What is the point of praying?

[frienden thalord]

Yes, I am here. As far as "getting no answer", read the OP. I am getting answered with "No". The problem is not in not getting an answer, but in the continual denial. If you keep asking and always are denied, after a while you don't see the point to asking any more. That is where I am.

The problem is not that you keep getting denied
the thing is..........why don't you tell us what THINGS you have been asking for
this way we can help YOU...................

 

[1213]

I am questioning the point to prayer. What is the point to praying for something if it never produces the desired result? Everything I have prayed for for about the last 3 years or so has not happened, or worse the things I have prayed to not happen have happened with more intensity and longer duration. So if it isn't producing the desired result, what is the point?

Hmmm…. perhaps you are praying wrong things. I don’t think God gives whatever people want, because it may not be good always.

Maybe you would have better luck, if you would begin to pray like Jesus taught.

Pray like this: 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.'
Matt. 6:9-13

And in addition to that, I think it is always good to thank God.

 

[zoidar]

I am questioning the point to prayer. What is the point to praying for something if it never produces the desired result? Everything I have prayed for for about the last 3 years or so has not happened, or worse the things I have prayed to not happen have happened with more intensity and longer duration. So if it isn't producing the desired result, what is the point?

I understand your concern very well. There are things I have prayed for for many years, and there seem to be no response. Both about physical things and more spiritual things. First I like to believe that God hears our prayes, yes he does, and I believe that our prayers are giving more light to the world even if we don't get the desired results. And there is also the reason that prayers change us. We get more aligned with God's will when we open our hearts and pray to God, that is what I believe. That is why we should keep praying, no matter what.

 

[Knollds]

Are you trying to start an argument? My prayer did nothing??? Why don't you pray to God and ask him that yourself. I dare you to talk like that to me in public.

Of course I'm trying to start an argument. I'm trying to get you thinking. I don't come here to listen to people who support everything I have to say. I have a brain and I enjoy exercising it, shame you don't share that passion. God gave it to you for a reason. As for your nonsensical and idiotic Internet bravado and primitive chest banging of a veiled threat, but I'd love to be able to talk to you like I did in person. 8 years of praying for the same thing then FINALLY getting it is as much evidence of the success of prayer as cinnamon rolls are evidence of the sun.

 

[PeaceJoyLove]

But if we are to pray and ask according to God's will and nobody knows God's will, how are we to pray according to God?

You study scripture and you find out God's will for all mankind...and do it. When we truly find Jesus Christ and God sends HIS spirit to come live within us, HE begins to reveal HIS will. As we truly exercise faith by DOING the WORD, we learn that God calls us to Holiness and righteousness. Scripture says "the prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

It has to be HIS righteousness we walk in. There are many scriptures that address prayer and what prayers get answered...and the KEY is for us to SEEK with all our heart to find HIS will...dig into your Bibles.

 

[PeaceJoyLove]

To put things in a Biblical metaphor: I am starving and standing at a feast table with God with all sorts of food, but when I reach for something he slaps my hand away. When I ask for some bread, he hands me a flower, when I ask for an egg, he gives me a hug. These are nice, but not helpful to my situation. That is what the spiritual blessings he may be trying to give me are: nice to have, but not really helpful.

The table of the Lord has bread and meat for those are invited...those who have faith in God and want to do HIS will above all else. When things are not going the way they think they should be in our walk with HIM, then we need to dig into scripture and see what it truly says, then ask HIM to give revelation by HIS spirit.

To ask in Jesus name...Jesus is The Word of God come in the flesh and we are to walk in the WAY in which HE did. Searching and reading scripture is of the utmost importance when it comes to learning about God and prayer. "In Jesus name" is not a magic incantation at the end of a prayer, but means according to His Word...living HIS word and doing as we are commanded to do...there are conditions for God to hear our prayers...

1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Proverbs 15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

 

[PeaceJoyLove]

I have found, the way I prayed changed as I grew IN HIM. My husband was an atheist. And I prayed for him in many different ways, asking many different things, but most of all for God to save him. Well, how do you pray against unbelief and freedom of choice? And, I knew there were no words I could speak about God that would not end in a heated discussion. I began to pray for God to prepare the soil of my husbands heart to receive HIS word. I began asking God to reveal Himself to hubby in a way that there could be no denying it was HIM.
Well, my God HE did! My husband had a serious heart attack. He never lost consciousness, but they could not find a pulse or blood pressure. It was a bad one! Two weeks after, he began to tell me about an encounter he had during the heart attack...how he felt surrounded by light and there was so much peace and love...he knew it was the LORD. He knew Jesus Christ was real at that moment in time. He said a voice spoke to him and told him he was going to be okay. As he recounted his experience to me, he wept. He was humbled and spoke how he repented of his sin and knew he was forgiven.

My husband now recounts this to his friends, and always begins to weep and speak about the LOVE of Christ and how real he KNOWS the Father and the Son truly are...That was 10 years of praying, but only about one year after how I prayed, changed. Oh, and also ten years of HIM changing me to walk as a godly wife according to scripture...by the Grace of God.

God is good, all the time!

