Proper place and time to pray.

[morumon]

I have found the Church website to be a great resource for these types of questions. In the "Gospel Topics" section under "Prayer" there is a link for "Additional Information":

Prayer

There are two paragraphs I'd like to point out:

"At least every morning and every night, we should find a place that is free from distractions and kneel in humility and commune with our Heavenly Father. Although sometimes we may need to pray silently, we should make an extra effort at times to pray vocally (see D&C 19:28; 20:51)."

I consider that to be the pattern for formal personal prayers. Then there are the less formal occassions for prayer described below:

"The Savior has commanded, 'Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work' (D&C 10:5). Although we cannot be continuously on our knees, always offering a personal, private prayer, we can let our hearts be 'full, drawn out in prayer unto [God] continually' (Alma 34:27; see also 3 Nephi 20:1). Throughout each day, we can maintain a constant feeling of love for our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son. We can silently express gratitude to our Father and ask Him to strengthen us in our responsibilities. In times of temptation or physical danger, we can silently ask for His help."

I find myself often communicating with my Heavenly Father throughout the day in a variety of circumstances, places, and activities. I believe that He always hears me whether vocal or silent, whether seated or standing or walking.

[Misshalfway]

I remember once someone said that a husband and wife should kneel and pray every time they're going to. . . consummate. Kind of like blessing the food, I guess. Now, I think that you can pray any time and anywhere, but to do that as a rule is kind of weird to me.

I'm praying for those people.

They need it.

[Finrock]

Good afternoon Misshalfway! I hope you are having a good day. :)

I'm praying for those people.

They need it.

Why do you feel this way?

Regards,

Finrock

[Vort]

I remember once someone said that a husband and wife should kneel and pray every time they're going to. . . consummate. Kind of like blessing the food, I guess. Now, I think that you can pray any time and anywhere, but to do that as a rule is kind of weird to me.

You know, I cannot figure out a reason why this should be bad or wrong. It makes perfect sense. I could not find fault with any couple who does this. But for some reason that I can't yet put into words, it strikes me as exceedingly strange.

[Misshalfway]

Good afternoon Misshalfway! I hope you are having a good day. :)

Why do you feel this way?

Regards,

Finrock

Well, I was making a joke, Fin.

I think Slamjet said it well. Praying during foreplay = mood killer.

I'm all for praying about sex. I think God should be involved in all parts of our lives. But let's be smart about the timing. I want him taking off my bra, not praying over whether or not he should.

[Finrock]

Well, I was making a joke, Fin.

I think Slamjet said it well. Praying during foreplay = mood killer.

I'm all for praying about sex. I think God should be involved in all parts of our lives. But let's be smart about the timing. I want him taking off my bra, not praying over whether or not he should.

OK, I can understand the joke. I was curious to know why you felt the way that you did as your post seemed to imply that it was wrong to do it and those who were doing it were in need of help because you were offerring to pray for them.

I was trying to think in my mind what is wrong with praying, for instance, to have better sex before having sex. I can't think of anything "wrong" with it other than it seems abnormal, insofar as "normal" means what most people do. However, I don't see anything intrinsically wrong with it.

Regards,

Finrock

[Vort]

Well, I was making a joke, Fin.

I think Slamjet said it well. Praying during foreplay = mood killer.

I'm all for praying about sex. I think God should be involved in all parts of our lives. But let's be smart about the timing. I want him taking off my bra, not praying over whether or not he should.

It's not a matter of praying whether he should. That's a given. And it's not a matter of "during foreplay"; by definition, it's before that.

If sex between husband and wife is among the most Godly of activities, and I certainly believe it is, why should there be even the least bit of reluctance to pray beforehand? Are righteous actions and closeness to the Spirit somehow antithetical to sexual activity? And if they are, what does that say about our sexual conditioning? Are we infected with the worldly belief of sex as "doing the nasty"?

Intellectually, I completely do not understand this gut-level aversion to praying before sex that some seem to have. It makes me wonder if those who do so may know something the rest of us don't.

[Misshalfway]

Intellectually, I completely do not understand this gut-level aversion to praying before sex that some seem to have. It makes me wonder if those who do so may know something the rest of us don't.

