How do you pray in your daily life?

[DanielH]

A couple more questions for others new to daily prayer:

1. What's the minimum you do for icons and any other stuff that you use whilst praying (candles etc)? I don't want to be splashing out on fancy prayer ropes and incense etc. and once of those "all the gear... no idea" people.

Depends on the person, I can't give that kind of spiritual advice. One thing I can recommend from personal experience is a simple wooden prayer bracelet. They don't stretch out and are durable. It's a useful tool to use to pray laying in bed as you fall asleep, in a waiting room, in line, or whenever you get a chance.

1. Do you always stand whilst praying? What if you're very tired and find it easier to sit/lie down? Surely better than nothing at all? Acceptable to simply pray in bed with the lights off?

Again, not personally advising you, but standing, kneeling, and prostrate are good positions. The Orthodox Psalter is broken up into 20 kathismata (each divided into 3 stases), which actually translates to "seat," so named because you can sit while they are prayed, standing to say the short prayers between stases. Contrast this to the akathist prayers which are done without sitting.

The Bible repeatedly tells us to pray without ceasing, so I'm sure it's okay to pray while laying down - good time for the Jesus prayer - it's just that there are more reverential positions. Some saints had very difficult ascetic prayer practices, such as Saint Seraphim of Sarov, but what you do should be worked out between you and your priest. Sometimes people try to attain a higher level of spirituality than they're ready for and it leads to pride, or they fail and then they are at a worse state than before.

 

[Penitent]

I recommend you light a lampada before your icon of Christ. It is so nice, it feels like a luxury.

 

[clzoomer]

At the advice of Roosh V and Luke Kendrat I purchased a Jordanville Prayer Book, of which I try to do the morning and evening prayers, including the day prayers. I must confess that I do not always do all of them perfectly, seeing as I only bought the book recently and I'm still working my way up to regularly praying them full-time. Nevertheless I am trying and hope to soon be praying more regularly.

 

[SimpleMan]

I always enjoy simplicity.

From that, I like to have a realistic relationship with God and speak from my heart in the moment. The vain repetitions always struck a cord, so I ask something and leave it be, rather than continuously ask. I apologize when I do (especially prayers involving others) as it presuppose that He didn't hear the first time. If something changes, that's different.

With this, I ask requests, with personal reminders that God said certain things in His Word (more a reminder for me obviously). Mainly around protection, over gifts and rewards.

I also like to repeatably remind myself (and Him) that I'm an idiot (ie a Sinner), and to correct me with as little impact on myself as possible in His ways. No matter what happens though, or appears to happen with my limited insight, I accept His Will as a benefit.

 

[SimpleMan]

Sorry for the double post

I was reminded about the importance of fasting for important things.

And that praying without ceasing could be about having a general conversation with Jesus/God rather than ourselves.

Edit: On another note, as an everyday experience, silence with appreciation is usually more enjoyable than thinking thoughts in general. Thoughts muddy up life with it's layered stories.

 

[tikkasakko]

Hello everyone! I have a simple question for you: How do you pray? What is your prayer rule like? How do you stick to it while keeping a busy schedule? Thank you!

Simple answer for a simple question. I try to pray from the heart. It's not always easy. I still struggle. I ask God to help me pray, and honour him the best that I can. The Jesus Prayer really helps throughout the day.

 

[Knight.of.Logos]

I try to do the morning and evening prayers every day from the Jordanville Prayer book. It is important to really try to feel and understand the words as they are being expressed. I admit I cannot always do this, but I am making the effort.

Also before I sleep I do a prayer sequence where I first glorify the Holy Trinity, then I offer thanks to God in general but also for specific things that have happened in the day, and then I repent for sins I have committed during the day, and finally I pray to God for good virtues and spiritual blessings (trying to be specific here too). I forget where I saw this type of prayer recommended but it is great and a nice way to balance out the written down prayers of the prayer book.

I will do the Jesus Prayer most days. The amount of repetitions varies a lot depending on how much time I have and how I am feeling that day. I definitely pray more when I am struggling strongly with something.

Lately I am also trying to make at least a few prostrations. Usually in the morning after the morning prayers. This seems to be helping.

 

[Roosh]

I recommend you light a lampada before your icon of Christ. It is so nice, it feels like a luxury.
View attachment 35902

How do you use one without having it emit small pieces of black char that make a mess? They disperse from the wick when I blow it out.

