What is the point of praying?

[Questioning Brother]

I am questioning the point to prayer. What is the point to praying for something if it never produces the desired result? Everything I have prayed for for about the last 3 years or so has not happened, or worse the things I have prayed to not happen have happened with more intensity and longer duration. So if it isn't producing the desired result, what is the point?

 

[RaymondG]

I happen to believe that, when you learn how to pray, you get everything you ask for. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. The "Lords Prayer" should be understood, not just repeated.....

 

[Dave-W]

 

[Questioning Brother]

Interesting, but a different issue. God has answered my prayers, with "No."

 

[CrystalDragon]

I am questioning the point to prayer. What is the point to praying for something if it never produces the desired result? Everything I have prayed for for about the last 3 years or so has not happened, or worse the things I have prayed to not happen have happened with more intensity and longer duration. So if it isn't producing the desired result, what is the point?

I wonder the same thing, because of God knows and controls everything, then why pray like it will change his mind? So then why pray to begin with?

 

[RDKirk]

I am questioning the point to prayer. What is the point to praying for something if it never produces the desired result? Everything I have prayed for for about the last 3 years or so has not happened, or worse the things I have prayed to not happen have happened with more intensity and longer duration. So if it isn't producing the desired result, what is the point?

Without knowing more about the character of your prayers than we'd ever be able to know, nobody can answer you question but you...

...and that will have to be through more prayer of your own.

According to scripture, two particular things that will result in unanswered prayers:

1. Praying for things that are only to satisfy your own desires.
2. Praying for things that are not in accordance with God's will.

Prayer essentially works like this, as an analogy:

A soldier gets orders from his commander to perform a task.
The soldier makes a request to the commander for necessary resources to perform that task.
The commander supplies the necessary resources.

This is what people fail to understand: In this fallen world, the mission of Jesus is to save the lost, and that is His only interest. His mission, not our desires. He is not interested in whether we have nice houses or nice cars or our own choice of food. We are His body, He is the Head, and we go where He wants to go, when He wants to go, how He wants to go.

Once again using the military as an analogy, the commander makes sure all the needs of the troops are met: Food, housing, medical care, even entertainment. But that's not because they're so awesome, but because the commander wants them fully prepared to carry out his mission.

It's all about the Lord, not about us.

 

[Solomons Porch]

I am questioning the point to prayer. What is the point to praying for something if it never produces the desired result? Everything I have prayed for for about the last 3 years or so has not happened, or worse the things I have prayed to not happen have happened with more intensity and longer duration. So if it isn't producing the desired result, what is the point?

Could it be you are praying and asking for something that God knows is not good for you? Could it be that in the long run He see's this will hurt you more than help you. He see's above and beyond our understanding.

Ex: I prayed for something 11 yrs ago, that at the time I really really really wanted and I pressed in and pressed, He gave it to me. You have to know me personally, I am head strong, determined and will fight to get things (spiritually fight), He knows how head strong I am, so in my case He knows that there are certain things I have to experience for my own good. My daddy use to say "you dont believe poo poo stinks until you stick your nose in it"..... TRUE I don't, his nickname for me was "knothead". My point in telling you this, that I am NOW begging and pleading with Him to take back this "thing" I asked for 11 yrs ago. Be careful what you ask for, grass aint always greener on the other side, sometimes you want green grass, you just need to water the little bit of grass you have and watch it grow greener.

He knows what is best for us and you must trust Him for that. Also He knows the timing of what you are asking for is not "the time", He wont give you what you ask for , if you are not ready. Maybe He's waiting for you to be ready??? Just a few thoughts for you to ponder.

 

[CrystalDragon]

I happen to believe that, when you learn how to pray, you get everything you ask for. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. The "Lords Prayer" should be understood, not just repeated.....

I'm sure some have understood it and not had their prayers answered. Some have not understood it or haven't prayed it and had their prayers answered.

 

[Ken Rank]

I am questioning the point to prayer. What is the point to praying for something if it never produces the desired result? Everything I have prayed for for about the last 3 years or so has not happened, or worse the things I have prayed to not happen have happened with more intensity and longer duration. So if it isn't producing the desired result, what is the point?

We are to pray "in his name," which does not mean saying his name at the end of the prayer. The idea of praying in his name means praying in his authority, according to his will, in a manner consistent with his character. That is what "in the name" means to a Hebrew which matters because messiah was a Hebrew. Point is... if we run off a list to God and that isn't His will, He won't grant that no matter what word we close the prayer with. He isn't a genie there to do our bidding, He is God and we serve Him. So prayer would be asking Him what He desires and then waiting on His answer. We can pray for healing, ask Him... but in the end it will come to down to it being His will or not.

That is a hard reality we need to face.

