What is the purpose of prayer? What can a finite being on Earth possibly tell an omnipotent, omniscient deity that he doesn't know already?
2007-02-13 12:02:46 · 20 answers · asked by I-Ponder 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The purpose of prayer is to tell God about your day and tell him that you love him and thank him for everything he's done. God knows everything. But it doesn't hurt to tell hiom anything. Because he wants to know from you!
2007-02-13 15:22:13 · answer #1 · answered by ღGirly Gurlღ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Indeed, what can a mortal possibly tell God that He does not know? Absolute nothing.
As with everything in life, there are right and wrong ways to pray. An athlete who wants to win the gold medal by sitting in the church (or wherever) several hours a day in the name of prayers will most likely not perform as well as his colleague who spends more time on the field. This is a wrong way to pray.
If your prayer makes you know what to do and when to do it, then you are praying well. If on the other hand you are begging God for what you have not worked for, then don't be surprised if it appears God does not answer your prayers a lot of time. Unfortunately, many of us pray the wrong way, thinking the more and louder we beg (or even command) God, the better for us.
2007-02-21 09:02:37 · answer #2 · answered by RAFIU 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mankind has the Authority over the Creation for a Certain Length of Time (6000 Years).
It is Almost up (Contract with GOD).
Adam Kicked GOD out of the Creation (GOD cannot come down Here and do just what ever HE wants to do till the Contract is Up.)
GOD Wants to Help us, and WE are the Ones with the Authority--so--If we Speak (Pray) the Right Words (What GOD wants to do), GOD can (through the Spiritual Laws in the Earth) Bring to Pass GOOD Things to Help us.
When the Contract is Up, HE can come Back Personally and do What-Ever (Good Things).
Plainer understanding: Give your Car Keys to a Friend WITH FULL AUTHORITY over that car in Writing by a Lawyer.
Now YOU have to ask your Friend if you can Drive it or even Sit in it.
If your Friend says NO, you can't touch Your Own Car that you Still LEGALLY OWN.
Till that Contract is up.
Ditto............
2007-02-13 12:20:06 · answer #3 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, take for example your child. You know he loves you, but doesn't it feel great when he actually opens his mouth and tells you so? Or when your partner tells you how wonderful you are (even though you already know what they think of you?) Prayer is not only for psychological help (it can be very therapudic) but also it is a form of worship to God. Of course he knows everything. In the bible it writes that 'every hair on your head is numbered'! and that he calls all the stars by their name. He would just like some aknowledgement once in a while. Because he loves us.
2007-02-21 09:50:25 · answer #4 · answered by Starjumper the R&S Cow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even though God knows everything that you are going to say before you speak it before him, you still must exercise your faith by putting your trust in him through prayer. God want's you to come forth believing that he is the most high God that can do exceedingly above that you ask. Prayer also is essential for spiritual growth, as well as to having a closer relationship with God. Medidate daily on the things that you need God to change within your spirit and the things that you need him to do for you. Desire God's divine will for your life and the way that you can serve him in a ministry that he has called you to partake in. Remember that Prayer+Praise = Power
2007-02-13 12:31:34 · answer #5 · answered by David C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One of the purposes of prayer is to focus the mind on God. Occasionally, ritual prayer or contemplative meditation leads to a Mystical Union with the infinite, and a real sense of the presence of the divine.
2007-02-13 12:15:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Prayer is not Telling God stuff. Prayer is Communing with God. Harmonizing with Him. Getting in tune with His plan, and the universe as it really is, etc.
"Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him."
2007-02-13 12:27:02 · answer #7 · answered by shirleykins 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have a heart as well as a "mind" (ugh), you can tell God how you are feeling today, and wish him well, and smile and chatter for a while, as you do with the fellow on the street corner. Do you think the fellow begging on the corner doesnt KNOW everything, already???? Be he likes to share your company.
2007-02-21 11:58:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prayer rectifies the mind. It's a form of meditation.
Envisioning a 'God' or Deity is a technique, but these Gods do not actually exist. They exist only to expand your mind into your own personified 'perfection'.
2007-02-13 12:16:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're right, you can't say a thing to God that He already doesn't know. But let me ask you something; does the fact that your two year old child can't tell you anything you don't know stop you from enjoying him chatter to you? Aren't the confidences of a toddler precious and wonderful to a parent? Don't you still want to hear from your child?
Yeah, so does God.
2007-02-13 12:08:43 · answer #10 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