Edit: I will try a candle snuffer.

 

[Hermetic Seal]

How do you use one without having it emit small pieces of black char that make a mess? They disperse from the wick when I blow it out.

Edit: I will try a candle snuffer.

That might be due to your string more than anything else. I use these lamp wicks from Holy Cross Monastery (and regular olive oil from the supermarket) and don't have any residue get loose. I blow it out and trim the black part away, and it's not messy at all.

 

[get2choppaaa]

My wife and I try to say our morning/ evening prayers together. Many times that doesn't happen and she is saying hers at different times than I am due to a combination of our schedule with work/the kids/travel ecft... but we always say prayers together before every meal along with the kids.

One thing we both do separately is wear a prayer rope bracelet and just say The Jesus Prayer through out the day. When I am waiting in line at the store, when I am walking to the kitchen/break area at work, when I am driving and getting angry with traffic ecft... I just try and go through all the beads on the bracelet and that usually brings be back from the distress I am thinking toward.

A prayer rule is great, and ideal, but even something as simple as counting your fingers and saying "Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, haver mercy on me a sinner" is better than doing nothing because you don't have the time or set up.

You can find lectures from Fr Spyridon Bailey on this where he references being in a constant state of prayer and even counting your fingers as you pray. It's helped me a lot over the last couple years.

 

[Roosh]

That might be due to your string more than anything else. I use these lamp wicks from Holy Cross Monastery (and regular olive oil from the supermarket) and don't have any residue get loose. I blow it out and trim the black part away, and it's not messy at all.

Do you trim the black part after every use? I never trim, just let it burn away eventually and pull the string up.

 

[Hermetic Seal]

Usually I trim it after the evening prayers (but not in the morning), so roughly every other use. Yep, trimming the tip after you blow it out will help keep things cleaner and keep the wick burning better/light more easily. I got some little sewing scissors from the grocery store (with a blade no more than 2" long) that works great for trimming the wick.

 

[Jacques Bel]

Thank you everyone for taking your time to reply. You’re being helpful to someone who’s still figuring out his prayer life.

 

[Penitent]

The vain repetitions always struck a cord, so I ask something and leave it be, rather than continuously ask.

Read Luke 11:5-9 and 18:1-8. I understand your logic, but it is flawed. We need to keep asking until we receive what we are asking for. If God doesn't give you what you are asking for, it is because He is going to answer your prayer in another way such that what you receive will be even better than what you are asking for (and what you are asking for is unprofitable for you). Thank God either way. Abbot Tryphon compares prayer to playing piano. You have to continuously practice the same piece over and over to get good at it.

How do you use one without having it emit small pieces of black char that make a mess? They disperse from the wick when I blow it out.

I assume you are talking about how the wick turns into the shape of an inverted fountain pen tip. To some extent this is unavoidable. Floating wick holders are far superior to the kind that rest across the top of the glass. You don't have to trim them as much and they last much longer without having to fuss over the flame and wick. You also can just dip them into the oil to extinguish the flame, which would solve the problem you are having.

 

[OrthoSerb]

Read Luke 11:5-9 and 18:1-8. I understand your logic, but it is flawed. We need to keep asking until we receive what we are asking for. If God doesn't give you what you are asking for, it is because He is going to answer your prayer in another way such that what you receive will be even better than what you are asking for (and what you are asking for is unprofitable for you). Thank God either way. Abbot Tryphon compares prayer to playing piano. You have to continuously practice the same piece over and over to get good at it.

It depends what you're asking for. I agree there is no end to prayer as such and it needs to be continuously cultivated until our dying breath. But if it's something very specific that you desire for yourself (for example if you're asking God to give you a very specific person in marriage), you also need to have the humility to consider that the desire may not be coming from the right place and your prayer needs to be finished with the likes of "if it is your will". Then you need to actually trust God and be prepared that He may not give the thing you originally wanted. There may be something better that he intends for you or there may be some hidden danger that He is protecting you from. I can't recall where I read it now, but there was a confessor that advised people to beseech God for His mercy if they do not receive their exact request after copious amounts of supplication. "Lord have mercy" covers everything and allows God to act outside the boundaries of what we have fashioned with our mind. It can become a prideful and conceited thing to continue to insist that God resolves our situation in exactly the way we had in mind. That's not going to lead to the best possible solution.

