Questions about prayer

[Monika]

I know it's hard to think that God who knows everything and has a plan could possibly be swayed or persuaded by our prayers but he does answer prayers. Not always according to how we would like it to be, but remember Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. He said if there is any other way but your will. Sometimes our prayer is to confirm our lives to his will. It also gives us the ability to pour out heart out to God and he has compassion because he loves us.
Often I compare to children asking parents for things. Generally speaking if our children ask us we have an answer even if it's no. We also have an explanation for them, so they can learn. But even sometimes they will ask for what they know is going to happen. They may ask for dinner or lunch knowing we are going to feed them, but it builds that trust and bond. My son used to ask how many days until big events like trips to visit family or something. Some times I couldn't give him that answer because I didn't have a set date yet, but I would assume him that it is going to happen and say be patient or something must happen first. So when he would see the thing happening like maybe doing pretrip maintenance on the car he would know we were close to going. I hope these examples help.

Yes it does help as I have 3 children and often compare things to being a mother to my kids. It does make more sense when I think about it in this way.
Thank you for your response 🙂

 

[Monika]

Posthuman in post #2 nailed it. After praying for someone try to sit quietly and listen. This is not easy, our minds are cluttered; but sometimes your heart will be changed. Maybe you will get up and write a note of encouragement. Maybe you gain some better understanding of suffering, maybe it's a message about courage. Maybe you will be convicted of something totally off-topic, you will arise and help someone totally unrelated. Sometimes I get up and help with the dishes.

How can you differentiate if it’s God speaking to you or your own thoughts? I’m a new Christian with not much experience and my mind sometimes wonders into a flesh way of thinking or I even get intrusive thoughts. Will it be clear to me in if it is from God? I heard that your thoughts either come from God, yourself or the devil, if so how will I know the difference?

 

[Monika]

The True purpose of prayer was not focused on changing others or the world around you. It was about communication with God, on a personal level. That so many view prayer as nothing more than a time to ask God favors reveals how far off things have gone.
God changes you, you go out in the world and change it. Not you go ask God to change the world then go to sleep thinking you connected with God.

These are my thoughts also and I have been focused on connecting with God. But the more I talk to Christians, watch you tube videos or listen to preachers they emphasis the importance of prayers for others.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

What I find difficult around the words “believe” or “have faith” is I need to have a good understanding and security around what I am putting my faith into and seek answers.
Even quoting scriptures at times doesn’t feel helpful around my question (if I’m in the right religion) because anyone in any religion could quote their scriptures. This is why I asked for a confirmation from God that I am on the right path in prayer. I feel like a child trying to find her way but feeling lost but trying to do what is right.
I think it is important to have knowledge and understanding in areas mentally working upto having an understanding to the Bible you must grow mentally to a point before understanding, the Holy Spirit of coarse will also help with understanding.
I just hate not feeling secure and questioning things as I feel lost in those times. The Bible makes sense to me especially when Jesus talks, it’s the Old Testament I struggle with. But still I will continue with my faith, God and Christianity as I have made a commitment to Him. I just hope I am doing what is right not only for my sake but my children’s also because the thought of Hell haunts me.

yes but what of you didn’t look at it as “
Quoting that scripture “ but instead you were hearing what God teachings to believers for everlasting life ?


“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:45‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:22, 24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

when he says all judgement it doesn’t just mean judgement like end time judgement for sin , but it’s all of Gods judgements about life and death good and evil even subjects like prayer .

I suppose what I’m saying is you came to a Bible discussion forum to inquire about prayer and faith and the scripture is what Gods answer is , our place in this what I was saying is this the word needs time to rest in your believing heart before you see it fully working or even understand it

it’s metaphorically like our heart is a plot of soul , and the seed of God is his word in the gospel the word of the kingdom. What he says is if we receive his word , and continuing in it believing and seeking as you are now understanding is like a seed growing in your mind and heart and over lersevering and putting it into practice in our own lives as we learn first hearing what he said , believe him , eventually faith accomplishes a changing of our minds so that we begin to grow a bit more and then more and more as we continue on following Christ we’re going to grow in his light in our understanding faith is when our thinking begins to change by belief and perseverance

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

it comes because we believe his word in the gospel so like our thinking about prayer and our belief of prayer needs to be shaped by the gospel of we’re reading it , discussing it directly or just learn what he said and talk about those things

we don’t have to quote scripture but we need to stick to what he taught and have to first hear what he said in the gospel that’s important part of scripture otherwise we could claim God said anything but now we have his own words recorded and offered to all for belief

Regarding prayer of you look at the ot it builds a lot of faith also if you hear and believe the scriptures and the testimony they give of a man praying that it didn’t rain for three and a half years , and it didn’t until he prayed that it would again .

