Recently, while discussing issues related to the repairs on my car, I had mentioned to a family member that I was crossing my fingers that that day would be the day I got my car back. In response, she suggested I dont cross my fingers, but that I pray hard. At first I felt a little put out, and the fact that I felt that way coupled with not knowing why I felt that way bothered me enough to cause me to ruminate on it. Eventually, I told her that I prayed not for the car to be fixed, but that we had the strength to deal with whatever outcome was dealt to us.
The truth is I didnt really pray at all, I meditated, but she wouldnt have understood that. I worked internally to summon the strength to carry on in the face of hardship, to accept the issues for what they were (so that I would not worry about them incessantly), and to continue moving in a forward direction in my life (and in the moment) despite what happened to the car. While some may argue that prayer is a form of meditation, I disagree.
Prayer- Missions Resources.com::
What is the difference between prayer and covenant prayer? example of a person who laid down his life for others, labored in prayer and, in
http://www.missionsresources.com/category/Prayer.htmHOME |
Five Levels of Prayer (Part 17): The Healing of Body and Soul::
In Chassidut, we are taught that the general difference between prayer (the spiritual act of blessing, in contrast to prayer, obeys a dynamic of descent
http://www.inner.org/healing/healing17.htmHOME |
Prayer, as I was taught, is a act of asking. Meditation, on the other hand, is an paradoxial act of simultaneously being still and acting to change yourself from the inside out. How you approach each is determined by how you were raised or what you were guided to practice. See, my family member is a Christian, and one pretty set in her ways at that.
Harvest Prayer Ministries - Praying Men Can Make A Difference::
we do battle together in the Lords strength and victory as a people of prayer. to really count for God and to make a difference in this worldPRAY!
http://www.harvestprayer.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=26HOME |
Many American Christians I know pray in request form (God, please give me... Please, God, help me...). It is hardly ever part of their daily routine, except perhaps bedtime or blessings at meals. I is most often triggered by some emotional event in their life, the content of such being influenced as good or bad. When things dont turn out the way they had hoped, they either blame Satan or they begrudgingly accept that things just werent meant to be. It seems a little backwards to me.
How a NEW MUSLIM Prays the Fajr prayer::
a Muslim prayers (does salah,namaz). Prayer guides with dianrams, Prayer only difference is the number of units (rakats) performed in each prayer, how
http://muslimconverts.com/prayer/prayer-fajr-newmuslim.htmHOME |
Distant Intercessory Prayer 1 Running head: INTERCESSORY PRAYER AND ::
Christians who were active participants in prayer ministries in a local United of significance of each) revealed no significant differences between prayer and
http://faculty.weber.edu/jkelly/images/a.pdfHOME |
Most non-American Christians I know pray either in strict ritual (the Lords Prayer type thing) or they do it as a means to simply communicate with God. Many of them do so as a part of their daily life, a routine so casual they dont even notice it when it occurs. Most often it is not a prayer in request form, but a proclamation of what they are working on (Im going to be stronger, healthier, more accepting, less judging, etc.). Then they follow it up with action and practice of their goal. When things dont go well for them, they accept them because they have already accepted that things are outside of their control. There is no surprise to them that life will choose its path for them and that things will continue on.
I choose Buddhism as a religion because it most closely matches what I do in my life. If I thought that by saying Christian I could portray myself as peaceful and accepting, I would have done so. But Christianity in America has collectively earned a bad reputation as being one step below radical and ten steps away from peace. I dont fully agree with any of the doctrines that exist today and I dont want to be pigeon-holed as just another religious zealot. The only truth I know is that I will continue to learn and expand my understanding of what God, and Universe itself, is.
There are many times when I wish to share what I do and how I live but I fear the preacher, so to speak. I remind myself that some people just dont understand how to share for the sake of sharing, or are unable to understand or accept a different viewpoint. For instance, if I were to have shared with my family member that I am not what she would consider a Christian, I am almost certain she would be offended, confused, and determined to remind me of what a Christian should be. I dont need to be reminded, I need to be shown. Then I might be able to to believe you.
I have been reminded countless times that my choice will land me in Hell (according to the speakers views on Hell, that is, and even that varies between denominations). Many have attempted to coerce me to convert back to my roots. Still others have recited scripture hoping to ignite a fiery passion for Christ within me, or, in the very least, to make me feel shame and guilt for the life I am living now. I have no regrets.
This saddens me.
It saddens me that many Christians I know have skewed spread the gospel as an invitation to making the choice for others. All I remember reading was that Christians are asked to simply inform those who do not know about Christ so that the ignorant may make an intelligent (and willful) choice to follow the teachings he laid out. I do not see this in practice as often as Id like. Instead, I see Christians slinging insults and threats at those who choose to practice and live otherwise. I see Christians place judgment on others (youre going to Hell). I see Christians who can tell you ever letter in their Bible, but cannot show you how theyve lived it. I see Christians who knowingly misbehave and take the forgiveness of their savior for granted by presuming all will be forgotten when they ask.
I rarely see an American Christian living quietly the life of good moral and proper choices (but they do exist). However, I see Non-Christian Americans, and Non-American Christians, living peaceful, quiet, healthy lives. I say to myself, I want to be like that.
It is gradually taking form for me, folks. I am getting there. In my daily life I meditate. I center myself, and I clear my thoughts. Then I sort through anything that is bothering me. More and more, I see less and less bothering, as I start to adjust to accepting what is as it is.
Cest la vie! Life is here. Life is moving. Life is changing. I am happy in my life. I am able to accept what I have right now and appreciate it for what it is. I am able to think that any situation is neither good nor bad, but just is. I learn either way, I grow either way, I can be happy either way. Meditation has taught me to be in the now and not live in the future or the past. Meditation has calmed the stormy seas within, have smoothed the wrinkles of time, and have set the sails on my ship of understanding.
I just dont feel I could have said that to the family member. I am weary of the hardship, but happy anyway. I am weary of the testing of willpower and strength, but I am strong anyway. How could she have understood that I did not have to ask for it to be fixed? I knew it would be eventually. I knew it would work out as it should. Just, how do I convey that to others?
Perhaps I shouldnt have crossed my fingers then. (Chuckle)
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A Difference in Prayer