> General Discussions
Prayer
Decky:
Prayer continues to be an enigma for me. I've mentioned my struggles on another forum topic, and was recommended to read Ray's paper on prayer-which I did several times-and have read the comments on this topic. Darren voices my very same sentiments. All I can gather from the fact that the thought of praying almost literally makes me sick to my stomach-mainly because I've asked the Father for an egg(My Dad's life spared)and he gave me a scorpion(My Dad's death)-is that it's simply not given me to pray for anything now. I had a close friend ask me to pray for her because she was facing a very risky back surgery, and I could not muster up a prayer for her other than, "Lord. bless her," and even then my stomach balled up in knots and a small rage bubbled up in my heart because I know that God isn't going to answer my prayer unless it's his will. This is one thing I gathered from Ray's paper, if God isn't giving you to pray for something, chances are, it aint gonna be done, because we have not if we ask not. It's just not in me to talk to God or ask him anything, because I don't see him as being faithful to his word at all.
I don't know how long this will go on. All I can do now is just try everyday to hold on by my fingernails. But in all honesty, prayer, to me, continues to be a big mystery if not one big joke.
mharrell08:
--- Quote from: Decky on November 07, 2008, 07:07:04 PM ---Prayer continues to be an enigma for me. I've mentioned my struggles on another forum topic, and was recommended to read Ray's paper on prayer-which I did several times-and have read the comments on this topic. Darren voices my very same sentiments. All I can gather from the fact that the thought of praying almost literally makes me sick to my stomach-mainly because I've asked the Father for an egg(My Dad's life spared)and he gave me a scorpion(My Dad's death)-is that it's simply not given me to pray for anything now. I had a close friend ask me to pray for her because she was facing a very risky back surgery, and I could not muster up a prayer for her other than, "Lord. bless her," and even then my stomach balled up in knots and a small rage bubbled up in my heart because I know that God isn't going to answer my prayer unless it's his will. This is one thing I gathered from Ray's paper, if God isn't giving you to pray for something, chances are, it aint gonna be done, because we have not if we ask not. It's just not in me to talk to God or ask him anything, because I don't see him as being faithful to his word at all.
I don't know how long this will go on. All I can do now is just try everyday to hold on by my fingernails. But in all honesty, prayer, to me, continues to be a big mystery if not one big joke.
--- End quote ---
Hello Decky,
I understand exactly where you are coming from. The subject of prayer can be a very difficult subject to understand especially considering the heretical junk we once learned. I struggled with this issue for a while and sometimes reflect on it still as I am still trying to understand it completely.
Here is an excerpt from Ray's paper on Prayer that you mentioned (http://bible-truths.com/praying.htm):
Did Jesus pray as earnestly as it is possible to pray that God would "let this cup pass?" YES, He did.
Did God grant Jesus His desire to "let this cup pass?" NO, He didn’t.
But, did Jesus get His prayer answered? YES, He surely did. How so? Because Jesus’ greater desire was that His Father’s will be done, rather than "let this cup pass." This example from our Lord is the answer to answered pray and it is also the answer to unanswered prayer.
If you always pray, "not as I will, but as THOU will," all of your prayers will be answered too. Whether you always get what you desire or you don’t get what you desire, if your greatest desire of all desires is for "THY WILL be done," then you can rest assured that from this day forward, all of your prayers will be answered always. God’s will (that is His intention for the way He has preordained everything to go), will always be done. No prayer has ever changed God’s plan or purpose in any way whatsoever. (Read my series on "free will").
The great enigma is having the will of God be our greater desire rather than our own desire. In this regards, our prayers are always answered. It's the peace of mind that even if you didn't get what you wanted, God's will is still being done and the result is the PERFECT result for your spiritual growth. God's will and intentions are perfect and if our own desires are not answered, it is something that would not have us grow into spiritual maturity. Because if it would have us grow spiritually, He would answer. I know it is a 'hard' understanding but the Spirit will lead you into all truth.
Also, I am sorry for the loss of your dad. My dad is not in the best condition right now but my hope lies in God restoring and purging him into His image. In this age or the next. Rest assured, you will see you dad again in all God's glory. :)
Hope this helps,
Marques
winner08:
I read and reread Ray's paper on prayer and Our prayers will only be granted if it was already in God's Will to do so. I know somewhere in scripture it says that we don't know how or what to ask for in prayer and this is when to Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf. Now this it NOT a direct quote. Ray also said that when he feels inspired to pray he gets excite because God is about to bless him. So God inspires us to pray, If so how can we pray for something that is not of God's will? I guess that is where the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.OK wait this is going to get more and more confusing so I will stop.
EKnight:
--- Quote from: winner08 on November 01, 2008, 07:18:10 PM ---Prayer. Whatever we ask for in Jesus name is already done. I have read this in another post and it is confusing to say the lest. According to Ray's paper on Prayer, we can not recieve anything that is not already going to be given from God. Is this not correct? If we pray for healing or help and it is not in God's will then no amount of prayer will change Gods mind. why, because we all know that God does not change. So why did Jesus state the above? Ask in My Name and you shall recieve. Seek and you shall find Ask and you will be given to you, knock and the door will open. These are not direct quotes from scripture. My question is still vailed. Ask and you shall recieve. So many people's love ones die in terrible ways all the prayer in the world wont change that. Seek and you shall find. Really? Some seek all their lives and never find. Knock and the door shall be open. Really, When? Please no one take offence to my post. My purpose it not to offend. I am just wondering why what excatlly does that scripture mean.
--- End quote ---
I think Darren is asking someone to explain what those scriptures mean since they don't mean, what at face value, they appear to mean.
Eileen
aqrinc:
Hi Decky,
I do feel the hurt and sincere anger even in your post. Brother one of the drawbacks of our aging is that
we are always seeing more of our loved ones die. That is small consolation for us who live on but; as a
believer you know that we must all die once:
God has made us Great promises all of which he will not ever fail to complete.
Genesis 2:17:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat
thereof you shall surely die.
Hebrews 9:27:
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Isaiah 51:6:
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke,
and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation
shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
Isaiah 51:12:
I, even I, am he that comforts you: who are you, that you should be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the
son of man which shall be made as grass;
Isaiah 65: 16-19
16-That he who blesses himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that swears in the earth
shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
17-For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
18-But be all of you glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
19-And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
Faith Trust and Love Brother.
george.
--- Quote from: Decky on November 07, 2008, 07:07:04 PM ---Prayer continues to be an enigma for me. I've mentioned my struggles on another forum topic, and was recommended to read Ray's paper on prayer-which I did several times-and have read the comments on this topic. Darren voices my very same sentiments. All I can gather from the fact that the thought of praying almost literally makes me sick to my stomach-mainly because I've asked the Father for an egg(My Dad's life spared)and he gave me a scorpion(My Dad's death)-is that it's simply not given me to pray for anything now. I had a close friend ask me to pray for her because she was facing a very risky back surgery, and I could not muster up a prayer for her other than, "Lord. bless her," and even then my stomach balled up in knots and a small rage bubbled up in my heart because I know that God isn't going to answer my prayer unless it's his will. This is one thing I gathered from Ray's paper, if God isn't giving you to pray for something, chances are, it aint gonna be done, because we have not if we ask not. It's just not in me to talk to God or ask him anything, because I don't see him as being faithful to his word at all.
I don't know how long this will go on. All I can do now is just try everyday to hold on by my fingernails. But in all honesty, prayer, to me, continues to be a big mystery if not one big joke.
--- End quote ---
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