How do you pray?

[Witness1970]

I stand when praying for a group such as at the meetings.  I sit when praying at mealtimes.  I have been lying on the bed when praying at bedtime for myself and my wife.  I don't like to pray lying down most of the time.

 

I got up one night at about 3 AM.  I went out and sat on the porch.  It was a beautiful night and as I sat on the porch I was moved to pray, thanking Jehovah for his beautiful creation.

 

 

[Witness1970]

I never heard anything about not holding hands.  I used to attend a congregation where one family wrapped their arms tightly around each other.  Nothing was said in the congregation but I did hear it mentioned at an assembly that we shouldn't hug in such a manner during prayer.

 

At the recent Pioneer Service School, the pioneer sister next to my wife took my wife's hand (and the hand of her friend on the other side) and my wife took my hand.  There were 4 at each table at the Pioneer School.

Edited August 15 by Witness1970
added last paragraph.

[dljbsp]

12 hours ago, Qapla said:

We were cautioned about an entire row holding hands or even reaching for the row in front/behind.

I recall that too, but can not find the reference. 

[computerwiz]

1 hour ago, dljbsp said:

I recall that too, but can not find the reference. 

 

 

I'm sure I can find it.  Someone had a problem with me holding my wife's hand (fiancé at the time???) during prayer.  So I saved that article to help that person understand it better.  

 

Edit: yep, here it is!

 

*** w09 11/15 pp. 6-7 par. 19 What Do Your Prayers Say About You? ***

 

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=2009841&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=26

Edited August 15 by computerwiz
Added reference & link

[Pjdriver]

21 hours ago, LeolaRootStew said:

My congregation was told to not hold hands when praying at the Kingdom Hall, even married couples, because prayer is always between you and Jehovah. Not sure if anyone else heard this.

 

Wow! that wouldn’t go over too well with married couples where I’m from.

 Did they base it on any scripture, or person opinion? When there’s a public prayer, it’s not the same as our personal prayer, just you and Jehovah. How do they support that?

 

21 hours ago, LeolaRootStew said:

 

As for it being showy, I'd have to say it's probably cultural, like kissing someone as a greeting. Some people probably expect it, others might think it's too much.

 

The 2 experiences I had, the brothers were not from another culture.  Just sayin’    

[LeolaRootStew]

28 minutes ago, Pjdriver said:

Wow! that wouldn’t go over too well with married couples where I’m from.

 Did they base it on any scripture, or person opinion? When there’s a public prayer, it’s not the same as our personal prayer, just you and Jehovah. How do they support that?

 

 

@computerwiz posted a reference that could be the source:

 

Quote

Some marriage mates might discreetly hold hands, but if they embraced each other during public prayer, those who got a glimpse of such conduct might be stumbled. They might think or get the impression that the couple was focusing on their romantic relationship instead of reverence for Jehovah.

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=2009841&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=26

 

It does sound familiar. I specifically. remember them mentioning couples not holding hands (except discreetly) for the reason mentioned, but also because it might cause single people to feel lonely (true story). I think the principle is our focus should be on Jehovah and we don't want to give a different impression in a public setting. Holding hands in private doesn't seem to be an issue since it's ok for couples to hold hands in public, too.

 

31 minutes ago, Pjdriver said:

The 2 experiences I had, the brothers were not from another culture.  Just sayin’    

 

I just think it's gross to touch people's hands before eating. All it takes is one person who didn't wash up...

[Pjdriver]

1 hour ago, LeolaRootStew said:

Some marriage mates might discreetly hold hands, but if they embraced each other during public prayer, those who got a glimpse of such conduct might be stumbled. They might think or get the impression that the couple was focusing on their romantic relationship instead of reverence for Jehovah.

That doesn’t say married couples can’t hold hands, they just caution agains making a spectacle and being distracting by displays of affection any time during the meeting. That makes more sense now. You had me there for a second.

[Lori]

On 8/14/2024 at 7:30 PM, undeserved said:

In all seriousness…

would you ever worry about falling asleep while praying in bed?

 

Um...  Oops?   I have fallen asleep while praying.    

[LeslieDean]

On 8/14/2024 at 8:03 PM, LeolaRootStew said:

 

My congregation was told to not hold hands when praying at the Kingdom Hall, even married couples, because prayer is always between you and Jehovah. Not sure if anyone else heard this.

I can not remember the year but i do remember this. I was baptized  5-11-1997 and moved from LA to Oklahoma in 2007. I am pretty sure it was somewhere close in time to my relocation. But yes i remember. I think of it each time someone reaches for my hand. Its awkward to shove their hand away because it is usually a very elderly sister who is frail and i dont want to hurt her loving gesture. So i give her hand a comfortable squeeze then kiss it after the prayer because i feel she is doing it for comfort. Most times i dont hold hands but there are exceptions.

Edited August 29 by LeslieDean

[-Chris-]

At one of the last Memorial observances my mother has been able to attend in person she sat next to a longtime friend. When it was time for prayer mom's friend held out her hand flat (they were seated) and my mom looked at it and then gave it a 'Hi-Five' slap. Mom didn't realize the sister was offering to hold hands during the prayer.

[Ahuvah]

Depending on the type of prayer I actually write/type mine out. Obviously if I want to thank him for something or ask for quick help I don't run inside and grab my pen and paper. But when I pray for an extended time and need it more structured I do it in writing ... it helps me keep my thoughts in order, and words seem to flow better for me on paper than mentally or verbally. Some I dispose of afterwards, others I've kept.

