i have seen pictures of people praying. usually they have their heads bowed and sometimes they have t eir hands together in front of their face.

the other day i saw some prayer groups re mrs schaivo and i noticed at least one woman standing with her arms out palms up. i don't understand that position, it is not one i have seen before.

That's pleading not praying.

.....and making sure everyone sees you doing it (instead of in silence and in secret between you and God)

perceptive, Adroomi.

Country

Well, everybody needs to have some form of protest, so I'll back off of them. In their hearts their doing the right thing, so I should let them be........

well thought out, and classy, Adroomi.

Country

Rick, I believe that JackConrad may have hit it in on the mark.

The "orans position" where the hands are extended and lifted upwards is a "humbling" way of outwardly supplicating or begging the Lord above for help from deep within. It has become popular among Charismatics in the last several decades, but it's origins can be traced to the catacombs.

Has anybody else noticed that Country v. Adroomi has more more turns and dips than a rollercoaster.

I can't keep up with them! One minute they're mad and the next minute they're "bad" (smoochie). LOL

Must get rest...

LOL, bloody. Just realized today that I am a professing christian on these boards and didn't act like it last night, thought that a change was do.

Country

What the heck are you doing up, Country??? Shouldn't you be getting that beauty sleep with the eye covers, chin strap, etc.?

BTW, I think it's great to mix it up & then depart as friends. WTG, bro (you too adroomi)!!!

I only wish I could do it! LOL

It's normal to argue. It's even better to sit back, think about what the other is saying, and reconsider your thoughts. This is how progress is made.

I, like Country also have a tendency to get riled up and instead of thinking it out and then typing, I type first.

It's not biggie......as long as progress is made, then progress is made.

since when is there a right and wrong way to pray. I pray every night when I'm lying in bed, my head on my pillows and the blankets pulled up over me. Am I praying the wrong way? I don't think God cares how I pray, just that I am praying.

Liz

Hi Liz,

I think Rick honestly had a question and didn't mean to offend.

In my original reply I did mean to offend, but then I felt guilty and took it back.

As far as I can remember, we are told in the scriptures to "pray silently" and "in hiding from others." In other words, we are told to pray to our God without letting others know we are doing it (unless it's a group praise or prayer).

With my rude comment, I was stating that the arms raised tearful pleading was intended for the CNN cameras to pick up so that the world would feel the pain and suffering of the Christians that are pleading for this woman's life.........in other words a mockery of prayer for personal view gain. I felt bad for making that comment though, since I can't be certain that that was the intent so I apologized.

I hope that makes sense.....

I didn't mean to come off as being offended. Unfortunately the Terri Schaivo case has become almost as big of a circus as the Michael Jackson case and that makes me sad. I do believe though there are probably a few in those crowds that are sincere in their beliefs, their convictions, they are the ones that don't get on the cameras and who are in prayer for Terri. Praying and rejoicing to and for God in public doesn't disturb me unless it is done like it is being done in Florida. Prayer is prayer, whether you do it as I do in the comfort of my bedroom or you do it with a tv camera in front of you. They go up to God and then He listens and it goes from there. I'm sorry if you thought I was offended, you should know me by now if I'm offended I'll let you know 🙂

Yo adroomi:

"I think Rick honestly had a question and didn't mean to offend."

It's just amazing how you can read Ricks mind all the time. So answer me this, for a individual (Rick) who states over and over again that he has no time or interest in religion why does he post so mannnnnny posts on religion?

Inquiring minds want to know.

JonR

I have seen that type of prayer(don't understand it)but I have seen it. IMHO I think the right or wrong of prayer comes from the person's heart-does he want to talk to God of just be seen talking to God?

I was told a few years ago that the American Indian usually prays with their face "to God" so they are not hiding their face from God. (Maybe someone has firsthand knowledge of this?)

I was also told by my preacher at the time that the manner in which you position yourself (meaning body,) doesn't really matter, as long as your heart and mind are in the right place.

Clear as Mud?

As a christian I had made it a mental mindnote to start simply treating people here on the boards a little nicer... by people here on the boards I mean..... well... Adroomi and Rick. So I have started just listening instead of wanting to be heard.... and accepting instead of wanting to be accepted. In doing so, it is extremely evident that Rick can't ask a question and not get his balls pounded for asking it.

JonR.... Rick does have an interest in Religion, if he didn't than he wouldn't have studied it years ago. I think he's discomfort with christians is in the way that they/we witness to people trying to make our relig. his religion. The one thing that Rick has said a good few times is that it is good to have a personal belief in God, but it's wanting to share and convert that get's the mans panty's knotted. I'm paraphrasing of course.

Rick you have a relevent question...But whats more interesting than this chich on CNN all the ways that the different nations in the world pray... it really is intriguing... I guess this is just one more, and yes in a pleading manner.

Adroomi... no need to feel guilty for your first post, as I said, it was very perceptive. In asking Jesus's help to teach us how to pray those were the exact instructions that he gave us. It is not followed very closely and I'm sure their will be a thread started from Rick about why christians pray publicly at all if Jesus said to pray intimatly in private... but hey, we do the best we can, sometimes you can't help but to get out on Main Street and belt out a couple of prayers about the people who are passing by (yes I'm just kidding)....

Rick good question, and I especially think it's an interesting one.

Country

thanks country....well said words.

very good country, now your wounds shall heal peace my brother. there is still hope for Rickamaven,

keep praying...

To those who follow the Christian way, there are many forms of prayer. Many times it is expressed in body language. Hands extended = all that I need is received from the Lord. Do a Google on "lifting up holy hands."

Unfortunately, public prayer is often (but not always) just showmanship. Christ's instruction: Matthew 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." I think that is the general rule. Then there is corporate worship in church in which the pastor prays for the congregation.

Other forms of prayer: a song, a heart felt appreciation toward God for a beautiful sunset, nature, etc, or a whisper in an emergency situation to the Lord. A friend of mine views a petition prayer as moving the hand of God to a need. You might say it is the meeting of minds between one and God; communication between you and Him.

A good web site on the Christian view of prayer:

http://www.insight.org/CDA/ToolsForGrowth/Article.asp?ArticleID=1000944