Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with prayer

Trying to Find a Prayer Similar to the Prayer for Daily Neglect

CodeBaloo — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:20:29 -0800

Trying to find a Catholic night time prayer, very similar to the Prayer For Daily Neglect, that was included in a small booklet of Catholic prayers recently distributed via pew pockets, July or August in the Lubbock dioceses. It was also a three-part prayer, and was also for neglects, but worded differently than the "official" prayer. Basically, it contained to the effect of a "provide the good I saw but did not do", a "complete the good that I did incompletely", and another part. Any clues? Google came up empty for me.

The Best Possible Prayer(s) You Can Think Of

JoeXIII007 — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:03:06 -0800

Spiritual-filter: What general prayers would you recommend to use on a regular basis? So I have been, during the beginning of my break from college study, rediscovering my spiritual life and have been trying to set up a daily routine (like a morning and night prayer, along with prayer before meals). Specifically, having been raised Catholic, I have been rediscovering their teachings and practices (bought the 2/e Catechism yesterday for reference).

I have been deeply spiritually-hurt from and have been recovering from the ~recent scandals of the church (nationally and locally known), reasoning for recovery and rediscovery of faith and belief being I shouldn't let the sins of others effect my spiritual life and hopes of heaven after this life. This is just to provide a light background.

Thus my question for the ~religious, very religious, and every mefite in between: what prayers do you find on a regular basis to be providing the best spiritual lift/high? what prayers do you find to be most influential, most game changing, etc.?

Also, feel free to add anything else that might better direct one's soul (thoughts of the saints, great thinkers in theology, etc.)

Google searching failed me, knowing such a search brings about 100s of results and it is incredibly difficult to pick out the good ones. I figured I would ask the hive mind considering I would very likely get some pretty smart answers to this. Thanks!

PS: Leave the popular Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, along with the Acts of [] out of this. Same with psalms. They already rank quite high I would imagine. I appreciate it.

I need help identifying blanket with Arabic writing on it.

Listening — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:45:00 -0800

I have a blanket with Islamic (Arabic) writing (maybe parts of the Quran, Koran?) woven around it that I found and need help identifying it? The blanket is beautiful but the interesting thing is that it has metal threads woven in the fiber. Very very small flat threads that are woven into the yarn it's self. When I first felt the blanket I thought I was feeling some very raw wool because of its ruff hand, but after using my loop (field lens) I saw the metal. It looks to be brass, maybe gold. It doesn't show very much from the front or back so doesn't seem to be ornamental. I also think that the writing that is woven around the inner and outer edges are Arabic but I don't know what they say, someone suggested passages from the Quran. Any help would be great. It is such an unusual piece. I should mention that the fibers are all natural.

How can I put this?

2or3whiskeysodas — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:47:11 -0800

Help me pick out an appropriate reading for my upcoming wedding, something expressing the wish that the love we feel for each other might also serve as a a foundation for a more universal compassion. Neither of us are particularly religious, although I was raised as a Unitarian Universalist and am presently enamored with Buddhism. A UU minister will be performing the ceremony.

I'm looking for something that will take the place of the standard "Let us pray," portion of the ceremony after the vows have been taken. The sentiment I'd like to express is that love and compassion are humankind's highest capabilities, and the wish that we the love that continues to grow between us might be used as a foundation for a more universal compassion, and might serve to foster the same in others.

I typed that really quickly, in part because it's not fixed in my mind yet and in part because I have to get dressed for work now! But this can be anything--a poem, a prayer, a couple of paragraphs from an essay, whatever. Thanks in advance!

What is the best, most flexible way to organize recordings of Jewish liturgy?

likedoomsday — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:06:41 -0800

How can my synagogue organize a large and developing library of liturgical recordings? I'm interested in (inexpensive or free) specialized software or in suggestions on how to use more commonplace software for this purpose. SynagogueFilter: My shul is working on digitizing thousands of audio tapes' worth of cantorial recordings of the Torah, Haftarah, prayers, and other readings. We are also re-recording many of these. How can we best organize them?
My initial thought was to use a folder structure like this (we use the triennial system): Category > Book > Parsha > Triennial part > Aliyah (where, for example, we might have Torah > Devarim > V'zot Habracha > Triennial year 3 > Third aliyah). However, it occurs to me that it might be useful to navigate in other ways, such as by filtering down to a particular year of the triennial cycle earlier in the process, or by viewing all of the Devarim recordings at once.

