Why do we pray? Intercession etc. [HELP!]

[AfanofJesus]

Hello CF:ers!

I have been thinking a lot about why we pray, and how it works. Personally I pray for myself, for forgiveness, strenght, support, health, my friends, family, important things to happen (not like "may giants win" but like "God, please help this person") etc. Recently after I was praying it occured to be intensively that it seems meaningless to pray - I pray a lot and it feels meaningful, and of course it's a way to be with God. Although I'm struggling about it since our God is almighty, "allknowing". He knows what our future would be like, he knows what's best for everyone. How can it make a difference if we pray for someone, for ourselves, for something to happen? One of my strongest feelings of God's presence I've had have been during deep praying, intercession, etc. That is of course something I appreciate, but does it make any difference? This is a major struggle for me which I hope you understand. Please help me to understand, because actually it feels like I'm going to lose my faith because of this question. Praying alone and for/with others are one of the most basic fundaments in my Christian life - if that's a scam I will... I don't know, loose my faith?

 

[Sailorgirl13]

Hey
I've wondered this question too! Don't worry about questioning your faith. Honestly, that's the best thing you can do. God doesn't want blind followers, who accept teachings as if being "brainwashed". We need to be able to think for ourselves and then find the answers in the Bible and through other Christians.
I've had major doubts in my journey but always come out stronger because of them.

As for your question.
One of the best quotes someone ever told me was, "We don't pray to let God know what's on our mind; we pray so that we know what's on his."
Yes, God is all knowing but I find it comforting when I pray to remember that he does already know all this but he doesn't mind listening to me talk about it.

Praying is also deeper in the respect that if we are praying about someone or something we are acknowledging that it means enough to us to take the time and the effort out of our busy lives to share it with God.
An example is we see ads on the tv all the time for World Vision etc. Most people think "aww, isn't that sad." Some people go out and raise money for them. As Christians, praying is the action. Our prayers can make a difference and it shows that we care.

Another thing (sorry this is getting long) is we can't get through our struggles alone. We need God's help. But he won't invite himself into our lives and help us without us asking him.
We need to have the humility to reach out to God. He will be waiting. Prayer is that bridge between us. Our last little step to accepting Jesus.
My prayer time is also an opportunity to recharge, just spending time with God, not worrying about where I have to be or what jobs need completing. It's like my personal counselling session with Jesus!

I hope that's helped. Prayer is so very valuable. Maybe can you try praying with someone, then you share that experience and can help one another to grow?

Feel free to PM at any time

 

[Barricade24]

Prayer is one of the most important things a Christian can do. It helps us communicate with God. Tell him are problems and our concerns. The first person I go to when I have a problem is God. Keep asking and you shall
receive.

 

[jonny94]

We pray because it is a way on which we make a personal communion with God and know him as our Father(but, I think that we realize that particularly within holy communion).

 

[Tole]

I saw this yesterday it could help you

Interceding in Prayer - Tim Conway - YouTube

 

[Girder of Loins]

Prayer can affect God's plan. We have an active role in God's plan for the world. We can disobey it, or we can follow it. This is seen in the story of Abraham as he interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah. God did as Abraham requested. We have the power to influence God's decisions. However, if it counteracts His Will, He won't do it. That is why some people never get healed. This is why some people do get healed. That is the point of prayer. To communicate with God, and intercede on the world's behalf.

 

[AfanofJesus]

Hey
I've wondered this question too! Don't worry about questioning your faith. Honestly, that's the best thing you can do. God doesn't want blind followers, who accept teachings as if being "brainwashed". We need to be able to think for ourselves and then find the answers in the Bible and through other Christians.
I've had major doubts in my journey but always come out stronger because of them.

As for your question.
One of the best quotes someone ever told me was, "We don't pray to let God know what's on our mind; we pray so that we know what's on his."
Yes, God is all knowing but I find it comforting when I pray to remember that he does already know all this but he doesn't mind listening to me talk about it.

Praying is also deeper in the respect that if we are praying about someone or something we are acknowledging that it means enough to us to take the time and the effort out of our busy lives to share it with God.
An example is we see ads on the tv all the time for World Vision etc. Most people think "aww, isn't that sad." Some people go out and raise money for them. As Christians, praying is the action. Our prayers can make a difference and it shows that we care.

