Catholic prayer question: Why are your prayers often repeated over and over?

[Richard.20.12]

As a non-denominational Christian I have noticed this in the past. Whatever the prayer is, its often repeated many, many times. I'm just not understanding why this is done. Why not just pray whatever is on your heart after saying whatever Catholic prayer best represents your feelings or needs?

 

[Landon Caeli]

As a non-denominational Christian I have noticed this in the past. Whatever the prayer is, its often repeated many, many times. I'm just not understanding why this is done. Why not just pray whatever is on your heart after saying whatever Catholic prayer best represents your feelings or needs?

For me, prayer is more worship than an expression. In prayer, I kneel and worship God, and prayer is like a chant directed towards Him. In pure worship.

 

[rturner76]

I see it as a meditation. When I can block out everything but the prayer, I feel like I am more able to discern what I'm being called to do. It helps my anxiety and clears my mind of negative thoughts making a way for gratitude. It's very similar to meditation in practice.

 

[The Liturgist]

As a non-denominational Christian I have noticed this in the past. Whatever the prayer is, its often repeated many, many times. I'm just not understanding why this is done. Why not just pray whatever is on your heart after saying whatever Catholic prayer best represents your feelings or needs?

As a Protestant Evangelical Catholic who loves the Roman Catholic Church, and the Eastern Orthodox Church, I would encourage you to Google two things: the Jesus Prayer and Liturgy.

By the way, I am born again: I was born again in the baptismal font about two weeks after I was born.

 

[Carl Emerson]

The context of the Lord's prayer is interesting.

Matt 6
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.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

So the contrast with those who employ repitition is Our Father

In other words, our Prayer life should reflect a relationship with a Father we know rather than a God we dont.

A conversation rather than an incantation.

 

[Lost4words]

Revelation 4:8

8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all round and within, and day and night they never cease to sing,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”

 

[Richard.20.12]

For me, prayer is more worship than an expression. In prayer, I kneel and worship God, and prayer is like a chant directed towards Him. In pure worship.

Why not just talk to Him?

 

[pdudgeon]

This is actually a difficult question to answer, because there are so many reasons as to why we repeat, and it's a bit difficult to tell which answer will best fit the inquiry. So bear with me please, while I try to explain.
1. Gathering our thoughts:
We all come to a time of community prayer from various points of reference, various emotions, and different distractions.
The repitition of the same phrases in unison, helps to get us all on the same page. It calls us to remember where we are, why we're here, and whom we are addressing.
2. Bringing us into agreement. Sometimes my prayer concerns might not be yours, and vice versa, but I can still pray that God helps you as you struggle, and that also helps me to remember to be on the watch for that concern in my own life.
3. The top 10 (commandments):
at some point we all break them, so thinking of what they are and what Jesus suffered for those broken promises is good for all of us. It keeps us aware and on our toes, but it also is a good opportunity to view others with compassion.
(Sorry this is long)

 

[Richard.20.12]

To Carl:
Well that's how I would consider it. But I want to hear from Catholics to see how they feel about repeating a prayer over and over. Cults to it a LOT so hence my worry when I see Christians do this. And its always been very prevalent in Satanism. It seems like we can almost put ourselves into a trance or sort of a sedated and incautious state of mind when we repeat things over and over. And some charismatic preachers abuse audience euphoria to do this as well. So I guess its widely used.

But then someone above pointed out Revelation 4:8. Even though they are welcoming an event to come it still has similarities. I had forgotten that verse. Yet its very well known to most Christians. It has a sort of hypnotic rhythm and we can't even read it in its original language. Does anyone know of any other saying or prayer that is repeated over and over in the Bible? Often God uses repetition to drum things into our mind but chanting or repeating something like 100 times is way beyond that.

 

[Richard.20.12]

> The repetition of the same phrases in unison, helps to get us all on the same page. It calls us to remember where we are, why we're here, and whom we are addressing.

I think you are talking about being in a group. If not let us know. I'm talking about repeating/chanting things by yourself.

 

[pdudgeon]

Why not just talk to Him?

