I don't understand asking for prayer. Why does God need prayer?

[Anonymous]

Rationalistic and mechanistic explanations will fail. The bottom line is that we are commanded to pray and we do so because it is fitting (to God's glory) and obedient, even if it doesn't get us "what we want". As Christ prayed to the Father, after making his request: "Nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done". And as Job said, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face."

You are right that he knows all things and therefore has no need of our prayers. Yet he delights in our prayers and it is fitting to his glory that he receives them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rationalistic and mechanistic explanations will fail. The bottom line is that we are commanded to pray and we do so because it is fitting (to God's glory) and obedient, even if it doesn't get us "what we want". As Christ prayed to the Father, after making his request: "Nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done". And as Job said, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face."

You are right that he knows all things and therefore has no need of our prayers. Yet he delights in our prayers and it is fitting to his glory that he receives them.

Well, with all due respect, there is no way you can possibly know what God delights in. In the OT he delighted in burnt offerings, but that kinda fell by the wayside as time went on and verbal prayers seem to have taken their place. I seriously question if God ever really wanted burnt offerings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rationalistic and mechanistic explanations will fail. The bottom line is that we are commanded to pray and we do so because it is fitting (to God's glory) and obedient, even if it doesn't get us "what we want". As Christ prayed to the Father, after making his request: "Nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done". And as Job said, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face."

You are right that he knows all things and therefore has no need of our prayers. Yet he delights in our prayers and it is fitting to his glory that he receives them.

Well, with all due respect, there is no way you can possibly know what God delights in. In the OT he delighted in burnt offerings, but that kinda fell by the wayside as time went on and verbal prayers seem to have taken their place. I seriously question if God ever really wanted burnt offerings.

So there's no way I can know but there is a way you can know? I thought we were more or less talking within an Abrahamic religions framework here. And my reference to Christ made Christian presuppositions self-evident. If you want the conversation to be more of a dope-smoking "like, how do we even know we're not, like, in a matrix, man" then you've lost me.

Christian teaching is not that burnt offerings "fell by the wayside" but that burnt offerings were Old Testament sacrifice typology that was pointing to the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Obviously Jews and Muslims will disagree with this based on their traditions, but I'm speaking from mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rationalistic and mechanistic explanations will fail. The bottom line is that we are commanded to pray and we do so because it is fitting (to God's glory) and obedient, even if it doesn't get us "what we want". As Christ prayed to the Father, after making his request: "Nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done". And as Job said, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face."

You are right that he knows all things and therefore has no need of our prayers. Yet he delights in our prayers and it is fitting to his glory that he receives them.

Well, with all due respect, there is no way you can possibly know what God delights in. In the OT he delighted in burnt offerings, but that kinda fell by the wayside as time went on and verbal prayers seem to have taken their place. I seriously question if God ever really wanted burnt offerings.

So there's no way I can know but there is a way you can know? I thought we were more or less talking within an Abrahamic religions framework here. And my reference to Christ made Christian presuppositions self-evident. If you want the conversation to be more of a dope-smoking "like, how do we even know we're not, like, in a matrix, man" then you've lost me.

Christian teaching is not that burnt offerings "fell by the wayside" but that burnt offerings were Old Testament sacrifice typology that was pointing to the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Obviously Jews and Muslims will disagree with this based on their traditions, but I'm speaking from mine.

Hey, I said I seriously doubt God delighted in burnt offerings.
The only thing I know for sure is you don't know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rationalistic and mechanistic explanations will fail. The bottom line is that we are commanded to pray and we do so because it is fitting (to God's glory) and obedient, even if it doesn't get us "what we want". As Christ prayed to the Father, after making his request: "Nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done". And as Job said, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face."

You are right that he knows all things and therefore has no need of our prayers. Yet he delights in our prayers and it is fitting to his glory that he receives them.

Well, with all due respect, there is no way you can possibly know what God delights in. In the OT he delighted in burnt offerings, but that kinda fell by the wayside as time went on and verbal prayers seem to have taken their place. I seriously question if God ever really wanted burnt offerings.

