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Here are some misconceptions on prayer:
1. It`s boring z-z-z-z-z-z
2. It`s for the "ultra" spiritual
3. God doesn`t always answer
4. My prayers don`t really make a difference so why bother?
Results of prayerlessness:
-- we have more "world" in our thoughts
-- We feel further away from God
-- We have less of God in our conversations with others
-- We slowly become more unwilling and rebellious
-- Sin doesn`t sting as much because it is less honestly confessed
-- We deal with sin as the world does, by hiding it
I think prayer is very important, but I am guilty myself for not praying as much as I should. How much should someone pray anyways? I know it should be from your heart.
boatmen:I'm insane. I have an invisible friend that I talk with throughout the day.
Nadine30: How much should someone pray anyways? I know it should be from your heart.
I pray throughout the day. I talk to God a lot. I kind of think I need to do better on a more formal prayer time though. I know I need to do better on giving Him time in my day. Such as prayer & study of His Word.
As a little girl when I first became saved the first verse I memorized was If you believe you will receive what you ask for in prayer. I took that to mean that whatever I asked for, as long as I believed He answers prayers He'll answer my prayer the way I wanted Him to. Much later I learned that He always answers but not always in a way that I want it to go...but in His all knowing perfect way. BIG difference. :)
pooh girl: Nadine30: How much should someone pray anyways? I know it should be from your heart. Pray without ceasing ideally. I think something like pray continually throughout your day. Not some big ritual, but prayerful thoughts as you work, clean, go to school, drive or shop etc. When others and things come to mind pray silently as you go about your day. I don't pray enough myself and need to pray more for others. Prayer is important I believe.
BcauseHeLives: I pray throughout the day. I talk to God a lot. I kind of think I need to do better on a more formal prayer time though. I know I need to do better on giving Him time in my day. Such as prayer & study of His Word. As a little girl when I first became saved the first verse I memorized was If you believe you will receive what you ask for in prayer. I took that to mean that whatever I asked for, as long as I believed He answers prayers He'll answer my prayer the way I wanted Him to. Much later I learned that He always answers but not always in a way that I want it to go...but in His all knowing perfect way. BIG difference. :)
Thank you. Your posts always touch me. (as yours too Pooh) Lately as reading your posts, they have given me much to think about. I also appreciate your "devotional" posts you start. I don`t know about others, but they sure touch me.
I too used to beleive that anything I would pray for it would be answered to me the way I wanted him to. I soon found out, that wasn`t the case. Which can cause anyone to wonder, "does God really care"? or "how`s come he would allow this to happen"? etc.. kwim? Anyways, I understand where you are comming from, and relate.
Speaking of prayers, I pray for the Michael Jackson family. I am so saddend of what happend. He was so hurt.
Nadine30: pooh girl: Nadine30: How much should someone pray anyways? I know it should be from your heart. Pray without ceasing ideally. I think something like pray continually throughout your day. Not some big ritual, but prayerful thoughts as you work, clean, go to school, drive or shop etc. When others and things come to mind pray silently as you go about your day. I don't pray enough myself and need to pray more for others. Prayer is important I believe.I agree to pray without ceasing. I still pray throughout the day, but it just seems to have diminished lately. Why? I hate that. Maybe I need to refresh myself in His word again better. I haven`t been into His word as much as I used to, however I still pray, every day. Maybe a part of me has given up, or is frusterated. I have lost a couple of people in my life to "death" in the last year. It`s been very painful. I tear just writing this. Ok, I`m fine now. Perhaps I`m mad at God? I don`t know. Good advice Pooh, your so sweet.
pooh girl: Nadine30: pooh girl: Nadine30: How much should someone pray anyways? I know it should be from your heart. Pray without ceasing ideally. I think something like pray continually throughout your day. Not some big ritual, but prayerful thoughts as you work, clean, go to school, drive or shop etc. When others and things come to mind pray silently as you go about your day. I don't pray enough myself and need to pray more for others. Prayer is important I believe.I agree to pray without ceasing. I still pray throughout the day, but it just seems to have diminished lately. Why? I hate that. Maybe I need to refresh myself in His word again better. I haven`t been into His word as much as I used to, however I still pray, every day. Maybe a part of me has given up, or is frusterated. I have lost a couple of people in my life to "death" in the last year. It`s been very painful. I tear just writing this. Ok, I`m fine now. Perhaps I`m mad at God? I don`t know. Good advice Pooh, your so sweet. I think wondering and asking God where are you at times when we lose people we love or face a great suffering is only being human. There are times we accept things much easier and there are times that we struggle with what we are going through or with what others are going through. I think it's okay to talk to God about what you are feeling and ask for his help. My friend that just lost her husband is taking it very hard. He left her too quick and she is hurting. He is in heaven now and one day she will see him again, still today she is missing him, saddened by his death and trying to hold onto everything that reminds her of him. I remember another good friend of ours who passed a few years ago too and we were by his side for two years. We prayed, his wife prayed and many, many others prayed for his healing. After two years of fighting cancer he died. Why, wasn't he healed? What about his daughters? They are now without a father. What about his wife? She is without a husband and now a single mother. No, it didn't turn out as we all had hoped and prayed for God had other plans I guess. Don't always understand either, but we need to keep seeking God and keep praying for his guidance in our lives. I want and need to pray more, but for whatever reason I let time pass without praying like I should.