Because I don't want to forget the honor that He is due, first of all.
The object of prayer is not to bring God down to my level, but to bring me up to His!
I remember many years ago hearing a preacher ask us this question:
"If you suddenly encountered God, how would you react?"
I didn't have to think about that, because I knew!
I would be flat on my face before Him!

 

[gym_class_hero]

As a Protestant Evangelical Catholic who loves the Roman Catholic Church, and the Eastern Orthodox Church, I would encourage you to Google two things: the Jesus Prayer and Liturgy.

By the way, I am born again: I was born again in the baptismal font about two weeks after I was born.

can you clear this up for me? Is your belief infant baptism guarantees salvation?

 

[pdudgeon]

> The repetition of the same phrases in unison, helps to get us all on the same page. It calls us to remember where we are, why we're here, and whom we are addressing.

I think you are talking about being in a group. If not let us know. I'm talking about repeating/chanting things by yourself.

When we do it by ourselves, repeating/ chanting is more like using a measuring tape or a yardstick.
By that, I mean the repitition is a way for us to see how our words line up with what is in our heart.

 

[Landon Caeli]

Why not just talk to Him?

I talk to God throughout the day, and if I think someone is in need, I might say a prayer along with a request... But deep prayer, goes even further. It's being fully open to God on another level.

 

[Richard.20.12]

>>Why not just talk to Him?
>Because I don't want to forget the honor that He is due, first of all.

How would you feel if you were talking to someone and they kept repeating the same thing over and over?

>The object of prayer is not to bring God down to my level, but to bring me up to His!

Absolutely.

>I remember many years ago hearing a preacher ask us this question:
"If you suddenly encountered God, how would you react?"
I didn't have to think about that, because I knew!
I would be flat on my face before Him!

But would you repeat what you said to Him over and over? That's what I don't understand. God doesn't have a memory problem. Remember Jesus reminding us that the Father knows what we need already? It seems like Catholics use this to get into some sort of mental state. That, to me, doesn't sound right. I know you mean well. I just think you may be playing with fire. Just think of all the cults and Satanic groups around the world that also do the very same thing. Why do they do it? I believe its because it puts their minds into a more receptive mode for the devil to enter. You may think you are doing it for God to enter. But why not just talk to Him normally? Why not just open your heart to Him and talk? I believe we were made in the image of God so we can communicate easily with our Father.

 

[Richard.20.12]

When we do it by ourselves, repeating/ chanting is more like using a measuring tape or a yardstick.
By that, I mean the repetition is a way for us to see how our words line up with what is in our heart.

OK. But why not just tell Him what's in your heart?

 

[Richard.20.12]

I talk to God throughout the day, and if I think someone is in need, I might say a prayer along with a request... But deep prayer, goes even further. It's being fully open to God on another level.

I don't know. If I was God I'd want people to use words from their heart, not repeat something written down long ago by someone you have never met for a situation that unlikely close to those words today.

 

[pdudgeon]

can you clear this up for me? Is your belief infant baptism guarantees salvation?

Infant baptism is there for protection of the child, until the child is old enough to know right from wrong, and can then be taught how to make good decisions for themselves.
At that time, they make their own decision for Christ, confirming the promises that were made for them as an infant.
It's like when a mother dresses her child in warm clothing to protect them from the cold.
As the child grows older and is more aware of that cold that they make their own decision to reach for the parka or the raincoat and umbrella.

 

[gym_class_hero]

Infant baptism is there for protection of the child, until the child is old enough to know right from wrong, and can then be taught how to make good decisions for themselves.
At that time, they make their own decision for Christ, confirming the promises that were made for them as an infant.
It's like when a mother dresses her child in warm clothing to protect them from the cold.
As the child grows older and is more aware of that cold that they make their own decision to reach for the parka or the raincoat and umbrella.

protection? can you cite Scripture that speaks to that? Thank you

 

[pdudgeon]

I don't know. If I was God I'd want people to use words from their heart, not repeat something written down long ago by someone you have never met for a situation that unlikely close to those words today.

You are forgetting one very important thing. Many of those same people saw God face to face. Therefore, what they wrote is worth paying attention to.