My friend, Haywood Simmons, posted an intriguing question on his Facebook page. The question was, "What is the difference between praying and begging?" He received a number of thoughtful and insightful responses that I want to share with you in this post.
What is the difference between praying and begging? Here are the responses that he received.
-Being thankful first and foremost for the blessings you have been offered before asking for anything!!!
-I consider true prayer as a form of meditation. Since God lives within all of us, praying taps into our subconscious and guides us towards our true power/being.
-For me, prayer involves the wellbeing of all and is done without expectation. Begging comes with an expectation that if you ask enough times or enough people, you will get exactly the item you're begging for.
-For most, there is no difference. If your prayer sounds like it should be sent to Santa, even if it's for something that seems dire, there is nothing wrong with that and it may work. But fundamentally you are saying that you know better than God and that His plan is not as good as yours.
-Prayer and meditation is positioning to open your spirit and connect build oneness with God while acknowledgeing with adoration the many blessing he has already provided while listening how to better serve others as we are covered and served. Begging is positioning and making yourself the focus of request for your own gain that may not have anything to do with your purpose or his will for your life.
-Prayer is simply dialogue with God. It can involve petitioning, but it also involves praise, Thanksgiving, and simply discussion.
-Mindstate.
-For me prayer is more about listening than asking. If I ask, it is usually for guidance, insight, and protection rather than specific things. Prayer isn't about getting so much as understanding and aligning.
-Intention.
-Begging is asking for something now and in this world to fellow humans. Praying could be asking for something now, but it could be here after and its spiritual.
-Praying should be creating, begging is coming from a fear of lack.
-Expectation…when I pray I am confident that God will answer my prayers. Begging is hoping someone will hear your request.
-“Grant me my wishes” instead of “Thy will be done.”
I loved each and every response. So cool to hear people take time to put into words their thoughts on this topic. I've touched on a number of the ideas in the responses in previous posts. Things like gratitude. I begin all of my prayers with gratitude, acknowledging the many blessings that I have in my life.
The responses also spoke to God's will versus our will and surrendering the outcome. This is something that I also practice in my prayer and in life. I ask for my highest and best good and for the highest and best good of all others as part of this practice.
I hope this gave you something to chew on as you contemplate prayer, some additional guidance and inspiration. I would love to hear your thoughts on the responses and on what you think is the difference between praying and begging? Please drop me a comment or send me an email.
What is the difference between praying and begging? Here are the responses that he received.
-Being thankful first and foremost for the blessings you have been offered before asking for anything!!!
-I consider true prayer as a form of meditation. Since God lives within all of us, praying taps into our subconscious and guides us towards our true power/being.
-For me, prayer involves the wellbeing of all and is done without expectation. Begging comes with an expectation that if you ask enough times or enough people, you will get exactly the item you're begging for.
-For most, there is no difference. If your prayer sounds like it should be sent to Santa, even if it's for something that seems dire, there is nothing wrong with that and it may work. But fundamentally you are saying that you know better than God and that His plan is not as good as yours.
-Prayer and meditation is positioning to open your spirit and connect build oneness with God while acknowledgeing with adoration the many blessing he has already provided while listening how to better serve others as we are covered and served. Begging is positioning and making yourself the focus of request for your own gain that may not have anything to do with your purpose or his will for your life.
-Prayer is simply dialogue with God. It can involve petitioning, but it also involves praise, Thanksgiving, and simply discussion.
-Mindstate.
-For me prayer is more about listening than asking. If I ask, it is usually for guidance, insight, and protection rather than specific things. Prayer isn't about getting so much as understanding and aligning.
-Intention.
-Begging is asking for something now and in this world to fellow humans. Praying could be asking for something now, but it could be here after and its spiritual.
-Praying should be creating, begging is coming from a fear of lack.
-Expectation…when I pray I am confident that God will answer my prayers. Begging is hoping someone will hear your request.
-“Grant me my wishes” instead of “Thy will be done.”
I loved each and every response. So cool to hear people take time to put into words their thoughts on this topic. I've touched on a number of the ideas in the responses in previous posts. Things like gratitude. I begin all of my prayers with gratitude, acknowledging the many blessings that I have in my life.
The responses also spoke to God's will versus our will and surrendering the outcome. This is something that I also practice in my prayer and in life. I ask for my highest and best good and for the highest and best good of all others as part of this practice.
I hope this gave you something to chew on as you contemplate prayer, some additional guidance and inspiration. I would love to hear your thoughts on the responses and on what you think is the difference between praying and begging? Please drop me a comment or send me an email.
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