Or Daniel praying among a pride of starving lions all night and being untouched in the morning while his captors thrown in were devoured before they hit the ground it builds faith but it’s found in scripture

a man praying to God for more years added to his life even as God had declared his time and God answering his prayer and giving him more years . It’s not just quoting scriptures that would t help but to believe them becomes faith

 

[CS1]

It’s just hard in times of doubt when I ask if I am in the right religion as every religion is faith based. I feel that I am on the right path because when I became a Christian about a month ago I felt the Holy Spirit come into me. That night my eyes opened, I got on my knees and cried out to God and ever since I became born again I feel the Holy Spirit live inside of me. I just have days of doubt and get depressed by it and disappointed because I don’t want to make God sad or disappointed by it. I really prayed for a sign just to confirm this is the way and got nothing. So I felt disappointed/rejected.

You did not get religion when you prayed you entered into a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He will never abandon you. He will with you always every time you pray HE hears you every time. Now you may not feel the presence of God every day but by faith, HE is there with you and if you start to thank him when you feel bad that is faith at work God says HE inhabits the praises of HIS People you will feel his presence again and we are to encourage ourselves in the Lord meaning, Do so when you feel sad or bad.

Do this with me forget everyone else for a moment right now where you ARE lift up your hands and cry out to the lord I love you Lord and I thank you for saving me. Thank you Lord for this day thank you, Lord, for my life and the things you have given me. Thank you for your word, thank you for the Holy Spirit Thank you, thank you. amen

As you do this the presence of the Lord will come upon you and you will be comforted by HIM. in Jesus' name amen.

 

[Monika]

You did not get religion when you prayed you entered into a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He will never abandon you. He will with you always every time you pray HE hears you every time. Now you may not feel the presence of God every day but by faith, HE is there with you and if you start to thank him when you feel bad that is faith at work God says HE inhabits the praises of HIS People you will feel his presence again and we are to encourage ourselves in the Lord meaning, Do so when you feel sad or bad.

Do this with me forget everyone else for a moment right now where you ARE lift up your hands and cry out to the lord I love you Lord and I thank you for saving me. Thank you Lord for this day thank you, Lord, for my life and the things you have given me. Thank you for your word, thank you for the Holy Spirit Thank you, thank you. amen

As you do this the presence of the Lord will come upon you and you will be comforted by HIM. in Jesus' name amen.

There has been much debate about the word religion but by true definition it means (the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods).

Thank you for your great response. I am working on my faith I just need a good sense of security around what I am putting my faith into. Plus at times I feel like I cannot trust my own thoughts as it also says in the Bible not to lean on your own understanding. But I will continue seeking answers and growing in faith.
I appreciate your encouragement and can definitely feel the love through your words.

 

[Monika]

yes but what of you didn’t look at it as “
Quoting that scripture “ but instead you were hearing what God teachings to believers for everlasting life ?


“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:45‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:22, 24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

when he says all judgement it doesn’t just mean judgement like end time judgement for sin , but it’s all of Gods judgements about life and death good and evil even subjects like prayer .

I suppose what I’m saying is you came to a Bible discussion forum to inquire about prayer and faith and the scripture is what Gods answer is , our place in this what I was saying is this the word needs time to rest in your believing heart before you see it fully working or even understand it

it’s metaphorically like our heart is a plot of soul , and the seed of God is his word in the gospel the word of the kingdom. What he says is if we receive his word , and continuing in it believing and seeking as you are now understanding is like a seed growing in your mind and heart and over lersevering and putting it into practice in our own lives as we learn first hearing what he said , believe him , eventually faith accomplishes a changing of our minds so that we begin to grow a bit more and then more and more as we continue on following Christ we’re going to grow in his light in our understanding faith is when our thinking begins to change by belief and perseverance

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

it comes because we believe his word in the gospel so like our thinking about prayer and our belief of prayer needs to be shaped by the gospel of we’re reading it , discussing it directly or just learn what he said and talk about those things

we don’t have to quote scripture but we need to stick to what he taught and have to first hear what he said in the gospel that’s important part of scripture otherwise we could claim God said anything but now we have his own words recorded and offered to all for belief

Regarding prayer of you look at the ot it builds a lot of faith also if you hear and believe the scriptures and the testimony they give of a man praying that it didn’t rain for three and a half years , and it didn’t until he prayed that it would again .

