Question about Praying - Page 2

RainofGold · #11 (**permalink**) 10-17-2008, 01:29 AM

I also agree with the others that prayer is sacred and it should be treated as such.
How can you feel the spirit when people are shouting around you or staring at you while you do your prayer.

I have seen families do this at restaurants where they all hold hands and bow their heads with their eyes closed. I don't think they do it to get peoples attention but that's exactly what happens.

Rain

Moksha · #12 (**permalink**) 10-17-2008, 01:52 AM

I had it explained to me in the Gospel Essentials class that praying openly in restaurants was not something we do.

In my experience, I have known Mormons who prayed in a restaurant and those who did not. I suspect the food would nourish and strengthen our bodies either way. Especially at oriental buffets.

abqfriend · #13 (**permalink**) 10-17-2008, 09:50 AM

My Church strongly encourages me to pray before any meal at any place and any time in thanking God for the food provided.

Catholics traditionallly make the sign of the cross before and after any prayer before meals, although this ancient practice is not always followed.
-Carol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moksha

I had it explained to me in the Gospel Essentials class that praying openly in restaurants was not something we do.

In my experience, I have known Mormons who prayed in a restaurant and those who did not. I suspect the food would nourish and strengthen our bodies either way. Especially at oriental buffets.

jazzy225 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-17-2008, 10:00 AM

It seems a lot of people brought up the same word to describe why they do not pray in public. Most replied, we do not feel comfortable.

I personally am not ashamed of it, I am impressed when I see families praying. It adds to their testimony....It shows their committment to what they believe.

Honestly. I don't think Jesus was comfortable while he was on the cross. I think I can handle just a little discomfort for a worthy cause.

Elgama · #15 (**permalink**) 10-17-2008, 03:38 PM

Its nothing to do with being ashamed - the uncomfotable feeling I experience is from the Spirit and it indicates its is something I do not do. Most Latter Day Saints put a great deall of importance in listening to that still small voice and when I hear it say NO I obey because it is from God. I have no problem personally saying a prayer before an exam, or in the street if I need help to find something - but in a noisy restaurant everything in me says that it is irreverant for me to do so.

Jesus suffered the atonement because the Father required him to do so otherwise his experience on the cross would have been no different to the other people with him. Praying in a restaurant is not something that my Heavenly Father or my Saviour requires of me - but likewise I have no problem suffering discomfort when it is.

You always have to allow for the personal revelation each LDS receives when taking a decision like this

-Charley

ztodd · #16 (**permalink**) 10-18-2008, 12:06 AM

I admit I feel a little embarrassed to pray at a restaurant, except just in my heart without letting people know I'm doing it.

On my mission we would always pray at restaurants and it wasn't so embarrassing. Maybe I should try to be more like a missionary again.

Misshalfway · #17 (**permalink**) 10-18-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy225

It seems a lot of people brought up the same word to describe why they do not pray in public. Most replied, we do not feel comfortable.

I personally am not ashamed of it, I am impressed when I see families praying. It adds to their testimony....It shows their committment to what they believe.

Honestly. I don't think Jesus was comfortable while he was on the cross. I think I can handle just a little discomfort for a worthy cause.

So, are you saying that everyone 'Should' pray in restaurants?

Who said anything about being ashamed?

#18 (**permalink**) 10-18-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misshalfway

. . .So, are you saying that everyone 'Should' pray in restaurants? . . .

I cannot think of a valid or justified reason not to.

Misshalfway · #19 (**permalink**) 10-18-2008, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLutheran

I cannot think of a valid or justified reason not to.

I am glad such rational and actions works for you. That is something that I am sure is part of your dedicated religious expression.

I just hesitate to judge these miniscule behavioral differences of one another's walk. How does one judge the righteousness between the one who prays at home, or in their car, or in their heart? Or between one who chooses to pray in public and one who chooses their closet? Is one more righteous than the other because the prayer takes place 10 steps inside the restaurant?

I believe the commandment was to pray and to have gratitude in our hearts even for the very food we eat. I see in every expression obedience of such a commandment and an expression of said gratitude.

abqfriend · #20 (**permalink**) 10-18-2008, 10:12 AM

I am not LDS. In some ways-I wish I was. I have always admired the emphasis of the LDS Church on missions and missionaries.
I only wish my own Church did the same thing.

One Question-do LDS missionaries pray at restaurants while on mission-or is it a personal thing?

-If they prayed on mission in restaurants-do they still do it now? If so-why? If not why not?
-comments welcome

In a sense, I guess we alll should be missionaries always. The world is hurting. People are hurting. We bring Light to the darkness. The worst "belief" today is un-belief in anything but "The Almighty Self."

If you are a missionary of the LDS Church--Thank You.

-Carol-a Catholic