Do you pray?

[SilentDreams]

I pray to my God and Goddess. I don't pray for forgiveness or anything a typical prayer would be. Most times its just me thanking them for being part of my life and helping me grow spiritually. I know many think as prayer as a practice which is only christian but I don't see it that way. So do you pray?

[LadyTrinity]

I pray if im in trouble or hurt. I have been known to pray while on the toilet :crazy:

[Karma Chameleon]

I pray if im in trouble or hurt. I have been known to pray while on the toilet :crazy:

:lol:

Yes I reckon you could say I pray to the gods in cases basically like those Lady Trinity has mentioned. I don't like using the word 'pray' though because to me it brings up images of Christian prayer. To me what I'd call prayer is just talking to a god or goddess.

[melantha rose]

Yes, I pray often. I thank the Gods and Goddesses, mostly, for being with me every day. But, if I have a "work in progress", I will pray for extra support and to reinforce the 'work' I have done and ensure my deed is accomplished; just to thank them for giving me the ability to come to them and thank them for helping me see these things through. I just did this, not 30 minutes ago, in my new 'sacred space' (as I have come to call it) outside. It's so funny that this is the first thread I came to when I logged on. ;) I think it is disrespectful not to pray to our entrusted ones--be it Gods, Goddesses, or whoever we turn to in times of need. I believe in keeping open communication with them 24/7, not just when I need something from them. It lets them know that I am sincere in my Spiritual path, that it is indeed a daily walk, and not just a "now and then" kind of relationship. I am there always, and by praying and thanksgiving, so are they. :hugz:

[FlyingBear]

I don't pray so much as say thank you when situations happen and I'm clear enough to see the message behind them. Sometimes I think being grateful is becoming a lost art.

[Bix]

I'm trying to do that more. It helps just knowing somebody else out there is listening to you.

[EarthWhispers]

Yes, I do pray. I even consider the rituals I do to be a form of prayer to the gods.

[KellyP]

Yes, I pray. The prayers take many forms depending on the purpose, from the traditional "Thank You" or "Please Help" to the "You are Wonderful" and "Thinking of You". While my targets are primarily members of my chosen pantheon, I do include ancestors, wild spirits, and spirits of the land.

Many of my prayers are designed to focus my thoughts on some specific characteristic of the entity I wish to embody. I pray to Othin before studying the sagas or lore because he is seen as the god of wisdom. However, rather than pray "Please help me understand ...", I have a standard repetition of words praising Othin for his dedication to learning the secrets of the runes and his sacrifice of an eye in Mimir's well in return for secret wisdom. I will quiet my thinking and repeat my prayer until I am focused and feel ready to absorb the material before me.

Wow ... I am sure my answer was far more than the question required.

[lil_suzie]

Always, constantly, and its about worship and honoring not for
that I want somthing from god but just from absolute love and
awe of god and his plan and my heart gets so full with joy that
it overflows as prayer and somtimes I weep from how beutiful
is life and in gratatude for life and thats like a prayer to.

[Teresa]

I do some things that could be considered forms of prayer and thanks to my Higher Power.I also do alot when I am not sure which way I should go on my path.I ask for guidance from my ancestors and also for wisdom, and protection.

[Pandoras]

I pray, but not regularly and not often enough. I pray mostly in thanksgiving, but also for strength, inspiration, and protection.

[AuroraSilvermist]

What I do isn't exactly prayer, but I call it that for lack of a better term. I'm agnostic, but since the entire Universe is one thrumming mass of interconnected energy, I will sometimes just send a thought or a wish or a hope out into the ether. I really have no expectations, but it feels good to release that energy.

[wolf]

Absolutely. I pray for help, for appreciation, for joy, for love, for life ... sometimes prayer takes the form of ritual or spellwork, other times, it's just a private moment of reflection, or of conversation with my Guardians and the Gods.

But oh yes, prayer is a part of my life.

[Tabby]

I pray often. Every day. I don't believe it is just for Christians.