 

[RaymondG]

I'm sure some have understood it and not had their prayers answered. Some have not understood it or haven't prayed it and had their prayers answered.

I dont believe that is possible. It is my opinion that you get everything you ask for, whether it is good for you or not.....and you deal with the consequences after. It is better to prayer for guidance that to know the Will, than for objects or specific outcomes. I'll give you a key, if you care to hear it, if not, discard it. Your every thought is a prayer that God hears.....This is why it is important to guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus, Our Lord.

 

[CrystalDragon]

I dont believe that is possible. It is my opinion that you get everything you ask for, whether it is good for you or not.....and you deal with the consequences after. It is better to prayer for guidance that to know the Will, than for objects or specific outcomes. I'll give you a key, if you care to hear it, if not, discard it. Your every thought is a prayer that God hears.....This is why it is important to guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus, Our Lord.

What about those who pray for a family member to get better but it doesn't happen? Or an end to violence but there still violence?

 

[Questioning Brother]

Most seem to be missing the point:

IF it doesn't produce the desired results, what is the point of wasting my time praying?

 

[RaymondG]

I wonder the same thing, because of God knows and controls everything, then why pray like it will change his mind? So then why pray to begin with?

Hezekiah had 15 years added to his year after praying.....when God told him beforehand he would die that day. Jonah went to ninevah to tell them that they had a choice of multiple endings. "Honor your mother and father that your days be longer..." this would imply that your ending is based on the choices you make.

Your can chose your destiny, or let your destiny chose you. God would be fine with whichever you choose to do.

 

[RDKirk]

Most seem to be missing the point:

IF it doesn't produce the desired results, what is the point of wasting my time praying?

You need to change your desires.

 

[RaymondG]

What about those who pray for a family member to get better but it doesn't happen? Or an end to violence but there still violence?

The latter half of your questions is a sensitive topic whose answer i dont feel inspired to give. And this is definitely not something that should be answered with the carnal mind....so I choose to jump over this snare. But I do feel that if you desire to stop trying to pray intentionally, it is fine to do so....make sure to watch your thoughts and feeling as well....

 

[RaymondG]

Most seem to be missing the point:

IF it doesn't produce the desired results, what is the point of wasting my time praying?

I agree, you should stop praying the way you are currently praying, if that method get you no results. You can then search the bible for a different way to pray, or give up on it all together.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

I am questioning the point to prayer. What is the point to praying for something if it never produces the desired result? Everything I have prayed for for about the last 3 years or so has not happened, or worse the things I have prayed to not happen have happened with more intensity and longer duration. So if it isn't producing the desired result, what is the point?

Most seem to be missing the point:

I wonder the same thing, because of God knows and controls everything, then why pray like it will change his mind? So then why pray to begin with?

What about those who pray for a family member to get better but it doesn't happen? Or an end to violence but there still violence?

IF it doesn't produce the desired results, what is the point of wasting my time praying?

Well do you see him as a genie who grants wishes? Because it sounds like thats what you think He is. Pray and get what you want. Or maybe you have heard half/false gospel preaching about prosperity, which would also lead you to treat Him as a genie. If so then you won't be happy and likely don't even notice all the unanswered prayers. Like having a roof over your head, food to eat, money, internet...etc. Some focus only on when prayers don't get answered instead of seeing both sides of it.

His answers aren't always yes. They can be no or maybe/wait. Yes and no are obvious. But wait means maybe Hes waiting for you to do something that you aren't doing yet, then He will answer with a yes (maybe). For example I made finding love my idol. It wasn't until I stopped making it my idol that He said yes and brought me my wife.

As for suffering, thats just part of life. Being a christian doesn't mean like a genie He just makes our lives perfect and stress free. Because if it worked that way everyone would be a christian.

Now as for issues of "Why doesn't he help with such and such?". Well we have free will. Lets say you know someone whos baby died from an abusive parents. Why doesn't God answer the prayer to help that child be free from that parent? Well because free will. If He stepped into everything on this planet then we would simply be robots who have no free will. Such as if I decide to go shoot someone He won't stop me because it is my choice. Now is it fair that such things happen that are bad? From a human point of view of course. But until we understand freewill and Gods role, we will just drive ourselves nuts.

Next comes "But the bible says He will give you the desires of your heart!!!". Again, if you take it as Hes a genie, then disappointment will follow. Sometimes what we want isn't always what is best. Again I bring up finding love. I wanted to find someone badly when younger. But He was smart because my life had many issues going on and I had lessons I learned from that stuff. So when the time was right He sent someone. Again this doesn't mean you WILL get what you desire.

