Why do we pray?

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Why do we pray? Christanon 03/01/19 (Fri) 19:51:54 a74067 No.777455

What is prayer for, really?

In my experience most people wish for things, as if God were going to grant you something by praying a lot. I used to do this as a kid.

Some people say prayer is some kind of meditation. I have also heard that praying is not to request something from God, but from ourselves. To mentally prepare, to overcome something.

What is your take on this? Any resources to read more about what praying actually is and its purpose?

Christanon 03/01/19 (Fri) 20:02:28 6f3e09 No.777463

>>777455

>In my experience most people wish for things, as if God were going to grant you something by praying a lot. I used to do this as a kid.

This isn't a problem, the problem is when this is the only reason people pray. Prayer is a means of begging the Lord for something, but at the same time we can't be bitter if it doesn't come true like so many people are. After all "not my will, but thine, be done."

>Some people say prayer is some kind of meditation.

This is a different form of prayer, meant to bring your will and soul closer to God, as well as obtain some sort of spiritual insight and/or guidance.

>I have also heard that praying is not to request something from God, but from ourselves. To mentally prepare, to overcome something.

Well, the later half is true. But this strength comes not from ourselves but from the holy spirit.

You are also expected to pray for the sake of others over yourself out of humility and care for they neighbor.

Christanon 03/01/19 (Fri) 20:05:33 18d6e4 No.777464

>>777455

Prayer is contact with God spiritually, and is heaven on Earth. It is spending time with the one you love. It is standing with the mind in the heart before the Judge. It is raising the mind and the heart to God, and so on. Read Origen and Tertullian "On Prayer."

http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/origen_on_prayer_02_text.htm

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0322.htm

Christanon 03/01/19 (Fri) 20:07:58 faf26c No.777467

>>777455

It's really simple, Jesus said "ask and ye shall receive."

Is it meditation? Sometimes

Is it a request? Yes but, a better way to envision it is like asking for alms as a beggar. Does a beggar ask for things he doesn't need? No. Does a beggar ask as if he's entitled? No. Therefore to pray is to ask strictly for what we need, with humility. And what we really need is pardon from sins, grace to avoid them, and humility with which to build of ourselves a temple fit for God to dwell in, because it is written "your body is a temple."

Also, meditation and requests can overlap easily. No need to keep things in separate little boxes.