01-16-2019, 06:06 PM
I am curious what role prayer plays in the lives of seekers on the forum. Do you pray? What does prayer mean to you? To whom or what do you pray? What are the effects it has had in your spiritual life?
I began praying earnestly and consistently about six or more months ago. I began with a sort of "free form" prayer, just communicating internally to the Creator, expressing desires, concerns, and asking for aid in a path of service. It would generally change each time but the intention held was mostly the same. I would do this at night before going to bed, in the shower, and randomly throughout the day. I found it to be very centering and soothing, and my mind would more easily turn towards prayer the more that I would do it.
Not long after I began I decided to incorporate the Prayer of St. Francis into my daily routine. I began to recite it about three times a day - in the shower, on the car ride into work, and before bed. I would often recite it out loud instead of internally. As I recited the words, I did my best to imbue them with true intention and meaning. I didn't want to simply go through the motions of saying the words, but feel the journey of the prayer as I said it, putting my entire being behind it. This is relatively easy with the Prayer of St. Francis because it shifts between concepts very distinctly and it's easy to really feel the words that are being recited. I would then continue on to my "free form" prayer after St. Francis.
It's hard for me to put a finger on exactly what effects this has had on my spiritual life. I wouldn't say it has been truly profound, but it has been compelling and has become an integral part of my spirituality. I can feel a sort of openness form within me as I pray, it lifts my perspective from the daily concerns to the broader picture of the Creator and service. It soothes my anxiety and helps to center me. I also feel like there is a continuing cumulative effect, that as I continue to pray a deeper connection to myself and to the world is being forged very slowly.
Before my spiritual awakening I was quite anti-spiritual and ant-theist, and found the idea of prayer silly and naive. I've had some baggage to let go of from those days, and I never thought I'd be the type of person who prays regularly, but I am happy that I let that particular baggage fall away.
How about any of you?
I began praying earnestly and consistently about six or more months ago. I began with a sort of "free form" prayer, just communicating internally to the Creator, expressing desires, concerns, and asking for aid in a path of service. It would generally change each time but the intention held was mostly the same. I would do this at night before going to bed, in the shower, and randomly throughout the day. I found it to be very centering and soothing, and my mind would more easily turn towards prayer the more that I would do it.
Not long after I began I decided to incorporate the Prayer of St. Francis into my daily routine. I began to recite it about three times a day - in the shower, on the car ride into work, and before bed. I would often recite it out loud instead of internally. As I recited the words, I did my best to imbue them with true intention and meaning. I didn't want to simply go through the motions of saying the words, but feel the journey of the prayer as I said it, putting my entire being behind it. This is relatively easy with the Prayer of St. Francis because it shifts between concepts very distinctly and it's easy to really feel the words that are being recited. I would then continue on to my "free form" prayer after St. Francis.
It's hard for me to put a finger on exactly what effects this has had on my spiritual life. I wouldn't say it has been truly profound, but it has been compelling and has become an integral part of my spirituality. I can feel a sort of openness form within me as I pray, it lifts my perspective from the daily concerns to the broader picture of the Creator and service. It soothes my anxiety and helps to center me. I also feel like there is a continuing cumulative effect, that as I continue to pray a deeper connection to myself and to the world is being forged very slowly.
Before my spiritual awakening I was quite anti-spiritual and ant-theist, and found the idea of prayer silly and naive. I've had some baggage to let go of from those days, and I never thought I'd be the type of person who prays regularly, but I am happy that I let that particular baggage fall away.
How about any of you?
_____________________________
The only frontier that has ever existed is the self.
The only frontier that has ever existed is the self.
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