Is there any good way to do this? Is there software that's intended for something like this? Is there a creative way to use iTunes or some similar software for this? Or should we pick a folder structure and live with its limitations?

Thanks!

How to say goodbye to someone already gone?

beautifulcheese — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:18:46 -0800

In the next month an important anniversary of a loved one's suicide will be coming up. I have never until this year dealt with the feelings involved with the death and the emotions involved in the loss. I have very little memories of the actual funeral involved (I was 13) but it has been suggested to me (by therapist) that maybe I may like to do some sort of memorial or ritual signifying it. I like this idea. I just have no idea how. (I will ask my therapist about any ideas she has at our next meeting in a week or so so that topic is covered)

Other family members are not interested in being involved (and think the entire thing silly and overly dramatic) so this would be something I would do on my own either in the house when they have left or somewhere outside.

I don't know where to look or even where to start. I want it to be a way of saying goodbye to my brother and that I love him but no longer need the pain involved just to be true to him. A sort of way of ending 20 years of delayed mourning.

Are there religious phrases or rituals that involve that? Ideally I would make it personal so I really am just looking for a jumping off point. I don't want to offend anyone if I'm just picking and choosing from the best of the best of their religion either. I have no experience with religion whatsoever.

Otoh I'm not very um "hippy dippy" and into smudge sticks and magik (no offence) but if there are phrases/routines that have let you put something behind you I would like that as well.

I guess what I am asking for in a long meandering way is what words or actions have you used or suggested to others to you put a landmark down on a period of pain. To say to yourself and to the beloved one I love you, I have let you go and I will move on without forgetting you.

How do/does prayer and meditation differ?

Rash — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:45:39 -0800

What are you thinking about when you pray? Although raised as a Protestant by parents so devoute they tithe 10% to their church, I didn't get any useful instruction on prayer growing up, so it's always been rather a mystery to me. Nor have I had any instruction in meditation so forgive me if the comparison is offensive, but I'm all for regular periods of quiet self-reflection...isn't
that what meditation's all about? But actual prayer's allegedly communication with your diety -- well, for me that's always been like the scene at the end of "Cool Hand Luke" -- the line's open, I'm talking, but never hear any response. At this point the more transcendent say things like "I see signs of God all around" but what's happening in your head when you're praying?

I know some maybe-younger Christians treat it like a session with Santa Claus, concentrating hard on wishes -- for others (if generous) or (if selfish) for themselves. "Dear God/Santa please give me the bike/girl" but I personally gave up on all that very early on since it
never seemed to affect actual outcomes.

But when others pray, they're often reciting litanies of one type or another, either mentally or out loud. Of course this is what's going on during church services, when prayer is directed.

And of course there's the type like me, at the church service with my parents during Christmas or Easter, just going along to get along, waiting for the Jesus nonsense to be over with. It's my opinion that a significant percentage of any congregation has this mind-set, but would never admit this to their more pious family members, as the result would be ostracization from the fellowship, and the reason they're there's for the social benefits.

So how about you? Are you in dialog with your savior during prayer? Does repeating a mantra make things better?

Hold the prayer and pass the potatoes

photoslob — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:56:40 -0800

How do I respectfully yet firmly request that a member of my extended family not say a prayer before a meal in my home? I'll be having family over informally on xmas day and we'll be eating sometime in the afternoon. My wife and I are not religious yet my mother-in-law and her husband are in-your-face-born-agains. Their brand of christianity compels them to wear their spirituality on their sleeve. I've asked politely in the past that they give the before-the-meal prayer a rest when in my home and it's always uncomfortable.

Name that book: whatever, oh well

clavicle — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 07:37:52 -0800

Someone told me about a book in which a woman character says two prayers every day: in the morning, "Whatever!" and before bed, "Oh well!" Anyone know the title?

Who prays like this? (loud & aggressive)

Pasa la bola chetu — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 07:56:03 -0800

Who prays like this? (loud & aggressive) This last weekend I called the cops because neighbors were being attacked. Having worked in personal security in rough areas I thought I recognized the VERY loud howling, wordless screams and thumping as an all out brawl where someone(s) were getting messed up. My g/f freaked out badly, she thought someone was getting a severe beating.

