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Woody
Administrator
USA
304 Posts |
 Posted - 12/17/2007 : 16:39:39
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Seems like a really stupid question doesn't it? For me, it's not. I was not brought up in a religious household. I've never gone to church, except for a meeting or two. I guess since my parents were Jewish, that makes me a Jew. But that's as far as it goes. We never really celebrated any of the Jewish holidays except the ones that got me out of school. So I didn't grow up in a family that prayed. I've never had the nerve to ask this question before either. I guess I was afraid of being laughed at or ridiculed. But I'm here asking it now. Do I get on my knees before I go to bed and go through the "God bless Mammy and Daddy etc, etc? Do I just look up in the air and say "Dear God, please help .....? I haven't got a clue. Maybe that's why my prayers never get answered. And on that topic, how do I "Hear" the answers to my prayers?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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laurie l
Starting Member
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2007 : 10:17:20
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Good question Woody. I'm sure everyone does it differently.
Yes, I learned at the hands of the Nuns "how to pray." That was
a long time ago and it's gone by the wayside. Early in sobriety
"Sermon On The Mount" by Emmet Fox was extremely helpful to me.
Sort of solidified my feelings about 'organized religion' and
gave me the wherewithal to seek out my HP as I understand her/him.
For a long time now, I have 'one-sided' conversations with the
Great Spirit. I don't ask for me most times except things like
'could you please help get through this' or 'please guide me on
the right path', etc, most times I am asking for help for others,
friends who have children in trouble, or someone going through
surgery, or someone who has just suffered a loss.
99% of the time, upon awakening in the morning I quietly say,
"please your will not mine for today." And then at night I
simply say "thank you for my sober day."
I think my first 'honest' prayer while I was out their all
those years was the day I got sober, sitting on the curb at
the back of the Hollywood Bowl Park Parking lot, next to my
beat up car, feeling like the booze was coming out of every
pore of my body as soon as I took it in, and knowing I was
going to die if I continued to drink, and knowing I was
going to die if I stopped. I sat there, and finally said
"Please help me."
Not my usually alkie prayer of "God, get me out of this one
and I promise I'll never do it again." Just "please help
me."
IT WORKED.
The rest is history now. That was June 7, 1981.
As to "hearing" the answers to your prayers. Slowly I started
to look at things differently. Slowly I became more aware of
what was going on around me. Slowly I learned there are no
'coincidences' and I started to 'see' and 'feel' the answers.
My thinking changed. My 'acceptance' of others changed, my
'attitude' changed.
I will say this, BE VERY CAREFUL WHAT YOU PRAY FOR. I first
heard this when I was about 3 months sober. A very nice gal,
named Josie would tell this story on herself as an example.
She was about 7 and 1/2 years sober and really thought she
had come far enough in her sobriety that a gentlemen friend
would be nice. Now mind you Josie and been a "Bowery Drunk"
as she called herself, and like said, she had 'cleaned up
pretty darn good." Well, she started asking God to send her
a 'companion' she was so tired of living alone. She really
wanted company and someone in her life.
God did. He sent Josie her MOM from New York City, lol. The
last thing in the world Josie ever expected. Yet, that became
one of the greatest times and memories in Josie's recovery.
She got to spend the last 8 years of her mom's life with her,
and had a relationship with her mom that she never she never
believed was possible.
No Woody you don't have to get down on your knees. You can
talk to your HP anytime and anywhere you want. I personally
still hesitate after I open the door to my vehicle to allow
HP to enter first, same thing going into the house, into a
store, whatever. That is just me. I am comfortable with
feeling and believing that HP is ALWAYS with me.
Good question Woody and I think you will get quite a variety
of responses.
J M H O based on my ES&H
Love and hugs,
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laurie
God Bless You All As You Trudge The
Road Of Happy Destiny (especially
when your trudgin thru alligators up to your butt) |
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Lin
Junior Member
USA
352 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2007 : 15:45:52
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Excellent question! I am not one of the on my knees by the side of the bed. I may sit outside and pray....I may go to the park...I may go to church....I may be in the car...I may even be in the shower or in teh tanning bed. I can pray anywwhere.
