Lets Be Honest About Praying

[falcon9]

Praying only occurs when you want something that you can't have or if you want confidence. The whole thing is really pathetic if you think about. 

Would you equate it to "begging" or, not?

[falcon9]

even having a one sided conversation with the Lord is concidered a prayer.

It can also be considered as 'talking to oneself', however.

[richcrutch]

Jesus Christ prayed to the Father while he was on Earth. Prayer is direct communication with God. I pray everyday to God about many things. If i tell you that i will pray for you about a specific issue, than i will. Because i have not only told you that i would pray; but God also. Prayer is an important part of my daily life and i don't take it lightly.

[falcon9]

Jesus Christ prayed to the Father while he was on Earth. Prayer is direct communication with God. 

Same guy who 'prayed', "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?", (which is rendered as "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?")?

[SherylsShado]

To understand the Bible, one has to look at the verses that come before and after a particular verse in question and study Bible literature. The Bible uses "figures of speech", symbolic imagery, poetry, parables,  etc.  

For example, the verse "O taste and see that the LORD is good..." (Psalm 34:vs. eight) interprets to Christian that David has found protection from the Lord; he had had evidence of His goodness; and he asks now of others that they would make the same trial which he had made.

To the non-believer, it interprets as the Lord saying "bite me".  


Those that seek the Truth...shall find it.

[CSIChik72]

Yes I do pray for someone when I tell them I am going to. My hope is that by praying for their needs or concerns that blessings will not only come their way, but mine as well. We must love others as we love ourselves!

[falcon9]

To understand the Bible, one has to look at the verses that come before and after a particular verse in question and study Bible literature. The Bible uses "figures of speech", symbolic imagery, poetry, parables,  etc.  

As such, it is widely open to interpretation, (translation errors and misinterpretations).

For example, the verse "O taste and see that the LORD is good..." (Psalm 34:vs. eight) interprets to Christian that David has found protection from the Lord; he had had evidence of His goodness; and he asks now of others that they would make the same trial which he had made.

Or, going by Young's Literal Translation (of the Hebew & Greek translations) that was rendered as "Taste ye and see that Jehovah is good, O the happiness of the man who trusteth in Him."  The verses preceding and following 8, (which provide context, according to your assertion), are: "7-A messenger of Jehovah is encamping, Round about those who fear Him, And He armeth them" and "9-Fear Jehovah, ye His holy ones, For there is no lack to those fearing Him."

From this context, the reference is to 'fearing jehovah' and "trusing" that it's all good.

To the non-believer, it interprets as the Lord saying "bite me".  

Conversely, from this context, the reference is to 'fearing jehovah' and "trusing" that it's all good.


From this context, the reference is to 'fearing jehovah' and "trusing" that it's all good.
Those that seek the Truth...shall find it.

[/quote]


Not however, in a translation of an interpretation of a retranslation of sketchy and dubiously-sourced material.  This endeth my participation in 'thumping' the "bible", (which should be interpretated to mean that I'm already familar with several variations of those 'texts' and this would be a zero-sum venture to continue).

[shepherdchik]

I don't pray. I do sometimes say to myself that I hope so-and-so is feeling better or gets better but it's never to any specific deity or god. When I see that prayer doesn't help at all when it matters most I can't think about doing it and it meaning something. I know that sounds awful but being in a bad place with myself right now I don't believe in very much good..I'm trying to find balance though so I hope I can find a way to believe in something again.

[jcribb16]

To understand the Bible, one has to look at the verses that come before and after a particular verse in question and study Bible literature. The Bible uses "figures of speech", symbolic imagery, poetry, parables,  etc.  

For example, the verse "O taste and see that the LORD is good..." (Psalm 34:vs. eight) interprets to Christian that David has found protection from the Lord; he had had evidence of His goodness; and he asks now of others that they would make the same trial which he had made.

To the non-believer, it interprets as the Lord saying "bite me".  


Those that seek the Truth...shall find it.

I always enjoy your responses/examples, Sheryl.  I've noticed that you have met the other poster since you've come back. 

[b1pearl]

I BELIEVE IN PRAYER; BUT IF YOU ASKED SOMEONE IF I PRAY, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO ANSWER YOU. BECAUSE THIS IS BETWEEN ME AND GOD AND NO ONE ELSE!

[SherylsShado]

I BELIEVE IN PRAYER; BUT IF YOU ASKED SOMEONE IF I PRAY, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO ANSWER YOU. BECAUSE THIS IS BETWEEN ME AND GOD AND NO ONE ELSE!

"hiding your light under a bushel"?...  

[SherylsShado]

I always enjoy your responses/examples, Sheryl.  I've noticed that you have met the other poster since you've come back. 

Thanks jcribb16.  I hope you're feeling much better!!  Yes, I've met the other poster...I think he adds a great deal of fun to the FC forums.   

[falcon9]

I BELIEVE IN PRAYER; BUT IF YOU ASKED SOMEONE IF I PRAY, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO ANSWER YOU. BECAUSE THIS IS BETWEEN ME AND GOD AND NO ONE ELSE!

"hiding your light under a bushel"?...  

This could lead to a burning "bushel"?

[falcon9]

Yes, I've met the other poster...I think he adds a great deal of fun to the FC forums.   

Surely I'm not the only "other poster"?

[SherylsShado]

Yes, I've met the other poster...I think he adds a great deal of fun to the FC forums.   

Surely I'm not the only "other poster"?

Ok, but my name's NOT Surely.