Why pray?

[pearly163]

I have been battling with the subject of prayer for a long time.

When I pray (and I know there have to be certain conditions such as faith etc) and I do not get the answer that I had hoped for people say to me, "It obviously wasn't God's will ".

If God has already made His mind up about issues what then is the point of prayer?

[other one]

I have been battling with the subject of prayer for a long time.

When I pray (and I know there have to be certain conditions such as faith etc) and I do not get the answer that I had hoped for people say to me, "It obviously wasn't God's will ".

If God has already made His mind up about issues what then is the point of prayer?

I don't look at it as "Gods will" as much as "was/is it really in your best interest"

There are things that have unintended consequences that we can't always see ahead of time and when we don't get what we ask for, it's been my experience that whatever I was asking really was not in my best interese in the long run.

There are still some things I don't understand, but since I've put my trust in him, I have to assume He knows best.

I also think that there are times when we just have to make things happen ourselves..... it's like saying, "No I'm not giving you waht ou want...... go out and get it for yourself...... the work will do you good.

Just my two cents.

[mizzdy]

I have been battling with the subject of prayer for a long time.

When I pray (and I know there have to be certain conditions such as faith etc) and I do not get the answer that I had hoped for people say to me, "It obviously wasn't God's will ".

If God has already made His mind up about issues what then is the point of prayer?

Prayer is part of your personal relationship with God, think about this do you get an answer from every questions or request you ask after from parents, husbands, kids? Sometimes its all about teaching us something. Funny this thread came up I used to ask for an answer to one specific guestion about a year ago I simply let it go yesterday out of know where and in some verse unrelated there was my answer. So sometimes its only when we are able to handle the answer or the need is present before He answers and then again sometimes the answer is just no and we need to accept it and grow from that.

Next time someone tells you its His will ask them how do they know did He say something to them? We do not always know what Gods will is except for what He tells us in scriptures the rest is not left up to chance or about God already making up His mind but up to choices we make. Stay in prayer, talk to Him and express yourself to Him He wants to talk with you, listen closely to what He may try to show you either through scriptures or even putting a choice in your path we just never know how He chooses to show His ways to us.

[BFP]

I think that at times we do not know what we are praying for...but God knows what our best interest is and he ultimately decides wether what we are praying for will be really good for us or not. I have learned to pray...but just trust as well, that the answer will be what is best.

[2Joyful]

If God has already made His mind up about issues what then is the point of prayer?

His point you just made. To not question Him on what He knows thats best for you, yet in the mean time seek Him. Through prayer,you will be surprise some of those times you didn't receive, He will give a clear revelation to why, and if He doesn't then that will be okay too...

Prayer isn't only asking God for things, weather its spiritual, physically emotional, financial etc. Its about establishing a personal relationship with Him. To gain knowledge of who He ready is and what He wants...YOUR TRUST to simply have Faith in Him. Prayer is a powerful blessing that has no ending. Through prayer God will show you mysteries, a visit into the Holies of Holies. To trend where angels honor Him every moment. Prayer takes us into the Presence of God. Many talk about it, but those who seek God, experiences it. When He doesn't answer sometimes it maybe that we are just not ready for what we ask for...BUT it doesn't mean later on, when the time is right, He won't grant it.

Through prayer....

No limits can be placed upon anyone, who has the passion to believe and obey the Word of God.

Blessings

[nChrist]

All good things come to a Christian from God, so the least we should do is give thanks in prayer. To do less would be ingratitude for what God has already given us, and I'm talking about everything (food, clothing, shelter, etc.). As others have mentioned, prayer is a part of our personal relationship with God - not just to get something we want.

[Hunterpoet]

I do not disagree with the others who have responded here. There is a verse concerning the proper way to offer a tithe, I cannot think of the specific verse, but believe I remember it teaching you cannot expect your tithe to be accepted if you harbor grief against someone.

I cannot think of any verse that speaks to it, but I wonder what role our own state of righteousness plays in answered pray.

Bearing in mind God's will and what is best for us, given we cannot see the future, why would God feel obligated to answer the prayer of someone who was not trying their best to glorify Him with their lives.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing anyone here of not trying their best to live God's Word. Just offering another perspective, a question that I have had for years.

It always amazes me when I hear people asking for things and you know these people have yet to remove huge boulders in theirs lives; and then they get upset because they cannot understand why God didn't answer their prayer. Again, this is not aimed at anyone involved in this discussion.

So the whole issue of answered prayer is somewhat complicated, but until you have all your ducks in a row, any reasons for unanswered prayer are purely speculation.

[Shy Christian]

I have a young adult son living with me who has been looking for work for over two years having filled out over 100 applications. I also pray that God leads him to a job. Family members give us a hard time about him not working as if he's not even trying. I have said that if God wanted him to have one of those jobs he would have made it happen.

[georgedrw81]

I have a young adult son living with me who has been looking for work for over two years having filled out over 100 applications. I also pray that God leads him to a job. Family members give us a hard time about him not working as if he's not even trying. I have said that if God wanted him to have one of those jobs he would have made it happen.

One hundred applications over two years are not many. He has to pray to get a job. He must believe God unconditionally. Praying is a reminder to ourselves of God's love for us.

Blessings

[sheya joie]

Hunterpoet, is this what you had in mind?

Matt 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.