Why pray? (Full Version)

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CarlaJames -> Why pray? (5/4/2008 6:17:43 PM)

I hope this makes sense....if God knows from the beginning how we will live, how and when we will die, and what we will struggle with in life, then what is the point in praying?

Why pray for a sick family member? Since God knows from day one when they will die, will our prayers change his mind? I don't understand, this is somthing I stuggle with.

Maybe it's the devil, but sometimes when I'm praying and asking God to help someone or take care of someone, I wonder...why am I even asking he already knows what he's gonna do, I can't change his mind.



Conquered -> RE: Why pray? (5/4/2008 6:28:39 PM)

quote:

I hope this makes sense....if God knows from the beginning how we will live, how and when we will die, and what we will struggle with in life, then what is the point in praying?


Because praying is the consumation of God's will, the point at which we have been humbled by his grace so that he can reveal his will to us. And it is the means he uses to reveal his will when our will is aligned to his.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. - James 5:15-16

The prayer of the righteous man are powerful and effective because they align with God's will, they are not however as James' describes earlier....

You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. - James 4:2-3



SonInMe1 -> RE: Why pray? (5/4/2008 7:38:52 PM)

We have a relationship with God.

Its hard to have any relationship without communication.



delete123 -> RE: Why pray? (5/4/2008 7:46:21 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1

We have a relationship with God.

Its hard to have any relationship without communication.


I agree with SoninMe~ He can't hear if you don't ask!
There is soooo much power in prayer and I am a living example of this.

When I was 5 I was suppose to die, had no one asked or prayed for me, I may not be here today! [:D]

He says: When 2 or 3 are gathered I am in the mist.

CRH



Ignited-Faith -> RE: Why pray? (5/4/2008 8:07:02 PM)

SonInMe1,
quote:

We have a relationship with God.
Its hard to have any relationship without communication.


Amen!
Prayer is the greatest thing!
Prayer gives us new prospection!
It helps strengthen our faith!
God is concerned with everything that concerns us!
Prayer helps us know that God can be trusted.



SavedByGraceMD -> RE: Why pray? (5/4/2008 9:44:01 PM)

I think we are to pray to show God that we have faith and know that he is in control. Whether or not the outcome changes, praying shows God that we believe he is there and listening.



LCannon -> RE: Why pray? (5/4/2008 9:47:40 PM)

The 'answers' isn't the issue, obedience and our vulnerability to His sacrifice/Victory despite the answer is. If 'the answers' were the point of our praying first unanswered prayer(to our liking)would be our last.

Of Brazen Heavens by Tom Howard

You know the drill, someone finds a crisis; the treadmill begins, hope is marshaled, begins the march and is rebuffed and is quietly mustered out. Because the people in this drama are redeemed by his blood everyone is dragged into the maelstrom that marks the place where our experience eddies into the sea of his Divine Will.
The whole question of prayer gapes open. And the questions come stealing over us: "Where is now their God? and the promise of his coming? They trusted that he would deliver them,” and it trails on. And we know that we are not the first whose teeth the Tempter and his ilk have flung those taunts. We look for some light. We look for some help. Our prayers seem to be vanishing, like so many wisps. We strain our ears for some word from the Mount of God. A whisper will do, we tell ourselves, but no thunder or whispers have been summoned by our calamity. And we know that this is false. It is nonsense. All right then--we prayed, with much faith or a little; we searched ourselves; we fasted; we anointed, we kept vigil. And nothing happened. What angle of our limited vision haven’t we approached? Is it not true that again and again in the eternal picture, the story has to be allowed to finish? In the face of suffering and endurance and loss and waiting, what is it that has kept the spirits of the faithful from falling down through the millennia? Is it not the great Finish to the Story--which is itself groaning and waiting? And is not that Finish called Glorious? How do you know that this loss and your prayers and our tears and fasts will not be suddenly displayed, before the faithful, and before angels and before kings and beggars and prophets as gems to display? Oh no, don't speak of things being lost. Say rather that they are hidden--received and taken up into the secrets of the divine, to be transformed and multiplied, like everything else we offer to him--loaves and fishes or tears or victories--and given back to you and to the one for whom you kept vigil, in the presence of the whole host of men and angels in a glory as far removed in your vigil as golden wings are to the worm in its cocoon. How does it work? How does Redemption work? His providence is an equal mystery.

