Lets Be Honest About Praying

[jcribb16]

The first thing to understanding prayer is whether or not you accept the Lord.  The first prayer He hears from anyone is the prayer of repentance and then acceptance of Him.

So god has selective listening, does he?  He only answers prayers for those in the club?  Why does god need worship in the first place?

I won't comment on what I think of your specific situation, jcribb, because I'll only end up looking like an *bleep*.  Instead I'll counter with my own example of an "answered prayer"...

When I was still a Christian, I prayed for my mom to receive a Christian man to love her and also a horse (she loves the animal but hasn't had one since her childhood).  Check and check for those coming true in a relatively short amount of time thereafter.  I "confirmed" that my stepdad was a Christian by asking if he was so on the phone when they were first married.  My mom even started going to church because of this man.

Fast forward 2 years later; they are already having problems, and for some reason I'm being solicited for advice on how to fix their marriage.  Fast forward another year, and there is plenty of talk of divorce.

Today, 4 years later, the relationship is in shambles and holding on by a thread.  My mother is depressed, there are financial struggles, and my stepdad is ready to call it quits.  I still get solicited for advice on how to "fix" their marriage.  Things are about as bad as they can be.

So as you can see, as a Christian I called this an example of an "answered prayer", but as an atheist, I can now see it's just life.  Statistically, most people will marry, and statistically, the person you marry will probably believe in god.

No, I don't believe He has selective hearing.  He hears a sinner's prayer.  God answers prayers in ways we don't always understand.  We don't understand His bigger overall picture.  This may sound lame to you, but this is what I feel and believe.

I am really sorry for what your mother and stepdad are struggling through.  This also affects you in a major way with being put in the middle.  I truly feel for your situation and thank you for taking the time to share it.  I really hesitated to share mine but feel a little better about it now.  And thank you for sharing your example instead of what you said you'd make yourself look like if you responded to it.  You are not that anyway!!

I would like to ask if it's okay to pray for them.  If not, I will keep them in my thoughts that things will at least change for the better.  As a Christian, I can't give any answers because I don't know why it's happening or what will happen.  I can honestly see why you would see it as just life.  In a way, it is.  But for me personally, as a Christian, I would have to rely, by faith, on Him, knowing that through this, His will would be done.

Thanks, again, for sharing, and for giving me something to think on about this. 

[jcribb16]

Well, I'm glad you are back!  It hasn't been the same with you not here!  You were working too much and I haven't worked since May of last year.  Since then, I've still been struggling with some health issues, tests, labs, meds, etc.  Right now I'm waiting on some auto immune tests to come back - the doctors are thinking my asthma and other issues are being flared by an underlying auto immune problem. 

A couple of our friends have left FC and a couple have cut way back with FC.  I miss them, too.  I see you've met the other falcon(9) in here.  I don't think he was here when you were before you having to work so much.

I look forward to chatting with you again!! 

"auto-immune" problem?  I'm not sure what that means...  I'm sorry you've been struggling with your health all this time.  I will HONESTLY keep you in my prayers and will be having your health matters added to my prayer requests when I get with my prayer circle this Sunday.   

I've noticed walksalone, amyrousse & shernajwine are "missing".  I hope they're all having such a great time that they simply forgot about FC...I miss them...

Thank you, Sheryl, for your prayers.  They are very much appreciated.  "An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders."   I heard back today on the labwork and there were a couple ruled out.  I have more chest x- rays to try and rule out a couple of others.  There is something there, just have to figure out what. 

I don't know about walks - someone else in here may.  I don't know if amy and sherene have totally dropped or taking a break, but we do keep up otherwise.  They are doing well.

Take care and hope to see you again soon!

 

[SherylsShado]

jcribb16
     ok...about the auto-immune thing... I know some preachers will say when you have faith that you can pray once and know that God hears, that you don't have to keep "harping" on Him.  That's all fine and good but...I have a total of 4 prayer groups and He's going to be getting a prayer for you from each one of them.   I know there are so many opinions on prayer: how to pray, how often to pray, what to pray for, what NOT to pray for.  I just know I only contact all 4 prayer groups when it's a BIG EMERGENCY.  This Sunday, many will be praying for you!!  
     Tonight I was reading some old posts from last November...seems Annella had a "go-round" in a thread titled "Re: how old or young were you when you had sex the 1st time" of all things.  I don't know if it was because I'm overtired or what, but the mere thought of her causing such a "ruckus" in there of all places really cracked me up.  She's a feisty gal.  I might have missed it but I didn't see a post that said she'd be taking a break or leaving...

[falcon9]

I don't have the time nor energy to keep going in circles with you just to keep seeing you write the same ole same ole words as your responses to posters comments and examples.  This is not going anywhere.  Have a nice evening.

