Today, I wondered about the different ways of praying throughout history. I mostly concerned myself with what various bodily positions there may be, so I googled "prayer positions" and was disappointed. Honestly, I expected more than loads of pages on Christian and Muslim prayer positions and ideas. It's not as if they have a monopoly on prayer. Just as I was about to change my search words, though, I came across this gem.
It took me a few seconds to understand Mr. Hall's way of thinking, but once I did, I was able to respect his comic genius. I especially loved #6, which reads:
6. It is nonsense to suggest that prayers of thanksgiving trump prayers of petition. We are children of God. What would you think of your own child if she always went about thanking, never asking, pestering? You would think, “What an obnoxious little goody two-shoes!”
I guess Mr. Hall thinks that people who are grateful without asking for things are something to be endured and tolerated, but not necessarily liked. What an interesting minister he must be! I would think that people who are appreciative of what they have and have no desire for more are fascinating, at least. It's very Buddhist, though, I guess and that's not really Mr. Hall's field of study.
He does go on to state in #10, "Ultimately, the question of prayer is the question of God: What kind of God do I believe in?"
Indeed. What a good point. What kind of God does Mr. Hall believe in? Obviously, his is more of the Great Father in the Sky variety (and who can blame him, really? this is the God of Abraham we're talking about), but I'm glad he puts that little tidbit in at the end so any readers of his blog can be reminded that they get to choose the sort of God they pray to, whether or not they believe in petitioning.
This is why it's so important to have more than one God, though, isn't it? There are so many different types of prayer and so many different moods in which to pray. The kind of God I thank one day may not be the one I want listening on my heart's desires the next.
Seems logical to me, anyway. But, then again, I've always thought the Trinity to be awfully pagan. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Welcome!
- st. teresa lent me her halo
- Thought comes. There doesn't seem to be much we can do about it. With this understanding, I've chosen this little part of the interwebs to share the thoughts I feel may benefit someone. Sometimes, they benefit me and I hope they sometimes benefit you. If you are what you think, I want my thoughts to have healing properties. I pretend St. Teresa condones this behavior. ;-)
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Poignant post. I've been pondering this question for a few weeks now: What kind of God do I believe in? I grew up with a very boxy version of God--Almighty Creator who holds the power of life and death in His hands and jealously demands our devotion and love. Nowadays, my idea of God is so different. I don't know if there's one God with many different aspects of if God is really just a reflection of the individual (so therefore there are tons of gods). I tend to think there's one creative energy though. It's hard, trying to figure out what God means to me. Some days I just want to cast my cares and burdens upon him but there's this nagging feeling in the back of my head that God is not interested in the least in my cares and burdens. I'm still careful to give thanks for all I have, though, because I'm grateful. I like to think that somehow the Universe/God senses that and knows I'm appreciative. Maybe it will keep the path open open for future blessings (or at least keep things from blocking future blessings).
How's that for rambling? :)
Anyway, I really love reading your blog and I'm so glad I found it. I am really struggling with meditating but somehow, your blog puts me in a meditative state. Thanks.
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