1. Whats the point in praying if God already knows our every thought, action, needs, wants, worries and deepest desires. Wouldn't he already know?
2. If he already knows what we need than why doesn't he just give it to us? (not trying to sound greedy!)
3. Is it normal to talk to a voice inside your head and refer to them as God, or is that just one of your inner children?
4. How much power does prayer have? If it was so wonderful, than why are there still so many wars, people living in famine and fear and people suffering? Surely Jesus's follwers faith would be enough!?
2006-10-15 00:11:52 · 24 answers · asked by Steph :-) 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, God does know what we need; Jesus reminded His disciples that "your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matthew 6:8).
But often we don't know what we need! We may even think we don't need anything from God, because we think we're able to handle everything on our own. One reason we need to pray, therefore, is so we'll stop and realize just how dependent we are on Him. We also may think we know what God ought to do for us—but we may be wrong. Our hearts need to be attuned to His will—and this often comes only as we pray. The psalmist prayed, "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God" (Psalm 143:10).
Your question, however, points to another misunderstanding many people have about prayer. They think of prayer only as asking God for something—but prayer is much, much more than this! Prayer, after all, is simply talking to God—and when we pray, we should thank and praise Him for His goodness to us, and tell Him that we love Him. We also should confess our sins to Him, and ask for His forgiveness.
Remember that we can come to God solely because Jesus Christ has opened the way for us. In fact, even now He is praying for us. Have you given your life to Him? If not, let the first prayer you make today be one of confession and faith, asking Christ to cleanse you and come into your life—and He will.
2006-10-15 00:58:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
He knows our every need, thought, wants, worries, deepest desires...but WE don't know what we want or truely desire, we do not always know what is best so we pray. He does give us many many gifts everyday your just not paying attention. The voice you here is guiding you. Prayer has much power. Wars, famine, fear and people suffering..all a result of Free Will he gave to the human race. WE are the cause of our own destruction not God.
2006-10-15 07:22:33 · answer #2 · answered by tamara.knsley@sbcglobal.net 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1. Right, He does. As I understand it, prayer helps us by bringing us closer to God. He wants us to tell Him because he wants us to fill our thoughts with Him.
2. He has already given you everything you need. You don't need to ask, but He still wants you to.
3.I don't know if it's normal to talk to a voice in your head. I don't. Nor do I talk to a corner in my room. I try not to focus on a 'place' and simply speak my heart to God (Part of C.S.Lewis' The Screwtape Letters addresses this).
4. It has as much "power" as it is supposed to have. It seems like you're asking how many prayers are answered. Every prayer that is offered up to God and truly meant will be answered. This doesn't always mean in the affirmative, but you'll usually find that whatever answer you get works out in the end.
2006-10-15 07:29:58 · answer #3 · answered by soulinverse 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Enough, enough. Prayer is for you, to come together with God, to receive the Holy Spirit. I like to thank God for all he has given us, and also to thank Christ for dying. I also say or ask if it is His will then I will ask for His help in some areas of my life. I always pray for the family, and go down the list of the ones that I am praying for and their situations. You must have a intimate relationship with Him. In the Bible it says that many will say that they did this and that for me, but at judment day, I will say, "I do not know you". You have to be intimately involved meaning you believe, being humble, wanting to help others, being compassionate. Just because you want something, does not mean it will be answered or give to you. It may not be His will for this to happen. He may have other plans, etc. As far as others living in famine and suffering, this is something that God did not intend, man chose that path. This is a learning period, and the path will not be easy. God gave us a choice, and this is the way it is. We chose evil, and the ways of the world, but the suffering will be taken care of in Heaven. I wish this earth could have been as God had it in the beginning which was a Garden of Eden, with all things loving and everything that man could ever want, but it did not turn out that way, and God put Adam and Eve out on their own, stating that man would have to work, and woman would have to go through the valley of death and bare the children. It was not His origihnal plan. Jesus' faith is enough, but not enough to change this world over night, it is for our home in Heaven. Once you become one with God, then you will know the voice from within, until then, you will not know. If you pray and ask Jesus to come to you, He will. It says in the Bible, ask, and the door will be opened to you.
2006-10-15 07:23:29 · answer #4 · answered by shardf 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Prayer may effect the person praying.
