Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 10:17 am Post subject: Prayer
Taken from the TGP Archives:
smiln32
Hey folks... I was talking with someone earlier today about prayer and the following questions were raised. Since we all have somewhat differing beliefs, let me just say up front that as we pose our thoughts here, I believe we are all here to serve the same God. The name that is on the building where you worship is less important to me than your relationship with our Father in Heaven. I want our discussion to be open and honest so that we can all glean from one another some nuggets of truth and scriptural direction in approaching some of these questions.
1. When you pray, do you believe that faith is all you need in order for God to answer prayer?
2. Why are some prayers answered and others seem to be "ignored"?
3. Are some prayers never heard by the Father?
4. When you pray, do you wait for God to answer? How long do you wait? Do you keep praying even if you aren't getting an answer right away?
5. When the Bible says that, "When two or more agree in my name, it will be done" does that mean that God will always answer that prayer?
6. How do you pray "in God's will"?
7. How do you know when God has answered a prayer - like - what if it is a "no"?
8. How does God communicate with you? Does He communicate in prayer (two-way communication)?
These are some of the questions that were posed to me. I have my own thoughts on these and will post them as I am able to. I would dearly love to hear from each of you on as many of these questions as possible. The insight you provide might be the very thing that helps reach out to someone who is really trying to grasp onto prayer in the Lord's will.
Thanks so much,
Carla
Aloe
My answers
1.) Probably, unless one's life is really full of sin, then maybe repentance is necessary first.
2.) God does what is best for us in the long run. This might be exactly what we are praying for, or it might be the exact opposite. (The Greeks had a saying, "When the gods wish to punish a man, they give him what he wants.") We don't have to understand why things happen the way they do. What kind of god would God be if mere humans could understand everything about Him?
3.) I doubt it. To say that God doesn't hear a prayer seems to imply that a person can do something that God is not aware of.
6.) It's kind of like that you would like to have something but realize that it may not be the best thing for you or for furthering the kingdom of God, so you will accept a "no" as an answer.
8.) I have never had God literally speak to me. I have never had a vision. I can't say that I've really ever had a Bible verse speak to me in regard to a prayer request. I do not doubt that those things have happened to some people, but they never have to me. Usually if I want to know God's will about something (e.g. what should I do), I ask for a sign. When the sign occurs, it is obvious, and then I am at peace with the decision.
fsr333
When praying, I like to pray "Your will be done, Lord". But in not knowing what his will is, I sometimes question whether my prayer will receive an answer that I recognize. I do believe that faith is all you need to pray to the Lord. I sometimes think I "feel" an answer to a prayer, but then I second guess myself as to whether I got it right.
Elena
Martha Lee has a lot to say about prayer in her Bible Study Forum* that you might want to read. I am going to email her the location to this thread to see how she would answer the questions.
fsr333
That would be interesting. I look forward to her responses. Thanks, Elena!
Elena
If any of you know anyone else who would be knowledgeable and willing to answer the questions, please invite them to join us here. I have notified several other folks but it is not something that everyone wants to do. (posting) Lots of folks would rather just read what someone else has written and that is fine too.
FranM
I believe you have to have faith to pray at all, you have to have faith in God, that He exists, and that He does answer prayer. I have had two different takes on whether you should (1) pray once, believing that it has been answered already, and (2) keep praying until you see it happen. Personally, I tend to keep praying, with a variety of intensities.
As far as where two or more or gathered in His name, it will be done, I believe that the faith of the other believers praying for the same thing helps boost the faith of the one needing prayer. Also, it puts the force of the many payers "out there" in the spirit to do battle for us.
I have been told that first we must repent and appear before God sinless, which, if we have repented and asked forgiveness, we are. But, I believe God does hear all prayers. Like earthly fathers, He may say "no" or "wait." Maybe, that is the case to keep praying?
I have had God speak to me directly, and through a verse in the Bible. That doesn't make me more "spiritual" but God uses whatever ways it takes to get our attention. Some people pick up on the subtlest word, whereas I have to be hit over the head. Also, I think that many times God has shown us, through signs or people or when a feeling keeps nagging at us, what He wants us to do.
Elena
Thanks Fran. Folks, Fran is a very dear cousin of mine who lives in Texas. (Jo isn't the only one with cousins. LOL) Glad to see you here, Fran. I hope you will come back often. Thanks for your response to my email. You're the greatest!
Zanymuse
These are some very hard questions. I will try to come back with scriptures later but for a quick response
The only prayer he will hear from a lost soul is one that accepts Christ and seeks redemption.
God answers prayers. His answers are Yes, No, Wait on him. Yes answers are easily recognized and accepted. No is recognized but harder to accept when it goes against our wishes. Wait is the real test of faith because we must continue to have faith when the answer is not forthcoming.
"Thy will be done" If this is our prayer then the answer will always be yes. The problems arise when we ask that OUR will be done.
We live in your world, O God, and for this, we praise and thank you. Among your treasures we creatures have fashioned many things to make our lives easier, healthier, and freer. But we have also created more things than we need, more than we can ever use. When these things distract us from our purpose in this life, we are misusing the world you have created. When these things prevent others from having their basic needs met, your creation is corrupted. Help us to keep our eyes open to this temptation of consumerism. Help us to be followers of Jesus who are focused on the important and simple things in life -- Christians who care for others and are willing to share our riches with those who have unmet needs. Give us the courage to go against our culture when it confuses wants and needs. Remind us that when the journey of life in this world is complete, we take with us only what we have built inside ourselves: treasures of the heart, love and generosity, friendship and concern, caring and sharing. We pray for these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
Catholic Wisdom Leader's Guide
God of the seasons, there is a time for everything; there is a time for dying and a time for rising. We need courage to enter into the transformation process.
God of autumn, the trees are saying goodbye to their green, letting go of what has been. We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk. Help us to let go when we need to do so.
God of fallen leaves lying in colored patterns on the ground, our lives have their own patterns. As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them.
God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always the dimension of mystery and wonder in our lives. We always need to recognize your power-filled presence. May we gain strength from this.
God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain, many gifts of growth lie within the season of our surrender. We must wait for harvest in faith and hope. Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings.
God of geese going south for another season, your wisdom enables us to know what needs to be left behind and what needs to be carried into the future. We yearn for insight and vision.
God of flowers touched with frost and windows wearing white designs, may your love keep our hearts from growing cold in the empty seasons.
God of life, you believe in us, you enrich us, you entrust us with the freedom to choose life. For all this, we are grateful.
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