Isn't God going to do HIS will, not yours, anyway? Does he need your permission to do whatever he wants to? He's God, he can kill you if he so desires! At least, that's what Christians are fond of saying. "God doesn't need to explain himself, prove himself, or follow anyone's rules--he's God, he can do whatever he wants to do!" Then, they finish their prayers with "Your will be done, amen." What's the point?
In fact, why pray at all? Asking God for something, when he already knows what you want in the first place and has already decided whether or not he will give you what you want...really, is there a point to this?
2006-06-20 18:31:07 · 16 answers · asked by Antique Silver Buttons 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christians seem not to be getting the idea of "omniscient." God supposedly KNOWS ALL. He doesn't need you to beg, ask, or hint because he knows what you need and has already decided if you're getting it or not. Why are you praying for what God has already chosen to do or not do? Your pathetic little prayer won't change his mind.
Some people bring up the "we need to be reminded" deal. Is there some chance you're going to forget who your God is, and that he can zap you dead at will? It's a pretty weak faith you have, if you're that forgetful.
So far, the only decent answer has come from Vexen's Satanism website. Good grief!
2006-06-21 04:30:33 · update #1
Exactly. In this argument (which is similar to yours), the author does not assign god a gender, therefor god is referred to as "it" instead of "he" or "she".
"Praying Is Against God's Will
To pray for something to happen is to say to God that you know better than it! It is to say that you do not agree with the course of events that God has laid out. To pray for something is to go against God's will, to ask God to act at a time when God knows it is not the right time to act. If it is right, God will have already planned to do it. If it is wrong, God won't do it. Your prayer will not change these facts. To pray is to oppose God, to harass it, to make a statement that you think you know better! To pray is insolent, ignorant, misguided, confused but most of all arrogant.
Jesus said "Get thee behind me, Satan!" to an apostle who thought he knew better than God's plan (even though the apostle was bemoaning suffering!)... by trying to sway God's mind through prayer, YOU are behaving in the same way as that apostle! No matter how good your intentions are, your own master in chief, Mr Christ, would call you Satanic for it! Think about what it means to pray, hope or wish for things, you might find you're not doing what your God wants you to be doing!"
- Written by Vexen Crabtree
2006-06-20 19:00:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 10⤋
First of all not all Christians pray "The Lords Prayer" repetitively which states "thy will be done" as if we are giving him permission. Then you must understand that God gave to us all "free will" meaning we can follow him, and ask him to direct us (his will) or try things on our own and do what ever we please (our will). But if we are praying and asking him for a specific thing like a house we desire for instance we may ask him like this "Lord if it be your will, I would like to have that house please make it that the loan will go through etc etc..." This way we are asking him for something, but we don't know, maybe there is a better place or a different plan he has in mind, so we are asking for his direction and his will for our lives. I hope this answers the first part of your question, the second part is easy "Why Pray At All?" To commune with our Father and have a relationship with God who designed us for his pleasure.
2006-06-21 01:50:52 · answer #2 · answered by candi_k7 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Life is a test and is a chance for us to prove ourselves for God to put us in Heaven. Heaven isn't as easily accesible as some might think. We have to be on our best behaviour all our lives and if God wills for us to enter Heaven we will and he doesn't will it then we won't.
We Have to pray whether we like it or not. It is not an option. We must do it.
What would be the difference between Muslim, Christian, Jews and other beliefs if us 3 beliefs didn't pray the way God wanted us to.
No one has performed our prayers or washed away our sins for us. We have to do this ourselves. Each to their own.
2006-06-21 01:56:42 · answer #3 · answered by resmen81 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We all need to remember just who GOD is. He is the maker and the Creator of everything. He took nothing and made everything. He made you. He is the potter and you are the clay. He could have made you a beautiful vase or made you a chamber pot. He deserves all the reverence you can muster.
You are as filthy rags ( menstruating cloths ) compared to the Glory of GOD. In the scheme of things you are nothing. Its because of God's love you even exist.
So, we end our prayers with not my will but yours be done unto me. This shows respect and honor to our Heavenly Father.
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is our example. And He said, not My Will but Yours be done. Follow in His footsteps and LIVE.
2006-06-21 01:51:53 · answer #4 · answered by CEM 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The point is -- I pray for people,situations and i have a relationship with Him,I know through that relationship that He knows what is best for me and others,so i am willing to submit what i want for what he knows is best.Some day youll understand how he works.I can only see as far as my humaness allows,God knows all sees all,nothing is hidden from Him,even the deepest secret places of your heart.
2006-06-21 01:59:21 · answer #5 · answered by kelly j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's like asking your parents you would like a new Corvette for your 18th birthday ... but defer to their judgment.
They may get you a bicycle, a 10yr old minivan or maybe a new Corvette - and you'll be thankful because they provided you something that you did nothing for.
In the same way, in our prayer, it puts us in a position to accept His authority and will over our wishes as His provision may not align with our wants.
2006-06-21 01:46:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We pray "Thy will be done" because that is the way that Jesus instructed us to pray. It's not us giving God permission to do His will. It's more of just reminding ourselves, and submitting ourselves to that will. Yes, His will will be done, but we can be happy about or go along kicking and screaming.
2006-06-21 01:38:24 · answer #7 · answered by Mike 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they really believed what they try so poorly to preach, they wouldn't pray at all, other than the Lord's Prayer, and only that in the secrecy of their closets.
They would neither pray aloud, in public or for special favors.
But, they don't believe it, and if they weren't allowed to caterwaul in public, preachers wouldn't have jobs.
2006-06-21 01:38:08 · answer #8 · answered by Left the building 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are only reaffirming what will be done through that particular prayer. It's almost like saying : I know you will do it God for my faith in you is real. Whatever you choose, I accept.
So don't take it out of context.
2006-06-21 01:36:22 · answer #9 · answered by v_stroke_28 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God limits himself. He wants us to participate in the relationship. Thy willbasically means you want to abide with him.
As for not praying at all, that would be a diest type religion!
watch this video for insight on American church problems
2006-06-21 01:57:40 · answer #10 · answered by happymrzot 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Matt. 6:9,10 After this manner therefore pray ye, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come,THY WILL BE DONE in earth, as it is in heaven.
Before Jesus was crucified He went into the garden of Gethsemene and prayed: Matt. 26:39 O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
As far as the second question, from Genesis thru Revelations we are taught to pray. If Jesus had to pray, who are we, that we shouldn't
Even Jesus prayed "Thy will be done"
2006-06-21 01:53:35 · answer #11 · answered by talking2him 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