So there's no way I can know but there is a way you can know? I thought we were more or less talking within an Abrahamic religions framework here. And my reference to Christ made Christian presuppositions self-evident. If you want the conversation to be more of a dope-smoking "like, how do we even know we're not, like, in a matrix, man" then you've lost me.

Christian teaching is not that burnt offerings "fell by the wayside" but that burnt offerings were Old Testament sacrifice typology that was pointing to the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Obviously Jews and Muslims will disagree with this based on their traditions, but I'm speaking from mine.

Prayers are just the verbal equivalent of burnt offerings. Intended to find favor with God for one reason or another.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rationalistic and mechanistic explanations will fail. The bottom line is that we are commanded to pray and we do so because it is fitting (to God's glory) and obedient, even if it doesn't get us "what we want". As Christ prayed to the Father, after making his request: "Nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done". And as Job said, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face."

You are right that he knows all things and therefore has no need of our prayers. Yet he delights in our prayers and it is fitting to his glory that he receives them.

Well, with all due respect, there is no way you can possibly know what God delights in. In the OT he delighted in burnt offerings, but that kinda fell by the wayside as time went on and verbal prayers seem to have taken their place. I seriously question if God ever really wanted burnt offerings.

So there's no way I can know but there is a way you can know? I thought we were more or less talking within an Abrahamic religions framework here. And my reference to Christ made Christian presuppositions self-evident. If you want the conversation to be more of a dope-smoking "like, how do we even know we're not, like, in a matrix, man" then you've lost me.

Christian teaching is not that burnt offerings "fell by the wayside" but that burnt offerings were Old Testament sacrifice typology that was pointing to the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Obviously Jews and Muslims will disagree with this based on their traditions, but I'm speaking from mine.

Hey, I said I seriously doubt God delighted in burnt offerings.
The only thing I know for sure is you don't know.

As long as you're sure I'm not sure by what epistemological approach you arrived at that certainty, but it must have been compelling since it's the only thing you know for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rationalistic and mechanistic explanations will fail. The bottom line is that we are commanded to pray and we do so because it is fitting (to God's glory) and obedient, even if it doesn't get us "what we want". As Christ prayed to the Father, after making his request: "Nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done". And as Job said, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face."

You are right that he knows all things and therefore has no need of our prayers. Yet he delights in our prayers and it is fitting to his glory that he receives them.

Well, with all due respect, there is no way you can possibly know what God delights in. In the OT he delighted in burnt offerings, but that kinda fell by the wayside as time went on and verbal prayers seem to have taken their place. I seriously question if God ever really wanted burnt offerings.

So there's no way I can know but there is a way you can know? I thought we were more or less talking within an Abrahamic religions framework here. And my reference to Christ made Christian presuppositions self-evident. If you want the conversation to be more of a dope-smoking "like, how do we even know we're not, like, in a matrix, man" then you've lost me.

Christian teaching is not that burnt offerings "fell by the wayside" but that burnt offerings were Old Testament sacrifice typology that was pointing to the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Obviously Jews and Muslims will disagree with this based on their traditions, but I'm speaking from mine.

Hey, I said I seriously doubt God delighted in burnt offerings.
The only thing I know for sure is you don't know.

As long as you're sure I'm not sure by what epistemological approach you arrived at that certainty, but it must have been compelling since it's the only thing you know for sure.

How could you possibly know what God delights in? C'mon. Get serious. There isn't any possible way you could know that - and you know it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rationalistic and mechanistic explanations will fail. The bottom line is that we are commanded to pray and we do so because it is fitting (to God's glory) and obedient, even if it doesn't get us "what we want". As Christ prayed to the Father, after making his request: "Nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done". And as Job said, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face."

You are right that he knows all things and therefore has no need of our prayers. Yet he delights in our prayers and it is fitting to his glory that he receives them.

