tough prayer questions need answers by sunday!

[workpooter]

I am a youth pastor who is leading a meeting this sunday and would love some help on the following questions. ONes with stars on them are the ones i least know how to answer...

1) Why aren’t all prayers answered?
2) Why pray if God knows what will happen?
3) Is Prayer bound by time?*
4) Does prayer really work?
5) When, where, how and for how long should we pray?
6) Does God hear non-Christians prayer?*
7) Who exactly should we pray to? e.g. Holy Spirit, Mary etc?*
8) Is there anything different about praying out loud or in a group?*
9) What should we pray for?
10) What is the purpose of prayer?

Thanks!

 

[nikolai_42]

I am a youth pastor who is leading a meeting this sunday and would love some help on the following questions. ONes with stars on them are the ones i least know how to answer...

1) Why aren’t all prayers answered?
2) Why pray if God knows what will happen?
3) Is Prayer bound by time?*
4) Does prayer really work?
5) When, where, how and for how long should we pray?
6) Does God hear non-Christians prayer?*
7) Who exactly should we pray to? e.g. Holy Spirit, Mary etc?*
8) Is there anything different about praying out loud or in a group?*
9) What should we pray for?
10) What is the purpose of prayer?

Thanks!

I only have a couple of minutes, and I don't know that I can answer all of them, but I will answer a couple.

Generally, the Lord's Prayer is an excellent model. Not to be repeated by rote, but to follow in how and for what we are to pray.

2.) While God does know what will happen, He also gives us choice. And the primary purpose of prayer (#10) is not to get things done, but to draw us nearer to God. Just like in a marriage, the primary purpose of communication is not to get things done, but to draw the man and wife closer together. Our relationship with God is like a marriage. The more we communicate, the closer to Him we become, the fuller our lives are and the more effective we are in His work. Also, the more readily we know His will. It simply becomes a natural thing - like talking to one's spouse.

5) There are no set times for prayer, but it should be continuous. Prayer is a state of heart more than it is some verbal expression. So if we are (as Paul calls us to be) praying continually, then the question won't be "When, how often, where ...etc" should we pray, but "Is what I am doing now inhibiting my prayer life? Is this causing me to turn away my face and heart from God to other things? Has my heart ceased from the state of prayer?". Just as communication with a spouse is quite often non-verbal, God desires us to constantly be leaning towards and on Him in all things at all times. With or without spoken (or unspoken/thought) words.

6) Does God hear non-christian prayers? Absolutely. No doubt. Otherwise, how do non-christians come to the Lord?

7) Who should we pray to? Jesus told us to pray to our Heavenly Father. No one else.

8) Group prayer can be more effective, but not because there are more people, but because there is more likelihood that someone in the group has greater faith, has spent more time with God and is close to Him so that THAT ONE will be heard.

9) Pray for what? Paul says all things.

 

[Knight]

1) They are answered. Sometimes it is yes, no, or wait.
2) God wants us to pray because it is good for us to communicate with Him.
4) Yes.
5) Anytime. Anywhere. For as long as is necessary.
9) Gods will to be done.
10) To communicate with our Lord.

 

[FOMWatts<><]

I'll just answer the one's you know least about

3) Is Prayer bound by time?*

Well to answer this you must change the question a little bit...Is GOD bound by time? No He isn't. All things are known by God because HE knows all things. Therefore prayer is not bound by OUR time, but by God's will. We must not expect God to answer prayers the way WE want, but to answer them according to HIS will.

6) Does God hear non-Christians prayer?*

(1.)In God's eyes, no, non-Christian prayers can not be heard by Him. Our sin or unbelief separates us from God and since God is all-knowing He knows who will and will not choose Him. Therefore He knows if somewhere down the road if a non-Christian will become a Christian. So if a non-believer "prays" most likely he/she is a believer and God will hear their prayers.

(2.)In our eye's, sure, He hears them. He loves all people and cares for us very much. He is concerned about the needs of all of His creation. MY question for your question is, Why would they be praying if they didn't believe???

