What are we trying to accomplish in praying?

[Ddavid from NC]

Prayer, the most basic activity of our faith, is the most telling indication of what we understand about our relationship to God. In your understanding do we pray to influence the will of God or to seek a deeper revelation of God and His desire for us. Simpler: Do we petition God or do find out where we surrender in God's perfect plan?

[Emily~Anne]

We 'petition' God AND we be willing to trust and surrender to whatever plan he may have for us. If I dont get what I pray for I dont throw a temper tantrum.

[Trusting Jesus]

Well, there are different types of prayer. Prayers of praise, where we just let God know that we love Him. Prayers of thanksgiving where we just let God know that we are thankful for all He has given. But I think you are talking about prayers where we approach God with requests....please heal someone, please let me get this job, etc.

I think that what we are trying to accomplish depends a lot upon where we are in our walk with God. So many times I have prayed for something in particular and haven't received it. But in looking back I see that it was a really good thing that I didn't receive it. God knew best. As I get older and have more of these prayers behind me I am able to approach God with my request (He always wants to hear from us), but I am more able to tell Him what I want but let Him know that I understand that He knows best and I will accept His answer.

<>< ><>

Nathele

[redwing]

Prayer, the most basic activity of our faith, is the most telling indication of what we understand about our relationship to God. In your understanding do we pray to influence the will of God or to seek a deeper revelation of God and His desire for us. Simpler: Do we petition God or do find out where we surrender in God's perfect plan?

Matthew 6:5-15 TNIVPrint | Listen

Matthew 5

[patricia1]

I consider prayer to be at different levels.

1. conversation with God...which means it is two ways
   
2. to have the will of the father to put into existance on this earth
   
3. To do war with the enemy, pulling down strongholds, principalities and wicked things in high places
   
4. to petition and remind myself as well as God using His promises, declare His word
   
5. intercession
   
6. groanings and moanings
   

As well there doesn't need to be many words. Adoration, supplication and thanksgiving being a part of any prayer.

Sometimes we are so busy with our mouths moving and just sitting silently before God is a prayer.

[terter]

Good posts above.

When our prayers aren't answered, one reason is "Jam 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, ..."

Apostle Paul's prayers were filled with thanksgiving and seemed to concentrate on the spiritual aspects of people's lives such as Colossians 1:3-9.

[tah]

This is the first thing that crossed my mind with the question...

Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, says Jehovah; though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.

1Th 5:16 Rejoice evermore.

1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

1Th 5:18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

................................

1Th 5:25 Brothers, pray for us.

First off my reason for praying is making sure I am in right relationship with Him..

then it is a conversation..I talk He listens and He talks and I listen ..

So totally depends on the prayer at the moment...

Scripture is so full of prayers that can be an example to us..

Especially the one already posted in Matthew 6....

[OneLight]

About praying to ask for something. Here is scripture that may guide you in understanding why, and why not , do we receive our answer.

John 15:7

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

The key here is if we abide in Him and His words abide in us. If we are in His will, we will be seeking only what He wants. Since it is what He wants, then it will be given to us. We should all be seeking the will of our Father, becoming mature in our walk. This is what I am trying to accomplish ... His will.

OneLight

[patricia1]

I remeber sitting looking at snow falling out of a window many years back and talking with the Lord of how beautiful it is when the snow falls and it remains untouched. Thinking as well of those old movies where there is a horse and carraige like in the movies Heidi.

I said to Jesus ..Oh..How i would love to have a sleigh ride like that.

a few minutes later I heard..." no you wouldn't, you'd complain about it being cold and the snow in your face..then about getting wet" I laughed cos Jesus certainly knows me better than myself...Sometimes we think we know what will make us happy and it is false. Thank God for unanswer prayer as that song has said.

God is required to meet our needs and then our desires come second....I have always believed that. I am the same person without that I am with. Been in both places.

[patricia1]

hey David. Do you not think it is sad that the post is on prayer and we have only nine replies and only 75 views....disheartening.