Why pray to god?

[Hospes]

What purpose does prayer serve for you?

1. Prayer is a means of seeing God in a correct way, with the corollary of seeing my self and others in the correct way.
2. Prayer is a means of increasing my joy, satisfaction, and humility.
3. Petitioning God via prayer re-establishes my own sense of dependence and need for grace. (I hope and assume you understand the Christian concept of grace.)
4. Worship in prayer is the joyful consummation of my enjoyment, esteem, and delight in God.
5. Prayer serves to align my own desires with something/someone much bigger than myself.
6. Prayer reminds me of my ongoing need for, and God's continued supply of, his grace.
7. Prayer reminds me of his call for me to give the grace to those around me.
8. Per the scriptures, it seems God chooses to use my prayer as a means of accomplishing His will. Being a bond slave of Christ - another Christian concept I hope you have some knowledge of - I am privileged and pleased when he does.

I could probably go on, but this is probably sufficient for now.

To hear some, prayer is akin to sitting on Santa's lap and reciting a Christmas list. Bluntly, you seem to have bought into aspects of this caricature as being Christian. Personally, I find it a profane thought that anyone treat the God who deserves their absolute worship to be somehow a means to get what they want. Any person that is a means to an end is just a tool, not God.

 

[Hikarifuru]

Hospes

Why do you think it is that a persons prayers help the god accomplish its will?

 

[Hospes]

Hospes

Why do you think it is that a persons prayers help the god accomplish its will?

Umm...I don't think God needs help, so if I gave you that impression, it was a mistake.

 

[Hikarifuru]

Explain your point 8

 

[Andrea411]

Hospes

Why do you think it is that a persons prayers help the god accomplish its will?

As a parent, when I told my daughter, if she needs help with her homework, come ask. I have a few suggestions for her. I'm watching her, struggling with her HW. I remind her occasionally, that all she has to do is ask but she is stubborn and has decided not only does she not like to ask, but has decided she knows a better way.
I say Okay, let me know if you'd like some help...

Our Heavenly Father, does not force His will on us. He has many gifts, and blessings He would like to give us but we have to be willing to ask. That is only one aspect of prayer.
In any relationship there is communication, that is another reason for prayer and of course, just stopping to thank the Lord for His goodness and favor. If you've ever been in a good relationship, there is a genuine desire to communicate. It shouldn't be one sided or obligatory. What kind of relationship would that be like?
I think most unbelievers think of prayer as going to the Lord for 'things', when it is more often just going to the Lord. If you're willing to listen, God is willing to speak.

 

[Hikarifuru]

Andrea

I understand that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts too

When it comes to petitionary or intercessory prayer... why is prayer neccesary if god simply does his will anyway?

 

[Hikarifuru]

Andrea

I understand that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts too

When it comes to petitionary or intercessory prayer... why is prayer neccesary if god simply does his will anyway?

 

[Andrea411]

Andrea

I understand that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts too

When it comes to petitionary or intercessory prayer... why is prayer neccesary if god simply does his will anyway?

When our will lines up with His will, it is done. There must be a willingness to align ourselves with His will and His righteousness.
My thought on it is we are being conformed into His image. The power that resurrected Christ is the same power that resurrects our souls and changes us... also changes the world. It too is being resurrected. It is a process. I don't pretend to understand the mind of God but when I put my trust in Him, I find the answers I need and the peace I desire.
One day the Lord will make all things right and righteous, meanwhile we can find joy and peace in this life as we wait for the next.

I've been working OT and extra days... our busy season. LOL. Poker has a busy season. So I'm not reading a lot here. How is your former Pastor? Is he doing better? healing?
God bless, andrea

 

[Hikarifuru]

When our will lines up with His will, it is done. There must be a willingness to align ourselves with His will and His righteousness.
My thought on it is we are being conformed into His image. The power that resurrected Christ is the same power that resurrects our souls and changes us... also changes the world. It too is being resurrected. It is a process. I don't pretend to understand the mind of God but when I put my trust in Him, I find the answers I need and the peace I desire.
One day the Lord will make all things right and righteous, meanwhile we can find joy and peace in this life as we wait for the next.

I've been working OT and extra days... our busy season. LOL. Poker has a busy season. So I'm not reading a lot here. How is your former Pastor? Is he doing better? healing?
God bless, andrea

So you believe petitionary prayer is a means of changing ourselves and god does his will regardless? If so then ok.

My friend is recovering. I do not believe in miracles but he does and im just glad hes ok.

 

[Andrea411]

So you believe petitionary prayer is a means of changing ourselves and god does his will regardless? If so then ok.

My friend is recovering. I do not believe in miracles but he does and im just glad hes ok.

Glad your friend is doing well. It is not a matter of belief. It is your choice and you are free to believe or not. That was the point of my post. God won't force you, coerce you or trick you. It is up to you to search Him out.
I don't think the Lord wants to pull everyone in... I think He has made an offer and its up to people to decide for themselves. I know, I have family that are unbelievers, it is difficult for me to accept that they choose not to know the Lord.
When that was my choice, I didn't appreciate people pushing Jesus. When I was ready, I chose to open myself up to faith and it came rushing in. I always think, it was like the Lord was leaning on a door and when I opened it He fell through and into me. I am still stunned at His grace, since I had been such an antagonistic atheist. Probably not too rude unless people tried to push me but I would never have wasted my time talking to a bunch of Christians. LOL. I think the Lord must have a great sense of humor.