“Sometime, Somewhere”(Ophelia Guyon Browning)

Unanswered yet? Faith cannot be unanswered.
Her feet were firmly planted on the rock.
Amid the wildest storm she stands undaunted
Nor quails before the loudest thunder shock.

She knows Omnipotence has heard her prayer
And cries, It shall be done sometime, somewhere.
Unanswered yet? Nay, do not say ungranted.
Perhaps your part is not yet wholly done.

The work began when your first prayer was uttered,
And God will finish what He has begun.
If you will keep the incense burning there,
His glory you will see, sometime, somewhere.



BibleL7 -> RE: Why pray? (5/5/2008 5:43:39 AM)

Why Pray? perhaps because we are commanded to. We are told to present out petitions to Him. He answers all prayers, sometimes it is not His will so the answer is no. No is still an answer. Not the one we want or like but still answered. If we pray for healing and He takes the person to be with Him is that not the ultimate healing? If we pray for healing and He heals the person does that not give us joy and perhaps a little more faith in Him. Also as He is the ultimate power and Lord of all and He is in charge then it is Him we should ask all things of and give thanks for all things. All comes from Him. In a way it is our recognizing Him as Lord and the only one who gives us good gifts. Does He know what we need and want? Yes Does He know what we will say in prayer? Yes But we dont. Sometimes in prayer we are in Spirit and we pray His will, thus learning His will for us.

Prayer more often than not more aligns our will with His. When we are praying we ask much and discuss much with Him. He is our Father in Heaven and children talk to their parents in the natural how much more ought we talk to our Heavenly Father for He is the one who has all the answers. Many times I have prayed much on a subject and came to realize His will was not what mine was and I had to realign my will to His. As we are told to pray without ceasing. Realizing that He controls all we show our realization of our dependence on Him by praying to Him.

And last we are to become more like His Son Jesus and He was also an example to us while He was on earth and if He thought it important to pray and His being God how much more ought we to pray. After all Jesus prayed all night before choosing the 12 should we pray any less. No our decisions to make are no ways as important but should we not ask Him for His wisdom for it is much better than ours. Remember He created all things so He knows how all things will work and what will not work.

OK I was wrong one more thing to consider. As children we ask our fathers for things because we see him as knowing all or knowing better and being able to give us what we want. How much more with a Heavenly Father who owns all and controls all be the one we look to for all things. Are we not His children.



URForgiven -> RE: Why pray? (5/5/2008 8:25:20 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CarlaJames

I hope this makes sense....if God knows from the beginning how we will live, how and when we will die, and what we will struggle with in life, then what is the point in praying?

Why pray for a sick family member? Since God knows from day one when they will die, will our prayers change his mind? I don't understand, this is somthing I stuggle with.

Maybe it's the devil, but sometimes when I'm praying and asking God to help someone or take care of someone, I wonder...why am I even asking he already knows what he's gonna do, I can't change his mind.


We do not pray to change Gods mind, we pray to know Gods mind.

Peace



broken2live4him -> RE: Why pray? (5/5/2008 8:40:16 AM)

Hiya Carla

praying changes you. it doesn't change God. prayer is our communication line with God. talking with God is like talking to a friend. How are you going to get to know your friend if you don't talk with him or her. We talk to God because in prayer we are getting to know God, and God speaks to our heart and through His Word. prayer is our lifeline. God wants a relationship with us. You're right that He knows all, but He also desires to hear from His children. He is our Abba, and prayer is the way we have to communicate with Him. Also THERE IS POWER IN PRAYER, and prayer is also a comfort. Isaiah 40 teaches us "they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. they shall run and not be weary. they shall walk and not faint." the Bible also tells us to "pray without ceasing," and there are many ways to pray, like writing out a prayer to the Lord if you are at a loss verbally how to express yourself. Enjoy prayer because prayer changes us and changes our outlook and because prayer is communing in the presence of the Lord.



