Pray LESS and DO more

Pray LESS & Do MORE

Back in the post 15 Ways to Become a Minimalist in 2010, from January, I mentioned I was going to discuss a topic as the title Pray LESS & Do MORE entails. This may end up being the most controversial article at The Minimalist Path, but please do read through the entire article with an open mind. Before jumping to crucify me, I, by no means, am saying that you should give up your religious or spiritual practices altogether. This article is not a religious bashing one. I simply want to help you improve your productivity.

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If you haven’t yet, click here to check out PROJECT M-31 …

Now, enjoy the article below….

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Until the age of 18, I strongly followed the Catholic faith while obtaining my kindergarten through twelfth grade education at private Catholic schools. Throughout this time, I learned life skills that I still apply today. With those skills, I learned that if anything was wrong, I could turn to the heavens and ask God for help. This habit hindered my growth and development. It wasn’t until I minimalized my prayer and took action towards life solutions that I began to see more progress at accomplishing my goals.

I have been an atheist for 8 years. For me, doing this allowed for focus towards accomplishments to grow. By PRAYING LESS, I started to realize I could and should DO MORE. My religious up-bringing was helpful in that it generated positive relationships and understanding. However, the prayer always seemed to be my way of establishing an excuse and blaming another. Whenever something wrong occurred to me, I would pray to the heavens and hope that my wishes would come true. Often, I relied on this god to “answer my prayers” and they ended up not coming true. By no fault to any god, man or woman was this, but my own. I was the reason my accomplishments were not as I dreamed. My actions or lack thereof generated what ended up being predictable results.

When those entering the world of minimalism think of becoming a minimalist, much of the focus is on the physical things in life. What we, as minimalists or those just looking to simplify the chaos of our lives, must understand is that our thoughts, manners, beliefs, and actions can also be simplified. If we take more accountability for our success or failure and not rely on others as much, we can minimalize unproductive time and maximize all actions.

This article is not meant to down religious beliefs. It is to point out that despite all of our hopes and dreams, there is no one but the person in the mirror that will light the fire of progress or, in this case, productivity. It is up to you and I to make success a reality. The longer we wait for our prayers to be answered, the likelier it is they won’t.

Please do share your thoughts in the comments section…

My apologies for going over 400 words….

David Damron
The Minimalist Path

Click here to get a copy of PROJECT M-31: Simply Your Life in 31 Days

Belinda O Thompson

There are so many of us Catholic school products out in the world. I won't complain about the education. It prepared my better than any public school could.
I can't truthfully say I'm an atheist. Probably more agnostic. But I do agree with the idea of relying on yourself more and less on a higher power. To paraphrase a friend, if you turn something over to God, God may turn it over to the D.A.
clearlycomposed

I found this through your 7 links post. This article made me sad. I just think the definition of prayer here is so very narrow. If your only prayer is to ask for stuff, then yes, praying less and doing more would be advised. If your most uttered prayer is one of thanks though, I see no reason to change a thing. The Universe is huge, giving, and amazing. When I stay in gratitude regarding it my life works better, I accomplish more, and I am at peace. Many thanks for sharing your views so bravely and concisely and all the best to you. :)
bemorewithless

You literally took the words right out my mouth. My early childhood relationship with god was asking for stuff, but as I matured, my prayers turned into those of gratitude. I still throw out occasional "Help me understand..." or "God, get me through this meeting". ;)
but typically, my prayers are thank you notes.

David - I commend your honesty, and thank you for making me realize how strong the power of prayer really is.
k350

What J. D. Bentley said is pretty much what I would say too. Wholeheartedly agreed.
Mara

could not agree more with this point of view. just blogged about this myself yesterday, in "religion and clutter": http://minimalistwoman.blogspot.com/2010/03/religion-and-clutter.html
Jarrod Henry

Excellent post!

I too have found myself striving for minimalism and being an atheist. I was raised as a relatively religious man, but slowly and surely darted free of the religion.

It drives me crazy to see people talk about "praying for other people" and then taking credit when the situation turns. I've seen this myself when people talk about praying for survivors of natural disasters and how god "provided them with food and water and clothing." It makes me nearly want to scream that , no, God did not provide them with that. My donations to charity organizations provided them with that.

I also ran into this when I worked on a habitat for humanity build.. people would say "Thank Jesus I have a home." Yeah.. well, what about the people that got up there and put things together? Didn't they help?

Too many people in this day and age substitute action with prayer. It's horrible.
admin

Hey Jarrod---

I tried to find your twitter account on your site but no luck. Hit me up @daviddamron

I think that, for my example, addressing our own effect on that which surrounds us does not need prayer. I think acting is a lot more effective. If people want to pray for those in a natural disaster or sick person, that's cool for them. When people pray to have an awesome launch of a new book or business, they are mainly saying (in my eyes), "I hope I get sales even though I didn't put in the work I should have."

