How Often Should you Pray?

[RDKirk]

Please don't explain what my position is, as you don't seem to understand it. Prayer is NOT a conversation.

It's very easy to prove what form prayer takes as Jesus taught us that, and the Bible is filled with examples of prayer, none of which match yours.

So why don't you expose to us exactly what you think prayer is? I asked you that a while back and you did not respond.

 

[Ken Rank]

We don't have any examples of "speaking back" in the texts that I am aware of. How did you come to the conclusion that God "speaks back"?

I answered in a reply using Alex's post. If that isn't enough for you, that is fine.

Did Jesus say that His prayer was merely "an example, not something to literally repeat"? I also wonder how you came up with this idea.

After this post I am unsubscribing because you just can't have a conversation with people. Every post to me takes a jab that makes it not worth even trying. "I wonder where you came up with this idea?" I didn't Jimmy, God did.

Matthew 6:9a In this manner, therefore, pray......

"In this manner" can be translated "like this" or "along these lines" or like so"..... it isn't saying, "say these exact words... it isn't saying, "repeat after me." He said, "do it LIKE this," and the word "like" is a simile, a word used as a expression, a FIGURE OF SPEECH, that denotes us doing something in a manner that RESEMBLES (but doesn't copy) whatever the "this" is when one says, "like this."

 

[Ken Rank]

Please don't explain what my position is, as you don't seem to understand it. Prayer is NOT a conversation.

It's very easy to prove what form prayer takes as Jesus taught us that, and the Bible is filled with examples of prayer, none of which match yours.

Then do what RD Kirk suggested, define it for everyone else so that there is no misunderstanding. This is what adults do... we don't keep looking for ways to beat up on one another or malign one another, we all love God through Christ here. So, define it, and make it so there is no misunderstanding. And if we agree with you, great... and if we don't, great. This isn't a salvation issue, this is dealing with the definition of one word.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I answered in a reply using Alex's post. If that isn't enough for you, that is fine.


After this post I am unsubscribing because you just can't have a conversation with people. Every post to me takes a jab that makes it not worth even trying. "I wonder where you came up with this idea?" I didn't Jimmy, God did.

Matthew 6:9a In this manner, therefore, pray......

"In this manner" can be translated "like this" or "along these lines" or like so"..... it isn't saying, "say these exact words... it isn't saying, "repeat after me." He said, "do it LIKE this," and the word "like" is a simile, a word used as a expression, a FIGURE OF SPEECH, that denotes us doing something in a manner that RESEMBLES (but doesn't copy) whatever the "this" is when one says, "like this."

If you cannot or will not back your wild assertions regarding prayer, then it is best that you unsubscribe, because I will not let you get any with throwing things out there as if they are gospel, when they are simply untrue.

Also, please don't be one of those people who threatens unsubscribing, yet never does. If find that childish.

 

[Ken Rank]

If you cannot or will not back your wild assertions regarding prayer, then it is best that you unsubscribe, because I will not let you get any with throwing things out there as if they are gospel, when they are simply untrue.

Also, please don't be one of those people who threatens unsubscribing, yet never does. If find that childish.

You have no power over me, so you can't prevent me from anything. That said, I did give an example. When we pray we talk to God... but the just live by faith and faith comes by HEARING GOD. So if we pray, "God will you make a way for me to do X," and you hear, "Walk on this path to make that so," then you are in communication, having a conversation, and living by faith.

Again, if you don't accept that definition, fine... but don't allow a disagreement over a definition of a word to cause division. The definition of this word is not a deal breaker, it is NOT a salvation issue, not even close!

 

[Ken Rank]

And I will add... sometimes prayer is simply praise. We can stop and just lift up all the things He means to us (You're awesome, you're great, you're magnificent, etc.) and that is prayer too, even though in that case you are not waiting for an answer. Every word has more than one meaning and I have only keyed in on ONE because you are fighting it, Jimmy. Prayer has many definitions and we are both probably correct with the one we have, to this point, placed the greater weight on. It is simply that every word has more than one meaning.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

And I will add... sometimes prayer is simply praise. We can stop and just lift up all the things He means to us (You're awesome, you're great, you're magnificent, etc.) and that is prayer too, even though in that case you are not waiting for an answer. Every word has more than one meaning and I have only keyed in on ONE because you are fighting it, Jimmy. Prayer has many definitions and we are both probably correct with the one we have, to this point, placed the greater weight on. It is simply that every word has more than one meaning.

Yes. Jesus covers that. No one here, least of all me, said anything different.

I knew that you wouldn't unsubscribe, BTW.

 

[Ken Rank]

Yes. Jesus covers that. No one here, least of all me, said anything different.

I knew that you wouldn't unsubscribe, BTW.

I am trying to give you a chance to do one simple thing... define the word for us. I asked twice, RDKirk asked... so define it or I will unsubscribe. Not a big deal.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

You have no power over me, so you can't prevent me from anything. That said, I did give an example. When we pray we talk to God... but the just live by faith and faith comes by HEARING GOD. So if we pray, "God will you make a way for me to do X," and you hear, "Walk on this path to make that so," then you are in communication, having a conversation, and living by faith.

Again, if you don't accept that definition, fine... but don't allow a disagreement over a definition of a word to cause division. The definition of this word is not a deal breaker, it is NOT a salvation issue, not even close!