 

[Gooseberry]

I use the OCA prayer book from St. Tikhon's Monastery. From what I've seen of the Jordanville prayer book, the morning and evening prayers are quite similar. After completing the prayers, I take a minute or two to confess my sins, ask for intercession, and give thanks.

A couple more questions for others new to daily prayer:

1. What's the minimum you do for icons and any other stuff that you use whilst praying (candles etc)? I don't want to be splashing out on fancy prayer ropes and incense etc. and once of those "all the gear... no idea" people.
   
   
2. Do you always stand whilst praying? What if you're very tired and find it easier to sit/lie down? Surely better than nothing at all? Acceptable to simply pray in bed with the lights off?

For 1, I have an icon of the Theotokos, Christ, and my patron saint in my icon corner. I venerate them before and after praying. Usually at night I'll burn incense during my prayers.

For 2, yes. I pray in the morning after I've had coffee, showered, and gotten dressed so I have enough time to feel wakeful. At night, I pray an hour or two before bedtime for the same reason. Sitting or lying down is better than nothing, but if it's a common occurrence consider praying at a different time.

 

[GodGiveMeStrength]

I have a question regarding the prayers of the hours, if I'm using the correct term, like at 6am, 9am, 12pm, and so on like those found on liturgy.io. Once baptized, is it expected to pray these prayers every three hours? I tried reading but it's difficult at work and one took nearly 20 minutes, which I really can't get away from work for that amount of time every three hours.
If you do not keep up with these prayers is that something you must confess?

Any clarification is appreciated as I may be way off.

 

[OrthoSerb]

I have a question regarding the prayers of the hours, if I'm using the correct term, like at 6am, 9am, 12pm, and so on like those found on liturgy.io. Once baptized, is it expected to pray these prayers every three hours? I tried reading but it's difficult at work and one took nearly 20 minutes, which I really can't get away from work for that amount of time every three hours.
If you do not keep up with these prayers is that something you must confess?

Any clarification is appreciated as I may be way off.

No, its not an absolute requirement or even normative. I have never knowingly met a lay person that prays all the hours, nor have I heard any spiritual father give such an obedience to a lay person. I'm not saying it shouldn't happen at all, but its fair to say its rare. The entire Liturgical cycle is usually only followed by monasteries, and not even all monasteries at that. Typically morning and evening prayers are essential for laypeople. The exact content and length of these prayers will vary from person to person. Your priest should provide you with guidance on this. Outside of this prayer rule, many people will pray the Jesus prayer whilst on public transport or whilst working (if the nature of the work allows for such mental prayer). This is quite convenient because you can pray mentally without having to read anything and no one around you will notice you are praying at all. Short prayers before and after meals are also standard.

 

[GodGiveMeStrength]

No, its not an absolute requirement or even normative. I have never knowingly met a lay person that prays all the hours, nor have I heard any spiritual father give such an obedience to a lay person. I'm not saying it shouldn't happen at all, but its fair to say its rare. The entire Liturgical cycle is usually only followed by monasteries, and not even all monasteries at that. Typically morning and evening prayers are essential for laypeople. The exact content and length of these prayers will vary from person to person. Your priest should provide you with guidance on this. Outside of this prayer rule, many people will pray the Jesus prayer whilst on public transport or whilst working (if the nature of the work allows for such mental prayer). This is quite convenient because you can pray mentally without having to read anything and no one around you will notice you are praying at all. Short prayers before and after meals are also standard.

Thank you! I was a bit discouraged thinking that this was an expectation and that I wouldn't be able to keep up so this is a relief.

 

[OrthoSerb]

Thank you! I was a bit discouraged thinking that this was an expectation and that I wouldn't be able to keep up so this is a relief.

No worries I actually had a funny interaction with a fellow parishioner over the weekend. She told me about a period in her life a few years ago when she had confessed a sin and had been given an obedience to read the Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete by her confessor. Its typically used during Great Lent as its relatively long (2-3 hours). The confessor had intended for her to read it over the course of a week, whereas she understood that she had to read it every evening in addition to her prayer rule. She was also discouraged after a few days of this prayer routine until she saw her Confessor again and realised she'd misunderstood!