Question about prayer?

PrettyboyAndy said:

A simple application could be praying for a family member who isn't a believer, the believers prayers could intercede on behalf of the unsaved family member.
So what about a believer praying for the another believer who isn't praying for that matter?

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Prayer changes you to find God and connect with Him.
That is the highest possible result. Not to say that
others will not benefit, becasue God heard your prayer
before time began and picked the best outcome. That
outcome may not be what you had in mind before you
started praying, but hopefully, you will come around.

PrettyboyAndy said:

If I ask many righteous believers to pray for me, would that be the same effect if I do or do not pray for the matter myself?

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First of all why would you ask others to pray for something that you aren't praying for?

Second, why would't you pray for it?

Third, there is nothing wrong with asking for the prayers of others but prayer is the cry of your heart to God and He hears and answers.

(1Th 5:17) Pray without ceasing.

twin1954 said:

First of all why would you ask others to pray for something that you aren't praying for?

Second, why would't you pray for it?

Third, there is nothing wrong with asking for the prayers of others but prayer is the cry of your heart to God and He hears and answers.

(1Th 5:17) Pray without ceasing.

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He hears and already heard before the world was formed.
Your task is to get with His program through prayer.

PrettyboyAndy said:

This is just a hypothetical question.

Would the end result be the same if others are praying for me, and I am not praying fervently for the matter.

The Bible says, a prayer of a righteous man availeth much, so other righteous believers would be able to intercede on my behalf, and also possibly get God to answer the pray according to His will? Even if I was not fervently praying about the matter?

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Why would you expect others to pray for a matter that you aren't praying for? In answer to your question yes He answers the prayers of His saints. But remember that we do not twist God's arm by prayer in order to get Him to do something that He had not determined to do according to His purpose of grace.

Prayer changes us it does not change God. We pray because we have a need and a desire for His will to be accomplished. We lay hold of His promises in prayer and call on Him to do what He has determined beforehand to do according to His mercy and grace in Christ Jesus.

(Eph 2:4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

(Eph 2:5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)

(Eph 2:6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

(Eph 2:7) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Think on these verses and your prayer will be fine.

I wonder how many prayers are being made world wide at any given moment? And then the next moment, and the next, non-stop, 24/7, day in and day out, week in and week out, month in and month out, year in and year out? Surely there must be at least 50 started every moment. And I wonder how they are all kept separate to consider how or if they are to be answered?

If you made a prayer request and asked others to pray with your or for someone else thats called intercession, some people have more time to dedicate to praying yes.

Be encouraged to ask elders to pray for you as it is a privelige for them to pray, and you can learn from your elders how to pray more effectively yourself.

rstrats said:

I wonder how many prayers are being made world wide at any given moment? And then the next moment, and the next, non-stop, 24/7, day in and day out, week in and week out, month in and month out, year in and year out? Surely there must be at least 50 started every moment. And I wonder how they are all kept separate to consider how or if they are to be answered?

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This question, or one related to it crops up from time to time; "How does God hear and make sense of ALL the prayers of the world at one time?"

Is that what you're asking, or am I confused?

The answer is deceptively simply. God is INFINITE and completely capable of hearing, understanding, evaluating and responding to all those prayers at once. Even if one cannot explain the details or grasp the mechanics.

Archie the Preacher said:

This question, or one related to it crops up from time to time; "How does God hear and make sense of ALL the prayers of the world at one time?"

Is that what you're asking, or am I confused?

The answer is deceptively simply. God is INFINITE and completely capable of hearing, understanding, evaluating and responding to all those prayers at once. Even if one cannot explain the details or grasp the mechanics.

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One of the many things that cause me to filled with awe and wonder at how great is God is the fact that all of Him is always present with us. There is no part of Him in one place and another part of Him in another but all that He is is right now present with me as though I am the only person in the world.

The question of the prayer(s) potential outcome is too broad to give much of a specific answer.

Scripture says that we should -

Pray for one another. James 5:16
[ In this context after the confessing of fault(s). So that we may be healed ! ]

We are also told we will pray with the spirit, and with the understanding also. 1st Corinthians 14:15

And to pray everywhere. 1st Timothy 2:8

To pray without ceasing. 1st Thessalonians 5:17

To pray for all men, (in general) including those in positions of authority. 1st Timothy 1+2

And that some people / things should not be prayed for. Jeremiah 11:14 , John 17:9 + 1st John 5:16

Also to pray, before it's too late to be heard. Psalm 32:6

Plus, that we are to pray to our Heavenly Father asking in Christ's name. Luke 11:2 + John 16:23

And that we should pray without ill will or anger for others. Mark 11:25

And that our prayers are heard most readily when we are in harmony with God's revealed will for us. John 9:31

And then, when we ask, according to His will (whether corporately or individually)...He hears us. 1st John 5:14

wayfaring man said:

The question of the prayer(s) potential outcome is too broad to give much of a specific answer.

Scripture says that we should -

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I agree with all the posting, but have a bit of caution for one item.

wayfaring man said:

And that some people / things should not be prayed for. Jeremiah 11:14 , John 17:9 + 1st John 5:16

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The first two verses are specific in context and cause; the third - the 1st John reference - is a bit vague. I only point this out to caution anyone against refusing to pray for one who without specific leading from the Lord. I rather think "we" are not to choose for whom to pray or not. And I'm 'be careful' about it only, not that it never applies.