God bless, andrea

 

[Hikarifuru]

Glad your friend is doing well. It is not a matter of belief. It is your choice and you are free to believe or not. That was the point of my post. God won't force you, coerce you or trick you. It is up to you to search Him out.
I don't think the Lord wants to pull everyone in... I think He has made an offer and its up to people to decide for themselves. I know, I have family that are unbelievers, it is difficult for me to accept that they choose not to know the Lord.
When that was my choice, I didn't appreciate people pushing Jesus. When I was ready, I chose to open myself up to faith and it came rushing in. I always think, it was like the Lord was leaning on a door and when I opened it He fell through and into me. I am still stunned at His grace, since I had been such an antagonistic atheist. Probably not too rude unless people tried to push me but I would never have wasted my time talking to a bunch of Christians. LOL. I think the Lord must have a great sense of humor.

God bless, andrea

We disagree on a few things but thats cool. Thanks for sharing with me

 

[Hospes]

Hi Dean.

Just to be clear, here's our exchange:

Hospes:

8. Per the scriptures, it seems God chooses to use my prayer as a means of accomplishing His will. Being a bond slave of Christ - another Christian concept I hope you have some knowledge of - I am privileged and pleased when he does.​

Dean:

Why do you think it is that a persons prayers help the god accomplish its will?​

Hospes

Umm...I don't think God needs help, so if I gave you that impression, it was a mistake.​

Dean:

Explain your point 8​

I assumed you writing "help the god" as a way of asserting that without the help God would not be able to accomplish his will. I see now my assumption may have been wrong. Anyway, God's will is advanced via my prayer. In fact, if you remember points 1-7, most are examples of God's will being worked out in my own life through my prayer. Jesus also stated that God gives good things to his children when they ask. My asking seems to be a means he has chosen to accomplish his will in giving me "good things."

BTW, do you notice how you assert your own premises in your question, e.g. the little-g "god" and the use of "its" when referring what I believe is a person? When trying to understand another person - which is your stated goal - you may find it more productive in reaching your goal to assume the other person's perspective, even if in the end you think their perspective is wrong. For my part, if I were trying to understand your source of satisfaction in life, I would start from the position of not believing in God or the supernatural and ask you questions from that perspective. I would not ask questions containing my own premises that there is a God.

 

[TheyCallMeDavid]

I want to learn about christians and what/how they think and live. I have no intention of attacking or harassing or hurting anyone in any way. I just want to post questions and read the responses and occassionally discuss them.

There is nothing wrong with learning. But why do u want to learn of the Christian Faith when you are so against it personally ? Im just curious.

 

[brinny]

Dean W, i will pray for your friend, if you don't mind......you mentioned he's better a few posts back.....or that he's recovering?

 

[Hikarifuru]

Hi Dean.

Just to be clear, here's our exchange:

Hospes:

8. Per the scriptures, it seems God chooses to use my prayer as a means of accomplishing His will. Being a bond slave of Christ - another Christian concept I hope you have some knowledge of - I am privileged and pleased when he does.​

Dean:

Why do you think it is that a persons prayers help the god accomplish its will?​

Hospes

Umm...I don't think God needs help, so if I gave you that impression, it was a mistake.​

Dean:

Explain your point 8​

I assumed you writing "help the god" as a way of asserting that without the help God would not be able to accomplish his will. I see now my assumption may have been wrong. Anyway, God's will is advanced via my prayer. In fact, if you remember points 1-7, most are examples of God's will being worked out in my own life through my prayer. Jesus also stated that God gives good things to his children when they ask. My asking seems to be a means he has chosen to accomplish his will in giving me "good things."

BTW, do you notice how you assert your own premises in your question, e.g. the little-g "god" and the use of "its" when referring what I believe is a person? When trying to understand another person - which is your stated goal - you may find it more productive in reaching your goal to assume the other person's perspective, even if in the end you think their perspective is wrong. For my part, if I were trying to understand your source of satisfaction in life, I would start from the position of not believing in God or the supernatural and ask you questions from that perspective. I would not ask questions containing my own premises that there is a God.

How could a god use your prayers in order to act ? Why are prayers something it can use?

I am asking you to tell me what you think without objecting to you. I do not act as if i believe in the god because it displeases me to do so and i dont see what differences it makes.

 

[Hikarifuru]

Brinny

He is recovering.

 

[brinny]

Thank you That is good to hear.

 

[Hikarifuru]

Dave

Because christianity plays a role in my world whether i accept it or not.

 

[gord44]

I always saw prayer as more of 'tuning' into the divine, not so much to petition anything. More meditative and contemplative like the Jesus Prayer. Most Christians I know seem to see prayer as petitioning for something. Almost seeing God as a guy watching to see if someone's Facebook status (prayer request) gets enough likes before he answers it.

 

[TheyCallMeDavid]

I always saw prayer as more of 'tuning' into the divine, not so much to petition anything. More meditative and contemplative like the Jesus Prayer. Most Christians I know seem to see prayer as petitioning for something. Almost seeing God as a guy watching to see if someone's Facebook status (prayer request) gets enough likes before he answers it.

Man becoming the divine thru any method or means, is a total offense to our real Creator. God is God and we are always under him , and rightly so.

The Bible says prayer is to petition God as well as for fellowship, communion with him. It is the 'telephone line' between us and him. So, stay connected and don't let the connection be lost.