Our freedom to choose our paths often has us going in wrong directions to the point of maybe we won't get what we want. Which then leads tot he question "So why pray if He already knows everything that will happen and my life is already written?". Well I don't think of it as you "Destined" and your life is written in stone. He sees all our choices at once. For example I am at a stop light and He sees if I go right I'll be late to my event. If I go straight, I get into a wreck, if I go left I'll make it to the event on time, if I turn around I'll miss the event. He sees all choices and outcomes I believe. So while He always has a path we should go down, we still choose. He can try and help us by giving us direction but sometimes we don't notice or are far from Him and don't hear Him. Or alot of the time we obviously just use our free will to choose what direction to go.

If I had changed my decision to not only keeping looking for love, but to marry the next person I met on my own.... I would have never met my wife He had along the path I was on.


Lastly I'll say prayer is a hard topic because on one hand we should never cease praying. For example Sarah (if I recall) wanted a baby but wasn't given one until like her 90s. But sometimes we give up. I did alot when it came to being healed. But now I pray every day about it. I am now in my mid 30s.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Could it be you are praying and asking for something that God knows is not good for you? Could it be that in the long run He see's this will hurt you more than help you. He see's above and beyond our understanding

Very well put.

My daddy use to say "you dont believe poo poo stinks until you stick your nose in it".....

Ha! Nothing like good ol' country wisdom : )

Everything I have prayed for for about the last 3 years or so has not happened, or worse the things I have prayed to not happen have happened with more intensity and longer duration

Questioning, I would amplify on these statements by stating it appears your primary objectives in prayer are essentially attainments in this world. Not certain, so don't let me judge you wrongly, nor judge you for doing so if this is indeed the case. Simply saying here that this was not the primary objective of prayer in the New (or Old) Testament. Prayer was for hearing the voice of the Father (John 16:25; John 16:13).

If you will change the objective of your prayers, this will lead to knowing the Father's will for you on a much more extensive basis, and lead to your praying prayers that are much more in tune with it (Romans 8:26).

 

[QuikSand]

So if it isn't producing the desired result, what is the point?

To let you know
that what you desire of God is not acceptable to Him.

 

[CrystalDragon]

Well do you see him as a genie who grants wishes? Because it sounds like thats what you think He is. Pray and get what you want. Or maybe you have heard half/false gospel preaching about prosperity, which would also lead you to treat Him as a genie. If so then you won't be happy and likely don't even notice all the unanswered prayers. Like having a roof over your head, food to eat, money, internet...etc. Some focus only on when prayers don't get answered instead of seeing both sides of it.

His answers aren't always yes. They can be no or maybe/wait. Yes and no are obvious. But wait means maybe Hes waiting for you to do something that you aren't doing yet, then He will answer with a yes (maybe). For example I made finding love my idol. It wasn't until I stopped making it my idol that He said yes and brought me my wife.

As for suffering, thats just part of life. Being a christian doesn't mean like a genie He just makes our lives perfect and stress free. Because if it worked that way everyone would be a christian.

Now as for issues of "Why doesn't he help with such and such?". Well we have free will. Lets say you know someone whos baby died from an abusive parents. Why doesn't God answer the prayer to help that child be free from that parent? Well because free will. If He stepped into everything on this planet then we would simply be robots who have no free will. Such as if I decide to go shoot someone He won't stop me because it is my choice. Now is it fair that such things happen that are bad? From a human point of view of course. But until we understand freewill and Gods role, we will just drive ourselves nuts.

Next comes "But the bible says He will give you the desires of your heart!!!". Again, if you take it as Hes a genie, then disappointment will follow. Sometimes what we want isn't always what is best. Again I bring up finding love. I wanted to find someone badly when younger. But He was smart because my life had many issues going on and I had lessons I learned from that stuff. So when the time was right He sent someone. Again this doesn't mean you WILL get what you desire.

Our freedom to choose our paths often has us going in wrong directions to the point of maybe we won't get what we want. Which then leads tot he question "So why pray if He already knows everything that will happen and my life is already written?". Well I don't think of it as you "Destined" and your life is written in stone. He sees all our choices at once. For example I am at a stop light and He sees if I go right I'll be late to my event. If I go straight, I get into a wreck, if I go left I'll make it to the event on time, if I turn around I'll miss the event. He sees all choices and outcomes I believe. So while He always has a path we should go down, we still choose. He can try and help us by giving us direction but sometimes we don't notice or are far from Him and don't hear Him. Or alot of the time we obviously just use our free will to choose what direction to go.

If I had changed my decision to not only keeping looking for love, but to marry the next person I met on my own.... I would have never met my wife He had along the path I was on.


Lastly I'll say prayer is a hard topic because on one hand we should never cease praying. For example Sarah (if I recall) wanted a baby but wasn't given one until like her 90s. But sometimes we give up. I did alot when it came to being healed. But now I pray every day about it. I am now in my mid 30s.

Don't we not have free will though since God has a plan and controls everything?