not really a comment(though the pic is very cute), just a question...about prayer.... I know we are to go into prayer with an attitude of giving and not just recieving. But in school, during a discussion, a teacher said that when they come into prayer and just ask for God's help, they know that their spiritual life is not going the best or is lacking. But isn't that the only way we can do anything?? I'm confused...any thoughts???
That's an awesome question. Let me ask you another question. What do you think are a couple purposes of prayer? (other people can answer this question, too). :)
I'll try to give you my thoughts on this tomorrow. Sound good?
Ok, just talking to Michelle about this, I see what she's saying.
I would say some of the main purposes for prayer are giving God glory, growing in my relationship with Him, praying for others, and giving my burdens to Him by asking Him for help.
Now I could understand if that comment was made in the context of being a spiritual moocher (always asking for things with a selfish motive and never giving glory to God), but if that was the case, I might go so far as to question the genuinity a person's faith to begin with.
I would say the more you pray and grow in Christ, the more you realize how much of a sinner you are, so the more you're going to ask for His help to overcome certain sin areas. And doesn't the Bible say that we should give everything to the Lord in prayer?
I think I would have to be there. But we wouldn't get anything if we don't ask as it says in Matthew. I think the teacher meant to say something like this, 'We shouldn't just ask but we should talk to Him as our closest friend.'
Jesus is our closest friend. You said they said, "Just ask", you should talk to him as your closest friend you have. Jesus will always listen. Your prayer availth much.(James 5:16)
But yes, we need God ALL THE TIME. Not just some of the time...ALL THE TIME.
I think Bethany and Justin have some good comments. Really, I see different aspects to prayer: asking for yourself, asking for others, thanksgiving, worship, praise, confession, surrender. I'm sure there's more that I'm missing, but I think the key element to prayer is that we must have true faith. That means that we have open hands toward God realizing we're in desperate need of Him and also understanding that He alone is our sufficient help & He will work His will through us!
I think if we really grasped those concepts, we wouldn't ONLY be asking for things from God (i.e. - I want a new car, I want people to like me, I want this, I want that). That's merely a "Genie" relationship. People who only think this way end up depressed because they don't get what they want, and they blame God or others or both. Eventually, they want to leave God because He didn't do what they wanted Him to do.
I'm not sure what the teacher really meant though. You probably should verify with him/her (if you haven't already). I believe that our prayers should always be dependent on God - FULL OF REQUESTS (ex: God, I need You to give me a love for this person; Lord, I want to want You; Lord, this person needs to know You deeply; Father, would You give me some extra money so I can take Tracy out on a date?) - because I need Him all the time. But I should also go to God in thanksgiving and praise for who He is, what He's done, is doing and is going to do in my life - confidently surrendering myself to His will.
Again, I'm probably missing some aspects to prayer, but a good way to look at prayer is the following acronym (A-doration, C-onfession, T-hanksgiving, S-upplication).
Hope this helps! If ANYONE has anymore questions on this, please comment. This topic and these comments are great....
15 comments:
You sure do!!!!!!!!!!!
not really a comment(though the pic is very cute), just a question...about prayer....
I know we are to go into prayer with an attitude of giving and not just recieving. But in school, during a discussion, a teacher said that when they come into prayer and just ask for God's help, they know that their spiritual life is not going the best or is lacking. But isn't that the only way we can do anything?? I'm confused...any thoughts???
Michelle,
That's an awesome question. Let me ask you another question. What do you think are a couple purposes of prayer? (other people can answer this question, too). :)
I'll try to give you my thoughts on this tomorrow. Sound good?
Ok, just talking to Michelle about this, I see what she's saying.
I would say some of the main purposes for prayer are giving God glory, growing in my relationship with Him, praying for others, and giving my burdens to Him by asking Him for help.
Now I could understand if that comment was made in the context of being a spiritual moocher (always asking for things with a selfish motive and never giving glory to God), but if that was the case, I might go so far as to question the genuinity a person's faith to begin with.
I would say the more you pray and grow in Christ, the more you realize how much of a sinner you are, so the more you're going to ask for His help to overcome certain sin areas. And doesn't the Bible say that we should give everything to the Lord in prayer?
Just my thoughts =)
Oh, and yeah, a very nice picture by the way lol ^.^
Michelle,
I think I would have to be there. But we wouldn't get anything if we don't ask as it says in Matthew. I think the teacher meant to say something like this, 'We shouldn't just ask but we should talk to Him as our closest friend.'
Jesus is our closest friend. You said they said, "Just ask", you should talk to him as your closest friend you have. Jesus will always listen. Your prayer availth much.(James 5:16)
But yes, we need God ALL THE TIME. Not just some of the time...ALL THE TIME.
'If we don't ask, we will not receive'-Jesus
-Justin
http://agapejustin.blogspot.com/
Michelle,
I think Bethany and Justin have some good comments. Really, I see different aspects to prayer: asking for yourself, asking for others, thanksgiving, worship, praise, confession, surrender. I'm sure there's more that I'm missing, but I think the key element to prayer is that we must have true faith. That means that we have open hands toward God realizing we're in desperate need of Him and also understanding that He alone is our sufficient help & He will work His will through us!
I think if we really grasped those concepts, we wouldn't ONLY be asking for things from God (i.e. - I want a new car, I want people to like me, I want this, I want that). That's merely a "Genie" relationship. People who only think this way end up depressed because they don't get what they want, and they blame God or others or both. Eventually, they want to leave God because He didn't do what they wanted Him to do.
I'm not sure what the teacher really meant though. You probably should verify with him/her (if you haven't already). I believe that our prayers should always be dependent on God - FULL OF REQUESTS (ex: God, I need You to give me a love for this person; Lord, I want to want You; Lord, this person needs to know You deeply; Father, would You give me some extra money so I can take Tracy out on a date?) - because I need Him all the time. But I should also go to God in thanksgiving and praise for who He is, what He's done, is doing and is going to do in my life - confidently surrendering myself to His will.
Again, I'm probably missing some aspects to prayer, but a good way to look at prayer is the following acronym (A-doration, C-onfession, T-hanksgiving, S-upplication).
Hope this helps! If ANYONE has anymore questions on this, please comment. This topic and these comments are great....
Oh yeah,
Chad, HI!
PT2
i thought that tracy's head was inside your shirt but then I saw her shirt. hahahahahahah
ooops i mean drama queen
Drama Queen,
That's so funny...
Drama Queen,
You make me laugh. That's SO funny....
i am funny,
i thought that you thought that my name was funny but i get you now
i am a real blond
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