7) Who exactly should we pray to? e.g. Holy Spirit, Mary etc?*

1 Timothy 2
5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.

To answer this question properly you probably need a good understanding of the Trinity. I, personally, believe that Jesus Christ gives us DIRECT access to God and His throne.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
I believe Christ gives us the ability to be bold before God because Christ makes us holy and blameless in God's sight.

8) Is there anything different about praying out loud or in a group?*

Depends on the person really. Some people pray outloud and the people present have no affect on that person's prayer. Prayer is for communication between God and His people. It is a private act that can rightly be practiced within an agreeing body of believers. Then you have some people that pray to flatter...not God, but the men the pray in front of. I am not the person to judge the genuineness of prayer, but I personally feel as though it is only effective when doen genuinely whether outloud or to one's self.

Thanks!

You are welcome, and I sure hope these answers helped you out a bit!

Blessings,

FOMWatts<><

 

[Rafael]

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

 

[Philip]

1) Why aren’t all prayers answered?

All prayers are answered. Sometimes the answer is no. God answers our prayers in accordance with His plan, not our desires.

2) Why pray if God knows what will happen?

He told us to pray to Him.

3) Is Prayer bound by time?*

Huh?

4) Does prayer really work?

God told us it does. Would He lie?

5) When, where, how and for how long should we pray?

1 Thesselonians 5:16-18
16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

6) Does God hear non-Christians prayer?*

Does He hear them? Sure. Does He answer them? Its up to Him.

7) Who exactly should we pray to? e.g. Holy Spirit, Mary etc?*

Pray to God. Ask the Saints to pray for you.

 

[Reformationist]

1) Why aren’t all prayers answered?

If, by that, you mean "Why don't all prayers result in what we pray for" it's because we rarely pray for the right things. Often we look at our lives and see a "need" for something based on how it's affecting us and that is our motive for prayer. Every request that is asked in the Spirit of God is given, though as Knight said, it is not always given according to our timeline which is normally right away.

2) Why pray if God knows what will happen?

We don't pray to inform God of our needs. He knows them better than we do. We pray to God for numerous reasons. We nurture our relationship with the Lord through prayer. We acknowledge our dependence on Him for all things. We acknowledge His sovereignty or else we wouldn't be asking. We pray because the Lord has commanded that we do so.

3) Is Prayer bound by time?*

Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean here. Are you asking if we have to repeat the prayer if it's not answered in a set amount of time?

4) Does prayer really work?

Sure it works. However, it never works in the sense that it is the causal agent of something coming to pass. When we prayer for sanctification we are sanctified. The reason we are sanctified is because it is the Will of God that we be sanctified, and thus we are. It isn't because we pray for it. We pray for it because God has given us the grace to see our need for it.

5) When, where, how and for how long should we pray?

The Bible says we should pray without ceasing. Obviously we don't do that but the point is for us to go to God for all things but we are commanded to do it according to the Spirit of God, that is, we should pray for the things that God says are important.

6) Does God hear non-Christians prayer?*

God is omniscient. Unfortunately, God is not the object of their prayer so it benefits them nothing.

7) Who exactly should we pray to? e.g. Holy Spirit, Mary etc?*

We should pray to He who is the source of all things, God.

8) Is there anything different about praying out loud or in a group?*

I assume you mean is there any difference as opposed to praying quietly and by yourself, right? If so, I guess the difference is self explanatory. One is not more powerful than another. The Lord said that wherever two are gathered in His name He is in their midst but He is also in the midst of those who pray alone.

9) What should we pray for?

Anything that you need.

10) What is the purpose of prayer?

I'd say the main purpose for our prayer is to acknowledge our need and ask God to grace us with His Will, whatever it may be on the matter we are praying about.

God bless

 

[sbbqb7n16]

I'll be "Bible-Verse Man" and answer these questions that way

--------1) Why aren’t all prayers answered?

Is*55:8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
Is*55:9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Is*55:10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
Is*55:11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

All prayers are answered... just maybe not in the way we want them... or right away. The question they probably are asking is "why don't I get whatever I pray for?"

-------2) Why pray if God knows what will happen?

