn ratification (as of an expression of faith) or hearty approval (as of an assertion). The Church has been associating ...
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1answer
112 views

When was it claimed for the first time that Christians could "pray in tongues" in private for self-edification?

Very simple question: in the history of Christianity, when was it claimed for the first time (outside of the Bible, to avoid exegetical controversies, please) that the gift of tongues could be used in ...
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1answer
54 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 ...
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1answer
142 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 ...
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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 ...
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1answer
90 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 ...
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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 ...
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1answer
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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 ...
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1answer
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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 ...
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5answers
552 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
60 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
70 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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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.
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144 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
170 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-...
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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 ...
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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
150 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 ...
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2answers
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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 ...
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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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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?
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3answers
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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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
246 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
111 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
41 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
76 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 ...
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2answers
144 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 ...
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0answers
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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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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?
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1answer
42 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
126 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 ...
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1answer
144 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 ...
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2answers
485 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
325 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
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"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 ...
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2answers
160 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 ...
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1answer
53 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 ...
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1answer
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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 ...
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3answers
599 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
75 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 ...

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