When you don't know what to pray for, or you feel too overwhelmed to ask...

7/29/2024 | vanity

[ransomnote]

When you don't know what to pray for, or you feel too overwhelmed to ask...

Years ago, a Christian radio station had a suggestion about how to pray when you don’t know what to pray for. They said ‘just say the name of the Lord, Jesus, over and over again. He knows what you need.’

Frankly I didn’t like the idea at first; I kind of rebelled when our pastor once said something similar (e.g., power in His name, monks would whisper His name while sweeping the floor or performing other mundane tasks). I didn’t like it because it sounded rote, or unthinking.

BUT, at a time I was so stressed out at work I couldn’t climb three steps because my shoes would fall off in full view of the Board of Directors, because I was so anxious my feet were sweating, I decided to try it on my commute to work.

I just kept softly saying ‘Jesus,’ sometimes aloud and sometimes silently to myself, as I drove. My mind would try to multi-task (worry, pray and drive at the same time), but I just kept returning to the task of saying His name when I caught myself worrying. When I arrived to work 20 minutes later, I was incredibly calm and composed (and I could climb stairs!).

In his last days, Freeper bagster was struggling with pain. We were about to hang up the phone for the night, and sleep was far away from him because of the pain. He sounded depressed that hours of struggle lay ahead and he could only hope for exhausted sleep eventually.

I told him I knew how he felt about the ‘god stuff’ I talk about, but that he really needed relief and there was something I tried that helps me. I told him what I learned about the power of the name of the Lord, and asked him to try it. I explained how my mind kept wandering the first time I tried it, and advised him, “You don’t have to be particularly reverent. He understands. Just try to return to saying His name when your mind wanders.”

The next time we spoke, he made a point of telling me that he tried it, and it worked. I think we were both relieved to know there was comfort for him when medicine is not enough.

I just wanted to pass this along, because we never know when we'll need it.

A few people added the following insights:

In the General/Chat forum, Melian wrote:

There is a beautiful hymn that has a similar effect on me:

https://youtu.be/r6tVReXsioM?si=tOP0A1LBrGxMNCO2

Just the words of the repentant thief over and over.

In the General/Chat forum, tang-soo wrote:

Observant Jewish people never say the name of God even if they know how to pronounce it, as they don’t. YHVH has vowels added and is pronounced as Yahweh, Yahveh, or more commonly, Jehovah. They also use “Adoni” which means “LORD”.

To the point of your note regarding relief for Bagster, they frequently address God as “Ha-Shem”, which simply means, “The Name.”

In the General/Chat forum, USMC79to83 wrote:

It brings tears when I pause to think about how good God is to us. Thank you for the reminder!

In the General/Chat forum, Bigg Red wrote:

I hear a version of this: Say the name “Jesus” as you inhale and exhale with a word representing whatever is distressing you.

God bless you.

 

[Responsibility2nd]

Romans 8:26-28 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)

For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

[Olog-hai]

They said ‘just say the name of the Lord, Jesus, over and over again. He knows what you need.’ …

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
— Matthew 6:7, Jesus’ own words

Always best to get Jesus’ POV. The gospels are filled with tips on prayer.

[Psalm 73]

"Romans 8:26-28"

First thing I thought of when I saw the title. Takes all the pressure off of praying.

None of us really knows what to pray for - Moses didn't know, Paul didn't know ("Three times I asked the Lord to remove this thorn in my side, but He said NO....")

[Jim W N]

Responsibility 2nd posted: “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words”.

That’s praying in the Spirit AKA praying in tongues. Works very well.

[Quality_Not_Quantity]

Good. Good. Good. God. Good. Good.

Just kidding - I love that you went back to the source - Jesus himself.

[Responsibility2nd]

Responsibility 2nd posted: “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words”.

That’s praying in the Spirit AKA praying in tongues. Works very well.

 

That is exactly NOT true.

[DoodleBob]

worry, pray and drive at the same time

If this was in the Olympics, I’d watch it.

I may also be the Captain of the team.

Be well and God Bless you.

[waterhill]

Good stuff.

My first wife would always say “ GOD Bless America “ when she would get upset. Still does apparently. It calms her down.

[ADSUM]

A short prayer: Make th sign of the cross.

In he name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Another short prayer for eveyone:

PRAYER OF ST GERTRUDE THE GREAT

Eternal Father,
I offer You the most precious blood
of thy Divine Son, Jesus,
in union with the Masses said
throughout the world today,
for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory,
for sinners everywhere,
for sinners in the universal Church,
for those in my own home,
and in my family. Amen

[know.your.why]

“Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out."

One of my favorite quotes by C. S. Lewis is from his popular book Mere Christianity.

But if you are a poor creature—poisoned by a wretched upbringing in some house full of vulgar jealousies and senseless quarrels—saddled, by no choice of your own, with some loathsome sexual perversion—nagged day in and day out by an inferiority complex that makes you snap at your best friends—do not despair. He knows all about it. You are one of the poor whom He blessed. He knows what a wretched machine you are trying to drive. Keep on. Do what you can. One day… you may astonish us all—not least yourself: for you have learned your driving in a hard school.

[frogjerk]

Amen!

[Flaming Conservative]

Amen!

[Flaming Conservative]

It IS true.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Amen.

He knows our needs better than we ever will.

[Responsibility2nd]

So when you speak in tongues, is there a interpreter present?

[Blood of Tyrants]

That is precisely the verse I was thinking of. The Holy Spirit knows your needs without you having to verbalize them.

[Indy Pendance]

I have a hard time saying prayers. I just talk to God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit as I would a friend. Nothing fancy. I know He knows me and what I am trying to ask for.

You don’t need to ask for anything when you pray. God knows your heart, be thankful. Be grateful. Tell Him you love him.

[Flaming Conservative]

Speaking in tongues out loud in a group of people requires an interpreter; PRAYING in tongues is not the same. Praying in the Spirit is between you and God.

[Responsibility2nd]

There’s a big difference between praying in the Spirit and praying in tongues.

I found this very helpful.

https://www.gotquestions.org/praying-in-tongues.html