Or Daniel praying among a pride of starving lions all night and being untouched in the morning while his captors thrown in were devoured before they hit the ground it builds faith but it’s found in scripture

a man praying to God for more years added to his life even as God had declared his time and God answering his prayer and giving him more years . It’s not just quoting scriptures that would t help but to believe them becomes faith

Thank you for the time you took in responding. You made some great points and I will take time in taking in and reflecting on that. I appreciate it 🙂

 

[crossnote]

I know that prayer is important for many reasons as Jesus also prayed to our Heavenly Father, it is how we communicate and connect to our God ect
Praying for others also seems to be important, but for the last few weeks I have questioned how that may help people? I know God knows more than myself and He has a plan for everyone and does things in His divine timing and what is best. What difference would a prayer I make to an almighty God that has everyone’s interests at heart make? He knows how things should be done and can see the bigger picture. People speak of the power in prayer and sometimes feel discouraged because some are not answered.
I’m a new Christian and any reply would be helpful as I want to grow in understanding and get stronger with my faith.
Thank you

In His 'big picture', He chooses to include intercessors as a means to 'move' on their behalf.

 

[Blain]

Thank you for your response. I feel very conflicted as on one hand I’m thinking (God knows all, has a plan and has people’s best interest in mind) if a prayer isn’t answered. But then I see a Christian that has health problems and has been praying for the last ten years with no change and think to myself why?
Then I look up videos on YouTube on people testimonies on meeting Jesus or different YouTube channels such as Cross Examined to increase my faith again. It’s such a mental battle at times, I will continue praying and try to become stronger with God, I just don’t t like these times of doubt and question where it takes over my mind.

The way I see it God sometimes allows us to have certain burdens because he knows pain and suffering is a great teacher. For instance the human muscles grow by tearing and repairing itself over and over again without that tearing and repairing the muscles cannot grow stronger, I suffer from a whole lot of medical and physical problems that others including myself have prayed to be healed of but when I never could get the answer I asked for I instead tried to learn from them to see what lessons can be learned from thgem instead of seeing them as simp;le burdens I saw them as teachers and it was then I begin to grow greatly in him gaining wisdom understanding insight to things I never would have before.

The seasons of doubt always come and there are times when you cannot feel him at all like you have somehow disconnected from him but it is also in these times that he is most connected to you he never lets go and if you just keep moving forwards with your eyes set on him eventually every season passes

To grow stronger with him I will give you the same advice he gave to me when I asked as a new believer what it means to be a Christian and how to become strong in him- seek love above everything else and everything else will fall into place. Seek after his heart seek to know him personally seek that passionate hunger that unquenchable thirst. When you desire to have his heart to know him deeply when you know that longing to know just a bit more of him to hunger for just a small bit of his love and his heart to thirst for just a bit deeper of the love bond and relationship with him this is when you will grow in him at a level that far exceeds any teachings sermon or studies because the ones he holds dearest to his heart is that starving child that seeks and chases after him

 

[Monika]

The way I see it God sometimes allows us to have certain burdens because he knows pain and suffering is a great teacher. For instance the human muscles grow by tearing and repairing itself over and over again without that tearing and repairing the muscles cannot grow stronger, I suffer from a whole lot of medical and physical problems that others including myself have prayed to be healed of but when I never could get the answer I asked for I instead tried to learn from them to see what lessons can be learned from thgem instead of seeing them as simp;le burdens I saw them as teachers and it was then I begin to grow greatly in him gaining wisdom understanding insight to things I never would have before.

