Lets Be Honest About Praying

[SherylsShado]

I think it's only fair to say that you can't pea for unrealistic things. Asking for someone to love you, or asking to hit the lotto are unrealistic. I think if you have REAL prayers God does hear them and will consider them. I think you have to truly believe in God and his work for a prayer to be Answered

My intentions are NOT to pick on the OP of this quote, I just have a difference of opinion and so I'm posting my "two cents".
     I think it's only reasonable to pray for "unrealistic things".  I would say God gave most everyone what they needed to do for themselves when He gave them two hands (others will say their two hands came from their parents) and regardless of who gets credit from where the two hands came from...MOST everyone has two hands.  It's reasonable to me that people can do what they need to do to make their "realistic" hopes/dreams/needs happen.  IMO, people that pray to God for "realistic" things are either too lazy to do for themselves or unknowledgable about what the Bible says (because many don't take the time to learn what the Bible says or go to church to learn) so they don't know what their faith entitles them to, or they don't have much faith in God and so they don't expect Him to do unrealistic things. 
     One example:  Joe gets let go from his nice, high paying managment job.  He can't find related work anywhere and he refuses to take any job that pays much less than what he's accustomed to.  He'd much rather sit in front of the computer and play games all day long and then sneak in a prayer to God somewhere during his "busy" day expecting God to either give him another high paying job or a large amount of money so he can pay his bills.  Joe is going to be mad at God later because God didn't "answer" his prayers.   He doesn't realize God already has done everything He had needed to do for Joe before Joe was born.  Joe needs to get his "butt in gear" and make the most of his potential.  When Joe hits an obstacle that he absolutely cannot overcome on his own, that's when he should pray for the victory.  I think God answers prayers best when they are a challenge, so when He answers them...we have no doubts that it was Him.

[Elizabeth_Garber]

I never tell anyone that I'll pray for them, to me its just better to do it. Like its an anonymous call to god on that person behave, and I make it a silent prayer as I'm parting with the person. I can go through a day always say "Dear God, there are more people out there that need your help I know, and I ask that you look into the life of (persons name, or description) and help make his life better. Amen" I don't know if god is listening right then and there, but I'm sure he'll get the memo.

[falcon9]

I think it's only reasonable to pray for "unrealistic things". 

Logically, it isn't realistic and therefore, not reasonable, (amiable to reason), to do so.  Of course, 'prayer' isn't logical so nothing about it is amiable to reason.

I would say God gave most everyone what they needed to do for themselves when He gave them two hands (others will say their two hands came from their parents) and regardless of who gets credit from where the two hands came from...MOST everyone has two hands.  It's reasonable to me that people can do what they need to do to make their "realistic" hopes/dreams/needs happen.  IMO, people that pray to God for "realistic" things are either too lazy to do for themselves or unknowledgable about what the Bible says (because many don't take the time to learn what the Bible says or go to church to learn) so they don't know what their faith entitles them to, or they don't have much faith in God and so they don't expect Him to do unrealistic things. 
     One example:  Joe gets let go from his nice, high paying managment job.  He can't find related work anywhere and he refuses to take any job that pays much less than what he's accustomed to.  He'd much rather sit in front of the computer and play games all day long and then sneak in a prayer to God somewhere during his "busy" day expecting God to either give him another high paying job or a large amount of money so he can pay his bills.  Joe is going to be mad at God later because God didn't "answer" his prayers.   He doesn't realize God already has done everything He had needed to do for Joe before Joe was born.  Joe needs to get his "butt in gear" and make the most of his potential. 

This comes across much like the adage that "the lord helps those who help themselves", (which, on one level, means that help is allegedly forthcoming to those who don't need it and, on another level, that one who helps themselves along doesn't need a "lord").
 

I think God answers prayers best when they are a challenge, so when He answers them...we have no doubts that it was Him.

If that were the case, there would be at some some unambiguous examples of this which can be directly attributed to 'answered prayers'.  Unfortunately, all previously submitted examples are ambiguous and rely wholly upon 'faith' and false attributions.

[SherylsShado]

Unfortunately, all previously submitted examples are ambiguous and rely wholly upon 'faith' and false attributions.

Believers are supposed to rely wholly upon 'faith' and it isn't "blind faith".   Believers "walk by faith" and "not by sight" --- but it isn't "blind faith.  "Walking by faith and not by sight" means that when a Believer hears bad news, when they see things are looking really bad, that no matter what everyone else is saying...they have a God that is BIGGER than thes circumstances and they can call on Him and know that He hears them.

 The "faith" isn't blind because any believer that has been a believer for any length of time should have a "history" of answered prayers and each one of those answered prayers becomes a "building block" which strengthens their faith.  So while their faith might be "blind" to others, it surely is not to them...they've seen the results.

[falcon9]

Believers are supposed to rely wholly upon 'faith' and it isn't "blind faith".   Believers "walk by faith" and "not by sight" --- but it isn't "blind faith. 

Given that it isn't "by sight", it certainly is 'blind', (despite an unfounded assertion to the contrary).  It's 'blind', (irrational), because there is no rational basis for 'faith'.

"Walking by faith and not by sight" means that when a Believer hears bad news, when they see things are looking really bad, that no matter what everyone else is saying...they have a God that is BIGGER than thes circumstances and they can call on Him and know that He hears them.

That is merely circular in that it comes down to 'walking by faith is done when one has faith in what one has faith in'.