 

[frienden thalord]

OH yes peace joy love..........GOD sure did have to work on us to change us.........
I agree..............the more we believers read that word.............and do all by faith,
and love HIS sayings...............man the LORD knows what it best for us.............
and them scrips sure do make one wise unto salvation through faith in CHRIST
what a wonderful work of GRACE the LORD does to us people who follow Him.........
we sure need HIM at all times.......
OH LORD, take not thy SPIRIT away from me.........lest I become like those who fall into the PIT
MY TOTAL DEPENDANCE must be ON THE LORD...........
FOR HE KNOWS ALL....................and HE KNOWS what is best for us..........far greater than we do.
not even a comparison.........GOD HE KNOWS..............yet in HIS mercy HE reveals as we NEED
to KNOW...........what a merciful GOD.................I mean truly merciful...........
PRAISE THE LORD and SING to HIM..............

 

[Michael519]

I've read many different viewpoints in my journey to learn more about prayer. Started when my mom was diagnosed with parkinsons. I prayed and thought God would miraculously heal her and it would be a great testimony to my wayward siblings. This did not happen. Then I thought God was teaching me lessons and how to humble myself in prayer (a good lesson nonetheless) and that then she would be healed. Still no healing.
Now after 6 years of praying she is still not healed. However, she is a testimony to God's promise to be with us as we endure lifes trials.
Still I do continue to pray only now I pray asking what Gods will is for her?
I also found out that prayer is communion with God. It is not us praying to change Gods will, but our will that must align with his. Many great posts here, much appreciated.

 

[danstribe]

I am questioning the point to prayer. What is the point to praying for something if it never produces the desired result? Everything I have prayed for for about the last 3 years or so has not happened, or worse the things I have prayed to not happen have happened with more intensity and longer duration. So if it isn't producing the desired result, what is the point?

Christ set the example: Not my will but Yours be done. First thing to do is stop praying for things that you want to happen or to be given and start praying for what God wants to happen or what God wants to give you. The desired result isn't what YOU want but what GOD wants for you! It's all a matter of thinking in the right direction and praying in the right direction. God will answer your prayers EVERY time when you ask for His will to be done. Then you ask for Him to show you and teach you what He wants you to ask for. That's the whole entire point of prayer and even of being a child of God. Then ask God for the patience to wait for His direction and that He will give the moment it leaves your mouth. Never stop praying.

 

[GeorgeJ]

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers..... - Garth Brooks

 

[Blade]

"questioning Brother" Doubt.. if we doubt let not that man/woman think they will get anything from God.

Now.. I am not like most. I have had people say I was like some group..yet I can show you my bible I had when I was young about 15 with tons of verses underlined and circled. For me.. I can only tell you what know and those verse as some know just jumped out.. lol so I circled them.

For me.. I have found it hard very hard pressed to get my Father to say no. I dont care what some man tells me what some verse really says or site on the Internet. JESUS IS REAL! And God is not some light switch we can turn on or off. He is ALWAYS on. A woman came to Christ, she wanted her children to sit on His right and left. Now what got me about that verse was.. HE never said no. He said.. you dont know wha t you ask. That is not mine to give but my Fathers.

Who so ever.. what so ever you desire. What ever you ask the Father.. if two shall agree. There is not enough room here to list HIS promises. Promises.. John 3:16 a gift yet a promise. Its also written HE supplys all not some here and there but ALL your needs. Yet.. you believe John 3:16? All things..are possible with God OT. Yet.. ALL things are possible to him/them that believes.

This not something new. The solider...out of ALL Israel.. Jesus was WOW'd.. never seen such great faith.

So.. His WORD is HIS will for you. You go by what MAN says or Him period. I have and not to boast for HE did it all and to HIM is ALL the glory. Yet I have seen wonders and so many things. Its not because of me but HIM. I take HIM at HIS word peroid. I dont care what man says..if HE said it HE will do it. I dont care what I FEEL THINK SEE HEAR. I dont care if it takes a min or YEARS! HE CAN NOT LIE! IT WILL HAPPEN!

No matter how wonderful it FEELS or bad or how dark. HE WILL BE THERE ..it WILL BE DONE! His WORD.. when you speak it.. its not you.. its HIS WORD. And that WORD can not return to Him void.

To many ask for.. well lets say.. I need a way to work. So someone trys to give you a bike.. WHAT? This is not a CAR!..and if it was.. THIS NOT NEW! hehe

You never used your faith. To many try to BELIEVE yet never used their faith. So when something GOD FOR BID bad happens.. they fall.. they even blame God or.. like so many here..GOD SAID NO! I never meet this God..sorry.

My baby at about 4 years old...at a Target story.. tried to grab my leg. I moved.. he feel hit his head.. I picked him up.. eyes rolled back.. went like dead. This "cold" came over me.. everything ..so strange..shock. Ran though the store..asking for help. Ambulance came. They never left..