The seasons of doubt always come and there are times when you cannot feel him at all like you have somehow disconnected from him but it is also in these times that he is most connected to you he never lets go and if you just keep moving forwards with your eyes set on him eventually every season passes

To grow stronger with him I will give you the same advice he gave to me when I asked as a new believer what it means to be a Christian and how to become strong in him- seek love above everything else and everything else will fall into place. Seek after his heart seek to know him personally seek that passionate hunger that unquenchable thirst. When you desire to have his heart to know him deeply when you know that longing to know just a bit more of him to hunger for just a small bit of his love and his heart to thirst for just a bit deeper of the love bond and relationship with him this is when you will grow in him at a level that far exceeds any teachings sermon or studies because the ones he holds dearest to his heart is that starving child that seeks and chases after him

This spoke to my heart!!! Wow what a great response, you have a gift of connecting, touching peoples hearts and helping me understand.
Thank you Blain 💕

 

[Monika]

Hi Monika,

I hear what you are saying. If God has already ordained what ever may be, why pray for anyone? And how can my prayer change anything? As you have noted it's to our benefit to pray to God in thanksgiving and gratitude etc. But what about praying for people?

The answer is the same as why do we evangelize? If God already knows who will be his (whatever way you may think this happens). God not only ordains whatever may be but the means, and he has graciously allowed his children to be part of the means.

You said that you have prayed to God for signs or to show himself to you, well what I can say is that he has already answered that prayer. You can know him in His word, as Jesus is God manifest to the world in the flesh:

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven (Heb 1:3)

And for the believer we have been given the helper---

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

I am sure monika that we all have had doubts about faith at one time or other so you are not alone - here is a link that might help you I pray it does.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/doubt-doubts/

Thank you for this great response, you have listened to my question and have made me think about some good points you made.

I think I have doubt because of so many unanswered questions that I’m not sure even humans can answer. Like are we pre destined ? Or how reliable is the Bible? I have so many questions and I’m constantly asking people or researching the answers.

I just wanted a sign by God Himself to tell me I’m on the right track as the Bible was written by people and in that sense I’m putting my faith into peoples word also correct? I literally question everything.

I will look at the link now, thank you.

 

[Seeker47]

How can you differentiate if it’s God speaking to you or your own thoughts? I’m a new Christian with not much experience and my mind sometimes wonders into a flesh way of thinking or I even get intrusive thoughts. Will it be clear to me in if it is from God? I heard that your thoughts either come from God, yourself or the devil, if so how will I know the difference?

When sincerely you ask Him into your heart, He comes. You will know and you will not doubt.

 

[Blain]

This spoke to my heart!!! Wow what a great response, you have a gift of connecting, touching peoples hearts and helping me understand.
Thank you Blain 💕

Well I am a writer and so I know the power words have God knows this and uses this to connect reach teach and encourage others he has used me many times to help mentor and teach new believers here in cc.
Honestly I can't even take any credit for it I may have the gift but the words written aren't my own I simply type what he places on my heart to speak nothing more and he often teaches me through analogies like that. As a believer I love nothing more than when I see him use me to create that spark to ignite that flame to encourage and build others ispiring and strengthening them and since I am a writer I can truly speak what is my heart mainly in written form because words are like a blade they can cut down make people bleed and stab but for every blade that do that there also is a blade that heal mend save lives kind of like how doctors use knives sometimes to do the same.

God will reveal to you the gifts you excel in and even as a new believer never underestimate God because he isn't looking for the strong nor is he looking for the wise and knowledgable he is looking for the willing those who offer themselves regardless of what the task may be or whether or not they are qualified are the ones who he uses the most because whatever you may be lacking he isn't if you are weak he is strong if you don't have the words to speak he does.

 

[jb]

I know that prayer is important for many reasons as Jesus also prayed to our Heavenly Father, it is how we communicate and connect to our God ect
Praying for others also seems to be important, but for the last few weeks I have questioned how that may help people? I know God knows more than myself and He has a plan for everyone and does things in His divine timing and what is best. What difference would a prayer I make to an almighty God that has everyone’s interests at heart make? He knows how things should be done and can see the bigger picture. People speak of the power in prayer and sometimes feel discouraged because some are not answered.
I’m a new Christian and any reply would be helpful as I want to grow in understanding and get stronger with my faith.
Thank you

I did a couple of blogs on prayer that you should find helpful, you can find them Here and Here

"The Devil trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon their knees."