Cops showed up but it had quieted down. As they walked towards us the whole thing started again causing the cops to order us inside, draw their guns, bang on the door and attempt to kick it in. Didnt see how it was resolved since I was indoors but everything got quiet. Later as cops were leaving one came by to humorously tell us that they checked the place out, spoke to the folks there and there was no violence, it was just how they prayed.

Turns out the prayers werent my neighbors but a couple of friends house sitting over the weekend. The neighbors noticed their door has a big dent and are just as curious about what went on.

Who prays like this?

How can I make this beautiful for my dad?

vytae — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 18:45:12 -0800

What should be done/said when the family gathers to witness someone's passing? I need planning to distract me. On Wednesday night my dad's heart failed. Based on the amount of time he spent without oxygen going to his brain before the heart could be restarted, and the poor results of neurological testing thus far, the doctors have told us that it's extremely unlikely he will ever wake up. If the next day or two doesn't show any change, my family will be following his wishes to discontinue life support.
The only thing holding me slightly together right now is my attempt to focus on logistical issues, so I have a question for you all. What should we do when the family is all gathered in the hospital room once the support is removed? Do you know of something I could read aloud? Some kind of ritual or something we could do? Dad is liberal Catholic with a Buddhist bent, most of the family is Catholic, some are agnostic, and I'm an atheist. I don't know how to handle this. I want it to be something Dad would love, and something the other family members will appreciate too. Please help. Thank you all.

I HEARD her, loud and clear.

PhatLobley — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 07:13:34 -0800

My athiestic leanings make me feel extremely unwelcome in my workplace. It's a public school. No one there even knows I'm an athiest. I need advice. I've read the first 2-or-so chapters of Dawkins's God Delusion. In it, he talks about athiests "coming out" and how there are probably a lot of us hiding out there. I was thinking about this a lot as it relates to my life. I feel pretty much "out" and very well accepted, even by my most religioius friends. The only place where I would consider myself "in the closet," as it were, is at work. The situation there:
I work in a public, urban elementary school. It's been clear since I've gotten here (and has gotten more and more clear over the time I've spent here) that the vast majority of the staff is openly, proudly Christian. Teachers stand up and sing songs about Jesus at all-school assemblies. My colleagues frequently appeal to Jesus to help them with their jobs and assert that he's the only thing getting them through working in a difficult situation like we do. I've never really had any problem with this. I thought the songs might cross the line in a public school, but I figure teachers can sing whatever they want- nobody was forced to sing along. I didn't even get upset about there being no "Holiday" celebrations- only "Christmas" ones. We have an all-school "Christmas Program" today and last night the staff had its annual "Christmas Party." I didn't think this was exactly in line with what should happen in a public school, but given the overwhelming majority of the staff and students who consider themselves Christians, I didn't figure it worth it to quibble over semantics. And I really didn't want to get Bill O'Reilly mad at me.
But then, last night, at the "Christmas Party" (held in the school's library), as I was already thinking about how maybe I should "come out" to some of my colleagues (something I've always avoided in order not to rock the boat as a new teacher), my principal did something that I think completely crossed the line and made me feel completely unaccepted and uncomfortable.
Before we started eating, she announced that we would first have to "give thanks to the lord." I thought this was out of line, but okay. So they'll pray and I'll stare at the food. Then she continued: "And those of you who don't believe in the lord, well you can close your ears or whatever you wanna do, but you're gonna HEAR TODAY." This last part was not said in a hopeful, friendly, come to God kind of way, but had a disrespectful, nasty, judgmental tone. It was greeted with a chorus of affirmations from my colleagues. Our PE teacher then gave thanks to Jesus and we ate.
Whew... My questions:
Is it worth it to "come out" around here?
How much of this should I tolerate? I'm pretty sure protesting would solve nothing and maybe just make it worse for me around here, but can I really let a public school principal get away with saying something like this? It was incredibly insulting- even threatening- to me and surely to anyone else in the room who is a nonbeliever. My Christian girlfriend said it offended her when I related the story. Is it time to take a stand? If not now, when?
Thank you, AskMe, for your wisdom.

prayer for everyone at holiday dinner

allelopath — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:48:16 -0800

Religion-holiday-family-filter: Prayer at dinner. No discussion of Sir Thomas I am returning home for the holdays to visit family. These people are white, conservative, catholic, close-minded midwesterners. I'm pretty much the opposite, except for the white part, can't seem to shake that. Traditionally, there is a prayer before dinner in which everyone stands and words like 'jesus' and 'god' are used. As I am an atheist, I sit this out, as does one brother and his wife, who are of an non-christian religiion.

