If you're not paying attention, does it count?

[Amber Kalina]

When you pray, does God still hear it if you don't think about it? Like, if you're just going through the motion, does God still listen?

What if you're singing a praise song, but you are more worried about the way it sounds than the words themselves? Does it still count?

[Sue Delaney]

I believe even when we're not paying attention, God is. Even when we're not faithful, God is. Isn't our Heavenly Father wonderful?

[Rob McNair]

I agree with Sue. The simple answer is...God knows. Read Matthew 6:7-8 where Jesus states, "When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him". Also, the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:26-27, "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints [you and me!] according to the will of God." We need to realize that we are never alone, that we have a helper in this world as explained in John 14:26, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you." I think the truth is there are times when we all "go through the motions" of our faith, whether it is singing a praise song, reciting the Lord's Prayer, or taking communion. Sometimes it just doesn't feel as if we are making a spiritual connection with God. But I guess I see it like exercise...sometimes exercise is a lot of fun and you are excited about it...and other times you are just "going through the motions" and pretty much hate every minute. Either way, there is still a benefit to your physical body. Obviously, God wants us to open our hearts and make a spiritual connection in all the ways we worship Him, but that just doesn't always happen. But I believe there are still benefits from "going through the motions" of our faith.

[Amber Kalina]

God is good all the time!

What about empty phrases? What if somebody who doesn't believe says the Lord's Prayer just because they want to make fun of it, or something.

It makes sense that God always listens to us. But something I really don't understand is how to pray. Is there a certain way to pray? Certain things we should pray for? Do we pray to Jesus and God for different things, Jesus for deliverance and God for everything else?

I don't understand because Jesus himself said, "Don't praise me, but my father."

[Rob McNair]

I do not believe there is a right and wrong way to pray. Again, God knows. What he seeks is for us to be genuine and authentic. What astounds me is this: "Now during those days he [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God" (Luke 6:12). Like the whole night?!?!? I mean, this is Jesus. What's he got to pray about so much? If he prays the whole night what does that mean for the rest of us??? I pray for 5 minutes and my mind wonders and all of a sudden I realize I am daydreaming about a DQ blizzard with M&Ms or something absurd and then I feel guilty. I think that is something I need to improve upon is the amount of time I dedicate to prayer and my stamina praying! Which is bordering on weakling. I am a prayer wimp!

[Amber Kalina]

Yah, I can totally back you there, Rob. Those DQ Blizzards w/ M&Ms are just to irresistable! (I prefer cookie dough, myself...) Anyway, I'm serious. Sometimes I think I should just pray outloud so that God will hear my prayers instead of the DQ interferance. Not that that would stop God from seeing what's on my mind anyway. It just gets so confusing sometimes. Like, I don't want to pray about something selfish or empty. I pray for others as much as I can, asking God to help them in some way, but I don't want it to seem like I'm DEMANDING that he do something. We know God most likely won't reach down from Heavan and *Alakazam* change the world to be perfect. So that leaves us for Him to work through. And, most of the time, I can stay up and pray for everybody, but I don't want to heap up empty phrases with many words like the Gentiles in Matthew 6:7-8.

Sometimes, I'm really tired and just throw in a quick prayer cause I don't want my mind wandering so much when I'm praying, but then I feel like I didn't pray enough. It's weird.

[Tracy Bieger]

Thanks a lot guys, now all I can think about is a DQ blizzard.........

[Rob McNair]

For my bible reading I have been reciting the psalm outloud. The psalms are so poetic I feel they deserve to be spoken. There is something to be said...I just had an idea. How long do you think it would take to recite the whole Bible? I googled it...approximately 90 hours. That's like 3 to 4 days. The New Testament could be recited in 20-24 hours. This would be a great fund raiser for the National Gathering Trip...the youth could recite the New Testament. That would be cool. Hmmm...makes one think.

[Amber Kalina]

Rob, are you really thinking about puting free child labor into raising money?? Cool! When can I sign up? It can be like the 30 hour famine. Maybe we could do that on the same day, or were we going to do that with the Feed my Starving Children project....? Hmmmmmmmm

Anyway, getting off topic. Maybe we should all make a psalm to relay our relationship with God and what He's done for us.

[Abby Kalina]

hey! neh... just being random. anyway, back to topic, is it bad if you fall asleep while praying. because i can be like praying and then the next thing i know, i wake up. in other words, does a prayer only count if you put an "Amen" at the end of it?

[Abby Kalina]

can someone reply please?

[Rob McNair]

I think I would say the same thing. God knows what we need. Also, I think we define prayer under a pretty tight definition, usually consisting of words either spoken or at least said to ourself in our minds. However, I think prayer can take different shapes. So no, I do not believe "amen" has some special power to make a prayer complete and acceptable. I too usually pray as I lie down to bed. I think we need to be more dedicated to prayer during the day. I think prayer is just about anything that connects us to God and keeps us in relationship with him. Sitting under a tree on a sunny day enjoying nature could be a form of prayer if you ask me.

[Abby Kalina]

yeah i know what you mean. whenever i see anything really beautiful i thank God for the beauty he has created. and i prey whenever i find that there is something to prey about.
is it okay to prey for yourself?