Prayer...

[Radiant1]

Originally Posted by Starman3000m

Yes, libby, you will be corrected.

She doesn't need to be corrected, the observation is there for all. It's highly revealing that you chose to spend time on your anti-Catholic rhetoric instead of an ecumenical discussion on Christian prayer.

[Starman3000m]

Originally Posted by Radiant1

She doesn't need to be corrected, the observation is there for all. It's highly revealing that you chose to spend time on your anti-Catholic rhetoric instead of an ecumenical discussion on Christian prayer.

Prayers for wisdom and daily guidance and any prayer petitions are to be directed exclusively to and through the Lordship of the New Testament Jesus Christ alone and not through Mary, saints or relatives that have passed on.

Expectant answers are to be accepted as God's Will not our will.

Thus the meaning of: There Is Only One Truth (John 14:6)

[Radiant1]

Originally Posted by Starman3000m

Prayers for wisdom and daily guidance and any prayer petitions are to be directed exclusively to and through the Lordship of the New Testament Jesus Christ alone and not through Mary, saints or relatives that have passed on.

Expectant answers are to be accepted as God's Will not our will.

Thus the meaning of: There Is Only One Truth (John 14:6)

So, do you actually pray for wisdom and daily guidance?

[Starman3000m]

Originally Posted by Radiant1

So, do you actually pray for wisdom and daily guidance?

Yes, and, as mentioned, my prayers are directed exclusively to the Lordship of the New Testament Jesus Christ. In my prayers I thank Him for saving my soul not for what I have done or could ever do but by faith in what He has done to bring Salvation to all mankind who personally invites Him to be his/her Lord and Saviour. Since my faults are ever present before Him, I ask God to search my heart daily and cleanse me from all unrighteousness as Christ promised He would. I ask forgiveness for my sins and shortcomings and acknowledge that without Him and without the guidance and empowering of His Holy Spirit as my Comforter I can do nothing.

[Starman3000m]

Okay, PsyOps, care to share now or are you still waiting for more people to respond?

[libby]

Originally Posted by Starman3000m

Yes, and, as mentioned, my prayers are directed exclusively to the Lordship of the New Testament Jesus Christ. In my prayers I thank Him for saving my soul not for what I have done or could ever do but by faith in what He has done to bring Salvation to all mankind who personally invites Him to be his/her Lord and Saviour. Since my faults are ever present before Him, I ask God to search my heart daily and cleanse me from all unrighteousness as Christ promised He would. I ask forgiveness for my sins and shortcomings and acknowledge that without Him and without the guidance and empowering of His Holy Spirit as my Comforter I can do nothing.

Baloney.

[PsyOps (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Starman3000m

Okay, PsyOps, care to share now or are you still waiting for more people to respond?

[cricketmd]

Mine is usually always in thanksgiving then if I know of a friend/loved one in need I pray for them too, their families and even their pets. I pray in the morning and at night and very rarely for myself, well not unless I'm in a bad thunder storm then its -help! help! help!

Hope that helps! Just being honest!

[PsyOps (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Starman3000m

Okay, PsyOps, care to share now or are you still waiting for more people to respond?

When you look at the Lord’s prayer he put things in a specific order for a reason.

1. God is holy
2. Pray for His kingdom and will to be fulfilled
3. Continue to provide us of our needs
4. Forgive
5. Give us strength to fend off temptation and evil

It wasn't until #3 that Jesus told us to actually ask for something for ourselves; and that is an absolute need: sustenance.

That being said… I don’t believe God answers prayers in healing illnesses, or winning the lottery, or picking a football team because you have a bet riding on it. I knew a girl when I was in elementary school who got a brain tumor; it was malignant. Countless prayers from devout Christians and ministers could not stop her from dying. She suffered terribly and died before she left the 6th grade. It was, in my young life, one of the saddest moments I can remember. Even at such a young age, it changed my thinking about how God answers prayers. I don’t think He gets involved in healing this person and not healing that person. It makes no sense why he would pick the most devoid Christian so suffer and die while someone who isn’t a Christian to be healed. I think He created nature and allows His nature to take its course.

Where God does interfere is with our spiritual health.

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. - James 5:14-15

I think this verse is talking about spiritual sickness. Where it says “and the Lord will raise him up” is the clue, that we should pray for someone’s salvation so they will be spiritually healed. But some folks believe this is referring to physical illness and that we should pray over them and physical healing will result. I have to rely on real life experience and say this just doesn’t happen.

If you remain in me and my word remains in you, ask anything you wish and it will be given you. - John 15:7

Again, I believe God is talking about spiritual things. I don't think God intends for us to be asking for a new car or win the lottery or even saving us from death from a disease. We have all we need with the food He already provides and the clothes on our backs. Spiritual wealth is all we should be asking for. All the passage earlier in this chapter are talking about spiritual things.

Prayer is supposed to help us communicate with God in our spirit and lift us up, get us closer to God in understanding His will, and give us strength.

[Starman3000m]

Originally Posted by PsyOps

...Prayer is supposed to help us communicate with God in our spirit and lift us up, get us closer to God in understanding His will, and give us strength.

Good post PsyOps, thanks. God is always readily available to listen to the sincere, heart-felt prayers of anyone who seeks His guidance and help. The answer will always be according to His Divine Will. When I go before The Lord with a prayer petition, I also understand that God knows beforehand what I will be praying for, my intentions for the prayer, and I thank Him for whatever His resulting answer will be. I have found that in my prayers, God's answer will always be within His perfect timing to respond, never too soon and never too late.

I also find the following Bible Scripture about Prayer quite comforting:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, bretheren, 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. (Philippians: 4:6-8)