SonInMe1 -> RE: Why pray? (5/5/2008 10:05:13 AM)

James 4:1-3

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?
4:2
You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.
4:3
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.



LCannon -> RE: Why pray? (5/5/2008 11:54:00 AM)

A Useless Thing

Ah, a novel idea! Of course it came from another source but can I appropriate it? The novelty is that prayer changes things. Prayer does not change things; we all know that but rarely admit it. It’s a sweet notion but prayer only changes our focus.

Elisabeth Elliot said, "Sometimes obedience means the willingness to do the
useless thing in order that God may do the great thing." Our prayer is a “useless thing”.

Whoa! How does mouthing some words affect external circumstances never mind eternal ones? Probably I could save my breath and yearnings if not for the assurance in hope in the blood and victory of Jesus’ cross.
But obedience in a “useless thing”, a simple courtesy extended to martyrdom in His name will allow the eternal Jehovah to do the great thing. Not in ease or sympathy but in boldness and power; the power that raised the Messiah to resurrection life.

All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all!

Num. 14:11-“And Jehovah huffed, “How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe me, for all the signs which I have done among them? I will smite them with pestilence and destroy them and will make the nations greater and mightier than they.” Then Moses pled to Jehovah, “But the nations will hear it; for from the midst you brought this people up and they will tell the inhabitants of this land that you, Jehovah, let your power be seen eye to eye and that your cloud stands over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. But if you destroy this people as one man, then the nations that have heard your fame will smirk, “Ha! Jehovah was not able to bring this people into the land that he had sworn unto them, he is impotent before them and they rotted in the wilderness.” Now, I beseech thee, let the power of the Lord be great, according to your word, “Jehovah is slow to anger and abundant in goodness, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but by no means dismissing the guilty . . .”

Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of thy loving-kindness, and as thou has forgiven this people . . . even until now.”



Ephesians4_32 -> RE: Why pray? (5/5/2008 2:36:31 PM)

Actually, there's more to prayer than just supplication.

Deuteronomy 8
10When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.

1 Chronicles 16
34O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Philippians 4
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Matthew 6
6But 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.

Matthew 7
11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Matthew 21
21Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

James 1
5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Matthew 6
7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.


Matthew 6
31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.


I'll be the first to say I don't understand the ins and outs of prayer; but I know God wants us to pray.



SonInMe1 -> RE: Why pray? (5/5/2008 8:45:11 PM)

My "prayer formula"

Praise Him

Ask Him

Thank Him.

quote:

Prayer does not change things; we all know that but rarely admit it. It’s a sweet notion but prayer only changes our focus.


I disagree 99%. Prayer is effective and does work true miricles from God. Its an amazing tool in our spiritual arsenal, one of the best.

The one percent I agree with is it is true, there is a positive reinforcement when we speak our prayers to God out loud. A spoken prayer does have more power in our lives and I think a lot of that "extra" power is us hearing our prayers out loud.



gmc4Jesus -> RE: Why pray? (5/5/2008 11:27:22 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: URForgiven

We do not pray to change Gods mind, we pray to know Gods mind.

Peace


I do pray to change God's mind. I seek His divine intervention in the matters that I am bringing to Him!

Abraham prayed for God to not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. God listend and at least warned Lot to get his wife and daughters out of town.

Moses prayed and persuaded God not to destroy the rebellious, disrespectful Israselites.

Scripture is full of people who prayed and changed God's mind. That is one reason that I pray.

I also pray because I need to remind myself that I am dependent on God for all I seek to do.

I will pray for you and all others who read this thread, that you will not lose heart in the power and need for prayer.



makarizo -> RE: Why pray? (5/6/2008 6:42:54 AM)

Jas 5:15 the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick,

as 5:16 The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.


the question "why pray" is more of a question of faith than it is an actual question.



DaveW -> RE: Why pray? (5/6/2008 7:16:11 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CarlaJames

I hope this makes sense....if God knows from the beginning how we will live, how and when we will die, and what we will struggle with in life, then what is the point in praying?

Why pray for a sick family member? Since God knows from day one when they will die, will our prayers change his mind? I don't understand, this is somthing I stuggle with.