Prayer does most certainly work to change situations and circumstances!

 

[Blik]

I once was able to perceive what a pair of angels were saying as they ministered to me in a crisis. I asked them to change their mind about what they were about to do. They explained to me that they could make no decisions but only did exactly what a situation called for. They told me they would ask for special permission to do what I requested. What I asked for was done.

I have been told by ministers that what I think is real was only a fanciful dream, not reality. Dreams have a different feel, I think I was experiencing reality.

 

[phil36]

Thank you for this great response, you have listened to my question and have made me think about some good points you made.

I think I have doubt because of so many unanswered questions that I’m not sure even humans can answer. Like are we pre destined ? Or how reliable is the Bible? I have so many questions and I’m constantly asking people or researching the answers.

I just wanted a sign by God Himself to tell me I’m on the right track as the Bible was written by people and in that sense I’m putting my faith into peoples word also correct? I literally question everything.

I will look at the link now, thank you.

Hi Monika, yes the bible is written with a human hand but they wrote what God wanted them to write through the Holy Spirit. That's is why we can say it truly is the word of and from God. Peter says it this way:

For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).

In essence God used the personalities/writing styles of those who wrote scripture as the Holy Spirit moved them. It wasn't direct dictation. The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy states the same thing, that scripture is God breathed. So what it basically means is that God through the Holy Spirit inspired the writing of His word (bible) using the individual personalities of the human writers, using their words and handwriting, but at the same time what God wants to be recorded.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

So in the very real sense God through His word is revealing to us who He is, what He is like, what he has done , is doing and will do for us. It teaches us how we should respond and live our lives to the full in Jesus. In the New Testament God has truly revealed Himself in His son (Jesus) and Jesus reveals the Father. How do we know about Jesus... we read what he has revealed about Himself, and all scripture as Paul wrote to Timothy is sufficient for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

So how do we to know Jesus -through his revealed word to us (Bible) and through prayer.


Anyhow, I hope that may help in some small way. Having questions is a good thing it's how any of us learn. I still ask numerous questions. But just remember:

God never fails anyone. It is he who called you to belong to his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:9-11)

&

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good (1 Peter 2:2-3)

And finally may we all pray this for each other.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way (Ephesians 1:18-23).

 

[Subhumanoidal]

These are my thoughts also and I have been focused on connecting with God. But the more I talk to Christians, watch you tube videos or listen to preachers they emphasis the importance of prayers for others.

But what does the Bible teach on prayer?
When Jesus prayed what did his prayers look like? Perhaps that is a better source than youtube self promoters and people parroting them.

 

[Monika]

But what does the Bible teach on prayer?
When Jesus prayed what did his prayers look like? Perhaps that is a better source than youtube self promoters and people parroting them.

If you can give me a Bible verse about this topic that would be helpful. But we all need to connect to Christians at a time or another in helping understand these things, especially me being a new Christian.

 

[Subhumanoidal]

If you can give me a Bible verse about this topic that would be helpful. But we all need to connect to Christians at a time or another in helping understand these things, especially me being a new Christian.

Connecting with people is fine. And good. But many people have wrong understandings. I experienced this first hand. So caution is advisable.
Matthew 6:5-15 seems ideal. Bear in mind it is a template, so to speak.

I admit I'm not great at spitting out verses. A good option is to do an internet search for "scriptures on prayer". That will yield all the results you need.

Praying for people isn't bad or wrong. But it's only one part of prayer. Not the entire intention of it.

 

[Monika]

Connecting with people is fine. And good. But many people have wrong understandings. I experienced this first hand. So caution is advisable.
Matthew 6:5-15 seems ideal. Bear in mind it is a template, so to speak.

I admit I'm not great at spitting out verses. A good option is to do an internet search for "scriptures on prayer". That will yield all the results you need.

Praying for people isn't bad or wrong. But it's only one part of prayer. Not the entire intention of it.

I understand what you are saying. My focus is the word of God and truth, when I have questions about something I like to research, ask questions, pray or look on YouTube but I do not trust just any information/teaching given if it isn’t confirmed in the Bible.
I will read Mathew 6:5-15 thank you for that I appreciate it.