[wolf]

Excellent point! Just because they use the word, doesn't mean they own it.

[SilentDreams]

Excellent point! Just because they use the word, doesn't mean they own it.

I don't know if I'm just misunderstanding you. But I hope nobody got the perception that I thought it was only for christians. I just meant that so many see it as such. In fact a couple Pagans I've talked too have thought I was odd for praying lol.

[Aidron]

I pray to my God and Goddess. I don't pray for forgiveness or anything a typical prayer would be. Most times its just me thanking them for being part of my life and helping me grow spiritually. I know many think as prayer as a practice which is only christian but I don't see it that way. So do you pray?


Prayer is one of the oldest practices among mankind. We have prayed for numerous things to various beings and sometimes with no particular being in mind. Much like Meg Ryan said in "You've Got Mail", "I don't really want an answer, I just want to send this question out into the cosmic void."

Christians do not own the rights to prayer, and many religions encourage it which have historically (and for this you must place aside for a moment that mankind began with Eve and Adam [difficult to do if you have faith in that]) existed far longer than Christianity. Hinduism and Shintoism are two prime examples. They do not cast spells, but rituals are conducted and prayer is extremely common.

The one thing prayer has in common universally with all religions is that it is an attempt to speak to a higher being, a greater force, or the universe at large. Sometimes to request help, sometimes to get things off our chest. Any who believe prayer a strictly Christian practice I would suspect harbors a deep disgust for Christianity and are using rebellion of prayer as an attempt to lash out at Christianity as a whole when mere common sense and the most basic religious historical studies will reveal otherwise.

As to the question, I pray quite often. Daily in fact. Sometimes only to offer greetings or show my affection, other times to ask help when I feel I am blind and cannot see the solution I must pursue (since there is always a solution). In cases where I am sick or in enormous pain or am overcome by dread, I also pray; for guidance, for protection, for whatever the situation warrants.

[wolf]

I didn't mean to reference you specifically. Silent_lover ... I just think that generally folks on pagan paths, including myself at times, have shied away from some practices and terminologies as a kind of overreaction against Christianity. It's very easy to talk about "ritual" and "ceremony" and "spellwork" but less so to talk about prayer.

I'm a Recovering Cathoholic. Figuring out that I didn't have to despise the church was very liberating. But I still have a hard time working with Angels, because of the close association to the Abrahamic faiths.

Hopefully I'm managing to make myself clear ... it's late, I'm tired, and I should have gone to bed an hour or two ago.

[Rosana]

Yes, I pray very often, not only before my altar, but everywhere. Mostly, I give thanks and sometimes, I talk to my Gods about different problems I must face. It's much like a chat with a friend :)

[argento_occhi]

I pray, not as often as I'd like, but I do pray every now and then. Actually, I do more prayer than spellwork, but that's a personal preference.

Argent

[RubyRose]

No, I don't pray, its spellwork if anything.

[Xentor]

Rarely.

[Darkdale]

I try to always keep the gods in mind, but I rarely pray. The gods don't need my worship and they'd respect me a lot more if I handled my problems myself. Mostly, if I pray, I'm either letting the gods know about something great that I've done or I'm thanking them for something great that they've done.

[cheddarsox]

often, several times a day. often just short things, like little check ins. Sometimes longer more focused sessions.

Now, don't ask what I am praying to, I couldn't tell ya, I don't believe in a deity, or that the divine takes a personal form or has human traits or intelligence...yet I still pray because I find it to be good for me. Ah well..

cheddar

[AstralMagick]

I pray when I remember to.

[~Broken Lily~]

I pray. I give thanks for all the things around me and the people I love. At the moment I'm praying all the time for my God and Goddess to make me firtile so that I will become pregnant. My hubby and I want a baby more than anything.

[SacredWithin]

I pray for a lot of things. I usually pray for help and I usually pray for thanks. Sometimes I go directly to the source for things like understanding. But when it comes to things like getting help to get things done, I ask my spirit guides for help. I don't think there is much more to it than that.