As a kid I memorized a few prayers but mostly I prayed from the ehart.
today I love heart prayers, and today I am also Catholic so I DO pray the memorized ones. (I was not Catholic until 1995) I thank God for a sunset, I praise him for the magnificense of a mountain, I ask him for help. I dont tell him what I want him to do about a certain problem
I used to pray..Please let my dad get sober. Or pleas let my hubby come home sober. But those prayers were never answered. So to day I change how I word it..I say...Let him be safe. Or I say ...Whisper in his ear what YOU think he needs to hear. That way,...regardles of the outcome, my prayers are answered.
eash day I give my day to God. I ask him to guide my words and my actions to do His will. I ask him to let my words be what those aroudn me need to hear. And I go on about my day.
I can tell my prayers are answered when I see the faces of those around me appreciating what I said or did. I see my prayers are answred when I dont run into roadblocks.
I look forawrd to hearing more replies.
LIN |
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Griz
Starting Member
5 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2007 : 22:51:37
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| Wow good azz topic Woodster! I can relate with you, was no religious background in my family.. Got to agree with Dean there is no right or wrong way.. My opinion if God really truely is god, then he understands us no matter how we do it.. Alot of people have certain practices.. I choose the God help me, thank you god for whatever, and etc.. Good topic!!! |
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Jeanne
Starting Member
16 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2007 : 10:36:26
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| One thing that helps me to learn how to pray is reading the Psalms. David was a passionate prayer warrior and God even called him a man after his own heart. There are psalms you can use and put in names which I have done many times. I believe two things...G-d meets us where we are and there are times I need to express how holy He is and with that even though I may not have been on my knees, I have felt my soul bend to Him. Jesus taught how to pray with the Our Father. I think that this was an outline of sorts, that allows us to expand on what we feel in our heart. Example: Forgive us as we forgive those who trespass against us. Forgive me Lord for holding this grudge against so and so. Take the obstacles that hold me back of knowing your way of getting past this grievance etc. As far as feeling He has not answered prayers...sometimes I don't sit in the quiet long enough to listen and hear and sometimes, I just have to let it go and have faith He is working in ways I have no idea about. Practicing the rituals of the Jewish faith can be beautiful and draw you closer into relationship. I have family who are Messianic Jews. They believe Jesus is the Messaiah and practice the Jewish rituals. I have shared this many times with them. Friday night at sundown we have a special dinner (which brings us close as a family) we share communion in which we remember Christ's death, we read verses from the old and new testement. Then we go to the congreation meeting and there is a lot of joy and worship that goes into the morning if you want. These are just some of the things I do or have done to bring me into a closer relaltionship with G-d. Blessings...Jeanne |
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Woody
Administrator
USA
304 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2007 : 21:52:20
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| I went to the post you are referring to and it's there, right after griz's post. if you still dont see it, let me know. sorry if there's a problem. nice post too. |
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Ali D
Starting Member
14 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2007 : 18:47:32
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Hiya Woody
Really good topic, I think we are going to find a 1001 ways to pray and no right or wrong way. I keep it really simple, I talk to God, anyone watching would think I was talking to myself, but I know I am not :) I talk to God often, sometimes its a sit down, sometimes its in passing. "oh God help me" is one I use A LOT
at work. I do start my day with a chat and I end my day with a chat.
I know in my heart that God knows me and he gets what I am saying :)
Love you buddy.
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Ali D
Starting Member
14 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2007 : 18:52:58
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PS
I know I am hearing the answer when the answer comes to me when I am calm. Sometimes the answer comes long after I prayed, one day I see or hear an answer and say HEY.
I hope this helps a bit.
Ali |
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Lin
Junior Member
USA
352 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2007 : 06:29:07
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I can read Jeanne's post. It is very beautiful. I really enjoyed the traditions you shared, Jeanne! THANKS everybody for sharinghere.
LIN |
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How do you pray?