The "faith" isn't blind because any believer that has been a believer for any length of time should have a "history" of answered prayers and each one of those answered prayers becomes a "building block" which strengthens their faith.  So while their faith might be "blind" to others, it surely is not to them...they've seen the results.

Any such "results" cannot be accurately attributed to "answered prayers" and therefore, there may be a history of false attributions, (which do not support the contention that 'faith isn't blind' but rather, support the counter-argument that it is blind).

[SherylsShado]

This comes across much like the adage that "the lord helps those who help themselves", (which, on one level, means that help is allegedly forthcoming to those who don't need it and, on another level, that one who helps themselves along doesn't need a "lord").

Does it?  Because I thought it was more like "God helps those that CAN'T help themselves".
Another example:  Two football teams go to the SuperBowl, both sides have some players that are Believers.  Those believers and all their fans (that are Believers)  are praying that their team win the SuperBowl.  Since God doesn't have favorites...who does God let win? 

God gave those players (believers and not) their abilities and talents (again, we can argue where their abilities and talents came from: God vs. parents but they were born with their abilities and talents regardless).  They are to play their best and one team will win.  Usually there are players that will "thank God for the win" but God was probably just enjoying the game.  It would make more sense for them to thank God for their abilities, for their strength, for their fans, etc. than "the win".   God didn't perform any miracles and let any certain "special team" win.
 However, a player that shatters his neck during a game and is pronounced paralyzed (that has many praying for him) and he later begins to walk...that is God helping someone that can't help himself, that is answered prayer, that is something that "glorified God" vs. just benefiting one person.     
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/magazine/09/12/flashback121492/index.html                                                       
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About praying for "unrealistic " things like winning the lottery: 
I recently had a lady tell me she was convinced God lets certain believers that pray...win the lottery.  She told me she knew a lady that bought a lottery ticket and put it in her Bible and prayed all night that night that He would let her win because she was in NEED and the next day, her numbers were picked.  That is what is "mere coincidence".  If she had prayed first BEFORE she bought the ticket, her heart should have told her NOT to buy the ticket.  Why?  Because the Bible does NOT promote gambling.

[SherylsShado]

Believers are supposed to rely wholly upon 'faith' and it isn't "blind faith".   Believers "walk by faith" and "not by sight" --- but it isn't "blind faith. 

Given that it isn't "by sight", it certainly is 'blind', (despite an unfounded assertion to the contrary).  It's 'blind', (irrational), because there is no rational basis for 'faith'.

"Walking by faith and not by sight" means that when a Believer hears bad news, when they see things are looking really bad, that no matter what everyone else is saying...they have a God that is BIGGER than thes circumstances and they can call on Him and know that He hears them.

That is merely circular in that it comes down to 'walking by faith is done when one has faith in what one has faith in'.

The "faith" isn't blind because any believer that has been a believer for any length of time should have a "history" of answered prayers and each one of those answered prayers becomes a "building block" which strengthens their faith.  So while their faith might be "blind" to others, it surely is not to them...they've seen the results.

Any such "results" cannot be accurately attributed to "answered prayers" and therefore, there may be a history of false attributions, (which do not support the contention that 'faith isn't blind' but rather, support the counter-argument that it is blind).

Seriously falcon9...have you ever given yourself a 'headache'

[falcon9]

Seriously falcon9...have you ever given yourself a 'headache'

No, but I have occasionally observed such a capability to induce one in another being inaccurately attributed.

[SherylsShado]

Seriously falcon9...have you ever given yourself a 'headache'

No, but I have occasionally observed such a capability to induce one in another being inaccurately attributed.

LOL!  

[falcon9]

Seriously falcon9...have you ever given yourself a 'headache'

No, but I have occasionally observed such a capability to induce one in another being inaccurately attributed.

LOL!  

Naturally, this applies only if the 'power' to induce headaches is externally-attributed, (rather than as an internal consequence of various other factors).

[SherylsShado]

Seriously falcon9...have you ever given yourself a 'headache'

No, but I have occasionally observed such a capability to induce one in another being inaccurately attributed.

LOL!  

Naturally, this applies only if the 'power' to induce headaches is externally-attributed, (rather than as an internal consequence of various other factors).

I've heard most headaches are caused by "tension"...you don't, by chance, tend to whip any of THAT up...do you???  

[falcon9]

I've heard most headaches are caused by tension...by chance, do you tend to "whip" any of THAT up???   

Any tension, (or headaches), you may feel is an internal consequence of reaction.  No one can 'make' you feel something, (unless they jab you with a pointy stick, for instance).  Any emotional reactions are internally-generated.

[SherylsShado]

I've heard most headaches are caused by tension...by chance, do you tend to "whip" any of THAT up???  

Any tension, (or headaches), you may feel is an internal consequence of reaction.  No one can 'make' you feel something, (unless they jab you with a pointy stick, for instance).  Any emotional reactions are internally-generated.

 
Emotional reactions are internally generated and can be the result of someone else creating "tension" for them.  Many people get headaches from tension from their jobs--- while their job didn't directly cause them pain---if they had had the day off, they probably wouldn't have had their tension-headache.


(p.s.-No, you haven't given me a headache...)

[falcon9]

(p.s.-No, you haven't given me a headache...)

The day is still young.

[RakiaTaylor]

You should NEVER pray for someone out of pity....and I think THAT is where ppl go wrong in prayer.

If you pray for someone or a situation, it should be from the heart and not made known.  Everyone has their own personal relationship with GOD.