How To Pray

[Guest DeborahC]

I have no trouble at all praying at home

But when asked to pray in meetings I feel inadequate.

Are there "instructions" for giving a proper prayer in Church?

[pam]

Other than the proper format and using correct terminology..none that I know of.

[Backroads]

This might sound awful but...

I tend to "steal" thoughtful lines of prayer from everyone else's public prayers. I believe the vast majority of those giving the public prayer have the same good thoughts and intentions--but public prayer does seem to require a bit of stage presence, so I look for eloquence from others and then make sure my heart is in tune when I am the one giving the public prayer.

With few exceptions... if those around you are doing it, it's probably an acceptable way.

[Dravin]

This might sound awful but...

I tend to "steal" thoughtful lines of prayer from everyone else's public prayers. I believe the vast majority of those giving the public prayer have the same good thoughts and intentions--but public prayer does seem to require a bit of stage presence, so I look for eloquence from others and then make sure my heart is in tune when I am the one giving the public prayer.

With few exceptions... if those around you are doing it, it's probably an acceptable way.

As long as eloquence doesn't become wordiness for it's own sake. There is nothing wrong with a straight forward, and concise, prayer.

[Guest gopecon]

One thing to remember is that you are praying as "we" not "I" when praying for a class or congregation. This affects the wording (we thank thee, etc.) and potentially the topics one would touch in the prayer.

[mnn727]

I love the following from BYU Br. Martins - Readings for Church Organization & Leadership Class

(Emphasis is mine)

Elder Francis M. Lyman

Offer Short Prayers Without Vain Repetitions

Improvement Era, 50:214, 245

It is not necessary to offer very long and tedious prayers, either at opening or closing. It is not only not pleasing to the Lord for us to use excess of words, but also it is not pleasing to the Latter-day Saints. Two minutes will open any kind of meeting, and a half minute will close it.

We ought to take into account the occasion, and let the prayers be suited exactly to it. Sometimes our habits may control us more strongly than the Spirit of the Lord, so we should consider these things.

Offer short prayers, and avoid vain repetitions, particularly the repetition of the name of Deity, and the name of the Savior. It is quite common to open a prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, to close it in his name, and possibly use his name a few times through the prayer. If we approach the Father, and offer our petitions to him, and then close in the name of Jesus Christ, it is sufficient. There is no prayer so great and important that it is necessary to use more than once the name of the Son of God and of the Father.

[ZionsRodeVos]

I almost always say short prayers while at the same time trying to give thanks for things everyone can be thankful for and asking for things that I feel everyone needs.

The reason I give short prayers is because I can remember my dad in family prayers and others giving long prayers while I was a teen or younger and feeling it was interminably long. I am sure many of the primary children and teens in sacrament meeting and other meetings feel the same way.

I feel it's fine they get to sit through some long prayers but it is also nice to get some short ones so I give short ones (in public) that get right to the point with few words and are simple and sincere.

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

What works for me is the way that I "frame" it. I think of it as an opportunity to speak to Heavenly Father on behalf of the group, not only for them, but with their combined faith. So with that in mind, I don't try to say anything fancy, just to truly speak with Father for and behalf of the group. I almost always thank him for the Atonement, ask for help for those who struggling under a heavy burden.

I know it is hard, but if you can put yourself and your own fears aside and truly speak from your heart for the group, I think that is the best way.

[Blackmarch]

I have no trouble at all praying at home

But when asked to pray in meetings I feel inadequate.

Are there "instructions" for giving a proper prayer in Church?

just teh same ones that missionaries teach investigators :)

[Traveler]

What works for me is the way that I "frame" it. I think of it as an opportunity to speak to Heavenly Father on behalf of the group, not only for them, but with their combined faith. So with that in mind, I don't try to say anything fancy, just to truly speak with Father for and behalf of the group. I almost always thank him for the Atonement, ask for help for those who struggling under a heavy burden.

I know it is hard, but if you can put yourself and your own fears aside and truly speak from your heart for the group, I think that is the best way.

