How do you pray for other people?
Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 3:20 pm
So, let's say somebody asked you to pray for them irl or here on the forum. How do you do it exactly?
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." (Psalm 19:1)
https://discussions.godandscience.org/
No, imagine (s)he is a long life friend or a close relative or even someone on this forum. (S)he asks for prayers concerning anything.Kurieuo wrote:What do you mean? Like someone just walks up to you and says pray for me? Why? About what? Give a situation.
But, ummmmmm... prayers don't work...Hortator wrote:When somebody says "pray for me", they are typically going through great trials. If something is the matter with one of your friends Ice, we have a Prayer Request forum, just saying
Yeah, I see no problem with pain and suffering even though certain cases of physiological evil (if you would split evil into moral evil and physiological evil) really make me wonder. Not of the existence of God, but why that person and why in that way...Kurieuo wrote:Any prayer to God, only reaches God through Christ, because it is in and through that we gain access to God. Our true thoughts and feelings should never be restrained.
To respond to your "if you don't want to do it, don't", I think the sentiments of such are correct. We've all heard the ending to prayers, "in Jesus name." We pray in and through Jesus, and it'll be all according to His will and as such God's will.
Good question, it is something I've come to assume without thinking through because it sounded theologically correct. The answers are complicated, so let me try to unpack my thoughts little here.IceMobster wrote:Yeah, I see no problem with pain and suffering even though certain cases of physiological evil (if you would split evil into moral evil and physiological evil) really make me wonder. Not of the existence of God, but why that person and why in that way...Kurieuo wrote:Any prayer to God, only reaches God through Christ, because it is in and through that we gain access to God. Our true thoughts and feelings should never be restrained.
To respond to your "if you don't want to do it, don't", I think the sentiments of such are correct. We've all heard the ending to prayers, "in Jesus name." We pray in and through Jesus, and it'll be all according to His will and as such God's will.
Anyway, concerning what you said in the quote above, do you think my prayers are not prayers because I do not believe in JC?
Also, based on what do you claim: "Any prayer to God, only reaches God through Christ, because it is in and through that we gain access to God."?
Exactly. Which is why I never pray that way. I do not want it to be "empty talk".Kurieuo wrote:If I reflect upon why I feel far away, it's either because I have other things on my mind, I'm busy and rushing a prayer, or not really placing much focus or importance upon the words of what I'm saying. I'm dispassionate. ...
I'd dare to say that from any point of view (but a Christian one ? ), I disagree with this. This is kinda implying God is not perfect since He can not hear a certain prayer. It is a different thing if he chooses not to (based on what you said below with the Hitler case).Kurieuo wrote: In any case, those without Christ I see as being further away in some crowd of people making noise. God knows of them and the like, but then they're also a part of the noise and not really before Him, right?
Except no man is clean (except Christ). But you are implying we exclusively need a priest to get to God. I understand that you compared it to Christ, but he is no ordinary man so your example kinda falters, no?Kurieuo wrote: Similarly, when we approach God alone in prayer, I'd say we're unacceptable. None of us are of an acceptable standard to God. Therefore our prayers while offered up and heard, are like empty and hollow in the same way. Since we're unclean, then to truly approach God and make our prayers have impact and substance, well we need the help of someone else who can either present us as clean, or who is clean and can mediate on our behalf. That's where the priestly order came in with Israel past, that's where Christ comes in.
Which is why I am avoiding the requests. Even when I just think of it (of God helping me), I am like: "or maybe don't do it since I realize it is hypocritical."Kurieuo wrote: So then, getting more directly back on track, it seems the content of some our prayers, even our requests, well, there can be difficulty in having them reach God as something other than noise or with contempt. These are only two roads I travelled down in my thoughts, but I'm sure there's many other factors as well.
Yeah, I know that. Well, in that case, I am kinda doomed.Kurieuo wrote: So then prayer or no prayer, it is only through Christ that we can really truly draw near to God. And as for our prayers, God hears them all, but given our own sins and nature should God listen? Whether God chooses to act according to some request amongst all the noise in the background from someone who hasn't drawn near in Christ, I suppose that'd be up to God. But, Scripture seems to be clear that to approach God, come close to Him, be really there in His presence, such requires Christ who imparts righteousness to us, who clothes us in white robes (Galatians 3:7; Isaiah 61:10), and we we can then enter freely into God's presence as His adopted sons (Ephesians 1:5).
To draw closer to God such can only be via Christ. Non-Christians can still pray, at the end it's all up to God and Christ as such when talking to God at a distance that we be "heard". In my own life I've experienced two modes of prayer, one where I feel intimately close to God, the other which feels general or mere routine. I'm not sure given what I believe, how a non-Christian could truly have the former except in placebo fashion.K wrote:my thinking is that there appears to be two acceptable modes of prayer: one where we must draw closer to God, the other which is more one-way and our talking at God. To the later, whether or not God is moved is up to God. He loves us all after all.
Hebrews 7:23-28IceMobster wrote:Except no man is clean (except Christ). But you are implying we exclusively need a priest to get to God. I understand that you compared it to Christ, but he is no ordinary man so your example kinda falters, no?Kurieuo wrote:Similarly, when we approach God alone in prayer, I'd say we're unacceptable. None of us are of an acceptable standard to God. Therefore our prayers while offered up and heard, are like empty and hollow in the same way. Since we're unclean, then to truly approach God and make our prayers have impact and substance, well we need the help of someone else who can either present us as clean, or who is clean and can mediate on our behalf. That's where the priestly order came in with Israel past, that's where Christ comes in.
I suppose not. How does it feel?Kurieuo wrote:Question: Have you ever felt in God's presence Ice?
I didn't overlook it. I never do it simply for the mere routine.Kurieuo wrote: I said a lot, but don't overlook this part of my post:To draw closer to God such can only be via Christ. Non-Christians can still pray, at the end it's all up to God and Christ as such when talking to God at a distance that we be "heard". In my own life I've experienced two modes of prayer, one where I feel intimately close to God, the other which feels general or mere routine. I'm not sure given what I believe, how a non-Christian could truly have the former except in placebo fashion.K wrote:my thinking is that there appears to be two acceptable modes of prayer: one where we must draw closer to God, the other which is more one-way and our talking at God. To the later, whether or not God is moved is up to God. He loves us all after all.
What makes you accept Jesus Christ as God just like that?crochet1949 wrote:.
A great post, really. A great man you talk of, as well (at least, if you ask me). I believe I do have some nihilistic tendencies.Katabole wrote:.