The Importance of Prayer
How important is prayer in today’s society?
Introduction
Prayer means different things to people in different religions all around the world. Some people may not identify as religious but still practice a form of prayer. This could be in the form of reflection or meditation. Some people pray many times a day, others just in times of need. This essay will predominantly focus on Catholicism and along with the results from research and surveys will seek to discover how important prayer in today’s society is.
Prayer across religions
Mallet, a life coach, suggests that prayer helps people live longer and happier lives. She says, “There are countless medical reports on longevity for individuals who center life on church, worship, prayer and meditation. Prayer is asking God for ones desires or needs of others, while meditation is waiting on God to answer.” (Mallet, 2013) Buddhists practice meditation and believe this awakens their inner passion, strength and wisdom within them. (Sensei 2006) Hindus chant their prayers and believe this evokes gods which can help them. They believe prayer has two parts: one is soliciting a favor from the Almighty, the other is surrendering themselves to His will. (Rajhans 2013) Muslims’ prayers have specific actions and words. The Religion of Islam website says, “Prayer is a unique training and development program which, if well and devotedly performed, can achieve for a Muslim many valuable spiritual, physical and ethical gains.” Muslims praise Allah five times a day and ask for forgiveness and guidance which helps them develop discipline. Their holy book, the Quran, says at 20:13-14 “There is none worthy of worship but I, so worship Me and offer prayer perfectly for My remembrance.” Christians offer formal prayers in Church read from the Missal if Catholic or from the Book of Common Prayer if Anglican. People are very sensitive about their religious beliefs and where they pray. On 19 August 2013 the Malay Mail online reported that a
Introduction
Prayer means different things to people in different religions all around the world. Some people may not identify as religious but still practice a form of prayer. This could be in the form of reflection or meditation. Some people pray many times a day, others just in times of need. This essay will predominantly focus on Catholicism and along with the results from research and surveys will seek to discover how important prayer in today’s society is.
Prayer across religions
Mallet, a life coach, suggests that prayer helps people live longer and happier lives. She says, “There are countless medical reports on longevity for individuals who center life on church, worship, prayer and meditation. Prayer is asking God for ones desires or needs of others, while meditation is waiting on God to answer.” (Mallet, 2013) Buddhists practice meditation and believe this awakens their inner passion, strength and wisdom within them. (Sensei 2006) Hindus chant their prayers and believe this evokes gods which can help them. They believe prayer has two parts: one is soliciting a favor from the Almighty, the other is surrendering themselves to His will. (Rajhans 2013) Muslims’ prayers have specific actions and words. The Religion of Islam website says, “Prayer is a unique training and development program which, if well and devotedly performed, can achieve for a Muslim many valuable spiritual, physical and ethical gains.” Muslims praise Allah five times a day and ask for forgiveness and guidance which helps them develop discipline. Their holy book, the Quran, says at 20:13-14 “There is none worthy of worship but I, so worship Me and offer prayer perfectly for My remembrance.” Christians offer formal prayers in Church read from the Missal if Catholic or from the Book of Common Prayer if Anglican. People are very sensitive about their religious beliefs and where they pray. On 19 August 2013 the Malay Mail online reported that a
Bibliography: Wickstrom.S.P, 2013, Why do we pray? [Internet] {Accessed 15 August 2013} Houdmann Goettsche, Rev.B, 1998, The Importance of Prayer, [Internet] {Accessed 14 August 2013} Dwyer.E.J, 1965, My Way to God, Book 2, The Australian Hierarchy Rajhans. G, 2013, About.Com Hinduism, Why and How to Pray, [Internet] http://hinduism.about.com/od/prayersmantras/a/why_and_how_to_pray.htm> {Accessed 4 September 2013}