2006-08-25 07:58:34 · 22 answers · asked by john_0502000 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of".
2006-08-25 08:10:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is tremendous power in prayer. The only uneffective prayer is that of the unrighteous. The Bible says "you ask and receive not because you pray amiss for your own pleasure". That means treating the Lord like santa claus on Christmas. There are countless stories in the bible where prayer and fasting resulted in miracles, and my own family has seen it happen in our lives with situations that would seem "unbelieveable" to the natural man's eye. The Bible is not a trick my brother, nor is going before God in obedience to seek His Will. Try Him and see...
2006-08-25 15:14:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
All tests on the effectiveness of prayer on healing have shown no results (wikipedia has a good article on this). And healing is a good test, since what better thing to wish for than an person to not suffer and die?
Nevertheless, studies show no effect.
The bigger question though, is if theists believe that "God has a plan" and he is infinitely wiser than us "mere humans", then why have the audacity to ask God to change his plan? Why not just let his "plan" run its course?
Secondly, if God is all-knowing, then he can't change his mind. It is logically impossible to both know the future and change it, unless he knew he was going to change his mind already, in which case the future actually wasn't changed.
The idea of prayer has been proven uneffective, and is a logically inconsistent with the attributes most theists ascribe to their deity.
Instead of wasting time praying, people should actually spend there time doing good things in this world.
2006-08-25 15:04:52 · answer #3 · answered by QED 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yep, placebo effect.
Look up one of the multitude of studies done. Prayer and religious belief in general is usually a positive influence on health, etc.
Like I said, placebo effect. The mind is a powerful thing.
2006-08-25 15:03:10 · answer #4 · answered by KATYA 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The power of prayer is said to be very effective. However, don't expect things to go exactly as you ask because God may have other plans. He does, after all, work in mysterious ways!
Have a great day!!!
2006-08-25 15:02:30 · answer #5 · answered by Coo coo achoo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It "works" under certain circumstances. It must not be contrary to God's sovereign will, you must have faith and you must be able to except it as God's will if he won't give it many others as well.
(Mar 11:24) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
(Mar 11:25) And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
(Mar 11:26) But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
(Luk 18:10) Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
(Luk 18:11) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
(Luk 18:12) I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
(Luk 18:13) And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
(Luk 18:14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
What should we pray for the most???
(Luk 11:11) If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
(Luk 11:12) Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
(Luk 11:13) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
2006-08-25 15:19:33 · answer #6 · answered by Kenneth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does have power....but here is the key...
do not pray and ask for something to happen.
pray in gratitude that it has already been given to you! this is God's promise....knock and you shall receive.
the more that pray in the same technique the more likely it will be answered.
good luck.
2006-08-25 15:03:59 · answer #7 · answered by davemg21 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16
In Christ,
Bob
2006-08-25 15:35:09 · answer #8 · answered by Blessed Beast 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You mean can a single petitioner, confessedly unworthy, ask that the laws of the universe be annulled on their behalf?
As long as you pray for the sun to rise and set I think you are OK.
2006-08-25 15:05:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Persistent prayer by a strong christian can move mountains. A group of them united together is impenetrable!
YES prayer is pretty much the only power we have.... which is because the Lord can act through us.
2006-08-25 15:04:40 · answer #10 · answered by kenny_the_bomb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Words have the Power of Life and Death in them.
Pray Wisely.
2006-08-25 15:06:47 · answer #11 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