Well, with all due respect, there is no way you can possibly know what God delights in. In the OT he delighted in burnt offerings, but that kinda fell by the wayside as time went on and verbal prayers seem to have taken their place. I seriously question if God ever really wanted burnt offerings.

So there's no way I can know but there is a way you can know? I thought we were more or less talking within an Abrahamic religions framework here. And my reference to Christ made Christian presuppositions self-evident. If you want the conversation to be more of a dope-smoking "like, how do we even know we're not, like, in a matrix, man" then you've lost me.

Christian teaching is not that burnt offerings "fell by the wayside" but that burnt offerings were Old Testament sacrifice typology that was pointing to the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Obviously Jews and Muslims will disagree with this based on their traditions, but I'm speaking from mine.

Hey, I said I seriously doubt God delighted in burnt offerings.
The only thing I know for sure is you don't know.

As long as you're sure I'm not sure by what epistemological approach you arrived at that certainty, but it must have been compelling since it's the only thing you know for sure.

How could you possibly know what God delights in? C'mon. Get serious. There isn't any possible way you could know that - and you know it.

I don't know that at all. You and I differ on what constitutes a foundation for reasonable belief. I accept certain premises and you accept others. You seem to think there is no way you can know what God delights in. Most people in the world disagree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rationalistic and mechanistic explanations will fail. The bottom line is that we are commanded to pray and we do so because it is fitting (to God's glory) and obedient, even if it doesn't get us "what we want". As Christ prayed to the Father, after making his request: "Nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done". And as Job said, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face."

You are right that he knows all things and therefore has no need of our prayers. Yet he delights in our prayers and it is fitting to his glory that he receives them.

Well, with all due respect, there is no way you can possibly know what God delights in. In the OT he delighted in burnt offerings, but that kinda fell by the wayside as time went on and verbal prayers seem to have taken their place. I seriously question if God ever really wanted burnt offerings.

So there's no way I can know but there is a way you can know? I thought we were more or less talking within an Abrahamic religions framework here. And my reference to Christ made Christian presuppositions self-evident. If you want the conversation to be more of a dope-smoking "like, how do we even know we're not, like, in a matrix, man" then you've lost me.

Christian teaching is not that burnt offerings "fell by the wayside" but that burnt offerings were Old Testament sacrifice typology that was pointing to the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Obviously Jews and Muslims will disagree with this based on their traditions, but I'm speaking from mine.

Hey, I said I seriously doubt God delighted in burnt offerings.
The only thing I know for sure is you don't know.

As long as you're sure I'm not sure by what epistemological approach you arrived at that certainty, but it must have been compelling since it's the only thing you know for sure.

How could you possibly know what God delights in? C'mon. Get serious. There isn't any possible way you could know that - and you know it.

I don't know that at all. You and I differ on what constitutes a foundation for reasonable belief. I accept certain premises and you accept others. You seem to think there is no way you can know what God delights in. Most people in the world disagree with you.

Ok, just humor me. How do you know what God delights in? Did he tell you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rationalistic and mechanistic explanations will fail. The bottom line is that we are commanded to pray and we do so because it is fitting (to God's glory) and obedient, even if it doesn't get us "what we want". As Christ prayed to the Father, after making his request: "Nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done". And as Job said, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face."

You are right that he knows all things and therefore has no need of our prayers. Yet he delights in our prayers and it is fitting to his glory that he receives them.

Well, with all due respect, there is no way you can possibly know what God delights in. In the OT he delighted in burnt offerings, but that kinda fell by the wayside as time went on and verbal prayers seem to have taken their place. I seriously question if God ever really wanted burnt offerings.

So there's no way I can know but there is a way you can know? I thought we were more or less talking within an Abrahamic religions framework here. And my reference to Christ made Christian presuppositions self-evident. If you want the conversation to be more of a dope-smoking "like, how do we even know we're not, like, in a matrix, man" then you've lost me.

Christian teaching is not that burnt offerings "fell by the wayside" but that burnt offerings were Old Testament sacrifice typology that was pointing to the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Obviously Jews and Muslims will disagree with this based on their traditions, but I'm speaking from mine.