It doesn't surprise me that you aren't comprehending my replies to your 'round & 'round posts and characterize them as the same thing.  Having no particular expectations, one way or another, the benefit of the doubt is initially given when responding, (e.g., that a reply will be at least loosely related to what is being responded to).  Sometimes that works out and conversational exchanges occur.  Other times, one of the participants is blinded by faith and unable to employ reason while the otehr is not.  Thems the breaks.

[gramev64]

We have a prayer chain at our church, so when I get a call that someone needs prayer, I immediately say a prayer for them, and then pass it on to the next person on the list.

[gmurray1]

I believe in prayer, and when I say I'll pray for someone I try to do it right then.

[queenofnines]

@jcribb16: You can if you want to.

[healthfreedom]

Prayer is our way of talking with God. If we don't ever pray, where will we get divine wisdom and knowledge from? How would we know what to do in life. God has all the answers.

[falcon9]

Prayer is our way of talking with God. If we don't ever pray, where will we get divine wisdom and knowledge from? How would we know what to do in life. God has all the answers.

Such an opinion falls under "a belief without true understanding, perception, or discrimination", (dictionary.com, rather than bible.com).

[jcribb16]

jcribb16
     ok...about the auto-immune thing... I know some preachers will say when you have faith that you can pray once and know that God hears, that you don't have to keep "harping" on Him.  That's all fine and good but...I have a total of 4 prayer groups and He's going to be getting a prayer for you from each one of them.   I know there are so many opinions on prayer: how to pray, how often to pray, what to pray for, what NOT to pray for.  I just know I only contact all 4 prayer groups when it's a BIG EMERGENCY.  This Sunday, many will be praying for you!!  
     Tonight I was reading some old posts from last November...seems Annella had a "go-round" in a thread titled "Re: how old or young were you when you had sex the 1st time" of all things.  I don't know if it was because I'm overtired or what, but the mere thought of her causing such a "ruckus" in there of all places really cracked me up.  She's a feisty gal.  I might have missed it but I didn't see a post that said she'd be taking a break or leaving...

Sheryl, thank you so much for the prayers from all of the groups.  I'm grateful and that means a lot. 
Annella is gone now but we do keep up.  She's doing great. 

[jcribb16]

@jcribb16: You can if you want to.

Thank you.  I am right now and will include it in my journal.

[falcon9]

@jcribb16: You can if you want to.

Thank you.  I am right now and will include it in my journal.

Just out of curiousity, may I ask what you'd have done if she declined, (not meant to be offensive)?  The reason I asked is because some people would do a 'stealth prayer' anyway, (not that you wouldn't respect her wishes).  Nominally, it may not matter to a non-xtian whether they are 'prayed for' or not however, my question regarded such 'intercession' and consent.

[jcribb16]

@jcribb16: You can if you want to.

Thank you.  I am right now and will include it in my journal.

Just out of curiousity, may I ask what you'd have done if she declined, (not meant to be offensive)?  The reason I asked is because some people would do a 'stealth prayer' anyway, (not that you wouldn't respect her wishes).  Nominally, it may not matter to a non-xtian whether they are 'prayed for' or not however, my question regarded such 'intercession' and consent.

I would respect her wishes.  I've learned a lot through the years, especially this last year.  Sure I can pray for whoever I feel like I should on my own.  However, I don't think prayer should publicly be "threatened" on or pushed on anyone, especially those who either don't want it or ask that you not to.  The situation she's got on her touched my heart and I wish I could help in my own way.  Praying is the only way I can think of since we're on opposite sides of the computer screens, but I honestly felt it was important to ask her and then respect her answer given, whichever way she decided.

[falcon9]

I would respect her wishes.  I've learned a lot through the years, especially this last year.  Sure I can pray for whoever I feel like I should on my own.  However, I don't think prayer should publicly be "threatened" on or pushed on anyone, especially those who either don't want it or ask that you not to.  The situation she's got on her touched my heart and I wish I could help in my own way.  Praying is the only way I can think of since we're on opposite sides of the computer screens, but I honestly felt it was important to ask her and then respect her answer given, whichever way she decided.

That's a very considered answer.  Although I'm not sure one can 'threaten' another with prayer, (which strikes me as somehow humorous), it appeared to me, (and I could be wrong, since I don't speak for QoN), that she was leaving it up to you and was fairly indifferent either way.

Since "prayer" is intended to be an intercessionary invocation to one or more deities, do you feel that such a thing would help, even if the one 'prayed for' does not believe in such deities?  Assuming QoN feels that it could do no harm, (and again, I'm guessing here), and that you obviously feel it would be helpful, (if in a somewhat vague and undefined manner), what would you expect to happen?

[tzs]

Prayer didn't work for Whitney Houston, did it? I am almost sure she was very religious and always had people praying for her to get clean and get her mind right, but it sadly didn't work. Prayers are just words to the wind, not tangible, not real. So why even bother?? To make yourself feel better? HMMMM?!?!?!?