Excellent post - I would add that when speaking in prayer, especially for others, use strong positive words. For example - rather than say “That we might have thy spirit”; instead say something like, “we petition thy spirit, according to our covenants to attend us”. In essence exercise faith for what is needed and/or the prupose of the gathering.

The Traveler

[pam]

I say what is comfortable to me. When people start telling me maybe you should say this instead of that..that is fake to me. It's just not me.

[classylady]

One of my companions in the mission field said the most beautiful prayers. They weren't wordy, or even what would be considered eloquent. When I listened to her pray, it seemed like she was so in tune, and truly speaking to her Father. They were simple prayers. And she prayed for what we really needed--no memorized sentences of what we typically hear in a prayer.

[Tough Grits]

This is a good quote about prayer:

“Satan trembles, when he sees the weakest Saint upon his knees.”

William Cowper, Olney Hymns, in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, 2nd ed. rev. (1966), 161.

Prayers that touch me are:

1. In the proper order.

2. Guided by the Holy Ghost.

3. Sincere and with real intent (Moroni 10:4).

I have heard some interesting prayers and testimonies in the 14 years that I have been a member.

I learned early that prayers are to Heavenly Father and testimonies are to those we are addressing. Thus, prayers can end with "...thy Son, ...", but testimonies would not have a "thy" in the close, as it is not being addressed to Heavenly Father.

I just always say "...in the name of..." regardless of whether it is a prayer or a testimony so that I don't mixed up.

Can anybody remember the account given about a person (quite possibly an apostle) giving prayers in such a way that those closing their eyes during the prayer felt as if they could open their eyes and see the Father standing with them?

That story made a huge impact on me...and yet I can't find it! Any thoughts? I have tried searching LDS.org...but can't seem to locate it. Can't remember if it was a talk or in a manual.

[rayhale]

A note about vain repetition, the Church has several prayers that need to be said exactly; sacrament, and the baptism prayers are two that I can think of off the top of my head. The reason that these prayers are the exactly the same every time, is that we are making, and keeping covenants with the Lord. My Branch President also pointed out that there are only so many different ways to give thanks for food, family, life, etc… I also would say if you don’t understand a word or phrase, like “… with every fiber of my being.” Then don’t say it.

[Traveler]

I say what is comfortable to me. When people start telling me maybe you should say this instead of that..that is fake to me. It's just not me.

I would say this is true when ever your prayers are personal. But when you pray for a group - I believe you should leave your personal comfort secondary and be more willing to listen to suggestions of others (being more sensitive beyond self) and to speak for the needs, concerns, thought and purposes of that group.

The Traveler

[pam]

I would say this is true when ever your prayers are personal. But when you pray for a group - I believe you should leave your personal comfort secondary and be more willing to listen to suggestions of others (being more sensitive beyond self) and to speak for the needs, concerns, thought and purposes of that group.

The Traveler

I still disagree. Even prayers said for the masses should be something coming more from the heart and in a language you are comfortable with. It should be something I'm inspired to say...not what someone else thinks I should say. As long as the thous and thys are all are appropriate. I would never be comfortable saying something like "we petition thy spirit, according to our covenants to attend us." That is just not me. And if I was told that we need to mention a special blessing on Brother or Sister **** then I'm okay with that. But in my own words not in what I'm told to say.

Edited February 3, 2013 by pam

[Traveler]

I still disagree. Even prayers said for the masses should be something coming more from the heart and in a language you are comfortable with. It should be something I'm inspired to say...not what someone else thinks I should say. As long as the thous and thys are all are appropriate. I would never be comfortable saying something like "we petition thy spirit, according to our covenants to attend us." That is just not me. And if I was told that we need to mention a special blessing on Brother or Sister **** then I'm okay with that. But in my own words not in what I'm told to say.

How do you feel about Matt 6:9-13?

The Traveler

[pam]

What do you mean how do I feel about it? It's the Lord's Prayer. Please tell me what that has to do with my feelings and my own personal thoughts on how I should pray?

[Guest DeborahC]

I am talking about being asked to open or close a class with a nonrehearsed spontaneous prayer. I'm not talking about specific prayers like the blessing of Sacrament or the Lords Prayer.