Matt*6:5, Matt*6:6, Matt*6:7, Matt*14:23, Mark*11:25, Luke*3:21, Luke*11:2, Luke*22:32, Luke*22:40, Luke*22:45

If you notice, Jesus says "when you pray" in His instructions... and He often goes away to pray. If Jesus did it shouldn't we? Plus if He commands us to we need to follow His instructions on that. Also see:
2 Chr*7:13 "If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people,
2 Chr*7:14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chr*7:15 "Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.

God has already set it up to have a different outcome if we pray or don't pray. Praying yields the good one.

-------3) Is Prayer bound by time?*

I don't really understand what this question is supposed to mean or how it affects anything... but I like Fom's answer

-------4) Does prayer really work?

Yes it does....

James*5:17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.
James*5:18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

Also it works because I've had specific answers in my own life. Can't beat that!

--------5) When, where, how and for how long should we pray?

Anytime, anywhere, however you want, and for however long it takes. Matthew's discourse on the Sermon on the Mount has a lot to deal with paryer in it. Around Matt 5.

--------6) Does God hear non-Christians prayer?*

I like Fom's answer on this one too.

--------7) Who exactly should we pray to? e.g. Holy Spirit, Mary etc?*

John*16:23 "In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.
John*16:24 "Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
John*16:25 "These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father.
John*16:26 "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf;
John*16:27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.

Jesus said "the Father" so... the Father.... not Mary... not anyone else. You don't need to. Pray straight to the Father.

-------8) Is there anything different about praying out loud or in a group?*

Yeah... other people can hear you. lol God hears either way...

-------9) What should we pray for?

John 16:23 again... says ask anything

------10) What is the purpose of prayer?

Developing a relationship with God.


------Thanks!

No problem!

 

[Theresa]

1) Why aren’t all prayers answered?

-to quote Garth Brooks, "some of God's greatest gifts, are unanswered prayers."

God knows what's best even if we can't always see it.

2) Why pray if God knows what will happen?

-as said before, it is vital that we hope, love and communicate with God. For me, oftentimes, it isn't even a verbal prayer, it's a silent and calm soul knowing that it is near and with, the Lord.

3) Is Prayer bound by time?

-No but a little yes. You would be foolish to sit and ask God to have prevented WWII, for it already happened, but you could ask a specific request, that the Lord granted such and such to so and so before he died.

4) Does prayer really work?

-Absolutely! I am here as a result of my Grandma's prayers and I will never forget it. Maybe I would've converted later on in life without them, who knows, but God got to catch me early.

-I have witnessed two medical miracles this year.


5) When, where, how and for how long should we pray?

-however long you need too. Sometimes we should set our minds to prayer at certain times when it's quiet, in the morning or at night, when we feel tempted by something, maybe set your mind to formal prayer, before meals, at Church, and the best part, commune with God all day whether you need to say words or not.


6) Does God hear non-Christians prayer?*

-God hears the cry of his people, but he also hears the cries of those who are willing to reach out to him. God works in their lives too, no matter how closed-minded others feel like being. From what I can recall, Cornelius was a Roman soldier, neither Jew nor Christian, and an angel said specifically that God had heard his prayers and had seen the good works he had done. If God never hears their prayers or works in their lives, then they have no hope in hell of conversion or anything, and I'm thinking that is not what God would wish.

7) Who exactly should we pray to? e.g. Holy Spirit, Mary etc?*

-Saints are what we call subordinate mediators. We do not pray to commune with them, we pray to ask them to offer our prayers to God. Prayers to God are always primary. But that could take a few pages to explain.

8) Is there anything different about praying out loud or in a group?*

-you need to have personal prayer. God says, "and when you pray, go into your room and close the door." When you are alone with God, that is when you will gain your primary communion with him. However it says, "where two or three are gathered in my Name, there am I in their midst." Both are good but I can't say that you could have a great group prayer life without a personal prayer life.

9) What should we pray for?

-anything that is not selfish.

10) What is the purpose of prayer?

-commune with God, to learn his ways, to practice hope, to progress in love, etc.

 

[Theresa]

Revelation 5
8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

 

[JohnR7]

I am a youth pastor who is leading a meeting this sunday and would love some help on the following questions. ONes with stars on them are the ones i least know how to answer...