[LadyTrinity]

:lol:

Yes I reckon you could say I pray to the gods in cases basically like those Lady Trinity has mentioned. I don't like using the word 'pray' though because to me it brings up images of Christian prayer. To me what I'd call prayer is just talking to a god or goddess.


Yeah I dont do the sign of the cross or anything. I just sit on the tiolet and talk to the higher powers :loveduv:

[Xirian]

I feel that spells are praying, you are just focusing all of your energy on your prayer by using props. A friend of mine calls spells "a prayer with props".

I do pray aside from doing a ritual, but I am usually visualizing some kind of sphere around me at the same time, this enables me not to be distracted.

[Luminessence]

I pray. Not as much as I would like to, though, because it tends to slip my mind... I also consider rituals and meditation to be forms of prayer.

[Allegra2]

Yes I do pray. I pray to our Great Mother, the Lady, Earth, The Goddess, call her what you will. I pray to her, and I talk to her. Usually when I want to ask her to bless/help with a situation, along with my own blessing upon that situation. (Spells, Will, what ever word works for you.)

(Kind of like, I can lift this big heavy bucket, but it would be so much easier if you'd help me!!)

Then of course I pray to thank her, I thank her like any daughter might thank her mother for giving her life, or a really good meal. I can cook on my own, but it turns out better when mum does it.


Allegra

[Aidron]

In regards to some of the posts here...

Prayer is not about worship. Worship is not included within the confines of prayer necessarily. Prayer is about communion, giving thanks or petitioning.

As for it merely being spellwork, again, not necessarily. Not all spells involve petitioning, communing, and moreso even rarely giving thanks (that would be a ritual and even giving thanks is not inherent within a ritual), so they are not the same thing. I'm certain many practitioners do involve a god, gods or other object or being of worship in their spellwork, but that does not make spellwork conclusively prayer.

This very fine line people seem to overlook has always perplexed me.

[moria636]

yes I prey to the lord and lady... I give thanks and talk with them.... I always acknowlidge there presance....)can't spell(.....

[kaosxmage]

Not exactly. I meditate and sort of "commune" with the Gods.
Much love,
--Kaos

[Penthesilea]

Yeah, I pray. The habits of childhood remain, I guess. How I pray is different. It is more of an ongoing one-sided conversation between me and the deity I'm addressing. Sometimes, it's thanks. Sometimes, it a petition. And sometimes, it's a "Do you see what I'm putting up with down here?! "grumble grumble" I know I'm supposed to learn something from this but really!" sort of thing. I've never been especially reverent. :lol: But it works for me!

[Catiana]

I pray to the Lord and the Lady all of the time.

[Earthy]

Yes, i pray :)

[Necrosapien]

Yes, I pray. I realize that most Christians pray but I see it on a different level. It's like the Monty Python and the Holy Grail where God appears to King Arthur and his knights.

God: Every time I try to talk to someone it's "sorry this" and "forgive me that" and "I'm not worthy"...

God: What are you doing now?
King Arthur: Averting our eyes, oh Lord.
God: Well, don't. It's just like those miserable psalms, always so depressing.

I see it as different than above. I believe that while God is our creator, He's moreso our friend. I think maybe that's why he made us. Not to say that God isn't all powerful that he needs us to be happy but perhaps He got lonely? Who can say, eh? Anyway, I view God as our buddy. I "pray" to him all the time but it's on a coversational level. Not like, "Nice weather you made today," but just stuff about me and stuff that goes on. Even if he knows everything, that doesn't mean he doesn't like for ust to include him. Other times when I really need help I petition, request, and even beg but overall I believe that God wants most to be a part of our daily lives and not just someone to run to when something goes wrong.

[KellyP]

Prayer is not about worship. Worship is not included within the confines of prayer necessarily. Prayer is about communion, giving thanks or petitioning.