Maybe it's the devil, but sometimes when I'm praying and asking God to help someone or take care of someone, I wonder...why am I even asking he already knows what he's gonna do, I can't change his mind.
If you had a child that you know would learn to eat, walk, talk, clothe themselves, etc, why communicate with him or her?

THe answer is the same. As has been pointed out, you cannot relate to someone you cannot communicate with. (2 way communication)

I sense you are seeing prayer as ONLY presenting your wish list to God. That is the same as your kid saying nothing but "GIMME GIMME GIMME!!!!"

Pray in order to get to know personally Our Father, Our Brother and the Holy Spirit.



CarlaJames -> RE: Why pray? (5/6/2008 8:30:21 AM)

I think I'm being misunderstood..I know the reasons and importance of prayer.

I guess what I'm asking is specifically about when asking God for help. How do you have faith He will heal someone or take care of a situation when you don't know His will?

For instance, I'll catch myself praying for my friend to stop smoking. But how can I have faith He will answer? His will might just be for her to die of lung cancer. We don't know His will so it seems hard for me to have faith that things will work out this way or that way. Then free will comes into the picture. It's confusing. Maybe that wasn't a good example.

Try this one...I pray each day for God to watch over my son. But how do I have faith he will keep him safe? What if it's God's will that my son be hit by a car today?



URForgiven -> RE: Why pray? (5/6/2008 9:09:11 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: gmc4Jesus

quote:

ORIGINAL: URForgiven

We do not pray to change Gods mind, we pray to know Gods mind.

Peace


I do pray to change God's mind. I seek His divine intervention in the matters that I am bringing to Him!

Abraham prayed for God to not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. God listend and at least warned Lot to get his wife and daughters out of town.

Moses prayed and persuaded God not to destroy the rebellious, disrespectful Israselites.

Scripture is full of people who prayed and changed God's mind. That is one reason that I pray.

I also pray because I need to remind myself that I am dependent on God for all I seek to do.

I will pray for you and all others who read this thread, that you will not lose heart in the power and need for prayer.


There is no power in prayer, the power is in the One to whom you pray.

If you believe that you can change Gods mind then you believe that you control God. That is simply beyond the realm of possibility.

God is the Initiator, at all times and in every way. We are the responders.

Peace



BibleL7 -> RE: Why pray? (5/6/2008 9:44:50 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CarlaJames

I think I'm being misunderstood..I know the reasons and importance of prayer.

I guess what I'm asking is specifically about when asking God for help. How do you have faith He will heal someone or take care of a situation when you don't know His will?

For instance, I'll catch myself praying for my friend to stop smoking. But how can I have faith He will answer? His will might just be for her to die of lung cancer. We don't know His will so it seems hard for me to have faith that things will work out this way or that way. Then free will comes into the picture. It's confusing. Maybe that wasn't a good example.

Try this one...I pray each day for God to watch over my son. But how do I have faith he will keep him safe? What if it's God's will that my son be hit by a car today?


Faith is trusting in Him and without prayer and faith you will not know of His will other than what is written. Have the faith and ask Him for more faith. As far as keeping your son save pray for it and have faith. If things dont turn out the way you think they should does not mean you lacked faith or your prayer was not answered or that it was pointless. One thing for sure if you dont pray you will not have the possibility to gain faith or learn of His will. Many times when in prayer He will reveal His will in your heart. Yes He is Sovreign and His will shall be done, that is not a reason to not pray and talk to Him.

If you are looking to pray in His will and know for sure your prayers will be answered you need to trust Him. If you are looking for assurance that you will get just what you want by praying, forget it. We should not even entertain the thought that we can dictate to an almighty God our will or wishes. But I will say if you dont pray because you lack faith then it is not likely you will receive any faith either. You may say this is harsh but it seems in your post you are asking how to get everything you want and if you cant you dont want to pray. Remember He made us not the other way around, as His Word says can the clay ask the potter why hast thou made me such?



Ephesians4_32 -> RE: Why pray? (5/6/2008 10:09:55 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CarlaJames

I think I'm being misunderstood..I know the reasons and importance of prayer.

I guess what I'm asking is specifically about when asking God for help. How do you have faith He will heal someone or take care of a situation when you don't know His will?


