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Why pray to god?
- Thread starter Hikarifuru
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I'm not sure if I understand the question. You seem to think there is some inconsistency or unresolved quandary in asking for something that is then denied. If so, could you further explain?
I am sorry to here the Christians you know are lacking in joy; it is a mystery to me as to why when they have abundant reason to be otherwise.
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Hospes
I told you the reasons why they can lack joy so why the mystery? Did you read my post or pay attention to what i said?
I also repeated my question to you. Ill try to explain. If we need to pray in order for gods will to be done or for us to recieve from him, why do we say it wasnt gods will if we dont recieve it because needing to pray shows that gods will isnt neccesarily going to happen.
I told you the reasons why they can lack joy so why the mystery? Did you read my post or pay attention to what i said?
I also repeated my question to you. Ill try to explain. If we need to pray in order for gods will to be done or for us to recieve from him, why do we say it wasnt gods will if we dont recieve it because needing to pray shows that gods will isnt neccesarily going to happen.
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- Jul 2, 2005
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So you want me to read what you write before I respond? That feels so restrictive...
The mystery to me is why followers of Jesus Christ would live in the fear and self-hate you attributed to your friend's friends. I have found, in my own experience, Christianity has brought me a sense of being phenomenally privileged, freedom to take risk, and a sense of deep security. All this I found in my pursuit of Christ. Hopefully, you now see why it is a mystery to my why I hear from you that others have found the same pursuit to give opposite results.
Thanks for the explanation; it helps. I see now the reason I cannot answer your question is I do not think the questions's premise is valid. I don't see why, as a Christian, it is necessary I agree "we need to pray in order for gods will to be done or for us to receive from him."
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TheyCallMeDavid
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The question you asked is certainly true. It is totally left up to Gods Will who he decides to heal physically . But the worse thing isn't dying to this life which we all shall do, but, WHERE we will spend all of eternity. Have you settled this issue Dean ? Its going to take a surrendered life to Christ for you to have that ; until then...it is not safe for you to die nor for anyone else who doesn't have Christ in them.
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If prayer does not determine or help determine who is healed then what purpose does prayer serve?
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Hospes
It still shouldnt be mysterious if you simply acknowledge that not everyone feels the same as you. You cant argue for how someone else should feel.
What purpose does prayer serve for you?
It still shouldnt be mysterious if you simply acknowledge that not everyone feels the same as you. You cant argue for how someone else should feel.
What purpose does prayer serve for you?
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- Jul 2, 2005
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Dean, my thinking isn't so simple as to find it a mystery that people feel different than me; one would have to be pretty clueless to wonder at such a basic fact of life. The mystery is that someone can claim to share my beliefs - beliefs that bring me joy and satisfaction - and yet derive no joy or satisfaction from them. It's as if two desperately poor men both came to believe they are heirs to great fortunes and yet one finds joy in the news and the other has no joy. I just don't understand how the latter is the way he is. It's a mystery to me.
Your second question, "What purpose does prayer serve for you?", is a great question and deserves a better response than I have time to give at this moment. Let me get back to you.
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Hospes
Well one not need conclude that they find no joy in those beliefs but rather that they probably do find joy in them while also feeling pain from other beliefs.
Well one not need conclude that they find no joy in those beliefs but rather that they probably do find joy in them while also feeling pain from other beliefs.
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TheyCallMeDavid
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We can only speculate if the prayers of the righteous (those who love Christ) have on moving the hand of God and his Will. We will find out how much , later perhaps. We lift up our praise, worship, and petitions to God because he asks us to / it keeps us close in relationship to him / God often accepts our petitions and performs a miraculous healing (ive witnessed many in my 28 years walking with Christ) / it makes us realize that we are dependent on him for everything / it brings joy to him and us when we pray to him as a Worshipper / he is deserving of our prayers / and it is an expression of love toward those we are praying for.
Do you think it wise for a Man not to engage with God our Creator thruout life ? What would allow your Will to surrender to God in such a way ?
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David
So you believe our prayers do influence god to act you just arent sure how much... if this is so then why would god not acting prove that god did not want to? Seeing that influencing him is the purpose of prayer...
So you believe our prayers do influence god to act you just arent sure how much... if this is so then why would god not acting prove that god did not want to? Seeing that influencing him is the purpose of prayer...
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Well yes it does.
Im trying to see how the praying mind organizes these two seemingly conflicting conclusions. Maybe its driven by flaming chariots of need and all reason is trodden down in its path. Losing a loved one places the mind under great duress.
Im trying to see how the praying mind organizes these two seemingly conflicting conclusions. Maybe its driven by flaming chariots of need and all reason is trodden down in its path. Losing a loved one places the mind under great duress.
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That we must pray to god for him to heal our friends... and that if our requests werent granted its because god didnt will it and prayer doesnt determine it.
We see the great expedience of prayer and then the futility of prayer. But maybe that is the only way to manage/maintain both hope in the prayer and hope in the god of the prayer. The emotional pain can compell us to both at the same time.
We see the great expedience of prayer and then the futility of prayer. But maybe that is the only way to manage/maintain both hope in the prayer and hope in the god of the prayer. The emotional pain can compell us to both at the same time.
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TheyCallMeDavid
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1. God acts according to his will, but, oftentimes a Group of Believers praying for the same thing can influence his decision as has been proven many times to my witness, and to the witness of others worldwide who are Christians.
2. God reserves the right (and rightly so)...to act as he wishes and his promise to those who are Christ Followers is that it will always be for our best benefit even if death occurs because dying physically is the gateway to a glorious incredible eternity whereby God reveals himself in full measure .
3. No, I don't know how much our prayers influence God. If I knew , then id be AS God is . Some things are a mystery in terms of Gods nature, character, and how he acts. I have trust that he knows everything from start to finish whereas I don't.
4. Your not answering my questions posited to you Dean.
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Dave
Thanks for sharing your point of view.
About your questions. I am not and will never be a christian under any circumstance. I am not willing to discuss the matter with you, i will not explain myself or my reasons to you and i do not want to hear what you think about it and i will not explain myself to you in anyway. That conversation will never happen. This is all ill say and i wont speak on it to you again.
Thanks for sharing your point of view.
About your questions. I am not and will never be a christian under any circumstance. I am not willing to discuss the matter with you, i will not explain myself or my reasons to you and i do not want to hear what you think about it and i will not explain myself to you in anyway. That conversation will never happen. This is all ill say and i wont speak on it to you again.
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TheyCallMeDavid
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Thanks for your honesty at least. But, what is the purpose of you being in this distinctively Christian Forum then ? What do you want by daily attending it ? And why pose questions to the Forum regarding Christianity if you are not an honest Seeker ? In short...what is your MO behind it all ? Thanks for explaining at least this issue.
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I want to learn about christians and what/how they think and live. I have no intention of attacking or harassing or hurting anyone in any way. I just want to post questions and read the responses and occassionally discuss them.
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