What's the point in praying?

Chilaha · Dec 29, 2012

Ok, so I am all for praying praises to God, talking about your feelings to Him, and etc. But, what is the point when you pray something such as "Please help me to get rid of this cold or flu." I say this because we let God's will be done in our prayers so either way, God is going to do what He wants, not us. So, why ask? The only reason those prayers come true is because they were apart of His plan.
I just see asking for favors (even good things, like someone sick getting better and etc) like dropping a suggestion in the student council suggestions box at school... IT's NEVER GONNA HAPPEN.

Thoughts?

Girder of Loins · Dec 29, 2012

Whether or not God's plan is resolute or if it is multi-pathed, prayer helps us. Prayer is simply talking. In that sense, sharing your desires and wishes is important, even if that is all they will be. It helps us regardless if it changes anything.

mrjames5768 · Dec 29, 2012

Well if you pray thinking God is not going to answer that is your first problem, all throughout the bible we see God answering people prayers. We need to pray 1. Because we need communication with God to have a good relationship with him, 2. Because the bible tells us to, and 3. BECAUSE HE WILL HEAR YOU. Also you seem to be leaning towards Calvinism in your post, free will is biblical and i highly suggest you do not stray into predestination.

ChristianT · Dec 29, 2012

mrjames5768 said:
Well if you pray thinking God is not going to answer that is your first problem, all throughout the bible we see God answering people prayers. We need to pray 1. Because we need communication with God to have a good relationship with him, 2. Because the bible tells us to, and 3. BECAUSE HE WILL HEAR YOU. Also you seem to be leaning towards Calvinism in your post, free will is biblical and i highly suggest you do not stray into predestination.

Predestination is also biblical. However it only applies to Christians and only refers to salvation. Matters of life are not meticulously made by God's choosing. He is aware of all that occurs, but He merely sustains the conditions in the universe necessary for time to continue and life to go on. The Bible, as you say, does record God acting in the world in answer to prayers. We are, effectively, in agreement.

mrjames5768 · Dec 29, 2012

ChristianT said:
Predestination is also biblical. However it only applies to Christians and only refers to salvation. Matters of life are not meticulously made by God's choosing. He is aware of all that occurs, but He merely sustains the conditions in the universe necessary for time to continue and life to go on. The Bible, as you say, does record God acting in the world in answer to prayers. We are, effectively, in agreement.

I think we may have two different views of predestination, I am referring to the likes of calvinism.

NateDaGrimes · Dec 31, 2012

so you think when you are born you are Predestined to be saved and have no choice and now will and go to heaven? that basically destroys the terms of god allowing everyone to have free will!! you can be an athiest and satanist and still go to heaven because you are "Predestined".. please this is sick belief in the edge of calvinism. not to bash the belief but its not biblical and you can still lose your savaltion just like you gained it. its like gravity, all you need is alittle push. Jesus chose his deciples because he knew what they will do which is part of the plan, 12 followers, but the 12th had free will to either betray him or follow him, he betrayed and lost his salvation.

ChristianT · Dec 31, 2012

NateDaGrimes said:
so you think when you are born you are Predestined to be saved and have no choice and now will and go to heaven? that basically destroys the terms of god allowing everyone to have free will!! you can be an athiest and satanist and still go to heaven because you are "Predestined".. please this is sick belief in the edge of calvinism. not to bash the belief but its not biblical and you can still lose your savaltion just like you gained it. its like gravity, all you need is alittle push. Jesus chose his deciples because he knew what they will do which is part of the plan, 12 followers, but the 12th had free will to either betray him or follow him, he betrayed and lost his salvation.

Except that's not predestination, nor Calvinism.

NateDaGrimes · Jan 1, 2013

if you are one of the select you have no choice wether you like it or not you are saved!. you can just go do what you want. and people who want to be saved is not of the elect so they cant. Calvanism starts leaning towards that.

ChristianT · Jan 1, 2013

NateDaGrimes said:
if you are one of the select you have no choice wether you like it or not you are saved!. you can just go do what you want. and people who want to be saved is not of the elect so they cant. Calvanism starts leaning towards that.

Predestined shall be justified. And the justified shall be glorified. Those whom God foreknew don't have a "free pass" any more than the randomly saved souls in the Arminianism camp do. Thus you preach a false gospel, ungrounded in scripture, and I shall remain silent further to keep the thread from becoming a debate. thank you for your opinion though, perhaps read Ephesians and Romans through and you may find a word you don't like

NateDaGrimes · Jan 1, 2013

this is what i hear from some calvanist more like the ones who believe that only 1440 will go to heaven

Chilaha · Jan 1, 2013

its funny how all my threads start long debates... lol

NateDaGrimes · Jan 1, 2013

ok. lol reason why we pray is to keep a close relationship with god. if we don't then being a christian is worth nothing if you dont want to know your father more.

and yes we love making all your topics into debates.

ChristianT · Jan 1, 2013

Chilaha said:
its funny how all my threads start long debates... lol

it's not just you, all of CF explodes into debates...'tis the open-forum stile of CF (mostly).

NMG4GOD · Jan 6, 2013

God want's to KNOW that you REALLY WANT SOMETHING. You let him know by praying.

Chris Blanks · Jan 11, 2013

Prayers are empty, they almost make you seem insane, talking to someone that isn't there.

ChristianT · Jan 11, 2013

dennis1777 said:
If I pray "Lord help me to give up my selfish desires and completely abandon my self in trust in you?" That may already be His plan. Now if it was His plan and I did not pray for it would I still get the grace and insight I need for it? Or it may be His plan that I pray for it as well to get it??? This whole thing starts to seem like a Zen Koan to me.

His will is that you be saved from the punishment of your sins and for you to join the community of fellowship with Him and all His saints. Thus, if you don't want to partake of His will, that shall and is be(ing) arranged, it is offered to all, but only those who come and ask for an take up the offer shall receive it.

ChristianT · Jun 12, 2013

Then either prayer doesn't "work," or praying isn't a form of "ordering" things to happen. In Christianity, we can ask for things to happen, or such, but mostly prayer is another form of worship and glory given to God.

rustom · Jul 1, 2013

Now that we are reconciled with God, our Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ His Son, we have confidence that we can ask God anything and He will give it to us as long as it is according to His will. God wants us to pray to Him, He wants us to completely rely on Him and to be close to Him. So consider prayer a privilege given to us.

"16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."

- 1 John 5:14

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."

- 1 Peter 5:7

Luke 11:5-13 has more on praying.

Here is a broadcast that is helpful and also expands Luke 11:5-13 http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/grace-to-you/listen/pray-boldly-part-1-349388.html

I hope this helps, God bless.

LogicDreamer · Jul 5, 2013

Logically, there is no point in praying for something to happen. It matters not what your belief is. If you are Christian, God already knows what you ask for and has already created his own divine plan. There is no attainable purpose.

HeLivesFoSho · Jul 7, 2013

What sort of relationship would you have between you and a friend if you never spoke to each other?

What's the point in praying?

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