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I had to start this thread, because I saw this statement made in another thread. If someone doesn't have the same faith, then that person's prayer will undermine another person's prayer.
Not only do I personally find that statement ridiculous, I don't see anything Scripturally valid about it. Unless one is saying that a person who's faith is different isn't righteous, of course.
Matthew 6:5-8 NKJV
"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."
Luke 1:1-4 NKJV
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one."
Luke 18:9-14 NKJV
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Acts 2:42 NKJV
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Romans 8:26-28 NKJV
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 12:9-13 NKJV
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Philippians 1:19-20 NKJV
For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
Colossians 2:2-4 NKJV
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:25 NKJV
Brethren, pray for us.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 NKJV
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
Hebrews 13:18 NKJV
Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.
James 5:13-16 NKJV
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
These are just some of the New Testament verses relating to prayer. There are none that state anything about prayers being "undermining." Paul several times asks for others to pray for him. Even those with little faith, for his letters were often directed to those who had little faith.
Will a prayer undermine another prayer? No. God never states anything of the sort. Will anothers supposed "lack of faith" cause a "crossing of signals" that would stop God from working? Nothing in Scripture supports that.
If you don't want another person to pray for you, that is your right. But to say that it is because another person will "undermine" your prayers is, IMO, like the pharasee in Jesus's parable, who says "Thank God, I'm not like this other person."
I challenge someone to show any differently, from the appropriate Scriptural context, where it says that having someone "lacking faith" or "differing levels" will "undermine" another person's prayer. And I do acknowledge that it does say we need to have faith, without doubting, but that doesn't mean if one person has doubts, it will affect another's prayers.
Not only do I personally find that statement ridiculous, I don't see anything Scripturally valid about it. Unless one is saying that a person who's faith is different isn't righteous, of course.
Matthew 6:5-8 NKJV
"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."
Luke 1:1-4 NKJV
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one."
Luke 18:9-14 NKJV
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Acts 2:42 NKJV
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Romans 8:26-28 NKJV
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 12:9-13 NKJV
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Philippians 1:19-20 NKJV
For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
Colossians 2:2-4 NKJV
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:25 NKJV
Brethren, pray for us.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 NKJV
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
Hebrews 13:18 NKJV
Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.
James 5:13-16 NKJV
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
These are just some of the New Testament verses relating to prayer. There are none that state anything about prayers being "undermining." Paul several times asks for others to pray for him. Even those with little faith, for his letters were often directed to those who had little faith.
Will a prayer undermine another prayer? No. God never states anything of the sort. Will anothers supposed "lack of faith" cause a "crossing of signals" that would stop God from working? Nothing in Scripture supports that.
If you don't want another person to pray for you, that is your right. But to say that it is because another person will "undermine" your prayers is, IMO, like the pharasee in Jesus's parable, who says "Thank God, I'm not like this other person."
I challenge someone to show any differently, from the appropriate Scriptural context, where it says that having someone "lacking faith" or "differing levels" will "undermine" another person's prayer. And I do acknowledge that it does say we need to have faith, without doubting, but that doesn't mean if one person has doubts, it will affect another's prayers.
Exactly. 