I'm fine with sitting this out, though some things bother me.

1. There are many nieces and nephews. It seems to be a poor lesson to teach them. Something about excluding others who are not like you.
2. I am bringing home my fiancee (first time). She certainly understands about 'family' (let's just say her father has 'issues')., but still its embarrassing.

I want to suggest that the prayer be modified so that everyone can participate, e.g. change "we thank god" to "we are thankful".

Questions:
1. Do I bother? Things are not discussed openly in this famiy. Problems are swept under the rug.
2. If, yes, help me word it in a diplomatic manner (I tend to be too blunt) . Especially #1

Must I "diss" grace as an atheist?

war wrath of wraith — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 12:58:02 -0800

What's the polite thing for an atheist to do during grace at the dinner table to which s/he was invited? Recently, I found myself in a series of uncomfortable situations where I was a guest at the dinner table of very devout religious-folk who would take 4-5 minutes to say grace. As a guest, I didn't want to offend by refusing to take part or standing out in any way. At the same time, I wasn't going to pretend to be praying, either.

When I searched, I found this and this, but neither really answered my question. This comment makes it clear what I should do (if I understand the comment correctly), but I was a bit surprised by it, as I had imagined that the offense would come from the other direction, as I mentioned above.

What I ended up doing was simply folding my hands together in a somewhat casual way, then staring intently at my dish with a slightly bowed head, but this felt extremely silly.

To provide some background info: no, the family didn't know I was atheist, nor did I realize how devout they were. Yes, it was the family of a close friend, and while I knew he was religious, again, I didn't realize to what extent. And plus, my question is more general, as in "What is the proper thing to do in such a situation?"

Indoctrination at preschool, what's an appropriate response?

dejah420 — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 17:55:49 -0800

After interviewing and visiting many, many, preK academies, I picked a secular one for my son (age 3) that has an outstanding curriculum, caring staff and an exemplary record with the state...and most importantly; a part time program. However, I've just discovered that his new teacher is demanding that his class pray before lunch and possibly nap time. The prayers are of the generic "God" variety, but I object to anyone indoctrinating my child, or forcing them to recite a rote ritual in order to be fed. My husband and I are secular humanists, with possible deist tendencies, but we do not subscribe to, or practice any sort of organized religion. I specifically asked, when interviewing the staff of this academy if there was any religious affiliation whatsoever and was assured that it was a secular business.

We live in the absolute buckle of the bible belt. We are probably the only non-Christians for miles in any given direction. It took months of wait list to get into this school after I decided that they offered the best program. There is no other good alternative program anywhere near us. I've taught The Boy to read, and we're working on math and writing; but the school gives him 12+ hours of week of peer interaction that I can't provide.

I don't know what to do, and I'd like some advice. I'm aware that it's not a "separation" issue, this is a private school. I'm not looking for any legal strategies, or ways to throw a better temper tantrum.

What I would like to know is how other secular humanists would deal with the situation. Would you confront the teacher? Would you talk to the administrator? Would you decide that being "required" to pray a couple of times a week probably isn't going to hurt anything, and not say anything to the school, but instead ramp up your time line for philosophical discussions about the concepts of the Cosmic Blueberry Muffin?

From the religious side of the house, and I know we have some deep thinking philosophical believers amongst us; what would be your response if you found out that a theoretically secular institution was teaching your child a conflicting faith?

The importance of prayer

Baby_Balrog — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 10:17:33 -0800

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!

Source my quote

shothotbot — Sat, 06 May 2006 20:46:38 -0800

I would like to know, for real, the source of this (translated) sanskrit quote: For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence:
The bliss of growth;
The glory of action;
The splendor of achievement;
For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision;
But today, well lived, makes every yesterday
a dream of happiness,
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.

