Prayer...

*PsyOps* ^(Premo) · 02-06-2012, 06:36 PM

I was going to put this in a reply to another thread but decided to make a thread. I'm sure it's been discussed ad nauseum but...

All this talk about prayer… I’m curious what you folks see as the purpose in prayer:

- Ask for things (i.e. healing, strength, peace, money, etc…)
- Pray that things generally go well (world peace, be rid fo global disease, etc…)
- Prayer gives you inner strength and peace (no matter what the physical outcome it) and brings you closer to God.
- All the above or some combination of the above

Regardless of whether you ask people here on earth to pray for you or those who have passed on that you believe are with God, and you ask for something specific – like curing you of cancer – is it with an expectation that God will hear that prayer and heal you?

I have my answer but I’m curious about what you good folks think.

libby · 02-06-2012, 06:57 PM

I think all of us would have to admit to asking for temporal things in prayer, although over the years I have worked hard to avoid that sort of thing. Daily my prayer is that my children are kept from spiritual and physical danger, and that God gives me the grace to follow Him, wherever He should lead me. I ask Him to help me recognize and respond to the magnitude of the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and love Him above all things.
While I do ask God for forgiveness of my sins, I wish I understood a little better how much they offend Him.

*Bird Dog* ^(Premo) · 02-06-2012, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsyOps

I was going to put this in a reply to another thread but decided to make a thread. I'm sure it's been discussed ad nauseum but...

All this talk about prayer… I’m curious what you folks see as the purpose in

Regardless of whether you ask people here on earth to pray for you or those who have passed on that you believe are with God

I have my answer but I’m curious about what you good folks think.

Prayer keeps me on track. Without it I would stray.

I am easily tempted to go off track.

BD is not a Saint.

Radiant1 · 02-07-2012, 07:04 AM

My prayer these days consist of a more contemplative style, centering and Lectio Divina. I just open myself up and let God do His work. Not my will but Yours be done and may I have the grace to accept it no matter what it may be. When it comes to other forms, I become speachless, just can't get it out, so I let God read my heart. I am, in some ways, amidst a Dark Night.

Centering Prayer
Lectio Divina

libby · 02-07-2012, 07:07 AM

I'm thinking something....I'll wait a little bit to share...hmmmm....

*PsyOps* ^(Premo) · 02-07-2012, 03:15 PM

Do you get together in groups to pray for someone that is sick with the expectation that, through these prayers, the person will be healed?

Quote:

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. - James 5:14-16

Does this passage really mean healing in the physical sense? Does it really mean that if we have faith enough, EVERYONE we pray for should be and will healed?

libby · 02-07-2012, 03:41 PM

I'm sure Protestant churches, like Catholic churches, have a list of the sick/infirm that need our prayers. They are prayed for at every Mass.
As a group, my Catholic friends will get together to pray for anyone who is sick or injured, and it's both for physical healing as well as healing of the soul, if the person is away from the Lord.

In some of the groups I have been in there has been the particular intention of "praying for those who have no one to pray for them."
I was so moved by this years ago and it has always stuck with me.

Still thinkin'...

2ndAmendment · 02-07-2012, 04:18 PM

Prayer is all of those and more.

Praying for temporal things is not wrong; "Give us our daily bread" comes to mind. If it was OK with Jesus, it is OK with me.

Praying for a new Harley or to win the lottery is another thing. Wrong? Probably not, but best use of prayer; also probably not. But even that is in line with:

Quote:

Philippians 4:6

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Temporal things come in three categories:

Needs - God promises to fill these, but we are to ask and be thankful.
Wants - The answer might be no, wait, or OK. Depends on if it is good for you in relation to Him.
Desires of the heart - Kind of like wants but more important.

But desires of the heart can be more than temporal. You desire for your family to be saved. You desire to be closer in your walk with God.

I am in prayer to praise, to petition, to thank, and to just talk. He is our Father. I was close to my father and we could talk about anything. God wants us to be close to Him. What better way than to be in constant communication.

libby · 02-08-2012, 07:04 AM

Okay, this thread was started 36-48 hours ago. In that time, neither SM nor IS has posted anything about how they pray; I believe that is because they don't. Sure, they probably hold hands in an assembly of people so, like the Pharisees, people can see them prattling on; but alone, with only God listening, no. That would explain why they behave the way they do. They are so busy telling everyone else what they think God wants others to hear, they don't bother shutting their mouths and opening their hearts to hear what God wants of them! They don't examine themselves and contemplate what the word of God and the Word of God really mean and what they call us to be.
Now, I expect, I'll be "corrected".