[Miss Bea]

Oh my goodness. It seems I have a, “running chat” with Jehovah. I cannot tell you how many times I pray. Literally, cannot. If I’m in the garden, and a cool breeze shows itself, I than Jehovah. Sometimes, many times if Iʼm in the garden, long enougn. I thank Jehovah for the starry skies, as Iʼm walking to the house after a meeting. I try to thank Jehovah for my waking up, and enjoying another day of life. I thank him for my cat or dog,as !ʼm enjoying them. When i leave the house, I ask him to help me get home safely, to be able to worship him another day. 
You get the picture. There is not much i havenʼt thanked Jehovah for. My dear husband, so many times. For the fact I can still pretty well function, at my age. 
Yes, I quietly thank him for my food. (Sometimes, twice, if Iʼm at a function where a brother says a prayer before we eat) i try to have a regular prayer, sort of discussimg my day, and, did i feel lime i did enough for Him, during the day. 
So, the position I pray in just depends what Iʼm thanking him for, or asking for what ever help i need at that particular time. . Yes, i consider Jehovah my very best friend, and communicate with Him regularly, and many times a day.

[Dolce vita]

2 hours ago, Miss Bea said:

Oh my goodness. It seems I have a, “running chat” with Jehovah. I cannot tell you how many times I pray. Literally, cannot. If I’m in the garden, and a cool breeze shows itself, I than Jehovah. Sometimes, many times if Iʼm in the garden, long enougn. I thank Jehovah for the starry skies, as Iʼm walking to the house after a meeting. I try to thank Jehovah for my waking up, and enjoying another day of life. I thank him for my cat or dog,as !ʼm enjoying them. When i leave the house, I ask him to help me get home safely, to be able to worship him another day. 
You get the picture. There is not much i havenʼt thanked Jehovah for. My dear husband, so many times. For the fact I can still pretty well function, at my age. 
Yes, I quietly thank him for my food. (Sometimes, twice, if Iʼm at a function where a brother says a prayer before we eat) i try to have a regular prayer, sort of discussimg my day, and, did i feel lime i did enough for Him, during the day. 
So, the position I pray in just depends what Iʼm thanking him for, or asking for what ever help i need at that particular time. . Yes, i consider Jehovah my very best friend, and communicate with Him regularly, and many times a day.

 

How beautiful! 

 

We get the picture, and it's perfect Miss Bea❤️

[Mike047]

Surely praying is not simply about a physical position, although that may demonstrate deep respect for being in Jehovah's presence. It is more about an emotional call from our own spirit, to Jehovah, giving deep thanks for his welcome oversight in our lives, gratefully thanking him for being who he is and what he has freely given to us. Also petitioning for things we need in order to do our best in worshipping him.

 

Prayer is not so much a position as an attitude.

[Tia]

3 hours ago, Miss Bea said:

Oh my goodness. It seems I have a, “running chat” with Jehovah. I cannot tell you how many times I pray. Literally, cannot. If I’m in the garden, and a cool breeze shows itself, I than Jehovah. Sometimes, many times if Iʼm in the garden, long enougn. I thank Jehovah for the starry skies, as Iʼm walking to the house after a meeting. I try to thank Jehovah for my waking up, and enjoying another day of life. I thank him for my cat or dog,as !ʼm enjoying them. When i leave the house, I ask him to help me get home safely, to be able to worship him another day. 

Sis,

I feel and do the same -I too cannot count the times - and for many small things that I never did before - very similar to yours above

[jdcarlson]

This post resonates with me.

 

On 8/30/2024 at 5:27 AM, Mike047 said:

Prayer is not so much a position as an attitude.

 

As to position, I have used many,

.

Most of my serious prayers are with my head on my pillow. At times these may last 45 minutes or longer.

 

I remember a District Overseer (Dave Thomas) many years ago making a comment at the Elders' meeting at the Circuit Assembly "when you lay your head on your pillow to pray . . . ."

 

I interpreted that to mean there was nothing wrong with a lengthly prayer at the end of one's day.

 

I remember the first time I went to Bethel for temporary work. I arrived on a Sunday. That night I was so excited to be in Jehovah's house, not as a tourist, not as a student, but as someone trying to do something to advance kingdom interests while there. It was almost like I could "feel" the prayers of the members of the Bethel family rising to Jehovah at the end of their day. I had a hard time going to sleep that night.That was in February 1989. I hope I can always cherish that memory.

 

Thanks,

 

Jim

 

 

[Tsheppar]

My best prayers are while driving long empty  county roads and my eyes wide open. 

 But that just me. 

 I've had many a prayer answered. So it cant be too wrong. 

 

[Kyria]

How do I pray? With my eyes closed. 😊 xxx

[truce]

4 hours ago, Kyria said:

How do I pray? With my eyes closed. 😊 xxx

Is that a requirement?

[bigvince]

I pray all day mostly, driving (with eyes open), eating, working, etc. I never have a specific position unless I'm at the speaker stand, then I'm standing. Is it more acceptable or easier for Jah to hear if I stand, sit, or whatever? Nope.

[BLEmom]

On 8/16/2024 at 5:11 PM, Lori said:

 

Um...  Oops?   I have fallen asleep while praying.    

A sister once suggested to me to say at the beginning of the prayer that I am praying in Jesus name. That way if I do fall asleep I’m still showing respect to his position as mediator. 
I try to do that anytime I feel I could get distracted in prayer or fall asleep. Such as driving, praying in bed etc. 

On 10/13/2024 at 12:38 AM, Tsheppar said:

My best prayers are while driving long empty  county roads and my eyes wide open. 

 But that just me. 

 I've had many a prayer answered. So it cant be too wrong. 

 

That’s my favorite time to pray as well. 

[Landon1285]

How do I pray? 

 

In Jesus name. 

 

Amen. 🙌