pray more

I have been doing my morning prayers almost every morning (only missed one I think). And since I’ve been using the new prayerbook, and thinking about each prayer as I say it, and making a decision each time about wether to say it in Hebrew, English, or do one of the interpretive readings … Its going VERY well. I really love doing it. Its a great way to get my mind off my own misery and happy to be alive. I think I’ll leave it on the list another 3 months, before I really consider that its in my life and done.

is a pull in so many different directions. seems like if I’m not being told to thank the Lord, I’m asked to chant. jesus christ, AND I grew up in a All White southern baptist church! and theeen, my Mother’s catholic…???
well, I pray to God.I fall asleep asking him for his guidance.

I’ve worked out that deciding each morning, while I am reading the prayers, whether I want to read in English or Hebrew, or to read an alternative related reading, keeps me present to what I am doing. Since I’ve been doing this, I’ve been loving praying each day very much. It flips my mind out of a place of feeling self centred/sorry for myself and often I have a few tears as I just notice a feeling of love / being loved. Sort of humble and open to the world.

I can tell a difference if we’ve missed an opportunity or two to commune with God. I can tell when it’s lacking, and I can tell when the connection is stronger.

..who is helping me pray a lot more often—for myself, for us as a couple, and morning and night as a family.

much more often, but now its nearly gone, but I know it works. I just need to do it more, I think it could possibly help in my life

The first day I was really happy with my prayers (2 days ago?) it was wonderful. But it wasn’t like that today or yesterday. I wonder if something else is required, or just keep going? Maybe I need to make changes everyday so I am really conscious/aware everyday?

Today I really really enjoyed my praying. Used the new prayer book – Mishkan T’fillah. Will do it again the same for 2 weeks I think – and then review.

okay … so this morning I got up, went to the loo, and did my prayers. Had the feeling there is a prayer/s I’m missing. Looked on the internet and in some of my orthodox prayer books. Of course … Modah Ani (said while u r still in bed, before saying anything), then traditionally would be handwashing with cup & basin, a prayer, and then u might do to the toilet, get dressed and say rest of prayers, or go to shule. There seem to be different traditions around all of this. I then found “Mishkan T’filah” the new Reform Siddur – I forgot I had it even. Reading some of the interpretive prayers made my cry. I think this might be the book for me, for now.

So … tomorrow morning: Say Modah Ani in bed; Get up, toilet, teeth & dress. Then do morning blessings section & sh’ma from Mishkan T’fillah. For now, I wont do a special hand-washing, though i rather like the idea. I think I’d like to buy a cup.

Did morning prayers this morning. 2nd Morning. 1st morning with ‘Gates of Grey’. I liked this. Just went through the prayers. Much better than starting on computer games. However I did remember that when I was first introduced to morning prayers at the women’s Yeshiva many many years ago, we did them when we were up, not while lying in bed. Okay so tomorrow morning … I need to get up, go to the toilet, and then do morning prayers, sitting on my chair!