Perhaps...how to set the mood.

[Vort]

Perhaps...how to set the mood.

Exactly. Maybe they know how to set the mood in a far deeper and more satisfying sense than those among us who view sex primarily as a plaything that we get to do with our spouse.

I seriously wonder if those of us who find it strange to think of praying before sex are the ones missing out on something very important and potentially life-changing.

[NightSG]

I'm all for praying about sex. I think God should be involved in all parts of our lives. But let's be smart about the timing. I want him taking off my bra, not praying over whether or not he should.

If you're waiting for God to take off your bra, I think I see the source of most of your stress.

[slamjet]

Lemme explain my position and why I'm not 100% on board with this...

I believe sex is a product of love between a husband and wife for bonding and procreating. To pray for sex is, and I know I'm going all medieval here, carnal. To pray for the love and affection for each other to continue to grow and progress is a different matter and, in my humble uninformed opinion, more appropriate.

So for me, to kneel down and pray before doing bedtime gymnastics is missing the point and a bit too late.

[Misshalfway]

OK, I can understand the joke. I was curious to know why you felt the way that you did as your post seemed to imply that it was wrong to do it and those who were doing it were in need of help because you were offerring to pray for them.

I was trying to think in my mind what is wrong with praying, for instance, to have better sex before having sex. I can't think of anything "wrong" with it other than it seems abnormal, insofar as "normal" means what most people do. However, I don't see anything intrinsically wrong with it.

Regards,

Finrock

Nah...it's not wrong. If people want to pray at the start of sex the way they pray over a meal. That's completely cool. It's just not my preference.

[Misshalfway]

Exactly. Maybe they know how to set the mood in a far deeper and more satisfying sense than those among us who view sex primarily as a plaything that we get to do with our spouse.

I seriously wonder if those of us who find it strange to think of praying before sex are the ones missing out on something very important and potentially life-changing.

Is there a chance you'll ever joke with me?

[Vort]

Is there a chance you'll ever joke with me?

Oh, I like you, Miss½, and that's no joke. But I find some topics interesting, so I dig. No offense intended.

[NightSG]

So for me, to kneel down and pray before doing bedtime gymnastics is missing the point and a bit too late.

If you're doing it right, you should probably at least pray for no major strains

[Guest]

If there were problems or issues related to sex, I can see praying first. If a couple was really trying to conceive and the timing in the cycle seemed right, I'd certainly pray myself (and have!) and wouldn't have a problem praying with my spouse. But as a matter of habit, every single time, I just don't see the purpose. Praying at other times that every aspect of our marriage will bring us closer together and that we'll have a good relationship, yes. Stopping to kneel and pray every time things start heating up? Not for me.

[beefche]

Lemme explain my position and why I'm not 100% on board with this...

I believe sex is a product of love between a husband and wife for bonding and procreating. To pray for sex is, and I know I'm going all medieval here, carnal. To pray for the love and affection for each other to continue to grow and progress is a different matter and, in my humble uninformed opinion, more appropriate.

So for me, to kneel down and pray before doing bedtime gymnastics is missing the point and a bit too late.

How is praying before sex carnal? What exactly do you think people pray about before sex? That they will discover some new way to have sex? I'm not trying to be snarky, I just don't understand the thought that praying before sex is carnal. How is praying carnal?

I have to admit, I'm with Vort on this. I simply don't understand why is somehow "wrong" to pray before sex. Why is it inappropriate to pray that love, affection, and bonds are strengthened? Why is it inappropriate to pray for whatever blessings they receive from sex?

[SteveVH]

It's not a matter of praying whether he should. That's a given. And it's not a matter of "during foreplay"; by definition, it's before that.

If sex between husband and wife is among the most Godly of activities, and I certainly believe it is, why should there be even the least bit of reluctance to pray beforehand? Are righteous actions and closeness to the Spirit somehow antithetical to sexual activity? And if they are, what does that say about our sexual conditioning? Are we infected with the worldly belief of sex as "doing the nasty"?

Intellectually, I completely do not understand this gut-level aversion to praying before sex that some seem to have. It makes me wonder if those who do so may know something the rest of us don't.