As for it merely being spellwork, again, not necessarily. Not all spells involve petitioning, communing, and moreso even rarely giving thanks (that would be a ritual and even giving thanks is not inherent within a ritual), so they are not the same thing. I'm certain many practitioners do involve a god, gods or other object or being of worship in their spellwork, but that does not make spellwork conclusively prayer.


Toward that end, I recommend folks interested in prayer pick up A Book of Pagan Prayer by Ceisiwr Serith. The text includes sections on how we pray, different forms of prayer, and reasons for prayer. The author then goes on to give many examples of prayers to pagan deities some of which are categorized for specific purposes. If for no other reason than serving as an inspiration, this book is worth a glance.

[Ron]

So do you pray? Only about every other minute. :bumpsmili

[BrigidMoon]

Yep, I do pray indeed.

[Sequoia]

Only all the time. It's kinda the central point of my spirituality. ;)

[Athena-Nadine]

I pray on and off all day, every day, about anything, good, bad, or indifferent. I suppose you could say that my gods and I have a running conversation that never ends. :)

[Mamawolf]

I pray to my God and Goddess. I don't pray for forgiveness or anything a typical prayer would be. Most times its just me thanking them for being part of my life and helping me grow spiritually. I know many think as prayer as a practice which is only christian but I don't see it that way. So do you pray?

This would so be me!

[BlackMagicalCat]

Pray without ceasing,bible.

I pray all the time,and talk to the Lord daily,I dont hear any voice like an answer,but I feel his Holy Spirit inside me.The voice of God is a still small gentle voice within my heart.When trouble comes my way,I really start whining to God,he is the first person I run to.God speaks to my heart,thats where he dwells,Im his temple and he lives in me.

[Witchzee1]

Absolutely!

[BelovedDru]

I kind of talk to them...I'll go outside and sit and just talk to them...

[HorseCrow]

Yes I pray/give thanks.

[blueangel]

I think about all the things I am glad for all day long, or if I am down I have a conversation to smooth it all out. I think that's the same a praying.

[ariansdreams]

Yes, I pray. I prayed a lot back when I was a Christian, and it is a hard habit to break. It comforts me, and I figure it can't hurt anything.:)

[Sequoia]

Pray without ceasing,bible.

I pray all the time,and talk to the Lord daily,I dont hear any voice like an answer,but I feel his Holy Spirit inside me.The voice of God is a still small gentle voice within my heart.When trouble comes my way,I really start whining to God,he is the first person I run to.God speaks to my heart,thats where he dwells,Im his temple and he lives in me.

:lol: Sometimes I wonder if God gets sick of my whining... but then I figure that God is a divine being, so perhaps s/he has a mite more patience than I do!

[Peri]

FlyingBear, I agree that gratitude seems to be becoming a lost art. Sad!
However, I was happily surprised to read the posts in this thread - seems like the vast majority of us say a lot of thank you prayers. :)
I sure do! Most of my prayers are ones of gratitude, not requests. I try to pray every night when I'm lying in bed trying to fall asleep, but don't always remember/am too tired. I begin by thanking the goddesses I hold near and dear to my heart for my life, my health, and the love that surrounds me... and then I add thanks for whatever I'm most grateful for that day, or even random things that pop into my head that I/we usually take for granted. Food, shelter, warmth, an able body and mind, clean water, freedom to travel, beautiful flowers, a cozy bed... as sappy as it sounds, there is just SO much to be grateful for when you stop and think about it.

My other form of prayer is talking to/singing to/dancing under the full moon. Her light just fills me to the brim!

[CosmicWhispers]

Yes I do pray. I'm actually just getting back into prayer. Just coming
out of a spiritual slump. :sniffsnif Right now it just feels kind of
awkward. I keep wanting to say "amen" at the end. Old habits
die hard. Very, Very irritating! :bangyourh
I mainly just say thanks and ask for blessings for my children and
healing for my son. Sometimes I incorporate prayer into a
focusing exercise. Sort of a directing of mental energy for things
such as healing. I guess you can call that spellwork.

