Prayer: A Christian Ritual From A Christian Perspective
I was brought up in a Jewish family. My family taught me how to pray at a very young age. Before we eat our food, wake up, sleep or go to school/work, we always pray for the wonderful day, especially for the blessings we received daily, work done, and other things God had given us. As I grow up as an adolescent, prayer as a ritual became part of my daily routine. Even if there is an untoward incident that happened to me, I thank God. I know why I ought to be thankful to Him even under adverse circumstances. For me, I should not only be thankful when God gives me countless blessings in life such as the rain, sunlight, loving family, physical healing, spiritual support, and so forth; also, even in times of trials, ordeals, and temptations. Even though I am as religious as I may seem, there are still questions that bothers me (Szegedy-Maszak and Hsu 55), especially, when we had our site visit and have seen how different Christian denominations pray. As such, the following questions came up to my mind and look for scholarly journal articles about the topic. Here are some of my queries about the Christian prayer:
What is really the importance of prayer for most Christian denominations?
I know there are many Christian denominations, which are called by different names and perform prayers according to the manner they were taught by their religious leaders (Galek, et al. 42; Silton 41). However, I am wondering why many people pray with their eyes closed and knelt down; whereas, others pray stood up with their heads bowed. There are also those people who, because of their health conditions, pray while in bed – which I believe is reasonable enough. I think what is important to Christians when they pray is the way they communicate their request to God. If they pray, it is entirely because they want to give praises and thanks to God. In addition, they pray because it increases people’s capacity to forgive another partner or friend (Lambert, et al.126)! As I was surprised with the finding, another thought struck me: Why people ought to pray to God when He already knows what is inside of them, especially, their needs (Matthew 6.8); hence, what most people pray about?
Why people ought to pray to God when He already knows what is inside of them, especially, their needs; hence, what most people pray about?
Szegedy-Maszak and Hsu (55-62) revealed in their study that most individuals pray for everything, that is, from the divine, selfish and profane. In their research, “How We Talk to God,” from more than 5,000 responses where 76% are Christians, 74% believed that unanswered prayers signal to them that their requests are not in accordance with God’s plan. In addition, the survey also revealed that 67% pray to give thanks to God and that 64% of them pray more than once each day. There are 65% participants whose prayers consist of health-related issues for themselves and for their loved ones. Surprisingly, only less than half (41%) of the respondents of the survey said that their prayers are answered often, whereas only 1.5% confirmed that their prayers were never answered. Thus, going back to the question: Why people ought to pray to God when He already knows what is inside of them, especially, their needs; hence, what most people pray about? I believe that as finite human beings, people have to constantly be “in the presence” of God. When people come closer to God through prayers, there is a greater likelihood that people see their helplessness; thus, wanting constant guidance, protection and safety. I think this is spiritually logically sufficient for people to ought to pray (on their part) despite the fact that God already knows what is inside their hearts (e.g., longings, desires, love, sympathy, etc.).
What are the common practices of people who pray for their health?
Since people pray for various reasons, I endeavored to find out more about the real essence of prayer in whatever circumstances people are in. For instance, I decided to look deeply into the frequency, manner, habit, and so on, of people who are ill, suffer, or under any other unfavorable circumstances. Here is what I found: In order to identify the individual’s health habits whose prayer is concerning their health, survey data were analyzed. Out of 22,314, respondents, 59% of them regularly pray for their wellbeing. What is worthnoting, though, with these people is their positive outlook in life. For instance, they have more frequent visit to their physician. They have more frequent exercises with other people. Moreover, they also use more techniques for relaxation, attend meditation sessions, support groups, and other forms of medical therapies. Briefly, individuals who pray on a regular basis for health reasons are more actively involved in more health-enhancing and health-promoting behaviors, which is in direct contrast to individuals who do not pray for their physical wellbeing (Harrigan 602).
Should One Pray Because One’s Prayer Was Answered While Other People’s Prayer Went Unanswered?
