Unspoken Prayers

[freedfromsin]

In today's church there has risen a practice by some that is both non biblical as well as disrespectful to the Lord. That practice is to pray unspoken prayers. Unspoken prayer requests are simply not biblical. They go against what scripture teaches as how we are to pray. No one in the bible ever prayed such prayers. One reason is that NO ONE can pray in faith while praying an unspoken prayer. If we do not know what we are asking we pray as those who tempt God with meaningless words without understanding. It would be like a child who goes to their parent and says the following. "Father just say yes to my request. The father says what is your request? The child again says just say yes." No wise father would say yes and neither does God.

The same is when we seek God with prayers without knowledge. We seek Him in vain and we sin. Yes He knows all, but we are also responsible to approach our Lord in understanding and respect and in the manner given by example in scripture. And let's be honest here. We may be asking for something sinful for someone else. The fact that we may be a friend to the person and trust that person does not justify going against the way that the Lord has commanded us to pray. The bible strongly warns against doing things our way. Psalm 81:12, EZE. 13:2,

May we not become like those of old who fell to condemnation of doing our own will instead of that of God. True faith praying needs to understand what we ask so we can say the Amen. There is a scripture that shows it to be wrong to say amen to that which we know not what we are say the amen to. It is in 1 Corinthians 14;

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

While this is dealing directly with tongues it also has application to praying without understanding as well as saying amen to something that we have not understood. Saying amen is an acknowledgement that what has just been prayed is of God and God's will. It is putting our relationship on the line with God saying that I agree with this and God should do this. Prayer is a serious thing and should be done with a great deal of concern and respect. Unspoken prayers violates any model given in scripture and so violates God's will for prayer.

So what should we do if someone asks us to pray an unknown prayer? If we love the Lord and love the person we should lovingly tell them that we cannot pray in faith without understanding what we are seeking God to do. If the request is too personal to share then they should find someone who they trust enough to share it with so that they can pray in faith. That does not mean that every detail needs to be shared. If someone needs healing say that. if someone needs saved say that. if someone needs to be set free from addiction say that and so on. There is no need to say that the person is a homosexual needing saved, or that the person has aids and needs healed or other details. We only need to have an understanding of the basic need. Again there is no need for exact details, but we do need too understand what the request is about so we can pray in faith. No one can pray in faith and not know what they are asking, NO ONE! It is impossible and we are commanded to pray in faith. To do anything less we sin and dishonor the Lord.

Now someone might bring up Romans 8:26 which reads;

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

However this passage is not suggesting that we pray without knowing what we are asking for. It is saying that even though we know what we are seeking we do not know how to properly approach God. The word that is translated "ought" is the Greek word dā and it means; "it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper." In other words the manner we seek God is not totally understood. We simply do not know how to properly approach God in respect and honor. So the Spirit intercedes for us. However we are never to seek Him with prayers that we do not know what we are asking.

Now someone might say that God does answer unspoken prayers. Not so. What has happened is that God answered the prayer of someone else who actually asked knowing what they were asking. Those who pray without knowing simply dishonored the Lord and do no good at all, but actually are in sin. So let us pray biblically as well as honorably before our Lord doing so in faith. If we will do this we will help hinder the efforts of darkness from dishonoring our Lord and in doing so find that we are really part of God's answered prayer. God bless

[Trusting Jesus]

Hmmm....interesting. I do think specific prayers are good, but God knows the need in everyone's life. If I have faith that God answers prayer, then even if I don't know specifices I know He answers. Even if we know a situation we don't really know all the details. A person can ask for prayer and give sketchy details. If we pray for that request without knowing the details isn't that the same thing? For instance, if a woman asks for prayer to help her be a better wife. But the details are that she is a good wife, but her husband berates her and has her convinced that she is awful. Should we be praying that she be a better wife or that her husband's eyes are opened? God knows the details. We pray for His will.

With an unspoken prayer request, we just pray that God will step into the situation and guide the people involved. "Thy will be done".

I may be wrong, but that is just my opinion and I will give this some more thought.

<>< ><>

Nathele

[freedfromsin]

believing that God will answer a prayer and having faith He will are two different things. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. So praying and not knowing what you are asking make it impossible to have faith about what you are asking. Praying for His wil is simply a form of praying in doubt. I would direct you back to the article to read it again in regards to your example as it is covered.

Hmmm....interesting. I do think specific prayers are good, but God knows the need in everyone's life. If I have faith that God answers prayer, then even if I don't know specifices I know He answers. Even if we know a situation we don't really know all the details. A person can ask for prayer and give sketchy details. If we pray for that request without knowing the details isn't that the same thing? For instance, if a woman asks for prayer to help her be a better wife. But the details are that she is a good wife, but her husband berates her and has her convinced that she is awful. Should we be praying that she be a better wife or that her husband's eyes are opened? God knows the details. We pray for His will.

With an unspoken prayer request, we just pray that God will step into the situation and guide the people involved. "Thy will be done".

I may be wrong, but that is just my opinion and I will give this some more thought.

<>< ><>

Nathele

[Guest]

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican"

"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican"

"I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess"

"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner"

"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted"

Luke 18:10-14

"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand"

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him"

John 3:35-36

In today's church there has risen a practice by some that is both non biblical as well as disrespectful to the Lord.

That practice is to pray unspoken prayers.

