Prayer ?

[Rubix]

Hi,

Although I pray quite regularly - sometimes, I just wonder are they all heard, am I wasting my time. Ive been a folower of Christ for 3 years now, but I feel like i'm going off the boil, I want to be re-invigorated.

Thanks for reading.

Rubix.

 

[Bible2]

Rubix said in post 1:

Although I pray quite regularly - sometimes, I just wonder are they all heard, am I wasting my time.

That depends.

--

When one of Jesus' disciples asked him how to pray, he told all his disciples to pray what believers call the Lord's prayer (Luke 11:1-4, Matthew 6:9-13). So believers should pray the Lord's prayer, every day, and learn to concentrate on everything that it says. It's the perfect model prayer, from which any further, more specific prayers can follow. And there's no need to get long-winded or repetitive (Matthew 6:7-13, Ecclesiastes 5:2). It's better to pray a short prayer with faith than a long prayer with doubting (James 1:6-8).

In order for believers' prayers to be heard, and answered, they must not "ask amiss, that they may consume it upon their lusts" (James 4:3). Before believers pray, they must make sure that they have repented from all of their sins (Hebrews 10:26-29), and that they have done all that they can to make reparations to and peace with everyone whom they have ever wronged (Matthew 5:23-26, Romans 12:18, Acts 24:16, Hebrews 12:14). And they must make sure that they have completely forgiven everyone who has ever wronged them (Matthew 6:15). And when they pray for something, they must pray for it with an unwavering faith (James 1:6-8), and with an unwavering perseverance (Luke 18:1-8). And they must actually be obeying God in their lives (1 John 3:22). And what they ask for must be according to God's will (1 John 5:14). They must be willing to put aside their own will, and seek God's will in all things (Luke 22:42, Matthew 6:10; 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, Deuteronomy 3:25-26).

Also, believers should give thanks (Philippians 4:6-7). And they should pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalms 122:6). And they should pray for all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). And they should pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers into his harvest (Matthew 9:38). Believers should also pray that they might be accounted worthy to escape the future tribulation (Luke 21:36), and that their flight (from the future Antichrist) won't be in the winter (Mark 13:18). And believers who have received the gift of tongues should pray for the separate gift of the interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 14:13).

 

[Tigger45]

This usually works for me...

Psalm 100:4

New King James Version (NKJV)

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

 

[Abandoned Barns]

One of the things that I wish someone had told me when I first became a Christian is that there is sort of a 'honeymoon' period. That is; when you first come to Jesus, it is a largely emotional time, but even as you mature and the emotions stabilize, you continue to grow in the faith. Just because every Christian song you hear on the radio doesn’t make you cry anymore, it doesn’t mean that you are losing your faith. It only means that you are becoming more comfortable in it.

I just don't think our bodies and minds are set up to maintain that level of elation indefinitely. The world still stinks. Loved ones die, your sports team loses, people will, either intentionally or unintentionally, still do wrong to you, you still get hurt. The difference now is that we have this immense sense of hope of the world to come. I'm of the mind that your prayers are always heard but often just not answered the way you want or expect. Sometimes the answers "yes", sometimes is "no" and sometimes it's "wait". Remember from school; the teachers always silent during the test.

 

[Rubix]

Remember from school; the teachers always silent during the test.

Thanks for all of your comments.

I like this line, it's really appropriate at the moment. Thanks

 

[Emmy]

Dear Rubix. Prayers of thanks and of worship are always immediate, and God hears all prayers. When there is something we pray for quite earnestly, God will hear us and always help us. But remember Rubix, we all have free will, the people we pray for, as well as we do. Since God does not force us ever into anything we do not want, not us nor the ones we pray about, some prayers will take longer than others. People can be stubborn, and sometimes it might take months, or even years, before God`s Loving persuasion will take effect. If we pray for things which benefit us, we have to keep praying and thanking God for what God is doing for us, no matter how long it will take. God hears our prayers and God will answer our prayers.
I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[seashale76]

I often post these links. These are prayer resources that I have personally found helpful.

P r a y e r
Let us
The Message of the Lord's Prayer

 

[Peripatetic]

Welcome to the forum! "Going off the boil" is very normal. Just because the honeymoon feelings don't last for the duration of a marriage, doesn't mean that a marriage relationship isn't growing deeper. Our walk with God has similar ups, downs, and cycles.

What feels like distance might be part of the maturation process - where you can experience God differently. Examples include silent reflection, service to others, and little sparks of enlightenment from scripture.

Trust is important too. Back to the marriage analogy: newlyweds often need more affirmation and affection to feel desired. As a good marriage matures, there is an mutual understanding of the couple's love that doesn't have to be stated over and over in the same way.

 

[insurchoftruth]

God always hears our prayers, but does not answer all our prayers, because sometimes, we are not asking acording to his will. Sometimes it is better for us, if God does not answer some of our prayers, because he knows better then us, what we need and when we need it, and because sometimes he thinks that it would be better for us, if we do not get what we are asking for, instead of getting it.

And first of all, prayer is worshiping God, giving him a blessing and glory, instead of asking him to bless us. Jesus said that if we seek first the kingdom of God, all that we need, will be added to us.

Song of Songs, Psalm 119:164, 2 Timothy 2:20,21, Psalm 113:3, Psalm 27:6, Psalm 29:1, 2, Isaiah 6:1-4, 42:8,10,12, 43:6,7,21, 66:23, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20, 10:31, 1 Chronicles 23:5,30, Acts 12:23, Romans 1:21, 12:1, Hebrews 1:6, Psalm 117, Revelation 1:6, 4:8-11, 5:10-14, 7:11,12, 19:1-10,16, 20:6, 22:8,9, Psalm 66:1-4

 

[Prinx]

Worship usually gets you connected to God and makes you sensible to his presence.. There's a big difference in praying wondering if God is there, and then praying while your in His presence and knowing He is there.