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Post by 2fw8212a on May 10, 2018 16:48:37 GMT -5
Many people, especially when they are new to the faith keep questioning and thinking if they are praying properly.
But what would you say? I will write about some things, but you can correct and improve if I am mistaken or in need.
I believe there are a few things that must be present whenever you pray.
Those things are: Faith, love, and sincerity.
Faith -> You trust and believe there is a loving God that will hear you and that He can do what you are asking. And you must be sure about it.
Love -> You are being motivated by love. Love believes, hopes, and endures all things; rejoices in the truth; and does not seek its own.
Sincerity -> What you are saying is true.
Faith, love and sincerity guarantee your prayer will be heard.
"And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." - 1 John 3:22
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." - John 15:7
There are people who pray with the carnal mind, with carnal expectations and believe they will be heard.
"You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." - James 4:3
Prayers like that include selfish ambitions and empty or evil reasons like:
I want a luxury car, a yacht, the newest iPhone, and a mansion... Why? -> Silence.
But I am sure that if you pray for this you are going to get it:
I want to walk in love and sincerity. Why? -> God's word said I should and I know you like it.
This is going to be answered with no doubt, according to God's will.
But still there may be a time and you must seek and/or expect it to happen.
"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." - Mark 11:24
There are things that needs time to happen, because if it happens too fast you will not be ready to administer what you have asked and it will cause you to fall by pride, for example.
Then there are things that will need to be fixed in your life first before you can receive it.
If you are really interested, keep praying until you are prepared to receive it. You will receive it, but in the right time!
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." - Matthew 7:7-8
That is why the more humble the person is, the more blessed, the more full of grace he/she will be.
Then humility is very desirable and you should ask for it if you feel you are lacking.
"Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”" - 1 Peter 5:5
People who do not wait on God to answer, does not have patience (which is a sign of lack of love), and start complaining must pray and seek to fix this in their lives.
"I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" - Luke 18:8
Then when praying, you should have faith and be led by the Spirit of God.
Why?! Because the Spirit of God will lead you in faith and will automatically talk to Him with utmost respect, and obviously according to His will.
All this happens according to your faith.
"that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." - Ephesians 3:17-19
And what you have need for and really need will automatically comes to your mind if you simply follow.
Additionally, there are more mysteries in prayer than we think. And the verse below talks about something I confess I do not understand fully:
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." - Romans 8:26
And obviously, send all your prayers in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who loves you more than you can imagine.
God bless you in Jesus' name!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2018 5:25:00 GMT -5
Bless you brother, lots of wisdom here, amen. And a welcome reminder for something I am praying for too. As we seek and ask and knock for what we have need of, the Lord begins to work unseen....He answers in ways we do not expect, because He first has to prepare the vessel to be able to receive what we are asking for. If we are seeking to have more patience, for example, it doesn't just come out of the blue, but He may send affliction for a while, because affliction is how patience is wrought in the believer. If we are asking for more humility, He may send more weakness, so that we will know by experience that we can do nothing without Him. If we are seeking more life of the Spirit, He may bring us through more dying to self. And so on. This might only be a partial answer about the Spirit making intercession with groanings.....but I believe it is the Holy Spirit's desire and inward labouring to bring forth more of the nature of Christ in us. Where we feel that desire and longing and inward labouring, it is often coming from the Holy Spirit within us, and He longs and labours alongside us as the Paraclete, when we join our desire and will to His. We get a glimpse of this similar labouring in another scripture: Rom 8:21-23 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
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PG4Him
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Posts: 3,570
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Post by PG4Him on May 11, 2018 8:59:01 GMT -5
What you said is spot on. It's also a great thing to discuss in the open. So many new Christians struggle with prayer.
Here are more tips I would offer to make prayer time more effective...
-- Always drill down to what you really want behind every request. Are you praying for a spouse because you want a second income? Because you have no self-esteem and you're hoping a spouse will make you feel better? Are you praying for a new job because you're too rebellious to obey the boss you have now? We've all been guilty of using nice, harmless prayer requests to hide our true intentions. This is one big reason why prayers don't get answered. Make sure you know what it is you really need.
-- If you do have an issue with self-esteem, that's nothing to be ashamed of. We all fight our battles. But that's what you need to be praying for. If you really do need more income, pray for God to meet your financial burdens in whatever way He sees best. Don't try to drag other humans into problems they can't fix, and don't run away from challenges that help you grow.
-- Pray for what is ultimately best for yourself and others. Not what sounds like a good idea at the moment. If you practice praying in the Spirit, you can get a good sense of what God wants to do in a situation.
-- Make a habit of daily prayer in the place/time where you're the most mentally capable. Some people do their best prayer alone in their car on the way to work. Some people pray best in the bathtub before bed. It's impossible to pray in the Spirit when you're awkwardly locked in a closet before you've had your coffee because you're trying to pray like some famous preacher. Reverence is good; absurdity is not.