We don't always see the BIG picture. If we receive the answer He chooses to give, do we complain like the Israelites did about the manna? Or do we trust Him altogether and thank Him for helping us through another day?

quote:

ORIGINAL: CarlaJames
For instance, I'll catch myself praying for my friend to stop smoking. But how can I have faith He will answer? His will might just be for her to die of lung cancer.


Are you saying that you might not like His will? I prayed for my husband to stop smoking for about thirty years. He finally stopped! But he does have COPD.

quote:

ORIGINAL: CarlaJames
We don't know His will so it seems hard for me to have faith that things will work out this way or that way. Then free will comes into the picture. It's confusing. Maybe that wasn't a good example.


I think we have to have faith that His will is better for us than our idea of what His will should be. I know it's hard to accept that, and I've been where you are, but I think I'm learning that He'll get through the tough times.

quote:

ORIGINAL: CarlaJames
Try this one...I pray each day for God to watch over my son. But how do I have faith he will keep him safe? What if it's God's will that my son be hit by a car today?


Satan wants you to spend as much time as possible worrying about future events instead of spending time thinking about the blessings we receive every day. Thank God that He has protected your son every single day so far!

Philippians 4
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Psalm 30
12To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Psalm 31
24Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

If you have faith, He will strengthen you. That's a promise! So if life brings you what seem like unbearable problems, He'll give you strength to get through those problems. Satan wants you to doubt this. Will you spend time in the word and trust God who doesn't lie, or will you listen to Satan who not only lies but wants you to be miserable?

Deuteronomy 31
8And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Isaiah 41
10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!



PopsiLufsJesus -> RE: Why pray? (5/6/2008 10:18:27 AM)

I like much of what the others have been saying. The first thing that came to my mind when I read the post was all the times Jesus took the time out to spend time with His Father. I don't believe He did this as a light thing, but to be an example to us as in all the other areas of our lives. We need to spend time with the Father...whether we are asking that we might receive, whether we are just talking to Him, whether we are praying for others...anything. He is our Father, He understands completely, He answers prayers, He talks to us...He gives us the strength we need. When we are with Him we can't leave the same-we can't leave empty...

Prayer is huge!



tiffywal -> RE: Why pray? (5/6/2008 12:59:26 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CarlaJames

I think I'm being misunderstood..I know the reasons and importance of prayer.

I guess what I'm asking is specifically about when asking God for help. How do you have faith He will heal someone or take care of a situation when you don't know His will?

For instance, I'll catch myself praying for my friend to stop smoking. But how can I have faith He will answer? His will might just be for her to die of lung cancer. We don't know His will so it seems hard for me to have faith that things will work out this way or that way. Then free will comes into the picture. It's confusing. Maybe that wasn't a good example.

Try this one...I pray each day for God to watch over my son. But how do I have faith he will keep him safe? What if it's God's will that my son be hit by a car today?




Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. You know without faith it is impossible to please God. The word also says that it only takes faith the size of a mustard seed to speak to a mountain. Pray and ask God for wisdom to the answers you seek. Prayer is important to our relationship with God. Having faith is important to God. You pray for your son everyday. You pray for a protection over his life and believe (have faith) that is is done. Faith is a daily practice. It should be apart of your daily living. Don't question it. Seek counsel from your pastor or a minister at your church. They should be able to help you.



makarizo -> RE: Why pray? (5/6/2008 6:20:45 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CarlaJames


I guess what I'm asking is specifically about when asking God for help. How do you have faith He will heal someone or take care of a situation when you don't know His will?

are you asking where faith comes from? how to acquire more faith?

when I pray for someone, I am in the habit of 'giving it' to the Lord, In faith, I hand it over to Him (sometimes continually) and believe that in God's timing and only according to His will, it will happen.

Luk 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"
Luk 17:6 And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you.
Luk 17:7 "Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'?
Luk 17:8 "But will he not really say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'?
Luk 17:9 "He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he?
Luk 17:10 "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"



JMCrwd -> RE: Why pray? (5/7/2008 9:43:14 PM)

God said we have not because we ask not. He knows what we need before we ask, He just wants us to ask.



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