Prayer has many different forms. Prayer may be done privately and individually, or it may be done corporately in the presence of fellow believers. Prayer can be incorporated into a daily "thought life", in which one is in constant communication with a god. Some people pray throughout all that is happening during the day and seek guidance as the day progresses. This is actually regarded as a requirement in several Christian denominations,[17] although enforcement is not possible nor desirable. There can be many different answers to prayer, just as there are many ways to interpret an answer to a question, if there in fact comes an answer.[17] Some may experience audible, physical, or mental epiphanies. If indeed an answer comes, the time and place it comes is considered random. Some outward acts that sometimes accompany prayer are: anointing with oil;[18] ringing a bell;[19] burning incense or paper;[20] lighting a candle or candles;[21] facing a specific direction (i.e. towards Mecca[22] or the East); making the sign of the cross. One less noticeable act related to prayer is fasting.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Oct 2013 08:53:26 +0000