1) Why aren’t all prayers answered?
2) Why pray if God knows what will happen?
3) Is Prayer bound by time?*
4) Does prayer really work?
5) When, where, how and for how long should we pray?
6) Does God hear non-Christians prayer?*
7) Who exactly should we pray to? e.g. Holy Spirit, Mary etc?*
8) Is there anything different about praying out loud or in a group?*
9) What should we pray for?
10) What is the purpose of prayer?

Thanks!

All of these questions pretty much have the same answer. Jesus said to pray for: "Thy will to be done". When we pray, we pray for God's will for us and our life. As we pray, God helps us to become a part of His will and His plan for us and for our lives. We really would not want anything that is not His perfect, divine will for us.

 

[Icystwolf]

I am a youth pastor who is leading a meeting this sunday and would love some help on the following questions. ONes with stars on them are the ones i least know how to answer...

1) Why aren’t all prayers answered?
2) Why pray if God knows what will happen?
3) Is Prayer bound by time?*
4) Does prayer really work?
5) When, where, how and for how long should we pray?
6) Does God hear non-Christians prayer?*
7) Who exactly should we pray to? e.g. Holy Spirit, Mary etc?*
8) Is there anything different about praying out loud or in a group?*
9) What should we pray for?
10) What is the purpose of prayer?

Thanks!

1) Why aren’t all prayers answered?
_________________________________________________________
All prayers are answered, the outcome is not in human sense, or our sense, mainly because we can't control God. But God answers our prayer in a different way, that can be invisible until the time has come that it is revealed.

2) Why pray if God knows what will happen?
__________________________________________________________

I don't think prayer is kinda like a submission form where you put in a form of what you want and wait for something back from God. I think it's an up close and personal communication to God, God communicates through to your heart if you listen, and answers the problems, as well as giving you a bit of hints of what he is going to do to solve your problem on earth, so you can expect it in a mild way.

3) Is Prayer bound by time?*
__________________________________________________________

If you think of a prayer as a communication link between you and God, and think of talking to your friends which also requires time....but to point out God is very patient.

4) Does prayer really work?
__________________________________________________________

Prayer helped me over suicide, also a couple of cheezy times, I forgot to do my Homework at highschool. And I would get a detention for that, so I prayed to God that the teacher will be away so that our Homework due time will be postponed...and Amazingly IT WORKED!!!! not just once but several times, and it got so strange that some of my friends were asking me, when is a particular teacher going to be sick?


5) When, where, how and for how long should we pray?
____________________________________________________________

When ever, where ever, how ever and how ever long it takes for a genuine communication between you and the father. But do it at a regular basis, to let God know you still care for him and listen to him. But God is very patient...


6) Does God hear non-Christians prayer?*
____________________________________________________________

Most definatly, and has been waiting for their prayers and knows what they're going to pray about, and as well as having a Christian path set for them.

7) Who exactly should we pray to? e.g. Holy Spirit, Mary etc?*
____________________________________________________________

It's more that we should pray to the father, the Holy Spirit is what is needed in our hearts to continue the being of Christians. As for Mary, I can't comment too much. Jesus spoke about the father and praying to the father. I think for Mary, she should be treated as a special prophet but not refered as a prophet, but definately not pray to her because she isn't God. Jesus became flesh because of God.

8) Is there anything different about praying out loud or in a group?*
____________________________________________________________
I always feel some sort of restriction when praying in groups. Nowdays, I kinda break the barrier, I speak to God more than use large words in group prayers. And also the conclusion, I've got my own phrase which I use, because it does get a bit dull, and there dosen't exist one way of group prayer. So, "In Jesus' name, amen", I say "Through the Love of Jesus, to Flourish with and thus Shine throughout, amen".


9) What should we pray for?
____________________________________________________________

Anything to everything, all the problems first hand. The prayer requests.


10) What is the purpose of prayer?
____________________________________________________________

It's a communication to God, to show the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and give it to God. There are so many purposes of prayer, that listing them is almost infinite.
I believe, the further we pray, the more we realise the truth of God's salvation, so each person may have their own purpose for prayer, but all comes down to one element. Love!

____________________________________________________________

I'm open for any review to any if any misleading things I've said, to be changed.