How else does the Catholic send Mary those notes if not by prayer? But, you have jogged my memory. I think I may also have prayed to Jesus hoping he would pass on my requests to the Father.
Then on what do you base the assertion that Satan cannot answer prayers, not even to fulfill his own devious plans?
When I said my prayers many years ago Satan would only have had to enter my room to overhear my words which were spoken out loud; and why should this cause him pain? Again, I think you are making assumptions, but based perhaps only upon the way you would like things to be. Now, if in scripture we are told that prayers should be spoken silently so as to prevent their being overheard by Satan, why then you would had an argument.
What do you mean?
1. In my little parable here the notes are the prayers if you will.
2. I base the assertion that Satan cannot answer prayers because Satan does not possess that power. The power to answer prayers is God's alone.
3. Aye on this account I am making an assumption that it is painful for Satan when one prays to God as that would show beleif in God. Though indeed, I know not if this be true for certain. Perhaps he may hear them but not understand such. As I said I know not how the confused mind of the animal works.
4. I mean I know not how the confused mind of the animal works, thus I cannot know if when one prays to God it is painful for the Enemy or whether it is not. But really it matter not.
As far as a cripture on prayer repellign the devil, though I know not if it causes him actual pain, or merely he simply must flee before God I base that assumption off The Temptation episode found in the Gospels as well as these verses:
James 4:6-8
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6 [/SUP]But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
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7 [/SUP]Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
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8 [/SUP]Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
As far as scriptures in terms of praying silently, I believe it is good to pray silently, not because of Satan overhearing you or anything absurd like that, but because it reflects a genuineness of the prayer to the Lord Christ Jesus.
Matthew 6:5-13
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5 [/SUP]And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
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6 [/SUP]But 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.
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7 [/SUP]But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
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8 [/SUP]Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
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9 [/SUP]After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
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10 [/SUP]Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
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11 [/SUP]Give us this day our daily bread.
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12 [/SUP]And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
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13 [/SUP]And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
), but in person sometimes I let a "discussion" get to me. It is understandable, since we feel that salvation is important (and it is), but " A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1) We must stand firm in our faith and in the truth, but more people will see God through His love.