Unspoken prayer requests are simply not biblical

Today's Church

"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" Acts 2:46-47

And The Treasure Payed For Her

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" Acts 20:28

Bible Check

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" Psalms 119:11

Heart Check

"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" John 14:23

Prayer Check

We Know Not What We Should Pray For

Prayer Really Is Nobody's Business But God's Business

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." Matthew 6:5-8

And Trusting The Holy Ghost Is Never Disrespectful

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" Romans 8:26-27

And Dear Gerald The Best Is Yet To Come

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" 1 Corinthians 3:9

The Work Of The Spirit In Prayer Is Biblical

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" Ephesians 6:18

So Pray Evermore

"Pray without ceasing" 1 Thessalonians 5:17

And Stifle Not

"Quench not the Spirit" 1 Thessalonians 5:19

The Spirit

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation" 2 Peter 1:20

Dear One

Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27

Love, Your Brother Joe

[sweet~lady]

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican"

"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican"

"I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess"

"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner"

"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted"

Luke 18:10-14

"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand"

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him"

John 3:35-36

In today's church there has risen a practice by some that is both non biblical as well as disrespectful to the Lord.

That practice is to pray unspoken prayers.

Unspoken prayer requests are simply not biblical

Today's Church

"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" Acts 2:46-47

And The Treasure Payed For Her

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" Acts 20:28

Bible Check

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" Psalms 119:11

Heart Check

"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" John 14:23

Prayer Check

We Know Not What We Should Pray For

Prayer Really Is Nobody's Business But God's Business

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." Matthew 6:5-8

And Trusting The Holy Ghost Is Never Disrespectful

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" Romans 8:26-27

And Dear Gerald The Best Is Yet To Come

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" 1 Corinthians 3:9

The Work Of The Spirit In Prayer Is Biblical

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" Ephesians 6:18

So Pray Evermore

"Pray without ceasing" 1 Thessalonians 5:17

And Stifle Not

"Quench not the Spirit" 1 Thessalonians 5:19

The Spirit

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation" 2 Peter 1:20

Dear One

Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27

Love, Your Brother Joe

amen, sometimes people object to unspoken requests because they are unsure of what it means to truly pray in The Spirit. That being said I also have seen and heard alot of spoken requests that are totally against what The Word teaches.. so that door swings both ways friends in Christ. Perhaps you need to consider that there certainly are privacy issues at times that are no one else's business but God's and the one standing in need. Maybe you just never thought it through.. but if in your mind you think you have then that's ok too. We are not clones of one another. I have the right to respectfully disagree with the original post on this topic. You can be right if you must. God knows. Thankyou. God Bless you!

[~pearl]

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican"

"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican"

"I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess"

"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner"

"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted"

Luke 18:10-14

"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand"

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him"

John 3:35-36

In today's church there has risen a practice by some that is both non biblical as well as disrespectful to the Lord.

That practice is to pray unspoken prayers.

Unspoken prayer requests are simply not biblical

Today's Church

"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" Acts 2:46-47

And The Treasure Payed For Her

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" Acts 20:28

Bible Check

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" Psalms 119:11

Heart Check

"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" John 14:23

Prayer Check

We Know Not What We Should Pray For

Prayer Really Is Nobody's Business But God's Business

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." Matthew 6:5-8

And Trusting The Holy Ghost Is Never Disrespectful

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" Romans 8:26-27

And Dear Gerald The Best Is Yet To Come

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" 1 Corinthians 3:9

The Work Of The Spirit In Prayer Is Biblical

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" Ephesians 6:18

So Pray Evermore

"Pray without ceasing" 1 Thessalonians 5:17

And Stifle Not

"Quench not the Spirit" 1 Thessalonians 5:19

The Spirit

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation" 2 Peter 1:20

Dear One

Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27

Love, Your Brother Joe

Amen.

When we pray some things might go unspoken in public prayer but when we are praying from our heart God hears all, for He knows our heart.

We pray to our Father not to those around us.

One of my favorite lines from a movie is in "Sheffey" when brother Sheffey goes to get a license to preach and the fellow giving the licenses says, Sheffey people say you are strange when you pray, you sound as though you are actually talking to God.

[Guest man]

believing that God will answer a prayer and having faith He will are two different things.

Actually, believing that a prayer will be answered and having faith that a prayer will be answered is the same thing.

When you say that God is unable to understand an unspoken prayer, what you're saying is that God is unable to search the heart.

[dcampsart]

It is putting our relationship on the line with God saying that I agree with this and God should do this.

Do you seriously believe what you say here?

Edited January 30, 2009 by dcampsart

[sweet~lady]

i know folks who are so down for various reasons that they simply cannot vocalize their prayers and i believe this to be just fine for the Lord who is Our Father knows what we need and what we need to say before it even leaves our lips or even is a mere thought in our minute minds.

and i am at that point myself right now so i am believing that my Father who knew me from the moment of creation will know what i need to say and i want to say but cannot.

i trust in my Father and that is how i will always be.

lv yr sis in Christ

manie

Dear Sweet manie, I was just thinking this very morning that there are times that I cannot express my need; am not able to put into words the anguish in my soul. There are also times that I don't have the understanding even of the need but I rest in the fact that GOD knows and HE ANSWERS as someone already stated in here, prayers from the heart! Amen.

and God bless you for posting this.

I also want to say to those of you that don't understand this yet.. just wait, you will.. for one day you will go through such deep waters that you won't be able to barely utter a sound much less verbalize what is going on within and without. Corinthians is clear that God does this so that we will be able to comfort others in the same or worse situations. In other words we will have the sensitivity to know that it's not up to us to have all the answers BUT GOD KNOWS and that is our place of safety and rest!

There are people in critical need that are on the vege of giving up..

Think about it folks. It's The Truth! Are we our brother's keeper?

YES

[sweet~lady]

believing that God will answer a prayer and having faith He will are two different things.

Actually, believing that a prayer will be answered and having faith that a prayer will be answered is the same thing.

When you say that God is unable to understand an unspoken prayer, what you're saying is that God is unable to search the heart.

Right on man !!!

very succinct, I will learn this skill someday..