Is it ok to pray for the the same thing hour's after you prayed for it becasue it hasn't happend... Or to pray for the same thing just in general even days after if it doesn't happen?

[faithfull-prophet4040]

I know there's a verse i think by Paul said that say's pray constantly. BUT, I take that as (pray constantly for God to direct your path's, and make them straight) OR (pray constantly for the strength to get through the current trial he/her is facing) OR (pray constantly for God to help you find salvation, and to find the strength to quit sinning) OR pray constantly to find faith etc... I think if someone prays for the same thing more than once especially if it hasn't happened just in a two hour period because (God work's in his own special way and time not on people's) That it is a lack of faith because I believe if you have faith, true faith, in time your prayers will be answered. And so praying for the same thing more than once is a lack of faith in my opinion... Please answer this kindly like i always say, and help me with bible verses aside from the one saying pray constantly because I explained above what i think Paul meant when he said that. (If it was Paul that wrote that verse, again not completely sure on who wrote that verse.) Please and thank you, I appreciate everyone's answer's especially the helpfull one's.

[HAZARD]

Matthew 7: 7-12.

[OneLight]

When I find myself praying for any specific reason, I always end with the words of Jesus from Luke 22:42b

nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.

I know that doesn't answer your question about how often to pray, yet I find with this attitude toward prayer, I trust He will do His will and not mine.  It's always nice to see what I prayed for was His will too, but a lot of times I miss the mark a bit, if not by a mile.

[Ozarkbound]

I was taught not to pray for things I want, but to follow God's will.

 Christ instructed us how to pray in the Lord's prayer. 

[JustClay]

So… Brother faithfull-prophet 4040, if I understand your post correctly, you are trying to determine the difference between repetitious prayer and persistent prayer.  The main thing to remember, is that God is listening to our heart when we pray, so our prayers consist of much more than we can even think to express.

Here’s the advice of Jesus regarding long, repetitious prayers:

Matthew 6:7

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

What a relief!  We don’t have to use fancy words and pray long, drawn-out prayers to get our Father’s attention.  If we say something as simple as “Help, Lord!” He not only hears, but also knows exactly what we need help with and how best to do it.  

Persistent prayers are in a different category.  Sometimes we have a heavy burden which may take time to lift for various reasons.  In that case, God does not want us to give up.  He longs to bless us with relief, but maybe the time is not right.  He already knows our entire story.  We don’t.  But He wants us to remember that He is faithful and tell Him so.   Jesus told His disciples this parable for such situations:

Luke 18:1-7

18 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

What a blessing!  Our Father hears our persistent cries for relief, and we can be assured that He will answer.  It may not be the answer we want, but it will be what is best for us.  Paul prayed persistently for his “thorn in the flesh” to be removed, but God’s answer was that “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). And look at all Paul was able to accomplish with that “thorn in the flesh”!

Hope these thoughts help….  God is listening! 
 

 

[Who me]

13 hours ago, faithfull-prophet4040 said:

so praying for the same thing more than once is a lack of faith in my opinion..

Is it! then why did Jesus tell the parable of the persistent widow, who kept pestering the judge untill

 he gave her justice.

 

It depends what you are praying for.

by all means pray for guidance about choices you have in your life, but don't pray for wisdom to decide which pair of socks to wear.

Pray about those things that are important to you, worry you etc

also talk to people in your church who can advise you.

example those involved in music in the church can advice you about your music, those in different careers, buisness can give career advice and there are those who can help with other problems because they have been there.

 

To pray constantly means just that. to pray about the things that concern you both personal, local, national and international. 

Listen to the news and then pray about it. listen to church notices so one can pray for those in need of prayer, take missionary magerzines so one can pray for the missionaries and the church they are working with and the country they are in.

 

Often these prayers do not change from one week to the next but we still pray for them

[JohnD]

14 hours ago, faithfull-prophet4040 said:

I know there's a verse i think by Paul said that say's pray constantly. BUT, I take that as (pray constantly for God to direct your path's, and make them straight) OR (pray constantly for the strength to get through the current trial he/her is facing) OR (pray constantly for God to help you find salvation, and to find the strength to quit sinning) OR pray constantly to find faith etc... I think if someone prays for the same thing more than once especially if it hasn't happened just in a two hour period because (God work's in his own special way and time not on people's) That it is a lack of faith because I believe if you have faith, true faith, in time your prayers will be answered. And so praying for the same thing more than once is a lack of faith in my opinion... Please answer this kindly like i always say, and help me with bible verses aside from the one saying pray constantly because I explained above what i think Paul meant when he said that. (If it was Paul that wrote that verse, again not completely sure on who wrote that verse.) Please and thank you, I appreciate everyone's answer's especially the helpfull one's.