Starman3000m · 02-08-2012, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by libby

Okay, this thread was started 36-48 hours ago. In that time, neither SM nor IS has posted anything about how they pray; I believe that is because they don't. Sure, they probably hold hands in an assembly of people so, like the Pharisees, people can see them prattling on; but alone, with only God listening, no. That would explain why they behave the way they do. They are so busy telling everyone else what they think God wants others to hear, they don't bother shutting their mouths and opening their hearts to hear what God wants of them! They don't examine themselves and contemplate what the word of God and the Word of God really mean and what they call us to be.
Now, I expect, I'll be "corrected".

Yes, libby, you will be corrected.

02-06-2012, 06:36 PM	#1
PsyOps ^(Premo) Pixelated Member Since: Sep 2006 Posts: 21,665	Prayer... I was going to put this in a reply to another thread but decided to make a thread. I'm sure it's been discussed ad nauseum but... All this talk about prayer… I’m curious what you folks see as the purpose in prayer: - Ask for things (i.e. healing, strength, peace, money, etc…) - Pray that things generally go well (world peace, be rid fo global disease, etc…) - Prayer gives you inner strength and peace (no matter what the physical outcome it) and brings you closer to God. - All the above or some combination of the above Regardless of whether you ask people here on earth to pray for you or those who have passed on that you believe are with God, and you ask for something specific – like curing you of cancer – is it with an expectation that God will hear that prayer and heal you? I have my answer but I’m curious about what you good folks think. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Add post to Facebook __________________ You get the government you deserve.
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02-06-2012, 06:57 PM	#2
libby Registered User Member Since: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,677	I think all of us would have to admit to asking for temporal things in prayer, although over the years I have worked hard to avoid that sort of thing. Daily my prayer is that my children are kept from spiritual and physical danger, and that God gives me the grace to follow Him, wherever He should lead me. I ask Him to help me recognize and respond to the magnitude of the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and love Him above all things. While I do ask God for forgiveness of my sins, I wish I understood a little better how much they offend Him. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Add post to Facebook
	[ Reply w/Quote ]

02-07-2012, 07:04 AM	#4
Radiant1 Soul Probe Member Since: Apr 2007 Location: at the mountaintop Posts: 5,658	My prayer these days consist of a more contemplative style, centering and Lectio Divina. I just open myself up and let God do His work. Not my will but Yours be done and may I have the grace to accept it no matter what it may be. When it comes to other forms, I become speachless, just can't get it out, so I let God read my heart. I am, in some ways, amidst a Dark Night. Centering Prayer Lectio Divina Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Add post to Facebook __________________ "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly." ~ Richard Bach "If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security." ~ Gail Sheehy
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02-07-2012, 07:07 AM	#5
libby Registered User Member Since: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,677	I'm thinking something....I'll wait a little bit to share...hmmmm.... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Add post to Facebook
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02-07-2012, 03:41 PM	#7
libby Registered User Member Since: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,677	I'm sure Protestant churches, like Catholic churches, have a list of the sick/infirm that need our prayers. They are prayed for at every Mass. As a group, my Catholic friends will get together to pray for anyone who is sick or injured, and it's both for physical healing as well as healing of the soul, if the person is away from the Lord. In some of the groups I have been in there has been the particular intention of "praying for those who have no one to pray for them." I was so moved by this years ago and it has always stuck with me. Still thinkin'... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Add post to Facebook
	[ Reply w/Quote ]


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02-08-2012, 07:04 AM	#9
libby Registered User Member Since: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,677	now we know what the problem is! Okay, this thread was started 36-48 hours ago. In that time, neither SM nor IS has posted anything about how they pray; I believe that is because they don't. Sure, they probably hold hands in an assembly of people so, like the Pharisees, people can see them prattling on; but alone, with only God listening, no. That would explain why they behave the way they do. They are so busy telling everyone else what they think God wants others to hear, they don't bother shutting their mouths and opening their hearts to hear what God wants of them! They don't examine themselves and contemplate what the word of God and the Word of God really mean and what they call us to be. Now, I expect, I'll be "corrected". Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Add post to Facebook
	[ Reply w/Quote ]

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