Do you use candles when you pray?

Question

Does it help you focus? I was just wondering how many people do this. A lot of people in the chicano community do it around here.

We use them in our family and it helps us to focus on our prayers. Also, we leave it burning and when we see it burning throughout the day it reminds us to pray again.

Answer 1

I've never heard of candles being used in conjunction with prayer.  I just wanted to chime in because I just love a bible quote taken out of context as Gino did.

Read the whole chapter, or at at least get the first line:  "take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father"  (Matthew 6:1).

You are not told to pray in private.  You are told not to pray just so others see you pray and have a better opinion of you.

Here's an current-events example: God does not want politicians to goes to church, inviting the media to broadcast images of their piety in order to get your votes.  They should be going to church without fanfare to practice their faith  My personal interpretation is that in doing the former, they are committing a sin of using God's name in vain.  That's a big one, if I remember my commandments properly.

Answer 2

Sometimes yes I do, sometimes no. The candle is really a symbol of your prayers. I light a 7 day candle at home often when I am saying special prayers. It reminds me as I pass it to continue in my prayers.

Answer 3

matthew 6:6   But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

l doubt if God is going to notice the candle.  

Answer 4

I'd like to, but I can't.  Canned oxygen and candles do not mix well.

pst. mind if I add you to my contacts?

Answer 5

yes sometimes i "set a mood" when i pray. i love the light of a candle..the sight of a candle in a window represents shelter to those who are lost.

Answer 6

I don't, but I like your explanation of why you do.  That sounds like a good reminder for prayer!