Is it OK to pray written prayers?

There are differing views on whether it’s acceptable to pray written prayers or if prayers should always be spontaneous. Some argue written prayers can lack meaning or sincerity. However, many find great value in liturgical prayers or prayers they’ve written themselves. There are good arguments on both sides of this issue.

What are the potential benefits of praying written prayers?

Here are some potential benefits of using written prayers in one’s spiritual practice:

• Written prayers follow a thoughtful structure – Prayers that are written and edited by spiritual leaders, authors or faith communities often have a intentional flow and structure. This can help prayers feel more meaningful.
• Connect us to tradition – Written or liturgical prayers connect us to centuries of tradition and the many believers who have prayed them before us. This can create a sense of continuity.
• Help focus our thoughts – Thoughtfully composed written words can help lead our minds during prayer versus trying to come up with spontaneous words. They provide a helpful focal point.
• Aid memorization – Repeating the same prayers can help commit them to memory. This allows them to come to mind readily when needed.
• Offer time-tested wisdom – Many common written prayers use language and concepts that have stood the test of time. Their words reflect spiritual wisdom passed down through the ages.
• Help us find the right words – Even for experienced pray-ers, it can sometimes be hard to find the right words to express ourselves. Thoughtfully composed prayers can help give voice to our heart’s cries.
• Unite praying communities – When groups of believers pray the same words in unison, it brings unity. Reciting common prayers together bonds faith communities.

In many faith traditions, from Christian liturgical prayers to the Muslim salat, reciting important written prayers is a central spiritual practice. The shared words and rituals unite communities across space and time.

What are some potential concerns with only praying written prayers?

However, relying solely on set written prayers does come with some potential downsides, such as:

• Lack spontaneity – With only written words, prayer may become routine versus fresh personal communication with God.
• Turn into empty recitation – Repeating the same prayers again and again could potentially turn into thoughtlessly recited words.
• Not our words – The words of written prayers are someone else’s, not our own heartfelt cries and praises.
• Absence of listening – With constant recitation, we may neglect listening to God in silence and hearing unexpected guidance.
• Lack uniqueness – Each person and situation is unique, so some may feel written words don’t fit their specific circumstances.
• Potential insincerity – Some may default to reciting familiar words without heartfelt meaning behind them.
• Limit intimacy – Some may find more intimate connection with God flows from spontaneous conversation versus set words.

While written prayers can enrich spiritual practice, relying entirely on static words could potentially hinder a vibrant prayer life for some believers.

Should our prayers be 100% spontaneous?

If only praying scripted prayers has potential downsides, does this mean all prayer should be spontaneous? Not necessarily. While praying spontaneous words from the heart is important in the life of faith, completely abandoning thoughtfully composed prayers would be an over-correction that also has disadvantages:

• Lose connection to tradition – We lose the continuity and shared heritage of praying cherished words used for centuries by our faith communities.
• Decreased focus – Without any written structure, our minds may tend to wander more versus being led by time-tested words.
• Reinventing the wheel – Composing a fresh prayer for every situation means reinventing words versus benefiting from the spiritual wisdom woven into many existing prayers.
• Less communality – Praying only our own unique words loses the unity of a whole congregation lifting up the same cry or doxology together.
• Unprepared words – Exclusively spontaneous prayer means we don’t get the benefit of bringing prepared words that have been thoughtfully composed in advance during meaningful moments.

While personal spontaneous prayer is essential, completely abandoning written words would also be unwise for many believers seeking a robust prayer life.

Conclusion: Finding the right balance is key

When exploring the question “Is it OK to pray written prayers?” the answer that emerges is: It’s about finding the right balance. Using thoughtfully composed prayers from spiritual tradition or writings in addition to spontaneous words from the heart is likely the healthiest prayer life for most believers.

Potential principles for finding balance include:

• Pray both written and spontaneous prayers – Don’t rely entirely on one or the other but incorporate both thoughtfully crafted words and impromptu cries.
• Keep written prayers focused – When praying composed prayers, stay attentive to the words and their meaning versus empty recitation.
• Tailor and personalize – Consider adapting common written prayers to fit your situations better or adding your own words.
• Incorporate silence & listening – Balance recitation with quietness to also hear God’s voice.
• Unite with tradition thoughtfully – Appreciate connection to heritage through written prayers, but feel freedom to pray in ways that authentically fit you.
• Assess sincerity – Check your heart occasionally to ensure you’re praying both types of prayers with sincerity, avoiding insincere repetition.

The right blend can help overcome potential weakness of written or spontaneous prayer alone. Our words, both planned and spontaneous, combined with silent listening may enable us to pray in ways that most authentically connect us to God and allow His Spirit to move in our lives.

Type of Prayer	Potential Benefits	Potential Downsides
Written/Composed Prayers	Thoughtful structure Connects to tradition Aids focus/memory Time-tested wisdom	Lacks spontaneity Emptiness/thoughtlessness Not our words
Spontaneous Prayers	Unique to situation Own words from the heart Fosters intimacy	Lack of focus Reinventing the wheel Less sense of tradition

As we explore our own prayer lives, considering these principles and finding the right blend tailored to our needs may help us pray in ways that are meaningful, sincere, grounded in wisdom and unite us with faith communities across the centuries who have lifted these words to our God in whom we trust.