How much time do you spend in prayer?

[Stefan Davidovich]

Throughout my seminary studies I have made prayer a topic of ongoing research.

I'm going to post this topic in other forums...I'm looking for painfully honest answers. Prayer is something that most of us struggle with - so my question is this: how much time do you spend in prayer?

If you find you do not spend as much time in prayer as you would like please take heart - you are in good company. You'd be surprised to find out how little North American pastors pray...

This prayer time does NOT include time spent in devotions.

So please be as honest as possible.

Thanks for your help. Feel free to add any questions.

Stephen

[Konstantinos]

Evrey morning when I wake and evrey night before I sleep. and I cross my self at meals

[Maximus]

Evrey morning when I wake and evrey night before I sleep. and I cross my self at meals

Me too. I also pray often during the day when I get the chance.

I pray the Jesus Prayer and I just converse with God at times.

[White Rabbit]

So far I just do the morning, meal and before sleep prayers, but I am working on unceasing prayer. :)

[Konstantinos]

Sometimes I just converse with God during the day is that prayer??

[White Rabbit]

Sometimes I just converse with God during the day is that prayer??

I'd just call it talking with God... but that's what some people call prayer... so in a way, yes.

[Padraig]

Throughout my seminary studies I have made prayer a topic of ongoing research.

I'm going to post this topic in other forums...I'm looking for painfully honest answers. Prayer is something that most of us struggle with - so my question is this: how much time do you spend in prayer?

If you find you do not spend as much time in prayer as you would like please take heart - you are in good company. You'd be surprised to find out how little North American pastors pray...

This prayer time does NOT include time spent in devotions.

So please be as honest as possible.

Thanks for your help. Feel free to add any questions.

Stephen

Forgive me for being so bold, but I don't consider the question really appropriate, especially when we are advised to take heart because North American pastors don't pray very much. Again, forgive me. I don't mean to sound presumptious, but each person is at a different point in their growth in Christ. It shouldn't be compared to anyone else because everyone else in the world is different. Elder Sophrony advises us not to compare ourselves even with the saints because we each experience God in our own unique way. This includes prayer.

We should not be concerned with how much or how little anyone else prays. This is a private matter between the God, the person, and the spiritual father. To do comparisons only encourages discouragement or arrogance. Also, I would be so bold to say that the comment about how little North American pastors pray is beyond poor taste. It is to sit in judgment of other Christians who are struggling to attain the Kingdom. Let us not participate in this discourse.

Let us remember the example of the Publican and the Pharisee. Let this be our guide.

Padraig

[Stefan Davidovich]

It is to sit in judgment of other Christians who are struggling to attain the Kingdom. Let us not participate in this discourse.




Well, this is an Orthodox forum so that is your perogative...I merely ask the questions. You can ignore the questions or even close the thread if you like.


Also, I would be so bold to say that the comment about how little North American pastors pray is beyond poor taste.


A simple observation. We cannot correct a problem unless we know that there is a problem. No one coerced these pastors to participate in research. When I see a problem I call attention to it...if other members of TAW find that offensive feel free to close this thread down.

[Rilian]

Not enough.

[OrthodoxServant86]

Not enough.

Ditto; when I read the title of the thread, I was hoping this option would be up there. But the truth of the matter is that I pray (that is, expressly separate from any other activity) sporadically, though crossing myself at meals and always reverencing icons and churches when passing them. A rather sorry state for someone aspiring to be a priest :( . Do please pray for me.

-Justin

[Xpycoctomos]

I didn't vote... there wasn't an option for "I pray all of the complines and matins and akathists etc.. everyday except for mondays because those can get hectic"

lol

[Alexis OCA]

I generally set aside one hour every day for spiritual reading and meditation. Old habit from my seminary days. It has served me well...I think my german temper and lack of sensitivity (yes I admit it) would be much worse if I didn't devote my time to that type prayer.

Most of all it has been quite helpful on my conversion journey. A journey which has had its struggles and tears. That prayer form for me, has helped me feel the consoling presence of God and has shown me path to the Orthodox Faith.

Lazarus Saturday approaches and I admit that time of quiet meditation has been interrupted with a quite active mind......must be the excitement! I'd have been a total mess without that hour given to God.

Brothers and Sisters I beg you keep me in your prayers. I know you've been praying...my wife told me she will be attending with me on Saturday, her first time in my church!

With Affection,

[Rilian]

A rather sorry state for someone aspiring to be a priest

That tells me the praying you are doing is leading you in a good direction.

[greg, you have my prayers too, just saw your post.]

[Oblio]

Before I opened this I had the same thought as Rilian. I state that I struggle with being consistent and leave it at that.

[Monica, child of God]

I am not offended by this thread but I do find it odd. I can't even begin to figure out how to answer this question. It would be like someone asking a mother how much time she spends talking to her child. Or how much time a wife spends kissing her husband. What would the answers to these questions mean even one had them? I guess I just don't think in these terms so I can't participate in the survey.

Blessings,
Monica

[Theophorus]

It varies, unfrotunatley when I struggle spiritualy, I pray less, but rely on the Jesus prayer throughout the day more. I guess it would be safe to say that the way I pray fluctuates. When I am full of grace, I'll pray the morning prayers and and small compline, but when God humbles me, I am lucky to get in the Lord's prayer, but tend to focus more on unceasing prayer.