I`m sorry to hear about your friend`s husband`s death. I will pray for her and their family. I couldn`t imagine going through this. I`m sure you have been such a blessing to her Pooh. They are blessed to have you for a shoulder to cry on. I know God is the same yesterday, today, and tommorow... I just need to chew on that. Thanks for your comfort. ((hugs))
Nadine you are an amazing encourager! I just wanted you to know I appreciate you & your sweet encouragement.
Death is so hard. Remember I said when I was little I thought prayers were answered as I saw fit? Well the death of my earthly Dad is what shook my faith & ultimately lead me back to it w/an even greater strength too.
Shortly before he died I prayed that my Mom would let me have a kitten from the batch of kittens next door. She was pretty adament that we were not getting another cat. Well I got that kitten...God anwered my prayer in a beautiful way that brought honor & glory to His name & made Him real to my childhood best friend.
Then my Dad had his motorcycle accident & like the unshakeable faith the young seem to have I prayed that he would live. I even told God I was okay w/his being in a wheelchair, I'd feed him & care for him the rest of my life if need be. I was 9 going on 10.
When he died I was devestated. The God I loved & thought loved me didn't hear me! I wandered like a lost sheep for a long time after that. I also was tortured by the thought of my Dad being in hell burning for eternity. As far as I knew He wasn't a believer.
In the amazing way only He can He finally answered me not too long ago. I prayed that my Dad would live...God gave him eternal life. I will see him one day! There's a lot in between that led me to that revelation but it was a great lesson to me. Sometimes His answer isn't what I want but even in a non-answer there is an answer to prayer. :)
I did by the way cry out to Him in my pain. I very anguishly asked Him why...why?? He didn't answer me right away, or maybe I was to filled with sorrow to hear it...I don't know but when I did finally hear Him the peace that flowed over me was amazing. He wants us to cry out to Him. He does care about our pain & wants us to turn to Him, seek Him for comfort & peace.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 tells us that He is there & He does care about us & gives us hope & a future & prospers us in His perfect, kind & good way.
BcauseHeLives: Nadine you are an amazing encourager! I just wanted you to know I appreciate you & your sweet encouragement. Death is so hard. Remember I said when I was little I thought prayers were answered as I saw fit? Well the death of my earthly Dad is what shook my faith & ultimately lead me back to it w/an even greater strength too. Shortly before he died I prayed that my Mom would let me have a kitten from the batch of kittens next door. She was pretty adament that we were not getting another cat. Well I got that kitten...God anwered my prayer in a beautiful way that brought honor & glory to His name & made Him real to my childhood best friend. Then my Dad had his motorcycle accident & like the unshakeable faith the young seem to have I prayed that he would live. I even told God I was okay w/his being in a wheelchair, I'd feed him & care for him the rest of my life if need be. I was 9 going on 10. When he died I was devestated. The God I loved & thought loved me didn't hear me! I wandered like a lost sheep for a long time after that. I also was tortured by the thought of my Dad being in hell burning for eternity. As far as I knew He wasn't a believer. In the amazing way only He can He finally answered me not too long ago. I prayed that my Dad would live...God gave him eternal life. I will see him one day! There's a lot in between that led me to that revelation but it was a great lesson to me. Sometimes His answer isn't what I want but even in a non-answer there is an answer to prayer. :) I did by the way cry out to Him in my pain. I very anguishly asked Him why...why?? He didn't answer me right away, or maybe I was to filled with sorrow to hear it...I don't know but when I did finally hear Him the peace that flowed over me was amazing. He wants us to cry out to Him. He does care about our pain & wants us to turn to Him, seek Him for comfort & peace. Jeremiah 29:11-14 tells us that He is there & He does care about us & gives us hope & a future & prospers us in His perfect, kind & good way.
I`m sorry about your dad, even though it`s been quite some time... the pain can still hurt. I`m really glad to know that he is with the Lord. That is the most important. It`s amazing how going through something that painful can actually bring you closer to the Lord whether it be right away, or later down the road. Thank you for your encouragement bcause. Also, thank you for the verse Jer. 29:11-14. Great verse to hang on to for sure. I love this other verse too, but I can`t find it right now. I am looking in the concordance.