Although various Christian denominations pray, there are times people are asking why their prayers were not answered as manifested by the consequences that ensued. Despite the fact that many people who live in the US believe that God answers prayers, some scholars do not know much about the way people manage situations when their prayers went unanswered (Sharp 1). People make use, not self-directed, but God-serving justifications! For Christians, they believe that whatsoever they shall faithfully ask in prayer, they shall receive it (Matthew 21.22) taking into consideration that it is align with God’s Will (1 Peter 3.7; James 4.3). Nevertheless, whatever the results of their prayers to God, they still thank Him because they believe that all things work together for the good of those who love God according to His purpose (Romans 8.28).
Should Someone Who Pray for Us Will Make Us A Better Person?
Concerning this question, “no rigorous studies have looked at third-party prayers” (French and Narayanasamy 1198). Since I also pray for the physical and spiritual well-being of my family members, friends, and other people who are strangers to me, I think it helps someone to become a better person. When people pray for someone, they take care of them in a spiritual way. That said, when they do this regularly, they are kind and considerate to tolerate other peoples’ feelings, religion, opinions, social background, and so on. So, looking at the perspective of someone who learned to pray for people whom he does not even know (e.g., prisoners, orphans, etc.), there is a greater possibility (as for my part) that they are more compassionate to other people. Just think how it applies to someone who has that kind of thinking! If majority of people apply this line of reasoning, I think we can have a better world since God has no respect of person as long as they do His Will (Acts 10:34) and it is not against a good conscience (Romans 2:15). Based on readings and experience, I have seen how fanatic some people are with their religion to the point of killing those who are not their members (Soriano). I read an article wherein the Catholic Church asked for forgiveness for the death of peoples’ during the inquisition. There are also anti-Christian denominations, as predicted in the Bible, with false prophets, teachers and followers. In short, if they are counterfeit religious groups, how much more is their prayers? So, my next question will be: What else did I found out about prayers, praying and similar rituals from a scholar’s Christian perspective?
What else do I have to know about prayers, praying and similar rituals from a scholar’s Christian perspective?
As I dig deeper in my scholarly research, I came across the Members, Church of God International (MCGI) religious group over the Internet (MCGI.org). They have 24 hours community prayer that says: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5.17). I was amazed how our modern technology made such thing possible. Members in that congregation access the site and pray together with all the rest of their brethren across the world! I do not know much about the group. However, as I tried to know more about them, they seem to have been indoctrinated about the importance of praying the reason they pray constantly. I think it logical that, depending on the time of each member, he/she can pray whenever he/she is available.
Why does this particular religious group pray? According to the blog of their Presiding Minister, Eli Soriano, they pray to thank, praise, ask for guidance, and hear the Word of God written in the Bible (Soriano). It seems that their prayer is done individually and/or collectively to make their wishes known to God (Philippians 4.6) – and for other peoples’ well-being as well. On an hourly basis, a member of their Church leads the prayer while the rest bend their knees while facing the ground as one of the most appropriate posture when praying (except for people with special conditions such as for being pregnant). They are all facing toward the east because it is where the direction of the City of Jerusalem is. While praying too, they give thanksgiving and cry heartily (Psalms 34:18; Psalms 51:17) because of the blessings and trials they meet in this life. It is good to note that they always thank God (I Thessalonians 2:13) and ask for His blessings, strength, and protection.
What could be the reason why prayer is important for this congregation? Based on Soriano’s blog, “In prayers we exalt God, we show our trust in power, and in what He can do” (Soriano). Through prayers, they are made closer to God because He makes them clean and whole in His presence through forgiveness of the many unintentional transgressions that they commit in their lives. They also pray because it is one way of personally making known to God their requests. In addition, they pray as they are gathered together because during that time, God listens to them. What is surprising besides all this significance of praying is that they also pray while they listen to the doctrines of their Church during their Prayer Meeting, not to mention, Thanksgiving Day and Worship Service! For my part, this is something new because I have seen how most other religions pray to the creature rather than their Creator (I Corinthians 10:20; Romans 1:25).
Why does prayer equal listening to the Word of God? For MCGI, listening to biblical matters add up to their faith to God (Romans 10.17). Through prayer, God teach them His Truth as written in the Bible. Whenever they hear biblical passages, God’s Will is made known to them. With the Word of God constantly supplied to the members, the more they understand the goodness of their Creator. Trying to understand more of this ritual, only through His pure doctrines would a person be able to know His Will. Thus, it is not enough that people pray in the literal sense of the word, but to regularly hear God and Christ’s teaching because they are spirit and truth (John 4:23).