[Stefan Davidovich]

I am not offended by this thread but I do find it odd. I can't even begin to figure out how to answer this question. It would be like someone asking a mother how much time she spends talking to her child. Or how much time a wife spends kissing her husband. What would the answers to these questions mean even one had them? I guess I just don't think in these terms so I can't participate in the survey.
Good point. Think of it this way...

How much time do you set aside to be alone with your husband? I'm sure you spend a great deal of time in his presence and thinking about him, but how much time do you actually set aside to be alone with him. I am merely asking how much time you set aside to be alone with God. If you don't set aside specific times that is a fair answer (and perhaps an answer more characteristic of Orthodox believers - which I would find helpful to know) and you can select option 2.

Thanks for your help in this. I hope that helps.

Stephen

[Monica, child of God]

Good point. Think of it this way...

How much time do you set aside to be alone with your husband? I'm sure you spend a great deal of time in his presence and thinking about him, but how much time do you actually set aside to be alone with him. I am merely asking how much time you set aside to be alone with God. If you don't set aside specific times that is a fair answer (and perhaps an answer more characteristic of Orthodox believers - which I would find helpful to know) and you can select option 2.

Thanks for your help in this. I hope that helps.

Stephen


Ah... I understand what you are after but I still don't fall neatly into any of those categories. Explaining seems too personal (even more personal than the "Sex" thread!) so I won't elaborate. I hope you find what you are looking for.

Blessings,
Monica

[Vasya Davidovich]

EDIT.

[Vasya Davidovich]

Actually, I am tempted to say that I don't pray.

Who am I to say that my prayers mean anything? I mean, I know the state of my heart, and it is pitiful. Can good fruit grow on a diseased tree?

Vasya.

[Kolya]

I do the Morning prayers at the back of the OSB when I wake up.
I take my 'chotki' and pray it right thru with the Jesus Prayer while walking from the parking garage to my office. (It's just far enough) When I am finished with the chotki I ask the Holy Spirit to translate what I said to the Father so that it may be a pleasing fragrance to Him.
I pray intermittently thru the day for people who have prayer requests.
I am a sinner seeking my Creator.
I don't pray enough.
Please pray for me too.
Kolya

[Michael the Iconographer]

I set aside one hour in the morning for spiritual meditation and prayer, and then pray the rest of the day as needed. This, of course, does not spend the hours I spend writing icons each which, which of course is prayer, nor does it include praying at Divine Liturgy.

[Stefan Davidovich]

I am grateful to you all for your help. Please continue to give feedback as you are able.

Stephen

[Verushka]

I take half an hour in the evenings to silence my mind and pray... mornings are my weak part, I usually don't pray before I start my morning things but then I like to pray "Jesus prayer" while walking to the bus, and during the day always when my head starts to "overflow" "Jesus prayer" helps to remember what is important and what isn't. :)

[Eusebios]

I too had hoped for the "not enough" option. I spend too much time on-line I'm affraid. Michael makes a good point in that praying the services of the Church adds to our personal rule, but with regard to the latter, I would say on average, 1/2 hour.
His unworthy servant,
Eusebios.
:bow:

[gzt]

I'm sort of uncomfortable with this question and I'll try not to read others' responses. I don't want to compare or be compared. What I will say is that I usually make it to vespers on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and always attend the Sunday liturgy. Beyond that, it's not really appropriate to discuss in public.

[moses916]

i spend most of the day crossing myself, i pray in the morning, night and at meals, i also pray right after i commit a sin, but mostly crossing myself. :)

[Alexis OCA]

Maybe it's my own religious background, but I think the sharing of how we pray, how we struggle with it, and what we experience can be a very valuable tool for our spiritual growth as well as deepening our fellowship. No one need feel inadequate among friends. I don't feel inadequate when I read of the spiritual achievements of the saints...I just make a mental note to aspire to be a little bit better tomorrow.

With affection,

[moses916]

i think so too Alexis :)

[Mary of Bethany]

I chose "I don't know" because, let's face it . . . as U2 says . . . "some days are better than others".

NOT ENOUGH is the accurate answer. It's something I constantly struggle with.

Mary

[Stefan Davidovich]

I'm sort of uncomfortable with this question and I'll try not to read others' responses. I don't want to compare or be compared. What I will say is that I usually make it to vespers on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and always attend the Sunday liturgy. Beyond that, it's not really appropriate to discuss in public.



You are probably right...which is why i have not posted the time i spend in prayer - and why i made the poll anonymous. I hoped for feedback on the matter of prayer but i was not expecting people to actually openly share the amount of time they spend in prayer...

That said, i don't imagine many of us have much to boast about - so this thread is acting like more of a confession and hopefully might even stimulate some of our prayer lives.

[Stefan Davidovich]

Interestingly enough...I have received far more responses from my Orthodox brothers and sisters (if I may call you that) than from any other congregational forum - of course there may be more Orthodox members...I don't know.

I do appreciate your feedback. It is tremendously helpful...and by your "I don't know" responses and your selection of option 2 I have learned something about the Orthodox Church - so thank you.

[stillerfan]

not nearly enough for me either.... :sigh:

[Alexis OCA]

:crosseo: .

[ManM]

I think there is one option missing on the poll that might be relevant here: I set aside a X amount of time to pray and I pray when I can. I've known people whose hearts were with God long after the formal prayers had come to a close.