i don't understand how many christians talk about prayer.....?

Question

i don't personally have anything against prayer, i think that it can be very therapeutic to sit there and tell god how you feel about things and just kinda seek his spiritual guideance.

but what i have a problem is when people talk about asking god for specific things in prayer.
Many talk about the "power of prayer"
How many times have a christian told another, "well, have you prayed and prayed about it"?
my point is that god knows what you want and he definetly knows what you need, so why do some christians insist that god will do certain specific things if we constantly, habitually pray about many, many times?

Answer 1

Because the christian bible says that prayers are answered (they aren't):

http://www.whydoesgodhateamputees.com/god5.htm

In Matthew 7:7 Jesus says:
Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Ask and you will receive. What could be simpler than that?

In Matthew 17:20 Jesus reiterates that same message:
For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.
Since a mustard seed is a tiny inanimate object about the size of a grain of salt, it is easy to imagine that the faith of a mustard seed is fairly small. So, paraphrasing, what Jesus is saying is that if you have the tiniest bit of faith, you can move mountains.

Jesus says something similar in Matthew 21:21:
I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

The message is reiterated Mark 11:24:
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

In John chapter 14, verses 12 through 14, Jesus tells all of us just how easy prayer can be:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.

In Matthew 18:19 Jesus says it again:
Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Answer 2

Well, there is a scripture verse or two that talks about this kind of prayer. The one with the woman who won't stop pestering a judge about her case comes to mind, although right now I'm too lazy to look up the passage.

For me personally, prayer is just as much about taking time to talk through a situation with God. Often while praying I will come up with an answer to my problem. Did I do it myself or was it God's work? I don't know. All I know is that I took time to step away and talk to God and it was a good result that didn't hurt anyone.

Sometimes I will pray for something that is "impossible." Peace on earth, healing for someone with terminal cancer, etc. God already knows what's in my heart, but by praying, I feel like I'm "doing" something about it. I also try to be careful what exactly I pray for... sometimes it's more about being open to a situation and/or accepting something that's going on than having it change.

On other thought I have on the "power of prayer" - at certain points in history, people didn't know certain things existed, or at least couldn't explain them. e.g. electricty, magentism, radio waves, etc. What if... maybe... prayer has a "field" or "wave" or "power" all its own? What if praying is sending good energy and that it can make a difference? I don't know, but it's a thought that I've tossed around a few times after praying for a sick friend.

Answer 3

God is our heavenly Father, and like our earthly fathers who love us He loves to hear from us and grant our requests. It isn't some inane, useless exercise but a child going to their Father in times of need or just to speak with Him heart to heart.

The highest form of prayer and least used in Christianity is warfare praying. This is where the Christian moves into the realm of Satan and begins to pray against him and his demons and tear down spiritual strongholds. It takes great dedication, intensity and faith and is attacked vigorously by the devil and his imps. There is a specific call on some Christians to be intercessors for others who are struggling in their walk with God, going through some specific trial in their life or those who are lost and without Christ and know nothing of real prayer.

Prayer is the most powerful and influential exercise in the world when it is in faith - nothing doubting! It moves the hand of God powerfully on behalf of the person being prayed for and is a powerful weapon against evil.

There is an old quote that I love on this subject - "Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Saint upon his knees."

A newer quote I like is - "The man who kneels the most stands the strongest." and "No man is greater than his prayer
life."

Most of the problems with the church and the world today would be drastically changed if Christians would begin to pray as we ought. Too much praying is done casually or with little thought and gets the results it deserves.

Revival comes when people begin to pray and will not accept no for an answer, and they will pray as long as it takes to see results.

Answer 4

There are over 165 verses in the New Testament alone that mention the word "pray". Jesus prayed, the Apostles prayed and we are told God will answer our prayers.

"Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."1 Thessalonians 5 17-18

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Matthew 21:22

" But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." Acts 6:4

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16

Answer 5

Good question!

God wants us to feel like we can depend upon HIm. He loves us all, indeed! His grace is there for the asking (praying) assuming that it is also HIs will. What that means is that He may have plans for you that may not include "a winning lottery ticket" or wishing someone ill, or getting a job somewhere that you don't qualify for, etc.

When we pray, we become intimate with God. He wants us to be dependant on HIm in order to keep us closer to HIim and to grow in spirit and character.

But, just like a spoiled child, if we were to get everything that we want by just asking for it.....you got it! We would turn soft and spoiled and bad..like an old tomato!

Stay close to God through prayer. He has great plans for you.

Answer 6

Actually prayer is the one line communication between man and God. Just as if you wish to speak to your dad you'd call him, I spend time talking to mine.

Yes you're right about God knowing all, but in His word, and I believe it is to keep the comunication flowing, He asks us to talk to Him all the time.

Now God isn't santa clause, He's reason to be here is not to cater our every want as if we were spoiled brats. But to give us what we need. You may want a castle, but God knowing you (not you specifically) knows you need humility so He will give you what ever it takes to make you humble and apreciative.

As for constantly, habitually praying well I do, not always for the same thing. God is not deaf, but He has asked me some times to keep on praying for certains issues (like intervention) and some other times He made me know He hurd me and to go on with something else... or for someone else.

But just as your most important thing in your life (whether it is work, family, or what ever) needs communication to keep on going and growing, we as christian know that Prayer is the best thing to be close to God, even when we make mistakes and in our prayer we repent, in all things we need God and we tell Him, and I believe it is also a proof of our belonging to Him, to Him.

Conversation, sharing, keep the communication open at all times. Because God is not our croutch, but our Father, living Father who also communicates with us at all time.

Answer 7

The only prayer God hears are those prayers which conform to His Will for the one praying. Nothing pleases God more then a humble prayer from a humble person praying for someone else other then themselves. Of course that is what prayer is intended for rather then trying to get God to fulfill our selfish desires.

Answer 8

If you keep asking for things only for yourself in prayer, then you are being selfish, and not very Christian. Especially if you're just asking for things. Just remember that God answers all prayers, but the answer isn't always yes.

Answer 9

God says to ask for all things in prayer

Answer 10

Jesus answered this......

Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:2-8

And also Paul....1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Answer 11

God knows what we need and want and all, but he tells us to pray to him. Prayer is an act of obedience. He gives me guidance in times of my life because I am asking for it. Its not like he doesn't know untill we pray it to him.