I'm wondering what prayer does

[Anonymous]

Prayer has value. Period.

[Anonymous]

Prayer is the act of speaking with God on the deepest level. Sometimes God answers "yes" sometimes "no" and sometimes "wait". In the bible Jesus says that sometimes persistent prayer wears God down into saying yes. Just like a parent and child. Mostly the answer that occurs is for our own good in the end as God sees the future and the decisions take our eternal life into account.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prayer is the act of speaking with God on the deepest level. Sometimes God answers "yes" sometimes "no" and sometimes "wait". In the bible Jesus says that sometimes persistent prayer wears God down into saying yes. Just like a parent and child. Mostly the answer that occurs is for our own good in the end as God sees the future and the decisions take our eternal life into account.

Such thoughts may be comforting to people who' want to keep believing in god even though their prayers have not been answered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP,
As I understand it, you have two issues here - the down syndrome, and the Leukemia.
I think that you have not come to terms with the fact that the child has down syndrome, but I am assuming that the parents have. Down syndrome children are very loving and loveable. Your friends love their child and are very interested in the child's well being.
I would think the thing to pray for in this case would be a quick and complete recovery of the child from Leukemia.
You may want to visit the special needs forum to try and get a better understanding of families and children with down syndrome.

What? OP here. I'm disabled myself. There is nothing for me to "come to terms" with as far as a child having Down Syndrome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prayer is the act of speaking with God on the deepest level. Sometimes God answers "yes" sometimes "no" and sometimes "wait". In the bible Jesus says that sometimes persistent prayer wears God down into saying yes. Just like a parent and child. Mostly the answer that occurs is for our own good in the end as God sees the future and the decisions take our eternal life into account.

Where in the Bible does it say this?

[Anonymous]

Some see value in prayer, some don't. It's ok, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anyone against public prayer vigils needs to get some compassion for victims.

BTW, there is going to be a vigil tonight in the urban hellhole to Stop the Violence. THAT is a waste of time IMHO.

[Anonymous]

Prayer can also be a type of energy. One of my best friends, a cathlab nurse, related a story about a guy who was able to help terminal patients. He had an energy and through leading loved ones of patients in prayer, he's been able to turnaround patients that didn't have a chance. Those in septic shock with organs shutting down, somehow able to survive. Doctors did not have an explanation. She said it was well known at the hospital she worked about this healer. He said he didn't have any special powers beyond the firm belief Of power in prayer. He believed in energy and that he was able to somehow channel it to help the sick. I personally believe in this explanation. I appreciate what the minister pp wrote about peace achieved through prayer and meditation but I also have felt how the strong prayers of large numbers can also lead to good and bad energy which somehow impacts events. I believe that energy is what bridges those of science and of faith - energy is real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prayer can also be a type of energy. One of my best friends, a cathlab nurse, related a story about a guy who was able to help terminal patients. He had an energy and through leading loved ones of patients in prayer, he's been able to turnaround patients that didn't have a chance. Those in septic shock with organs shutting down, somehow able to survive. Doctors did not have an explanation. She said it was well known at the hospital she worked about this healer. He said he didn't have any special powers beyond the firm belief Of power in prayer. He believed in energy and that he was able to somehow channel it to help the sick. I personally believe in this explanation. I appreciate what the minister pp wrote about peace achieved through prayer and meditation but I also have felt how the strong prayers of large numbers can also lead to good and bad energy which somehow impacts events. I believe that energy is what bridges those of science and of faith - energy is real.

I am the minister PP and I totally agree. I think energy is a huge part of prayer. Anyone who has ever experienced Reiki healing knows the power of energy on the body. I believe they are closely related. But I also believe prayer is a type of meditation and meditation a type of prayer. Many people strongly disagree with that.

[Anonymous]

I think one prays that somehow ones suffering has some sort of purpose. I am a Christian, and I think God dying on the cross was partly to show us that suffering is part of human existence, and an important part. We pray that God will help us see this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Prayer is the act of speaking with God on the deepest level. Sometimes God answers "yes" sometimes "no" and sometimes "wait". In the bible Jesus says that sometimes persistent prayer wears God down into saying yes. Just like a parent and child. Mostly the answer that occurs is for our own good in the end as God sees the future and the decisions take our eternal life into account.

Where in the Bible does it say this?

Luke 11:5-13. You can look it up.

[Anonymous]

I no longer believe in prayer to change circumstances.

Instead I think of it as it being a generally good thing to send love and concern for people out into the universe. The recipient feels acknowledged that you are thinking of them and heard their desire or need. You get some peace from being able to do something in an unfixable situation - even if it's just sending love and peace their way.

When I don't know what to pray, I very often just say "Peace be upon them. Surround them with love."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Prayer is the act of speaking with God on the deepest level. Sometimes God answers "yes" sometimes "no" and sometimes "wait". In the bible Jesus says that sometimes persistent prayer wears God down into saying yes. Just like a parent and child. Mostly the answer that occurs is for our own good in the end as God sees the future and the decisions take our eternal life into account.

Where in the Bible does it say this?

Luke 11:5-13. You can look it up.

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

I am fairly liberal but use scripture from the Christian Bible 90% of the time. I've also taken countless Spiritual Enrichment Education (continuing ed) courses from ministers in many faiths. I have never heard anyone, clergy or otherwise, interpret that passage as "wearing God down". I'm sure some of the prosperity gospel preachers might use it that way. No serious Minister would because that interpretation sends a dangerous message.

When we align our lives with God's purpose, our prayers may manifest exactly what we need. You could pray from now till eternity for a new Lamborghini. You will probably not "wear God down". That doesn't mean we shouldn't pray for what we want. Affirmative prayer often puts into action the things we need to achieve our goals. But God is not a genie in a bottle waiting to grant wishes to those who pray the hardest. To suggest this is spiritual malpractice. Don't you think starving people pray pretty damn hard for food? Why doesn't God answer? Does anyone pray harder than the parents of a sick child? As a minister should I explain that their child died because they just couldn't "wear God down"? Maybe more prayer would have kept their baby alive? Jesus Christ pleaded with God in the garden to "take this cup". He did not want to die. Yet he was crucified. Maybe he should have prayed harder?

Prayer allows us to communicate with our Source. It provides comfort and peace. Most importantly, it helps us align our will with the will of God. When you begin thinking in terms of wearing God down, you diminish God.

If you really want to understand this passage, study it with an awareness of time, culture, language, and audience. This passage is a reminder for us to turn inward. To rely on God's love to guide us as we move through our spiritual journey. To trust God to provide that peace that goes beyond our understanding. To rest in the assurance that when we knock, he/she answers.

[Anonymous]

"God makes all things beautiful in his time". If we think that an outcome has to be positive for prayer to make sense then many times it might not. One has to believe and trust God fully. In their pain may be they will emerge stronger or others will be touched and if you follow them to the end they will be some sort of breakthrough. It's had to think of it logically. It is a spiritual manifestation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Prayer is the act of speaking with God on the deepest level. Sometimes God answers "yes" sometimes "no" and sometimes "wait". In the bible Jesus says that sometimes persistent prayer wears God down into saying yes. Just like a parent and child. Mostly the answer that occurs is for our own good in the end as God sees the future and the decisions take our eternal life into account.

Where in the Bible does it say this?

Luke 11:5-13. You can look it up.

Maybe you didn't actually quote it because you knew you'd get shot down, as the poster above did.