The importance of prayer

July 29, 2006 10:17 AM

I need scriptural quotes regarding prayer, meditation and fellowship. Any scripture.

Any holy book will do - I've already got plenty of stuff from the NIV. I dug into the vedas pretty hard but if you don't know where you're looking you can really waste a ton of time. (I don't have a concordance for holy books other than the Bible.)

Looking for scripture quotes that emphasize the importance of meditation, silence, group prayer or group meditation. Gathering together in prayer. That sort of thing.

In fact, quotes from great spiritual leaders would work as well.

Thank you!

posted by Baby_Balrog to religion & philosophy (7 comments total)

Not scripture, but Parker Palmer's To Know as We Are Known contains some essays which have good elucidations of basic reasons for engaging in the practices you've mentioned.
posted by weston at 10:52 AM on July 29, 2006

Did you find the "pray with faith and let it go," and "faith as small as a tiny seed can move mountains," and "wherever three are gathered in my name" passages in the New Testament?
posted by beatrice at 11:45 AM on July 29, 2006

"And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls." - Book of Mormon (Moroni 6:5)
posted by blue_beetle at 12:26 PM on July 29, 2006

Another one from The Book Of Mormon: "Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice." (2 NE 9:52)
posted by crapples at 12:43 PM on July 29, 2006

Matthew 6:5-15:

5. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. "

[etc]
posted by dilettante at 5:56 PM on July 29, 2006

Also from the Book of Mormon:

"Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;

Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.

Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.

Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.

Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.

Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase. But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you." (Alma 34: 17-27)

I love this particular scripture because it instructs us to cry unto God, with sincerity and emotion and address Him with our every problem and concern. We are to cry unto Him for blessings - for ourselves and for others, and our hearts are to be in communication with Him always.
posted by rinkjustice at 5:58 PM on July 29, 2006

From the Tao Te Ching (using the public domain translation here):

"If you can empty your mind of all thoughts
your heart will embrace the tranquility of peace." (Ch. 16)

"Stop talking,
meditate in silence,
blunt your sharpness,
release your worries,
harmonize your inner light,
and become one with the dust." (Ch. 56)
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 11:18 AM on July 31, 2006