Is it okay to go to church & pray to God alone as opposed to attending mass?

1. 77

   jaydawg808posted 11 years ago

   Is it okay to go to church & pray to God alone as opposed to attending mass?
   
   Every week I go to church & pray alone. There a few people there & I have the silence & The Lord to speak to. While going to a mass is also good, I prefer to leisurely to my praying alone. Is this bad?

   replyreport
2. 61

   Quirinusposted 11 years ago

   It would be nice to have opportunities for both. Quiet time alone with God is very important but we also need time to worship as a community and connect through the rituals of sacraments.

   replyreport
3. 62

   teacherjoe52posted 11 years ago

   Good morning jay.
   You do not need to go to church to have a conversation with Jesus.
   I read my Bible every morning, that is where He talks with me. Then I pray from the heart. That is where I talk with Him
   God bless you.

   replyreport
4. 79

   philliposted 11 years ago

   I don't think it is wrong. I believe that you should have quiet time with the Lord for study, prayer and meditation. You could do this at home or at church. But I also feel that you should fellowship with other believers. As a Christian you should not lock yourself away from the world, secular or religious. In the secular world, you should show love and teach others about the love of God. At church, do the same with the addition of fellowshiping to encourage one another.
   
   Here are a few verses about fellowship with fellow believers:
   Hebrews 10:25 says "Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
   
   Hebrews 10:24 says "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,"
   
   1 Thessalonians 5:11 says "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. "
   
   
   All that being said, I don't think what you are doing is wrong...just don't make it the only way that you worship.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Eunice Stuhlhoferposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You've said it well. Thanks Philli

      replyreport
5. 71

   Dan Barfieldposted 11 years ago

   Church mass is not for everyone. For those Kierkegarde-style Christians who are more concerned with a personal relationship with God than ritual-based worship then going to church outside of mass times is a more authentic way of expressing faith.
   
   To take this thought a step further I would reference the Gospel of St. Thomas (one of the dead sea scrolls) in which St Thomas relays these words of Jesus:
   
   The house of God is built of neither wood or stone.
   
   This of course means that the church building itself holds no importance. The church consists of the people, not the place. You can express true faith anywhere - and praying in private should not be confined to church buildings.

   replyreport
6. 75

   jlparkposted 11 years ago

   At least you're having a conversation with Him.  One's religious experience, and one's relationship with God is personal, and not one other person will have the exact same experience that you have.
   
   So, Mass or personal quiet time in a Church? I don't think it matters to Him, as long as you are talking to Him.  I don't even think that Churches are necessary to be 'prayed' in - you can talk to Him at any point, any where - Churches are just gathering spaces for like minded people, and for personal religious reflection.
   
   If anyone tells you it's bad, they are trying to force their experience onto you, which is not the point.

   replyreport
7. 61

   Lanzskieposted 11 years ago

   I have questionned this one as well. Although attending a mass has become a spritual habit for some, I go to church and go directly to the praying room. With respect I find it very solemn talking to HIM for hours than in an hour mass. Don't get me wrong. I undeliberately all the time my tears will just fall. That is because I become very reflective when talking to HIM. Like you I also attend masses, but I prefer talking to HIM alone. Personally, I don't see any point that it is "bad". What is bad is in on masses and yet chatting with friends and worse criticising about someone's dress, hair and such. It sounded like I'm giving you a box of chocolate - I know. But it is very true!
   
   God Bless.

   replyreport
8. 61

   StayAwakeNowposted 11 years ago

   I think matthew 6:5-8 is the perfect answer to this question.

   replyreport
   1. 79

      philliposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I see your point, but I also think that this is meant for people who are praying  just to be seen praying. There may be churchgoers that go just to be seen in church, but I do not believe that this is the majority.

      replyreport
   2. 61

      StayAwakeNowposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      yes, you're right, but here you can see that God even listens to you when your praying alone and silently.

      replyreport