Prayer is perfected to openly unite one's self to God and remain in the kingdom’s mindset and open to the willingness to receive God’s will. Prayer should be practiced continually since it is the conduit connecting your mind, heart and soul to the Holy Spirit and thus opening the channel to the supply of God’s kingdom. It is not our place to plead to God for our desires or what we think He should do for us or someone we love, though we can ask for His mercy; but rather it is our responsibility to keep the line open to the Holy Spirit so that God can do great works in our lives. Prayers say to God, “I recognize you in me, in my life and I accept that you are my source and I am thankful for all of your provisions.”
I personally have this mantra (or versions of it) running on continual loop in my mind, which I consider the front side of prayer. It is the connecting interface to God’s kingdom, though lest we take care it becomes the primary focus of our prayers. Equally important is the back side of prayer which is silence. There needs to be a channel open, monitoring for God’s response. He will do this through the Holy Spirit. We can’t hear from the Spirit if we are always talking; it’s crucial to develop an ear for this conversation.
Finally, learning to pray throughout the day—when we really aren’t in distress or begging God to do something for us—takes practice. It’s much like learning to play a musical instrument, it may not be natural, but it is possible with a burning desire, time and practice. But just listen to the beautiful music that comes from those that do. I want to be like them, don’t you?
God speed!
6 comments:
Do you believe that God answers prayers?
Yes.
Do you think that God answers prayers with miracles (i.e. praying for a cancer patient speeds their recovery), or answers prayers through communication (i.e. "I asked God what to do and He told me to do this"), or both? Do you think that God has performed any miracles for you or spoken to you?
Yes, I do think that God answers prayers with miracles and through communication via the Holy Spirit. I know that God has answered my prayers and spoken to me through the Holy Spirit. But you know that that’s the short answer. The whole point of my blog is to open one’s mind to the idea that what we consider miracles is nothing more than the standard in God’s kingdom which is available to us at all times. However the term miracle carries a grandiosity that is simply a typical, ordinary occurrence if we live within the kingdom. I also believe that if God answers my prayer with a “miracle”, then that may just coincide with God’s plan and not be a special favor to me, so to speak. We don’t know, we only have to be thankful and enjoy it. On the other hand His answer may be “No.” At that point it is up to us to accept it, because we don’t know God’s plan, but it helps me to know that He loves me, so He is taking my best interest to heart.
God communicates to us through the Holy Spirit, which is also the point of this blog. I believe modern Christianity has become a warped ritualistic practice, and has lost sight of what the Lord has offered to us. But I love God and believe in Christianity, so it is my intention to present my ideas of the direction I am taking and inviting all to join me.
Thank you!
My whole hangup on prayers is that if God answers them ("yes, no or wait") based on His plan, why should I pray at all? No matter what I pray for it doesn't matter because God will do whatever it is His Plan to do.
The only reason I can see for praying is to give thanks to God, but I've always felt that an all-seeing all-loving God doesn't need me to thank Him for things, He knows my gratitude.
Please don't take this the wrong way but it seems ridiculous of me to to expect that God grant me my prayers for good grades in school, for my mom to be healthy, for people to love me, etc when there are so many people out there who are suffering and dying. To put it morbidly, "for every miracle you have experienced, some poor, suffering man has stood begging the almighty to give him just one single boon, finding that there was no answer for him as the gas started to rain down from the showerheads and people attempted to claw their way free."
I used to believe in the power of prayer for curing the sick and injured. But then I read this article called "Why won't god heal amputees?" It's about why no matter how saintly, no matter what the circumstances, healing the wounds of amputees is NEVER part of God's plan. For someone who routinely cures cancer, this just doesn't work for me.
Here's a site devoted to that book: http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/important.htm
It seems to me that one might have a better understanding of God, if one put themselves in His position. I know certain people in my life that love me, but I like to hear from them that that is so.
I apologize if this is harsh, but I will try to state my point concisely. The fortunate man versus the suffering man dilemma, in my opinion, is a matter of 2 points of view. The first is trying to apply our logic to God's plan. Secondly, we choose to focus on one's suffering as a argument and distraction to focusing on our own responsibilities to try to abide by God's kingdom.
Thank you for your exceptional comments and contributions.
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