HOW OFTEN DO I PRAY?

The Armenian Church Magazine asked visitors to the Diocesan website www.armenianchurch.net a few questions about their prayer habits. Their responses told us that prayer--no matter how and where they engaged in it--is a vital part of their lives. Below are some representative responses to the questions we posed.

I pray at least once daily, some days many times. Whenever the spirit moves me, I have a "conversation" with God.

I pray everyday and night I pray every day many times a day --it is an ongoing conversation with a good friend.

2 or 3 times a day. Sometimes more. Sometimes I just say thank you when I have had a good day and sometimes I ask for His help.

I pray daily, generally at morning and evening, sometimes I pray after the noon meal. Also, I try to do some spiritual reading each day.

I say the Hayr Mer in bed every night.

I and my family try to always pray three times a day as a family. We use the Psalms and prayers from the Book of Hours as part of our daily rule of prayer. Individually, I pray as inspirations and concerns arise in my heart.

I pray daily, throughout the day, anywhere where I am moved to "lean" on God or to give thanks (for example for narrowly missing being hurt or finding an important document at work). Nothing is too great or too small for which to pray.

Prayer is a very private matter. One prays because they want to. Whether you pray once or several times that is not a matter to be advertised or turned into a statistics.

Where do you pray?

Wherever I happen to be when moved to pray. Some "odd" places have been the tub, the swimming pool, in the car, on line in the grocery store, after seeing someone less fortunate than I............

Everywhere, even while in the bathroom, always in bed before sleeping.

I pray before meals, at bedtime, in the car, at work, and anywhere.

We pray facing east in our living room where we have prayer shelves with Holy Icons. We also pray (again facing east) in our kitchen before meals.

I pray throughout the day no matter where I am.

I pray at home during the week, in my car, at Church on Sundays and everywhere else I feel the need.

In my car and at home.

At home, church, cemetery.

In what language do you pray?

I usually pray in English, anywhere and anytime that I feel an urge to pray.

 In the only language I know, English.

We pray primarily in English and Armenian.

I pray in English and Armenian.

English--I don't speak Armenian. I know some formal Armenian prayers and say them once in a while, mostly while at church. I especially love the 24 prayers of St. Nersess Shnorali said during the Lenten services.

Armenian. I was born in the USA, but I learned to pray from my grandmother and mother.

I pray in Armenian, any other language would not have the same meaning for me (I speak 4 languages and know the Lord's Prayer in all).

English.

I pray in English, although I may often say the Hayr Mer.

English, but read Bible daily in Armenian.

Do you pray only to God and Jesus Christ?

Absolutely yes. I do not believe that any "intercessor" is necessary. God does not need a translator of my invocations, thoughts, revelations etc. My prayer is as though God/Jesus Christ and I were having a friendly conversation.

I pray to God and Lord Jesus.

I do not pray to an intercessor but I could!

Also, to the Holy Spirit.

Do you pray to an intercessor? If yes, to whom?

Not often, but some times I ask St.Mary to intercede for me.

...I hold the priest as my intercessor during confession.

I pray to God, Jesus, Guardian Angels, and to whomever is listening.

...the English word "pray" means to "ask" (not "worship" or "adore"), yes, our family does regularly pray to the saints. We try to stay in touch with the church's liturgical calendar and pray to the saint who is honored on the calendar on any given day. This is in addition to the regular saints honored in the Church's Book of Hours everyday (i.e. St. Mary the Mother of God, St. John the Forerunner, St. Stephen the Protomartyr, St. Gregory the Illuminator, etc.).

I pray to God through his son Jesus Christ and also to St. Mary, Mother-of- God to act as intercessor.

Sometimes to the Virgin Mary, when the going is really rough.