Another thing (sorry this is getting long) is we can't get through our struggles alone. We need God's help. But he won't invite himself into our lives and help us without us asking him.
We need to have the humility to reach out to God. He will be waiting. Prayer is that bridge between us. Our last little step to accepting Jesus.
My prayer time is also an opportunity to recharge, just spending time with God, not worrying about where I have to be or what jobs need completing. It's like my personal counselling session with Jesus!

I hope that's helped. Prayer is so very valuable. Maybe can you try praying with someone, then you share that experience and can help one another to grow?

Feel free to PM at any time

Sailorgirl13:

Thanks a lot for you reply, it really helped and helps! I read it right after you wrote it and that was important to me, but I my life has been so much up and down and unstable the last weeks so I couldn't find the peace to sit down and reply here, sorry about that.

You are right, the best thing is to question. I have always done that and it has worked out well, but you know those times it feels like you ask a question that better not be asked, this felt like one of those. Though it is getting better, it is not an impossible problem that I can't get through my reasoning, but it was hard for me to really convince myself.

The more general parts you said about prayer is something I cherish myself, although the quote recited was very accurate and clear and it is easy to forget that perspective!

What was more straight on my problem was what you said about us "acknowledging that it means enough to us to take the time and the effort out of our busy lives to share it with God" and that "We need God's help. But he won't invite himself into our lives and help us without us asking him.".

I think what you said is a key in why we pray and shall continue. It haven't occured in such a clear way to me before but it is what we learn from the Bible too. Like in Luke 19:1 where Zacchaeus goes through a major change simply by coming to listen to Jesus, in a way of accepting him, an act saying "I want to learn". Or as in Matthew 9:27 where blind are being helped when they ask for it, and believe. There are certainly more accurates verses to recite from the Bible, but these where ones I came to think of. I can't understand why it hasn't been clear before, but many of the parts in the Bible when God's actions or prescence is there have all in common that God is asked to be there, in prayer, worship etc. Though it still seems like our all knowing, allmighty and loving God would do what is needed, even though we didn't happen to pray about it, if it is critical for someone's health, well-being, relation with God etc. Maybe the answer is all about free will?

Prayer is one of the most important things a Christian can do. It helps us communicate with God. Tell him are problems and our concerns. The first person I go to when I have a problem is God. Keep asking and you shall
receive.

That's true, I'd normally agree, but what if it doesn't make any difference? I'm used to think that it does, but if we take in count that our God is loving, all mighty and all knowing it is frustrating to think that God goes to actions when we ask him. I mean I'd want him to take action if it is critical even though no one prays/asks for it, maybe he does, but when we say he takes action if we pray for it, it is implied that there is a risk that he doesn't do it if we don't ask for it. I mean theoretically. Let's say he does take action even if we don't ask, why should we then ask (apart from that it is building a relationship and that we will know him better) him to take action? I am not saying that anything above is the case, but let's just make it the situation as a basis for discussing the problem because this is what troubles me.

We pray because it is a way on which we make a personal communion with God and know him as our Father(but, I think that we realize that particularly within holy communion).

Sure, I agree, but, but my struggle is deeper. It is more like in the nature of "does God care about our prayers".

I saw this yesterday it could help you

Interceding in Prayer - Tim Conway - YouTube

Thank you Tole. I will check it!

Prayer can affect God's plan. We have an active role in God's plan for the world. We can disobey it, or we can follow it. This is seen in the story of Abraham as he interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah. God did as Abraham requested. We have the power to influence God's decisions. However, if it counteracts His Will, He won't do it. That is why some people never get healed. This is why some people do get healed. That is the point of prayer. To communicate with God, and intercede on the world's behalf.

Thanks a lot of this reply! This is really down to the core of my problem! I will check the story about Sodom and Gomorrah, is it one specific passage I should read? Do you know anything more to back this up? I mean this is what would solve my struggles if I could convince myself that it is the case! Before I got into this struggles I have more by "faith" just accepted that I have been taught that God will listen etc. but never really tried to question it. I think that is why all these suddenly comes up to the surface!