Why did Jesus Christ Have to Pray Considering He is the Son of God? While writing this essay, another question popped up in my mind: Why did Jesus Christ pray also to God while He was here then on earth? He is the Son of God –so, why He still “bothered” to pray? For the MCGI members, He prayed because it brought Him close to God. He was able to confide to God everything in Him. Through prayers, He likewise hears God’s Message. In his earthly days, Jesus prayed with tears and loud cries, and God heard Him because of His godly fear (Hebrews 5.7). Whenever Jesus Christ prays, He asks the Father to take care of His flock (disciples/followers) (Acts 20.28). Based on what I recalled from my research, prayer (which includes fasting) is powerful enough to drive out temptations (Matthew 6.13; 26.41; Mark 14.38; Luke 22.46) and the devils (Matthew 17.18).
In summary, I believe that after hearing the good things about praying to God, if a person do the good things implanted by God in his/her heart (Romans 2.15), God will listen to his/her prayer – no matter who that person is in other people’s eyes (Romans 2.11). For my part, it is good to “pray without ceasing” because it makes me feel closer to God. Also, whenever I pray, I also pray not only for my loved ones, but also to them who hate me (Matthew 5:46). Again, for my part, in whatever circumstances I am in, I ensure to myself, though I don’t want to make promises to God (Ecclesiastes 5:5), that He will always help and guide me in this life (Psalms 143.2). It is important, personally, for me to send my wishes to God especially when there is no one else I can turn to. This happens when someone you love passed away, you are far from your family members, you are experiencing illness, you are “down” to the point that everything seems futile (Ecclesiastes 2.17), and so on. I thank God and I am happy about that. My family taught me how to pray; I think this is something invaluable in our earthly existence. On the other hand, I usually observe that people are always in a hurry. They forget to seek God because of their fortunate status in life (Proverbs 30.9) and because of hardships in this life. They seem not to care nor practice what they had prayed for because it manifest in their deeds. Likewise, there are people who pray, but they are harsh in their dealings (Matthew 6.5). I believe that the true essence of prayer is to learn how to communicate with God while practicing it in our daily life by being compassionate to other people who differ from our religious belief (I Corinthians 5:13). That way, God will hear us. Much is said about prayer and praying, but I think this essay topic is just a start. Lastly, I cannot say definitively that I have provided a comprehensive presentation about the way true Christians pray.
Works Cited
French, C. and A. Narayanasamy. "To pray or not to pray: a question of ethics." British Journal Of Nursing 20.18 (2011): 1198-1204. CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Web. 15 March 2013.
Galek, K., et al. "To pray or not to pray: considering gender and religious concordance in praying with the ill." Journal Of Health Care Chaplaincy 16.1-2 (2010): 42-52. CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Web. 15 March 2013.
Harrigan, J. "Health Promoting Habits of People Who Pray for Their Health." Journal Of Religion & Health 50.3 (2011): 602-607. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 March 2013.
“The King James Version.” Digital Bible. 14 Dec. 2012.
Lambert, N., et al. "Motivating Change in Relationships: Can Prayer Increase Forgiveness?" Psychological Science (Sage Publications Inc.) 21.1 (2010): 126-132. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 March 2013.
“Members, Church of God International.” The Official Website of the Members, Church of God International (MCGI). Web. 14 March 2013
Sharp, S. "When Prayers Go Unanswered." Journal For The Scientific Study Of Religion 52.1 (2013): 1-16. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 March 2013.
Silton, N., et al. "Pray Tell: The Who, What, Why, and How of Prayer Across Multiple Faiths." Pastoral Psychology 62.1 (2013): 41-52. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 March 2013.
Soriano, Eliseo F. “The Roman Catholic Church is Not The True Church of God.” Brother Eli Soriano: Steward of the Mysteries of God. 17 July 2007. Web. 14 March 2013
Soriano, Eliseo. “A Prayer and A Wish.” Brother Eli Soriano: Steward of the Mysteries of God. 30 June 2010. Web. 14 March 2013
Szegedy-Maszak, M. and C. Hsu. "How We Talk To God: People Pray For Everything From The Divine To The Selfish And Profane." U.S. News & World Report 137.22 (2004): 55-62. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 March 2013.