[wolf]

If it makes you feel any better about it, "amen" just means "so be it" ... so it's really close to "So Mote it Be."

[SilentDreams]

If it makes you feel any better about it, "amen" just means "so be it" ... so it's really close to "So Mote it Be."

Yeah I say amen. At first I was a little hesitant but for one I couldn't think of any other way to finish off the prayer and I realised that its just that. A way to finish off a prayer, what you acctually pray for is what counts. I could very well say "Fin" lol and it'd be very similar.

[CosmicWhispers]

If it makes you feel any better about it, "amen" just means "so be it" ... so it's really close to "So Mote it Be."

I never thought of it that way. Thanks

[AmbivalentMirage]

I do pray quite frequently. It gives me a sense of peace and makes me feel less alone when I am unhappy. :)

[oakowl]

I pray to the Gods and Goddesses everyday. Mostly in the form of prayers of thanksgiving or praise. If there are problems in the family or with friends I pray for help for them.

[Mercedes]

Yes, I pray. In fact, I consider doing spells and meditation as just other forms of spells. I pray for health, comfort, strength, &c. It's a good way to release thoughts and energy, communing with the Gods. I've found it helps me sleep at night and does indeed make me feel better. I'm ever thankful in my prayers and in life on the whole.

[MousieBlackDragon]

:lol:

Yes I reckon you could say I pray to the gods in cases basically like those Lady Trinity has mentioned. I don't like using the word 'pray' though because to me it brings up images of Christian prayer. To me what I'd call prayer is just talking to a god or goddess.


I'm about the same way. I think. Praying is formal and brings up thoughts of the christian prayer. I just talk. Anytime, anyplace, and for any reason. Just like a child with a parent or family member. I am their child. Sometimes, ok most times I'm a stubborn child but all the same their child.

I tell them things. I ask questions. I ask for help. I thank them. I sing for them. And when deeply hurt I cry to them. There have even been times when things have gotten too painful for some reason (one of my children or my "Sissy" is having a very hard time) that I just cut loose and cuss them out. I call them all sorts of names and tell them off. Lucky for me my Mother treats me as an upset child and comforts me and the others treat me as an overly tired child. Or else I would have been in deep deep trouble. :smile:

[Flar's Freyja]

Yesterday I even took the mysterious rosary beads that appeared on Flar's nightstand down to the hospital chapel - which is decorated in quite a pagan fashion :shhhh: and prayed to my goddess and both our gods and had a good cry :shhhh:

Felt very peaceful when I left.

[SilentDreams]

Yesterday I even took the mysterious rosary beads that appeared on Flar's nightstand down to the hospital chapel - which is decorated in quite a pagan fashion :shhhh: and prayed to my goddess and both our gods and had a good cry :shhhh:

Felt very peaceful when I left.

That is one of those moments that just makes the word "beautiful" come to mind. :heyalove:

Wow I must say, I'm surprised this thread is still going.

[greenwitch]

yes I pray... sometimes not really consciously, as in I don't address them in any formal way, I just start praying...

[Darkdale]

yes I pray... sometimes not really consciously, as in I don't address them in any formal way, I just start praying...

I do this too. I think it's healthy in a way...

[merlo]

Yea, I have an awesome shrine thingy I've adopted, up in the hills. I clear my mind and exist with the spirit of Goddess and God, and thank them for allowing me to know them. It's really calming, and always leaves me happy.

[Orpion Phoenix]

i pray when the time arises but normaly i just worship nightly unless somethings up then i would pray. :fpraise:

[Sleet]

My relationship with my Lady is most like that of a student or apprentice to a trusted master. I usually don't converse with my Lady, I find her far too awe-inspiring for me to really be able to do that easily. Often I simply become aware of her presence and focus on that (most often while outdoors), other times I ask a simple request like "Teach me," or "Show me," or some such thing.

[Sage Rainsong]

I pray all the time. It just to me is much more conversational than me begging.