What time do you mediate and/or pray? and do you feel like the timing makes a difference to you? Why?

I tend to prefer meditating at night, before I start to get sleepy, since it's seems to fit nicely into my current schedule and it's a nice reflection on the day's events.

I'd like to start trying it in the very early morning, sometime likely between 3 and 6 am, since Sikhs are supposed to do nitnem during amrit vela, because it's supposed to be a calm and peaceful time where you're able to establish a better connection. Many members of the sangat wake up this early daily. It seems to make sense, because I feel like I get a better connection in the dark (less distractions) and it's such a great way to begin the day. When I wake up later, I have to stop myself from trying to rush through japji sahib to get on with the morning, waking up supr early would prevent this since not many businesses, etc. are open that early, so there's no rush. 

LearnedHand,
When I read that Paul and Silas were praying and singing in the prison and I took note of how we in America are on the verge of losing many of our right the choice of learning how to pray and feel the Spirit of God under any circumstance seems best for me. I'll probably be one that will end up in prison or dead when they finally get around to shutting down Christian churches. In many places Islam has taken over and Christians are stoned and arrested here in America. I think it is important to be able to connect with God in any place or circumstance.

I used to play my favorite gospel songs to get in the mood but that isn't going to happen if things get too bad. Therefore now of days I pray while playing secular music, watching secular movies, driving, walking alone, while at work and just mixing it up. I am trying to get used to when I may be put into a position where I can't be in a comfortable spot.

I know many will disagree but I do feel that it is time that we all make sure our soul is right with God. I post on facebook about this all the time and most cisgender straight Christians hate me, unfriend me, think I am nuts, mock me and flat out feel they can take the gospel lightly.

In closing, sorry for another long post but that's how I personally feel about prayer time for me.

I am sorry you don't feel like you have freedom of religion Del, but I think you should still pray and listen to gospel music. Things won't get better if you hide, but we still need to show respect to others. I haven't heard of Christians being stoned in the US, but every Muslim I know would condem such an act. Islam is a beautiful religion if you take away assumptions based off of what's espoused by radical groups.

LearnedHand,
I have freedom of religion and mean no disrespect to Islam. There are some places here where the radicals exist. There are radicals in Christianity as well. We can not form an opinion about a group based on what some radicals do.

I still listen to gospel music and I guess I was not clear in what I was trying to say. I am sorry for the misunderstanding.

I am striving to pray and sing in any given situation. In that way regardless of what should happen in my life I can be prepared to worship and praise the Lord at all times. Not just the good ones. Not just when my favorite gospel song is playing.

Thank you for your concern however as I do deeply respect it.

May God bless.

I am glad you say you don't disrespect Islam, but saying "In many places Islam has taken over and Christians are stoned and arrested here in America" sounds like BS I hear from unreputatable news sources. I've been seeing a lot of comments like this here on Susan's Place and I find it very disturbing. Whether you think its true or okay to say, it just sounds xenophobic and hateful to me. "Islam has taken over" is saying "Muslims (people NOT like me) have taken over". It shows that you think there's a conflict between you and the "others". Your whole posts gives the impression that you think Muslims are here to send Christians to prison, to kill Christians, to take away your right to practice Christianity (you said when "they get around to shutting down Christian churches") and so on.

Muslims and Sikhs (who are often mistaken for Muslims) experience more discrimination and hate in the USA than Christians do. Yes, there was 9/11, the Marathon bombings, etc. etc. but the average Christian in America doesn't have to leave their house and wonder who will call them a terrorist today, or if they'll be charged higher rent from a landlord because of their religion, if they'll be assaulted and battered walking down the street because of what they're wearing on their head, or if someone will come into their place of worship and shoot people.

I am saying this not just for you Del, but the other people here on Susan's who I've seen say "Islam is taking over" and other such anti-Muslim statements.

QuoteI am striving to pray and sing in any given situation. In that way regardless of what should happen in my life I can be prepared to worship and praise the Lord at all times. Not just the good ones. Not just when my favorite gospel song is playing.

I think this is a good thing to strive for, and I strive to do it to, it's easy to forget to keep God in mind when bad things are happening. I try to remember the story of how some Sikhs were being burned on the torch and they recited the Sikh prayer Japji Sahib while being burned alive. My troubles and pains are nothing in comparison to that pain.

LearnedHand,
I am sorry if my wording appears disrespectful.

In America there are Islamic extremists who have taken over some neighborhoods and cities rallying against Christians. Not all Muslims. Many of these places have enacted Sharia Law in their cities. In these cities there are Christians afraid to go into public because they are Christian. And yes, there are certain neighborhoods in St. Louis I will not go into because of them. Cities where neighborhoods are divided into black, white, Spanish, Muslim, etc...

As I said there are good and bad in all including Christians.

Contrary to popular belief when Christians have done evil many of us hear about the law watching out for "radical Christians." Sadly the ones they deem radical are easily confused with the ones dead serious (no un intended) about their faith. They take it seriously enough to stand against 99% of all Christianity and they are deemed radical and a threat to our society.

I therefore do know how you feel because some of us see the same things.

May God bless.

Quote from: Del on October 21, 2013, 10:13:41 AM
In America there are Islamic extremists who have taken over some neighborhoods and cities rallying against Christians. Not all Muslims. Many of these places have enacted Sharia Law in their cities. In these cities there are Christians afraid to go into public because they are Christian. And yes, there are certain neighborhoods in St. Louis I will not go into because of them. Cities where neighborhoods are divided into black, white, Spanish, Muslim, etc...

While it's natural for their to be divided neighborhoods, I've never heard of Sharia Law being enacted into a city's laws. Please provide a reputable source for this information.

Column: The sharia myth sweeps America
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2011-06-12-Sharia-law-in-the-USA_n.htm
Author: Amy Sullivan Source: USA Today June 12, 2011

Maybe Dearborn's Muslims are just running a very drawn-out head fake on the country. It's hard to avoid the more likely conclusion, however, that politicians who cry "Sharia!" are engaging in one of the oldest and least-proud political traditions — xenophobic demagoguery. One of the easiest ways to spot its use is when politicians carelessly throw around a word simply because it scares some voters.

In light of what I posted above you might say that I too am offended slightly when people say Christians have all the rights and privileges and such. The truth is that those who are calling themselves Christian  while in no way living and teaching according to true Christianity are those who have the favour.

For example when an evangelist friend sends pictures of a church bombing in Peshwar Pakistan why doesn't Joel Osteen go over there and tell the survivors every day can be Friday. Why doesn't Joyce Meyer go there and tell them they are living below their means? Because they are popular false prophets and the very messengers of Satan the word of God warns us about. Those ordained to lead people astray as defined by scripture.

They won't go there because it would manifest their lies. As a matter of fact all should see when they witness these things these people lie for money. People over there are dying for a faith people here play games with.

And when you call them on it you are judging them or an extremist.

Most of Christianity needs to repent!

It has been on the local news and internet. The local news I trust. it has also been on cnn as well.

 

This thread is straying way off topic. Please get back to discussing the questions posted in the OP.

Amy

To get back on topic, I don't think there has ever been a specific time of day I have prayed.  Probably mostly at night because it's quiet and comfortable, but as Del has pointed out, it is a good idea to learn how even when it is not comfortable, when the world around you is noisy. 

I meditate whenever I feel a need to. And if circumstances allow it. I don't really have a set time, as such. Sometimes it's just to get back to myself, to clean out a lot of the detritus of everyday life. More often than not, something inside lets me know I need it, rather than me making any sort of conscious decision.