[pam]

Thank you Deborah.

[Dravin]

I am talking about being asked to open or close a class with a nonrehearsed spontaneous prayer. I'm not talking about specific prayers like the blessing of Sacrament or the Lords Prayer.

And the latter, the Lords Prayer, doesn't have a special significance for LDS beyond being a scriptural model. That is to say there is no normal situation in the Church where we are expected to say the Lord's Prayer.

[pam]

That's why I'm terribly confused over Travelers question.

[norah63]

Being self-conscience is a problem we all struggle with from time to time.

I have heard prayers that were sermons with everyones head down, and eyes closed.

If man has a formula for prayer, let it be the model prayer.

Prayer for me is to agree with my Heavenly Father. Speak his words, as they are heard.

Pour out a heart, in words, it's really all we will do.

If this response is in the wrong place, forgive me.

[Wingnut]

Excellent post - I would add that when speaking in prayer, especially for others, use strong positive words. For example - rather than say “That we might have thy spirit”; instead say something like, “we petition thy spirit, according to our covenants to attend us”. In essence exercise faith for what is needed and/or the prupose of the gathering.

The Traveler

I don't even know what that means.

But when asked to pray in meetings I feel inadequate.

Are there "instructions" for giving a proper prayer in Church?

Something I've thought about (albeit casually) in the last few years is the gratitude part of prayer. I think we easily get caught up in the asking of things from the Lord, that we often forget that we're not asking Him to bless our food (example) -- the food isn't going to poison us without the prayer. The purpose of a mealtime prayer is to thank Him for the bounty with which He has blessed us. When I give public prayers, I try to focus more on gratitude than on petitioning the Lord for things. I think it makes for a happier prayer -- personal opinion, and I don't judge anyone who prays otherwise.

Regarding language: there are a lot of older women in my ward who are converts to the church; a lot of African-American widows who come from a very different background with regard to religious culture. When they pray in meetings, their prayers are simple and straightforward, and typically don't include "thee, thou, thy" language. Yet they are humble, sincere, and full of the Spirit. In my own home, my husband and I have started to use more "normal" language as we teach our children how to pray. Though that might seem counter-intuitive, I want them to understand what we're saying more than focus on how we're saying it. Once they have a foundation in place, I think it'll be easier to switch format at a slightly older age (it was for me, anyway). All this is a long way of saying: don't stress over the language. If the idea of trying to remember the formal language gives you hives, don't think about it.

One final thought on public prayers: timing. I once heard someone say that opening prayers should be no longer than 60 seconds, and closing prayers no longer than 30. This wasn't a bishop or a leader or anyone in a position to dictate. She was a friend of my mom's, and she was half-joking. We had had an interminably long opening prayer in Relief Society that day, and she was giving the closing prayer, so we jokingly timed her. I think she came in around 33 seconds or something. Anyway, her point was that while prayer is important, we typically tend to get more out of church from the lessons and the music and the talks, etc., than out of the prayers. During a long prayer, kids get antsy, and it's not unheard of for an adult to doze off, even. Long prayers are more appropriate in a personal setting. In public, they should be short and sweet and to the point. I know a lot of people might disagree with this point, but I think the general idea (maybe not necessarily the specifics) has merit.

[THIRDpersonviewer]

I don't even know what that means.

I believe all he is saying is instead of might the Spirit be here, instead ask that the Spirit really be there, and the reasons for it. Correct me if I'm wrong?

I just wanted to make a comment about the Lord's prayer. I've said the Lord's prayer and if I were asked to offer that prayer I wouldn't mind. Simply, because that would be the feelings in my heart. Yes it may be "memorized," but it is a prayer from my heart and that is what the Lord wants from us.

I grew up in the South and before football games, we would pray. The Lord's prayer was offered together by each of us. At first it was diffferent for me, but as I grew to ponder and think of the meaning and really mean what I was saying. I noticed it became a spiritual moment and I could feel the Spirit and I gloried in a loving God. I love the Lord's prayer, it means a lot to me now, because of those moments and experiences with it. I don't think it would be as special to me if I didn't offer those prayers.