Thanks for commenting

Dave
TMP
Lelly

Great post! I think so many people do misunderstand prayer and in doing so, it kinda gets in their way. For example, instead of going to school to get a degree in chiropractic, my older brother is content to sit back and wait for God to solve his problems and get him a job. Weirdness.

I follow a Goddess path. Cathubodva is a goddess of battle and every day She teaches me to take responsibility for my actions, to make my life happen, and to not make decisions that will make me miserable. I don't pray for her to rescue me from my current tribulations, and I don't pray for strength. She has taught me that I am strong and my situation is already resolved, I just need to pull my head out and move on :)

Once again, great post. Keep it up!
admin

Hey Lelly---

I think your comment about your brother is spot on. THAT is exactly the point I am trying to make.

Thanks for commenting

Dave
TMP
J. D. Bentley

You've touched on a really important point. I'm a devout Christian and I can completely agree that most people use prayer as a justification for not doing anything. It's all a little too fatalistic for me. People shouldn't wait for grand signs or supernatural revelations to do things. I feel pretty confident that we're all meant to fail as much as we're meant to succeed. We couldn't grow otherwise and God (from a biblical perspective) cares much more about the development of character than granting wishes.

I think the whole idea of a vending machine/genie god is ridiculous.

Thoughtful post, man! Awesome!
.-= J. D. Bentley´s last blog ..10 Absolutely Essential Tools for Aspiring Online Entrepreneurs =-.
admin

Thanks for commenting JD. I am glad to hear from someone who is religious that feels the same way. Thanks for understanding the line I was establishing in making my point.

Dave
TMP
Timothy Long

With respect, you have a small-minded view of the God that you claim to have grown up following. It makes perfect sense for an atheist to pray less, of course, but for those who believe (namely in the God of the Bible), their strength is derived from a relationship with God (often the strength that is needed to go out and be productive), and that relationship is built upon a solid prayer life.

You may not be trying to "down religious beliefs", but you are dismissing what is, to most faiths, a cornerstone in the life of a believer ... Prayer.
admin

Hey Tim----

First and foremost, Thanks for commenting!!! I appreciate each and every comment here at TMP.

I understand your perspective, but disagree with the point of prayer. I think we can create our own destiny by our actions 100% more than through prayer. I think JD Bentley's comment here details my perspective better than I did.

Thanks again....Hope you enjoy the other articles here...

Dave
TMP
Aitch

Amen to that, sir :-) :-)

I very much think you can be spiritual (at peace with oneself, yoga, zen etc) and NOT religious. Saves a lot of bother.
admin

Thanks for commenting Aitch....Glad to see you enjoyed too...

Dave
TMP
Anonymous3

While I agree that you should act when you hit difficulties, I personally believe that prayer is a motivator, not a hindrance. I'm also Catholic and I feel that prayer is a great way to start doing things. I still pray to God on a regular basis - in times of difficulty and in times of joy. Prayer is just a part of my life, no matter what's going on.

And I'm sure you've heard the phrase "God helps those who help themselves." God is big on giving you the intangibles, but you have walk your own journey. That last sentence is demonstrated by every pilgrimage, but El Camino in Spain the most. :)

I don't oppose atheism and I respect your right to call yourself an atheist. I also don't think that you're ready to bring yourself back to the Church. It sounds like your life choices are the result of deliberation and thus legitimate.
subholyman216

Great take on personal responsibility. I became a non-denominational minister 15 years ago on the grounds that all faiths, including lack of faith are valid and should be respected. That said, it has always bothered me when people say things like, "It must have been God's will." or "All we can do is pray." If you believe, then you must believe that God made you to act and to do. If you do not, then it is up to you to know that you need to do what you feel is warranted, just, and right.
.-= subholyman216´s last blog ..mnmlist: stop making it complicated =-.
Blue Perez

Interesting. But I think you misunderstood the nature and purpose of prayer. You might like to read Florence Scovell Shinn for a clearer understanding of how prayer works. 'The Game of Life & How To Play It' would be a great place to start.

I don't 'pray' , at least not in your sense of the word. I too grew up in Catholic education and misunderstood (or was mistaught) prayer. I have practiced and taught Buddhist prayer, but am now simple practitioner of Zen.
admin

I believe there are many understandings of prayer. I understand your attempt at clarifying my understanding. However, throughout the many religions I have interacted with, there have been more than 100 different practices of prayer. In most of my interaction with religion while Catholic and with Catholics since, prayer has been a "hope" for something. By no means am I saying all prayer is this way. However, many religious people I know pray in this way.

Thanks for the reading suggestion. I will have to look for it.

Dave
TMP