-- Think of the one person (human) who is most important in your life. Maybe it's your spouse, your mom, your best friend, etc. Get a piece of paper, and write a prayer for them. Write down everything you want for them and their destiny and their walk with God. Then remove their name, and put in the name of your enemy. Pray the same prayer word for word.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2018 9:09:50 GMT -5
<< -- Think of the one person (human) who is most important in your life. Maybe it's your spouse, your mom, your best friend, etc. Get a piece of paper, and write a prayer for them. Write down everything you want for them and their destiny and their walk with God. Then remove their name, and put in the name of your enemy. Pray the same prayer word for word. >> Love that!
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Post by John on Apr 2, 2020 20:19:26 GMT -5
Many people, especially when they are new to the faith keep questioning and thinking if they are praying properly.But what would you say? I will write about some things, but you can correct and improve if I am mistaken or in need.I believe there are a few things that must be present whenever you pray.Those things are: Faith, love, and sincerity.Faith -> You trust and believe there is a loving God that will hear you and that He can do what you are asking. And you must be sure about it.Love -> You are being motivated by love. Love believes, hopes, and endures all things; rejoices in the truth; and does not seek its own.Sincerity -> What you are saying is true.Faith, love and sincerity guarantee your prayer will be heard."And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." - 1 John 3:22
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." - John 15:7There are people who pray with the carnal mind, with carnal expectations and believe they will be heard."You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." - James 4:3Prayers like that include selfish ambitions and empty or evil reasons like:I want a luxury car, a yacht, the newest iPhone, and a mansion... Why? -> Silence.But I am sure that if you pray for this you are going to get it:I want to walk in love and sincerity. Why? -> God's word said I should and I know you like it.This is going to be answered with no doubt, according to God's will.But still there may be a time and you must seek and/or expect it to happen. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." - Mark 11:24There are things that needs time to happen, because if it happens too fast you will not be ready to administer what you have asked and it will cause you to fall by pride, for example.Then there are things that will need to be fixed in your life first before you can receive it.If you are really interested, keep praying until you are prepared to receive it. You will receive it, but in the right time! "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." - Matthew 7:7-8That is why the more humble the person is, the more blessed, the more full of grace he/she will be.Then humility is very desirable and you should ask for it if you feel you are lacking."Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”" - 1 Peter 5:5People who do not wait on God to answer, does not have patience (which is a sign of lack of love), and start complaining must pray and seek to fix this in their lives."I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" - Luke 18:8Then when praying, you should have faith and be led by the Spirit of God.Why?! Because the Spirit of God will lead you in faith and will automatically talk to Him with utmost respect, and obviously according to His will.All this happens according to your faith. "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." - Ephesians 3:17-19And what you have need for and really need will automatically comes to your mind if you simply follow.Additionally, there are more mysteries in prayer than we think. And the verse below talks about something I confess I do not understand fully:"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." - Romans 8:26And obviously, send all your prayers in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who loves you more than you can imagine.God bless you in Jesus' name! One thing I want to do as we approach our 2 year anniversary is bring back some of the old threads. Here is a good one that was started by 2fw8212a about prayer. This thread was kind of overlooked when he wrote it, not many responses. Just because a thread is old, that does not mean it does not have wisdom in it.
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Post by John on Apr 2, 2020 20:21:16 GMT -5
What you said is spot on. It's also a great thing to discuss in the open. So many new Christians struggle with prayer. Here are more tips I would offer to make prayer time more effective... -- Always drill down to what you really want behind every request. Are you praying for a spouse because you want a second income? Because you have no self-esteem and you're hoping a spouse will make you feel better? Are you praying for a new job because you're too rebellious to obey the boss you have now? We've all been guilty of using nice, harmless prayer requests to hide our true intentions. This is one big reason why prayers don't get answered. Make sure you know what it is you really need. -- If you do have an issue with self-esteem, that's nothing to be ashamed of. We all fight our battles. But that's what you need to be praying for. If you really do need more income, pray for God to meet your financial burdens in whatever way He sees best. Don't try to drag other humans into problems they can't fix, and don't run away from challenges that help you grow. -- Pray for what is ultimately best for yourself and others. Not what sounds like a good idea at the moment. If you practice praying in the Spirit, you can get a good sense of what God wants to do in a situation. -- Make a habit of daily prayer in the place/time where you're the most mentally capable. Some people do their best prayer alone in their car on the way to work. Some people pray best in the bathtub before bed. It's impossible to pray in the Spirit when you're awkwardly locked in a closet before you've had your coffee because you're trying to pray like some famous preacher. Reverence is good; absurdity is not. -- Think of the one person (human) who is most important in your life. Maybe it's your spouse, your mom, your best friend, etc. Get a piece of paper, and write a prayer for them. Write down everything you want for them and their destiny and their walk with God. Then remove their name, and put in the name of your enemy. Pray the same prayer word for word. Here are more good comments about prayer from this same thread that has been long buried. It is well worth reading and considering.
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Post by John on Apr 2, 2020 20:25:27 GMT -5
In thinking about prayer, what is perhaps the most important thing we need to consider? To me, it is praying according to God's will. Pray for what the Lord desires in our lives. We can easily pray for things that we think we want, but if we get them, they will cause a major mess. If we pray for God's will, that will not be the case.