I couldn't agree more. The sexual act between married couples is a sacrament of sorts, a holy union. In order to have a holy union, however, the spuoses are required to engage in an act of complete, mutual sef-giving. To use another, even your husband or wife, only as an object of pleasure is not a holy union. It seems to me more than appropriate to pray that you enter into this act with God's will in mind.

[Misshalfway]

Oh, I like you, Miss½, and that's no joke. But I find some topics interesting, so I dig. No offense intended.

Ok. Let me get on my serious cap so I can dig with you.

I appreciate what you are saying about the deeper more meaningful nature of sex . And I agree. But it sounds like you are saying that the only way to get there is to pray before each venture. It's just not the only way. And I'll confess that I worry a little when I hear people putting unnecessary and extraordinary constraints on things. Sex, amongst other things, is about letting go. It's ok to let go. Things tend to work better when we let go. That's really all I'm saying.

Ok....now I gotta lighten this up a bit.

Has anyone seen the British show "Larkrise to Candleford"?? Anyone, by chance, see the episode where Thomas Brown (the pious postman) keeps waking up his new wife in the middle of the night to "venture"? Except that what he means by "venturing" is to wake his wife multiple times a night to pray for a baby. His patient but exasperated new wife is beside herself trying to help him get him off his knee so they can "venture" the way the Lord intended. :) Hilarious! So appropriate for this discussion.

[Guest]

Ok....now I gotta lighten this up a bit.

Has anyone seen the British show "Larkrise to Candleford"?? Anyone, by chance, see the episode where Thomas Brown (the pious postman) keeps waking up his new wife in the middle of the night to "venture"? Except that what he means by "venturing" is to wake his wife multiple times a night to pray for a baby. His patient but exasperated new wife is beside herself trying to help him get him off his knee so they can "venture" the way the Lord intended. :) Hilarious! So appropriate for this discussion.

YES! I love that! But I believe the word was "endeavor". We may or may not have used it in that context.

[Misshalfway]

YES! I love that! But I believe the word was "endeavor". We may or may not have used it in that context.

Yay!!! somebody knows what i'm talking about.

And I think you are right. It was "endeavor".

[Misshalfway]

How is praying before sex carnal? What exactly do you think people pray about before sex? That they will discover some new way to have sex? I'm not trying to be snarky, I just don't understand the thought that praying before sex is carnal. How is praying carnal?

I have to admit, I'm with Vort on this. I simply don't understand why is somehow "wrong" to pray before sex. Why is it inappropriate to pray that love, affection, and bonds are strengthened? Why is it inappropriate to pray for whatever blessings they receive from sex?

I don't think anyone is saying it's "wrong" or "inappropriate".

[beefche]

I appreciate what you are saying about the deeper more meaningful nature of sex . And I agree. But it sounds like you are saying that the only way to get there is to pray before each venture. It's just not the only way. And I'll confess that I worry a little when I hear people putting unnecessary and extraordinary constraints on things. Sex, amongst other things, is about letting go. It's ok to let go. Things tend to work better when we let go. That's really all I'm saying.

I don't know if Vort is advocating praying before EACH sexual encounter. But, some people are really turned off (for lack of a better term) at the thought of praying at all before sex.

I don't think it's necessary to have a good sexual relationship. But, I'm also not opposed to praying before sex. I just don't see why people think it's weird, or wrong, or whatever other term you want to use.

[Vort]

I appreciate what you are saying about the deeper more meaningful nature of sex . And I agree. But it sounds like you are saying that the only way to get there is to pray before each venture.

Actually, I have been very careful to say nothing of the sort. I think you will see that if you carefully reread what I have posted.

[Vort]

I don't think anyone is saying it's "wrong" or "inappropriate".

Hmmm. You are reading people's comments much differently than I am. For example:

I do believe that is the coldest bucket of water to throw on a person... "WAIT! We need to pray and bless this union first!"

I'm praying for those people.

They need it.

To pray for sex is, and I know I'm going all medieval here, carnal...to kneel down and pray before doing bedtime gymnastics is missing the point and a bit too late.

These comments sound to me like people saying it's wrong or inappropriate to pray before sex.