A Few Questions About Faith and Prayer

In the first centuries, the available pictures and descriptions of the assembly of Ekkesia praying show them standing with hands up and eyes wide open.

When a 4 year old asks his father for a fish, does the father give him a stone ?

If we being wicked give our children good things,

how much more the Father in heaven !?

Faith712 said:

I hope everyone is being careful with what's going on in the world with the coronavirus.

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We cannot change the world politicking ... lobbying.... and so forth...

Learn from the Father in heaven what is good , true, and right. Do as He guides.

Faith712 said:

1. Is it okay if I pray with my eyes open? I prayed a certain prayer that I do not have memorized and I sort of read it to God. I prayed it but I read it as I prayed it. Does that make sense?

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Yes it is ok. Your outward appearance has no bearing on whether or not your pray gets answers. However, if you would like to be seen of men and be recognized as someone who is praying.....then closing eyes and raising hands is a good way to obtain this recognition.....and they are good reasons for which one can desire this.

Faith712 said:

2. Jesus said as you pray it, believe, and you will receive. So does that mean as you say it believe or can you believe you will receive at the end of the prayer when you say, "in Jesus name, amen"? This question probably has a simple, easy answer but i just want to make sure i am praying right.

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You must believe that you have already received that which you are praying for.......therefore, we enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise......

Faith712 said:

Hi everyone! I hope everyone is being careful with what's going on in the world with the coronavirus.

I just have a few simple questions about my faith and prayer.

1. Is it okay if I pray with my eyes open? I prayed a certain prayer that I do not have memorized and I sort of read it to God. I prayed it but I read it as I prayed it. Does that make sense?

2. Jesus said as you pray it, believe, and you will receive. So does that mean as you say it believe or can you believe you will receive at the end of the prayer when you say, "in Jesus name, amen"? This question probably has a simple, easy answer but i just want to make sure i am praying right.

That's all. Thank you to everyone who reads and responds to this. Thank you!

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God's more concerned about us telling Him what's on our hearts and His rather than going thru rote and religious postures. As far as praying with our eyes open..There's a few places in scripture where we're told to watch and pray. So I would conclude that would mean keeping our eyes open.

To your second question...Jesus isn't a God anyone should treat as a genie in a bottle. Neither will ending your prayers simply in His name mean that you will get all the things you ask for. However, John 15 says that if we abide in Him and He abides in us then we can have the petitions we ask of Him. Contrary to what some Christians teach and what others may possibly say after me, this isn't blab it grab it or name it claim it theology. It's really what the Bible teaches. Tread carefully. Delight yourself in God. Reverence and obey Him. And just watch what He will do in your life.

Faith712 said:

But can you believe after you ask it?

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Often in the Hebrew lives , language, and meanings, "believe" is an ongoing abiding trusting and relying , like a little child in his father's arms....

not double minded, with doubting, which is written in James may not receive anything at all from God.

Faith712 said:

But can you believe after you ask it?

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Yes you can......It would help to look into how the "asking" is done.

You are the brother of the prodigal son. Everything the Father has is yours. You just do not realize it yet.

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Its your heart that counts.

Faith712 said:

Hi everyone! I hope everyone is being careful with what's going on in the world with the coronavirus.

I just have a few simple questions about my faith and prayer.

1. Is it okay if I pray with my eyes open? I prayed a certain prayer that I do not have memorized and I sort of read it to God. I prayed it but I read it as I prayed it. Does that make sense?

2. Jesus said as you pray it, believe, and you will receive. So does that mean as you say it believe or can you believe you will receive at the end of the prayer when you say, "in Jesus name, amen"? This question probably has a simple, easy answer but i just want to make sure i am praying right.

That's all. Thank you to everyone who reads and responds to this. Thank you!

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Praying is like having a conversation so eyes open or closed has no effect. What matters most is your heart and the genuineness of your prayer. As far as "believe and you will receive" I am afraid this has been taken out of context to the detriment of some Christian circles. Everything we ask for is subject to "Gods Will" and not ours. We can do nothing to "will" our demands on to God. So when you pray consider saying, "if it is in your will Father" and accept the fact that it may not come to pass.
Be blessed.

Faith712 said:

Hi everyone! I hope everyone is being careful with what's going on in the world with the coronavirus.

I just have a few simple questions about my faith and prayer.

1. Is it okay if I pray with my eyes open? I prayed a certain prayer that I do not have memorized and I sort of read it to God. I prayed it but I read it as I prayed it. Does that make sense?

2. Jesus said as you pray it, believe, and you will receive. So does that mean as you say it believe or can you believe you will receive at the end of the prayer when you say, "in Jesus name, amen"? This question probably has a simple, easy answer but i just want to make sure i am praying right.

That's all. Thank you to everyone who reads and responds to this. Thank you!

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Regarding believe, have faith and you will receive, try to understand that these are words of encouragement, not words of guarantees.