Lord, this is what I desire, but not my will, but your will be done.
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Post by Jesus Christ teachings on Apr 3, 2020 3:42:56 GMT -5
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. A-men. Matthew 6:9-13
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Post by Jesus Christ teachings on Apr 3, 2020 3:45:00 GMT -5
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15
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Post by Jesus Christ teachings on Apr 3, 2020 3:50:26 GMT -5
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. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:5-6
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Post by Jesus Christ teachings on Apr 3, 2020 3:52:09 GMT -5
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Matthew 6:7-8
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777
Senior Member
Teacher
Posts: 1,189
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Post by 777 on Apr 3, 2020 6:47:44 GMT -5
Many people, especially when they are new to the faith keep questioning and thinking if they are praying properly.But what would you say? I will write about some things, but you can correct and improve if I am mistaken or in need.I believe there are a few things that must be present whenever you pray.Those things are: Faith, love, and sincerity.Faith -> You trust and believe there is a loving God that will hear you and that He can do what you are asking. And you must be sure about it.Love -> You are being motivated by love. Love believes, hopes, and endures all things; rejoices in the truth; and does not seek its own.Sincerity -> What you are saying is true.Faith, love and sincerity guarantee your prayer will be heard."And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." - 1 John 3:22
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." - John 15:7There are people who pray with the carnal mind, with carnal expectations and believe they will be heard."You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." - James 4:3Prayers like that include selfish ambitions and empty or evil reasons like:I want a luxury car, a yacht, the newest iPhone, and a mansion... Why? -> Silence.But I am sure that if you pray for this you are going to get it:I want to walk in love and sincerity. Why? -> God's word said I should and I know you like it.This is going to be answered with no doubt, according to God's will.But still there may be a time and you must seek and/or expect it to happen. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." - Mark 11:24There are things that needs time to happen, because if it happens too fast you will not be ready to administer what you have asked and it will cause you to fall by pride, for example.Then there are things that will need to be fixed in your life first before you can receive it.If you are really interested, keep praying until you are prepared to receive it. You will receive it, but in the right time! "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." - Matthew 7:7-8That is why the more humble the person is, the more blessed, the more full of grace he/she will be.Then humility is very desirable and you should ask for it if you feel you are lacking."Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”" - 1 Peter 5:5People who do not wait on God to answer, does not have patience (which is a sign of lack of love), and start complaining must pray and seek to fix this in their lives."I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" - Luke 18:8Then when praying, you should have faith and be led by the Spirit of God.Why?! Because the Spirit of God will lead you in faith and will automatically talk to Him with utmost respect, and obviously according to His will.All this happens according to your faith. "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." - Ephesians 3:17-19And what you have need for and really need will automatically comes to your mind if you simply follow.Additionally, there are more mysteries in prayer than we think. And the verse below talks about something I confess I do not understand fully:"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." - Romans 8:26And obviously, send all your prayers in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who loves you more than you can imagine.God bless you in Jesus' name! One thing I want to do as we approach our 2 year anniversary is bring back some of the old threads. Here is a good one that was started by 2fw8212a about prayer. This thread was kind of overlooked when he wrote it, not many responses. Just because a thread is old, that does not mean it does not have wisdom in it.
That's a good idea. I may go back and check out some of the early threads.
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777
Senior Member
Teacher
Posts: 1,189
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Post by 777 on Apr 3, 2020 6:53:40 GMT -5
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15 This is a very important principal. If we don't forgive others when they sin against us, God won't forgive our sins. The wages or penalty for sin is death, so unforgiveness will keep you out of heaven. We need to be ready to forgive those who wrong us, as it doesn't say this doesn't apply to Christians.
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Post by frienduff on Apr 3, 2020 9:14:37 GMT -5
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Matthew 6:7-8 OH YES . and this just kicked circle makers and contemplative centering prayer RIGHT To the curb . Because They THINK they will be heard for their repetitons and words . As though GOD needs us to draw a circle around an object , THAT is witchcraft . As though GOD does not know what we already have need of . This too is how i knew the instant i heard about even contemplative centering prayer and chants , IT was exactly WHAT JESUS HAD SAID not , AS IN NOT TO DO . these types of prayers are nothing but a doorway in to another spirit , another image , another darkness which many think is light . We need not to do repetitive chants , we need to simply PRAY as JESUS SAID TO , and DO what HE SAID and NOT DO what he said NOT TO DO .
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Post by frienduff on Apr 3, 2020 9:16:58 GMT -5
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15 This is a very important principal. If we don't forgive others when they sin against us, God won't forgive our sins. The wages or penalty for sin is death, so unforgiveness will keep you out of heaven. We need to be ready to forgive those who wrong us, as it doesn't say this doesn't apply to Christians. Thats right my friend . And i am encouraged when i see this . because lambs KNOW if JESUS said something , HE MEANT IT . Lambs dont try and twist what JESUS said , omitting and changing anything HE SAID . THEY LOVE IT , THUS THEY OBEY IT .
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