I have seen it attributed to Kálidása and also to one of the upanishads. Can anyone give me a reference?

Saving grace.

brautigan — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 16:08:10 -0800

Any guidance on writing a non-religious grace? Two families, one christian the other utterly non religious. I've been asked to write and say a wedding pre-dinner grace or blessing. I'm from the religious side of the family but not a believer. I'd like to write something that will nod towards the divine but embrace the sort of things i think we are all really there for i.e. love, family and celebration. Any suggestions as to what to say? Perhaps links to non denominational blessings etc? Thanks in advance.

St. Teresa's Prayer?

UKnowForKids — Sun, 15 May 2005 09:08:52 -0800

A friend of mine, who writes for Ministry and Liturgy magazine, has a question about a prayer attributed to St. Teresa. Here's what she has to say:

"I'm wanting to include a reference to "St. Teresa's Prayer" in my next M&L article, but I can't find any information which shows the SOURCE -- i.e., what work of Teresa's it comes from. I've searched my brain, my books, and every online source in English and Spanish that I can find, and I'm coming up dry.

"The only way I know the English text is through the John Michael Talbot song:

'Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.'

"I found something in my search today which may or may not be the Spanish original of that English translation (it may be a re-Spanish-izing of the text of the song):

'Cristo ahora no tiene cuerpo en la tierra sino el de ustedes,
No tiene manos sino las de ustedes,
No tiene pies sino los de ustedes.
Los ojos de ustedes son los ojos a través de los cuales
la compasión de Cristo mira al mundo herido.
Los pies de ustedes son los pies con los que él va a hacer el bien.
Las manos de ustedes son las manos con las que él bendice ahora.'

"Does ANYBODY know where this comes from in Teresa's body of work? Or is it just some random piece that's only been ATTRIBUTED to Teresa over the years?

"A batch of homemade mint chocolate chip cookies to the first person who can tell me where it comes from!"

I'm told that the mint chocolate chip cookie offer can be extended to Ask MetaFilter denizens.

what's my motivation

amtho — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 12:37:58 -0800

teen girl psychology filter: I'm acting in a production where I do a short monologue in which I ask God to please make my period come. I understand in a sort of surface way why a girl would want that, but not really. Are any of you women or girls who couldn't wait (can't wait, if you're young enough) to get your first period (menstrual cycle)? If so, why? Please make me understand. This girl is the last of a group of four friends to get her period; she says "Why is this happening to me" and "I'm afraid I'm some kind of mistake" and "it's a Gift from you". The show is "Quilters" (in case anybody's heard of it).

I just read Judy Blume's "Are you there God? It's me, Margaret" in an attempt to understand. I don't have time to read any more books, though. I'm hoping for one or two (or more) heart-felt first-person accounts of why it was important to you to "become a woman".

I already tried searching for web forums / blogs of girls of the right age with not a huge amount of success. I did get the insight that a girl might be afraid she was "abnormal" if she didn't get hers soon enough -- but what are the implications of this? What would it really mean to be abnormal in this way?

I am a girl. I was a teenager a while ago. But I never had aspirations of normality (or girl friends), so I just kind of ignored/dreaded the whole issue. Thanks for any help; I'd like to do justice to this character's sincere feelings, even if it's only a short speech.

Muslim prayers

zadcat — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 07:39:27 -0800

When Muslims pray, why do they hold their hands out before their faces like a book?

Can I get an AMEN!?

ruelle — Fri, 12 Nov 2004 08:12:05 -0800

How many religions say "amen" - or a similar sounding word - as a part of prayer/worship? I thought I heard something like "Amen" at a muslim prayer, but I hesitated about asking just in case I misheard (or just in case it gets taken in a wrong way)..
Anyone got a clue?

Is there a Buddhist equivalent to mass cards?

lilboo — Tue, 03 Feb 2004 09:48:47 -0800

Mass cards. Can I get an equivalent type of thing for a Buddhist prayer service? (more inside) In Catholicism mass cards are sent in when you want to dedicate a mass or another type of prayer service to the memory of someone recently deceased. I need to do something like this for a friend who's (Buddhist) relative just passed away. Can someone point me in the right direction? Is this even an option?