If the person is praying for something within himself - strength, for example, to fight an illness, then it may very well be effective. The so-called psychosomatic relationship between mind and body is well documented, and if you believe that God will help you get better, you may well find the strength to fight the illness yourself.
Similar is the concept of the self-fulfilling prediction. If you pray to God for a change in behaviour - giving up alcohol, for example - the belief that God will help you do it might cause you to give up alcohol yourself. It's a kind of motivator.
So there can be power in prayer - but you'll notice that it has nothing whatsoever to do with the idea that someone out there might actually be hearing your prayers...
2006-10-15 07:16:01 · answer #5 · answered by XYZ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I can't answer all your questions, but prayer is very powerful. Why do we need to pray? Although God know all your wants, needs and desires, you may want them at the wrong time. He has a set plan for you, and you need be specific in your prayers, you have to ask exectly what you want and not only vague questions. He will answer those questions and satisfy your needs when the time is right and you have learnt the life lessons needed to be able to handle that need as effectively as possible.
Another thing prayer is pretty useful if you ramble of the same sentence everyday, dont see prayer just for that, it is more a conversation with the only person who truly knows you and loves everything about you. You have to trust in him, and talk to him about your joys, sorrows and problems as if he is standing right next to you. And we dont always hear the answers to our questions, but we do have a conscience, and you sometimes come to a conclusive answer a few days after the problem has occured. That is His way of working.
God works in misterious ways, we just have to keep our eyes and ears open to be able to recognise it.
2006-10-15 07:35:04 · answer #6 · answered by Chris 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. God knows, but it is we that do not. try to picture it this way. If we never prayed it then we never would of known that we wanted it, and therefore never would of known that god provided for us when he gave it to us. To ask for gifts is one thing, but to be thankful for them is an even greater thing.
2. He also knows what others need, and leaves the idea of faith in our lives. He provides for what is best and we should be content with that.
3. Whether or not it is normal i don't know, but i do know that i have done it. Even if it is not normal doesn't mean its wrong. All i know is some of the things my "inner voice" has told me are anything beyond what i normally could of thought of. Now whether that is because it was god or because i thought it was and therefore got smarter is the discussion.
4. Well obvioulsy the power of evil is fighting stronger towards thier side of fate then we are of our side of love. All the more reason to keep praying.
Hope this helps
2006-10-15 07:25:52 · answer #7 · answered by Adam 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good Day, Prayer is never a condition rather it is Free Will. If you wish to Demand , Complain or just say I Love You to God, thats okay cause God gives Unconditional Love. Only your Choice of prayer determines your experience while praying.
If you should get whatever you Ask , then what is the difference between Here and Heaven. We are God in Heaven where we get all we want. We are here to Experience what is it to be Un-God. How would you know how bright is White if you have never seen Black. You still can get whatever you want , Not by asking but by your Choice to seek it.
Never take my words as conclusion. Challenge me and seek your experience by your Choice my fellow GOD. Have a Nice Day
2006-10-15 08:24:52 · answer #8 · answered by Evan 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We pray because God tells us to pray. Jesus said, "Ask and you shall receive". The main purpose of prayer is not to get things from God but to get to know God. If you love someone you get to know them by talking with them. Yes it is normal to talk to someone inside your head for a Christians, we do it all the time and it is as natural as breathing. Prayer has tremendous power when you pray for the will of God. After you get to know God, and you understand what His purposes and goals are on this earth, and you begin to pray for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven, it has tremendous power. The end of wars, famine, fear, and suffering is not God's primary goal for this time period, that comes later. If God ended all those things no one would have any need for Him, and the result would be eternal destruction for everyone. It is trials that make us turn to God. Ever heard the expression - There are no atheists in foxholes?
2006-10-15 07:23:02 · answer #9 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
God already knows the outcome of every event.
He also knows whether and for you what you prayed.
Taking all this into account, prayer is most useful for personal enlightenment, so that people might better understand the will and the plan of God.
Suitably enlightened, prayerful individuals are better equipped to conform their will to the will of God.
It's not very likely to work, the other way around.
"Not my will, but thy will be done."
Prayer honors God. Prayer guides and enlightens human will.
Even though it's highly unlikely that prayer ever changes God's "mind", prayer is always a win-win.
2006-10-15 09:18:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