I get a funny look when I am told I don't pray much. God gave us all the tools we need to live this life and we all know it is limited. I see ppl pray for things such as a big hit in a game, or an A on an exam, or even for someone who has terminal cancer not to die. I don't understand how ppl don't realize how selfish they can be by praying for something He has no control over or that we know is destiny. Instead, they should allow Him to focus on the prayers that would teach a man in a 3rd world country how to feed his family, or, better yet, to teach man how to find the strength within themselves to live their lives the way He intended using the tools He gave them.

Praying for someone to get well or even for yourself to get well is not selfish. Praying for a home run or an A is silly. God isn't limited, God does have control. Only God knows our destiny, so we should pray for whatever change we desire. We reveal our true character in what we pray for and our consistancy in prayer. Spritual warfare is described in Daniel chapter 10, if you haven't already, you should read that chapter so that you have a better understanding of the purpose of prayer.

While I respect your opinion and your choosing a source to provide you with it, I still believe prayer is overused. I didn't say God is limited, I said life is and death is everyone's destiny. I did Hospice for 6 yrs and I saw many times a family member pray for the patient not to die because 'they can't live without them'. That IS selfish. The patient would linger with vital signs of a dead man because they felt guilty leaving when a family member would say things like that. I see many ppl who believe in the 'power of prayer' end up mad at Him for taking them Home. Seems many ppl don't know the purpose or don't stand by their own reasons for prayer, unless it's convenient for them. Thanks for sharing.

This is so true.

I don’t believe in prayer. I believe that God is omniscient. People who pray obviously don’t believe this.

People who pray don’t have faith in God. They don’t believe that God knows what the hell he’s doing and therefore needs their help.

Prayer is the lamest notion I can think of. It’s a blatant sign of people who genuinely don’t believe that God is truly omniscient.

Besides, if a person really believes in God and in heaven then having someone close to them die should be the greatest thing they can imagine. That would mean that their loved one when to heaven. So they should be elated about that.

Most people who claim to be religious genuinely don't believe what they claim to believe. If they did, then death would be seen as a great thing and not a bad thing at all.

wow this topic went from prayer to selfishness. i pray and some times im selfish, maybe i should pray not be selfish and for you not to judge everything by what you have seen in your past.

you know everything dont you or atleast you act like it. how is it you dont know that god him self tells us in his word to pray, and to ask for the things our heart desires. just go to church ok you got alot to learn and stop trying to be a judge

You can pray for anything.....It doesn't mean he will answer it.....It's all about his timing not ours. And even if someone is going through something so terrible that they think there can be no God, for he would not put me through this....Ahhhh but yes he would for if at the end their was a lesson or a means to help someone else he surely would.

If a family is praying for someone to live, yes you can look at that as selfish...but again if God knew a reason to heal that person to show others of his great love and miracles then he would.

I guess you wouldn't know that, if you have not had prayer answered......But the Lord is good for he has listen to my prayer and answered them according to his will....and trust me they were miracles.

I seem to remember seeing scripture that says not to be afraid of asking God for things for yourself, as I see it it's better to both pray and take action in the cases of those "selfish" things. I ask for things in my prayers sometimes & I just can't see the problem with that, even though most of my prayers are to give thanks and praise unto the lord. If I was going to point out a problem in prayer, I would focus on only praying for things, as it says in a Damian Marley song "some'll only pray when the skys are gray". So in summary, it's ok to be selfish part of the time so long as you're not totaly selfish, it's much easier to care for the world when we care for ourselves;^]

How do the two follow? If you think thoughts in your head and direct them as prayer to God, then God MUST be omniscient in order to hear those prayers. Sorry, but I just can't see any logic to your statement.



People pray, because they want God to make a change. When a child is kidnapped, it was a person, not God who kidnapped the child. The prayers in this regard would be to ask God to bring the child home safe. God had nothing to do with the kidnapping, but the prayers are asking for God to have something to do with the child coming home safely. Once again, I fail to see logic in your statement. I suppose if I assumed that God controled every aspect of life, then I could see your point. But since I know that humanity has free will, I realize that God only controls those things which God desires to and those things which God's children ask Him to control.

It goes back to any other aspect of life: I should respect the choices of others no matter how different from my own. I really don't want to change, only understand. You all have enlightened me on a small part of it and I appreciate your input.

I agree Charlie people can believe what ever they want.....

Daniel 10
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the Beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me. Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

Matthew 6
1. Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4. That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11. Give us this day our daily bread.
12. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Iam searching...
Any words you might remember in the passage I might hunt for?

I'm not surprised in the least. You seem to use the word 'logic' in ways that are meaningless.

It's pretty simple Spider. If God is omniscient that means that he’s aware of everything at all times. He’s also aware of everyone’s intent and needs at all times.

You claim that people have free will to try to suggest why things occur, but then you suggest that God can intervene.

Make up your mind.

If God intervenes at any moment to control the outcome of a situation then he has controlled it. Period.

In other words, if he has control over your child being freed by a kidnapper, then he also has control over whether or not the child ever gets kidnapped in the first place.

You can’t have your cake and eat it too, which is what your scenarios are constantly requiring.

Either God can intervene or he can’t. Free will has nothing at all to do with it.

Think of prayer as a participation with yourself in agreement with yourself and that will, intent and action are one.

Give it all to God.

Spiritually from the heart.

Manifesting in your soul where will and determination exist.

And vocalizing it with your body to let it out to God.

He hears, he knows, he understands intent and desire.

But to put your whole being into it gives one the knowledge that all that can be done has been done from one to God.

Put your emotions into it. Pour it out. Plead it well with sincerity. Put everything you got into it.

Then leave it there and move on.

Go about your day and do what you can.

No doubts , no regrets , no reservations.

It is now completely out of anyone of us and in His hands.

Thank Him now for hearing and thank Him later for sharing.

Try it.

nothing to lose.

everything to gain.


Too many people say it works.

Find out.

One on one.

If He does it for me , He will do it for you.

If He does things at all through prayer, why not try?

Pour out your soul like water from a well.

Break the jar and spill it out.

PROVE HIM TO YOURSELF.

Keep it real , be real and talk to God like God is a close friend that knows everything about you.

He does anyway.

God just likes hearing us acknowledge that.

Give God that.

Gift for a gift.