Pray for anything. God's a big God. He can hear it, take it (if it's a gripe, complaint, etc).

AND God is in charge.

Meaning, yes / no / maybe / wait

are his answers.

I've personally been praying for wherewithal to do his will, ministry, helping others, animals, etc.

But for years and years and years the obvious answer is either no or wait.

Financial stability of that kind may corrupt me in ways I haven't dreamed of.

I've also learned what true wealth is and I've already had it my entire life (even in the most meager of times). 

Sometimes prayer (not necessarily in your specific situation) going "unanswered" ( or more than likely "not to our liking" ) is God's way of

keeping our focus on Him and our dependency on Him.

We tend to take the credit ourselves, "I deserve this" I worked hard... etc.

Find joy in the fact that God rules over all and you will be the happiest you could ever be with your specific request answered.

If it is a need or you need to have what you want... God is not a killjoy or a vindictive provider... he has your best interest or that of someone you may influence at heart.

[missmuffet]

16 hours ago, faithfull-prophet4040 said:

I know there's a verse i think by Paul said that say's pray constantly. BUT, I take that as (pray constantly for God to direct your path's, and make them straight) OR (pray constantly for the strength to get through the current trial he/her is facing) OR (pray constantly for God to help you find salvation, and to find the strength to quit sinning) OR pray constantly to find faith etc... I think if someone prays for the same thing more than once especially if it hasn't happened just in a two hour period because (God work's in his own special way and time not on people's) That it is a lack of faith because I believe if you have faith, true faith, in time your prayers will be answered. And so praying for the same thing more than once is a lack of faith in my opinion... Please answer this kindly like i always say, and help me with bible verses aside from the one saying pray constantly because I explained above what i think Paul meant when he said that. (If it was Paul that wrote that verse, again not completely sure on who wrote that verse.) Please and thank you, I appreciate everyone's answer's especially the helpfull one's.

People want an instant answer to their prayer. That is not always going to happen. God will answer the prayer but it may not be the way they want it to be answered. 

[R. Hartono]

We need to also fast regularly n try charity.

[Riverwalker]

On 6/8/2021 at 5:32 PM, faithfull-prophet4040 said:

I know there's a verse i think by Paul said that say's pray constantly. BUT, I take that as (pray constantly for God to direct your path's, and make them straight) OR (pray constantly for the strength to get through the current trial he/her is facing) OR (pray constantly for God to help you find salvation, and to find the strength to quit sinning) OR pray constantly to find faith etc... I think if someone prays for the same thing more than once especially if it hasn't happened just in a two hour period because (God work's in his own special way and time not on people's) That it is a lack of faith because I believe if you have faith, true faith, in time your prayers will be answered. And so praying for the same thing more than once is a lack of faith in my opinion... Please answer this kindly like i always say, and help me with bible verses aside from the one saying pray constantly because I explained above what i think Paul meant when he said that. (If it was Paul that wrote that verse, again not completely sure on who wrote that verse.) Please and thank you, I appreciate everyone's answer's especially the helpfull one's.

 

I believe Paul is talking about being in an attitude of prayer....connected with God 24.7. Not so much yammering at him. He knows everything we want and need. Jesus also warns us against vain repetitions, thinking that if you just keep bugging God he'll give in.  No give it to Him  and move on....if you can

It is my experience  that you can pray for something, give it God, hope for peace, try to take your mind off of it, and yet the anxiety returns. When the anxiety returns it is okay to pray again, not so much for the situation (which you believe God will handle) but rather for the strength to endure and be at peace until it does.   

Philippians 4:

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things

Wash rinse repeat as needed

In a perfect world, we could give the problem to God, get our minds on happier things and wait peacefully for the answer

In a perfect world......

Edited June 11, 2021 by Riverwalker