Prayers are just the verbal equivalent of burnt offerings. Intended to find favor with God for one reason or another.

No. Prayers are a way to get to know God. And to put your thoughts in order and meditate. CS Lewis writes about this if you’re interested, which you aren’t.

[Anonymous]

burnt offerings ?

I thought only politicians, clergy and celebs did that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rationalistic and mechanistic explanations will fail. The bottom line is that we are commanded to pray and we do so because it is fitting (to God's glory) and obedient, even if it doesn't get us "what we want". As Christ prayed to the Father, after making his request: "Nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done". And as Job said, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face."

You are right that he knows all things and therefore has no need of our prayers. Yet he delights in our prayers and it is fitting to his glory that he receives them.

Well, with all due respect, there is no way you can possibly know what God delights in. In the OT he delighted in burnt offerings, but that kinda fell by the wayside as time went on and verbal prayers seem to have taken their place. I seriously question if God ever really wanted burnt offerings.

So there's no way I can know but there is a way you can know? I thought we were more or less talking within an Abrahamic religions framework here. And my reference to Christ made Christian presuppositions self-evident. If you want the conversation to be more of a dope-smoking "like, how do we even know we're not, like, in a matrix, man" then you've lost me.

Christian teaching is not that burnt offerings "fell by the wayside" but that burnt offerings were Old Testament sacrifice typology that was pointing to the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Obviously Jews and Muslims will disagree with this based on their traditions, but I'm speaking from mine.

Prayers are just the verbal equivalent of burnt offerings. Intended to find favor with God for one reason or another.

No. Prayers are a way to get to know God. And to put your thoughts in order and meditate. CS Lewis writes about this if you’re interested, which you aren’t.

Most people pray to ask God for something. Maybe they didn't read C.S. Lewis

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:burnt offerings ?

I thought only politicians, clergy and celebs did that.

It was very big in the OT. Some faiths which shall go unmentioned still sacrifice animals to God.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:burnt offerings ?

I thought only politicians, clergy and celebs did that.

Don't forget Karen Black, Oliver Reed and Bette Davis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rationalistic and mechanistic explanations will fail. The bottom line is that we are commanded to pray and we do so because it is fitting (to God's glory) and obedient, even if it doesn't get us "what we want". As Christ prayed to the Father, after making his request: "Nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done". And as Job said, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face."

You are right that he knows all things and therefore has no need of our prayers. Yet he delights in our prayers and it is fitting to his glory that he receives them.

Well, with all due respect, there is no way you can possibly know what God delights in. In the OT he delighted in burnt offerings, but that kinda fell by the wayside as time went on and verbal prayers seem to have taken their place. I seriously question if God ever really wanted burnt offerings.

So there's no way I can know but there is a way you can know? I thought we were more or less talking within an Abrahamic religions framework here. And my reference to Christ made Christian presuppositions self-evident. If you want the conversation to be more of a dope-smoking "like, how do we even know we're not, like, in a matrix, man" then you've lost me.

Christian teaching is not that burnt offerings "fell by the wayside" but that burnt offerings were Old Testament sacrifice typology that was pointing to the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Obviously Jews and Muslims will disagree with this based on their traditions, but I'm speaking from mine.

Prayers are just the verbal equivalent of burnt offerings. Intended to find favor with God for one reason or another.

No. Prayers are a way to get to know God. And to put your thoughts in order and meditate. CS Lewis writes about this if you’re interested, which you aren’t.

Most people pray to ask God for something. Maybe they didn't read C.S. Lewis

No. As an atheist, you wouldn't know what people pray for, so it's a little funny that you're trying to tell us how we pray.

Mostly it's to review our day, ask forgiveness, ask for help to do the right thing. Here's the Lord's Prayer, which is how Jesus taught Christians to pray.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory.
Amen

Other faiths will have different takes. I know Muslims say there's no God but Allah, although maybe a Muslim can chime in for more.