Jake (Jacob) was inside. The door opens and he says.. "hes not responding to anything" (wow.. still hurts today) So.. I turn and say.. "Father I will never blame you".. right then.. the door opens.. he says "hes responding!" Helicopter comes takes him and my wifi.. me.. I got to drive

I am no one..I sin more then most.. but to some degree I KNOW MY FATHER! I know still learnging HIS WORD! To many wait till GOD FORBID something bad to happen to believe. They never USE their fiath.

I heard a boy say "faith is flying a kite in wind, when there is no wind"..do you see? JESUS IS REAL! Faith really works. Some use it the wrong way.. you DONT speak evil of them.. pray FOR...see the GOOD.. yet GOD can not lie. I dont care what it looks like feels like.. you STAND and then STAND on HIS WORD! I dont care how DARK it LOOKS LIKE SEEMS LIKE.. You stand.. HE WILL BE THERE! HE WILL ANSWER and for truth.. HE ALL READY ANSWERED! HIS WORD!

Fear.. GOD has NOT given you the spirit of fear.. the JOY of the lord IS your strenght. Healing.. OT Isa 53 5. 1st Peter 2:24. Now I can SHOW YOU people blind .. prayed for and NEW eyes. I can show you people that had AWESOME faith..really did move MTN yet died of cancer. WHERE do you LOOK? At man and wha happen to someone or to HIM period!

My moms (she went home) husband. If you spoke to him before he passed. You NEW GOD was going to heal him. He always had the bible with him always spoke faith. What no one saw was.. one day in the car alone.. he speaks to me.. crying.. scared about what WAS now. No faith. He new that would take him home. Had more faith it that then the word. WE ALL get this..we ALL feel this. But.. GODS word is true..if we doubt... let not that man/woman think they will get ANYTHING from God.

To SOME..that is GODS will. To them.. it will be. Yet..it is NOT His will. People look at man and then say what Gods will it. If you asked me to pray for you. I would ask you..what do you believe? If sick..some ask for the doctor. So that is what I pray.. like...God will direct the Doc..or guide his hands.. or they will see and find what is wrong. Or the meds will HELP add TO..for GOD is NOT agaisnt haha Doctors. For ALL good things come from God.

My point is.. maybe YOU are the one. To BELIEVE. Dont TAKE MY WORD for anything. YOU make sure HE said it.. and then if GOD said it.. believe...be like a child. If you tell a Child the moon is alive.. they believe..do you see? So.. exesire your faith. Like..pray for some parking spot. Its no ones. So your not taking something from anyone. Just believe for a closer one..if it never happens at 1st.. who cares. Or pray for that PERSON at work ..something small. Like my son.. Yeah.. Jake.. when he was 3-4 always liked this girl.. haha cute. Yet she would never have anything to do with him.

Well I told him.. children are easy. Well they LISTEN to that wisper of God. As we get older.. WE KNOW BETTER right? So I prayed.. not long.. one day he was leaving and out of no where she gets up.. comes over and hugs him. Little.. and I also have great stories.

Its NOT ME! I can do nothing. The second I take the glory..He stops! I just repent always.. Father change me 1st..forgive me for things I did said.. that I cant remember and hold them NOT to my charge. I forgive all.. and ask for help for the ones.. this flesh does not want to (for those that are hurting ..trying to forgive). And I take HIM at HIS word. He said it.. its DONE!

So..YOU pray.. YOU Seek.. you always repent.and HE IS Right not you. IF you go to HIm telling HIM what really is true.. HE will say nothing.. Jesus is real.. HE is coming and if I have offended forgive.. just BE a child and believe

 

[gideon123]

I am questioning the point to prayer. What is the point to praying for something if it never produces the desired result? Everything I have prayed for for about the last 3 years or so has not happened, or worse the things I have prayed to not happen have happened with more intensity and longer duration. So if it isn't producing the desired result, what is the point?

 

[gideon123]

Questioning Brother ... you said ... Yes, I am here. As far as "getting no answer", read the OP. I am getting answered with "No". The problem is not in not getting an answer, but in the continual denial. If you keep asking and always are denied, after a while you don't see the point to asking any more. That is where I am.

My response. I was not attacking you. I was just verifying if you are still seeing the thread. Many people post questions. And then they never return for a reply. I will give you your answer. I rarely come to Christian Advice any more.

God is not 'slapping you away'. But you need to do three things. First, read the Bible each morning and each evening. Please return to your readings and read carefully the first four books. Notice carefully the advice given by Moses and Joshua. That is very important advice. They gave strong instructions at the end of their lives. We should be doing the same thing.

Next, change your life completely so that you are walking a straight path with God. This is not a small thing, it is not a trivial thing. It is very difficult to do ... and extremely few people are doing it. The vast majority of Christians are not doing it, let alone people who don't know God. It will take you a long time to remove sin and purify your life. Forget the Internet, forget Facebook, forget this forum. Perform steps 1 & 2.

Then finally, look carefully at how Christ prayed. He never asked for things. He never told God that he wanted something "by next Tuesday", or that a specific wish must happen. He always prayed to deepen his relationship with the Father. We should do the same. Pray for more humility, pray for more Holy Spirit in your life, pray that God will help you to remove all sin, pray for a daily purpose and sharing with God. Then you will find that your prayers are answered.

Blessings, Gideon