2006-10-20 15:18:25 · 11 answers · asked by cece 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God is so big that our prayer will never miss Him (or Her).
The challenge comes in praying for the right reasons and the right things.
Prayer is the elevation of the mind and heart to God:
+ In praise of his glory
+ In petition for some desired good
+ In thanksgiving for a good received
+ In intercession for others before God
Through prayer the Christian experiences a communion with God through Christ in the Church.
"For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy." (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)
"Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." (St. John Damascene)
But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our pride and will, or "out of the depths" of a humble and contrite heart? (Psalm 130:1)
He who humbles himself will be exalted; humility is the foundation of prayer. Only when we humbly acknowledge that "we do not know how to pray as we ought," are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer. "Man is a beggar before God."
With love in Christ.
2006-10-20 17:50:13 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apostle Paul said, "But covet earnestly the best gifts...," implying that some people are not asking for the best stuff. In Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the publican, Luke 18:10-14 the Pharisee was so self-absorbed that Jesus said he "prayed thus with himself."
Pitiful, huh? But people get so misdirected that I see at least six of the ten commandments about it: #1-5, #10
But here's the positive thought: "if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us." 1 John 5:14 Everything that fits within his overall plan of love for you gets a yes.
2006-10-20 22:32:14 · answer #2 · answered by shirleykins 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
Actually most prayers are misdirected and have no results.
Read the book of James' letters in the New Testament.
2006-10-20 22:41:16 · answer #3 · answered by raxivar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. The bible warns not for us to pray "amiss". We can pray selfishly, pray with anger, pray to condemn, pray our will, not God's. You can usually tell when you're doing this; it's like the prayers bounce back and fall flat!
2006-10-20 22:22:34 · answer #4 · answered by Esther 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
Any prayer that asks for anything assumes that God is not smart enough to know what is in your best interest and needs advice to wise him up.
How likely is that?
Sounds more like a lack of faith to me than a prayer.
love and blessings Don
2006-10-20 22:22:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is misdirected if it is to attempt to accomplish selfish purposes.
2006-10-20 22:20:45 · answer #6 · answered by Kidd! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you mean praying for something that is against God, then I'd say yes.
2006-10-20 22:20:39 · answer #7 · answered by Danny H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I believe there is, it is performed through a black mass.
2006-10-20 22:23:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, when athletes of fans pray to god to win the game. think about it sportsfans.
2006-10-20 22:20:47 · answer #9 · answered by heyrobo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are not praying in the will of God.
2006-10-20 22:24:55 · answer #10 · answered by Southern Apostolic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