You conveniently left out the lat part of that verse from Romans 10: So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

It's the "word of God", specifically the gospel, which is being referred to in Romans 10, not God chatting with you.

We hear from God through His word. He hears from us through our prays.

 

[Ken Rank]

You conveniently left out the lat part of that verse from Romans 10: So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

It's the "word of God", specifically the gospel, which is being referred to in Romans 10, not God chatting with you.

We hear from God through His word. He hears from us through our prays.

Actually Jimmy... when I first quoted it I said, "hearing comes by the word of God." As for that being "the gospel," no.. the "Word of God" is much more than that but you have shown no desire to give and take, only give. So I am done. Be blessed.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I am trying to give you a chance to do one simple thing... define the word for us. I asked twice, RDKirk asked... so define it or I will unsubscribe. Not a big deal.

Prayer is one's communication with God, which, according to Christ's teaching, should include: supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, and confession.

My ignore list is long, so if someone else asked me that question and I didn't respond, there is a good chance that they are on it.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

Actually Jimmy... when I first quoted it I said, "hearing comes by the word of God." As for that being "the gospel," no.. the "Word of God" is much more than that but you have shown no desire to give and take, only give. So I am done. Be blessed.

You should read the context of Romans 10. It's very helpful in understanding what God has to say.

 

[AlexDTX]

After this post I am unsubscribing because you just can't have a conversation with people. Every post to me takes a jab that makes it not worth even trying.

It makes perfect sense that a person who does not know how to have a conversation with people, would not know how to talk with God.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

It makes perfect sense that a person who does not know how to have a conversation with people, would not know how to talk with God.

Very nice.

 

[masmpg]

What's the rule of thumb? Is it monthly, weekly, daily, hourly? Also, can one be a Christian and only pray once a year? Can one pray too much?

1Thessalonians:5:17: Pray without ceasing.

We should be in an attitude of communion with God continually. Jesus should be our example in all things and He prayed all night in Gethsemame, and He also prayed until he sweat blood. Those who have not experience all night prayer really should try it. We do not pray enough otherwise the gospel would have been preached and Jesus would have come by now.

Here is another wonderful verse about what our attitude should be found in Philippians:1:27: "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;" We must act and speak as if Jesus were standing in our midst.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

We do not pray enough otherwise the gospel would have been preached and Jesus would have come by now.

What is "often enough"?

Jesus has not come because we don't pray enough? How have you arrived at that conclusion?

 

[brinny]

And I will add... sometimes prayer is simply praise. We can stop and just lift up all the things He means to us (You're awesome, you're great, you're magnificent, etc.) and that is prayer too, even though in that case you are not waiting for an answer. Every word has more than one meaning and I have only keyed in on ONE because you are fighting it, Jimmy. Prayer has many definitions and we are both probably correct with the one we have, to this point, placed the greater weight on. It is simply that every word has more than one meaning.

I agree.

Amen.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I agree.

Amen.

We all understand that words have various meanings, depending on the context; however, we also understand the 2-3 possibilities. We don't say that sweeping the floor = praying. That has no basis in scripture, nor reality. Unless one is a relativist, that is, which is highly likely today.

Relativism is in the air we breathe, and it is certainly present in a few posts on this thread. The idea that the reader defines the meaning of a word/text, rather than the author defining the meaning, is the basis for postmodern/relativistic "thought". It's dead wrong, IMO, but many people have taken it onboard through culture mediums. I would argue that many don't even realize that they have.

If we insist that words have such broad definitions, then we call God Himself a poor communicator.

 

[masmpg]

What is "often enough"?

Jesus has not come because we don't pray enough? How have you arrived at that conclusion?

The ONLY way the gospel will be preached to every creature so Jesus can come (Matthew 24:14) is by praying for the Holy Spirit. We all want our opinions to be heard, and think that our opinions will somehow save us when in fact if we prayed and waited on the Holy Spirit to reveal truth, like Jesus said the Comforter would don in John 14:26 & 16:13, there would be fewer denominations and one translation of the bible. And we would all come into the unity Paul said Christians should be in when we are in Christ in (1 Corinthians 1:10). Without this unity nothing will happen to God's church. God children are not a bunch of independent atoms. We are all part of One whole. Just because the arm is not the leg does not mean they cannot be in unity. The only way we will come into that unity is through prayer. We do not pray enough!

 

[jimmyjimmy]

The ONLY way the gospel will be preached to every creature so Jesus can come (Matthew 24:14) is by praying for the Holy Spirit. We all want our opinions to be heard, and think that our opinions will somehow save us when in fact if we prayed and waited on the Holy Spirit to reveal truth, like Jesus said the Comforter would don in John 14:26 & 16:13, there would be fewer denominations and one translation of the bible. And we would all come into the unity Paul said Christians should be in when we are in Christ in (1 Corinthians 1:10). Without this unity nothing will happen to God's church. God children are not a bunch of independent atoms. We are all part of One whole. Just because the arm is not the leg does not mean they cannot be in unity. The only way we will come into that unity is through prayer. We do not pray enough!

Jesus instructed this:

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.​

That seems a bit different than what you have asserted above. Is not the "Great Commission" Christ's instruction to the church as far as spreading the gospel goes?