do i need to pray in detail all the time? i mean like when i pray for someone, do i have to tell God why? like can i just say "i want to pray for my friend Stacey" or do i have to say "i want to pray for my friend Stacey because of her new boyfriend.. they're doing sexual things that i dont want them to do!!"? please help me. any comments or suggestions. how have you gotten closer to God? how do you maintain that closeness with Him?
2007-08-08 08:12:40 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
well i go to church on a regular basis with my family. & every week i go on wednesday by myself, to church, when there's no one there to just pray. & i usually take like 30 minutes to pray for everyone in my life. so i guess i'm making a good effort to get close to him...
2007-08-08 08:23:36 · update #1
O, you sweet child...
God loves you and loves to hear you talk to Him. If you were to "talk" to a friend, would you keep it only to one sentence like "I'm worried about my friend Stacy?" No, you would give details.
To get closer to God, talk to Him as though He were right there next to you. He is your loving Heavenly Father, listening, watching, guiding, protecting.
The way I've gotten closer to God is not only to pray to Him continually (I have conversations with Him all the time in addition to more reverent, respectful prayer) but to see evidence of God in everyday places. I marvel at all the beauty and miracles in the world around me...crystal blue oceans, amazing technology that saves lives.
Another great way to draw nearer to Him is to thank Him for all things. When I feel thankful and express that thanks, I feel His presence as though He is happy to have made me happy. For example, the small things people overlook are wondrous and good...clean water, fresh air, a working body. A good friend, a nutritious meal, loving parents, a cute pet.
Can you inhale the sweet fragrance of a flower and feel closer to God? Yes! Yes! Everything good was created by Him and testifies of His love for us.
O, how He wanted to give us all good things to enjoy in life. He wants us to feel joyful.
Another way to draw closer to God is to serve others with love. Run His errands for Him by helping others. Be His hands. Be loving and kind in His name.
When you feel a pervasive love coursing through your body and spirit, a love for all...you are feeling just a fraction of His love for us. You will be closer to Him.
God will speak to you through your thoughts and feelings in this way: Gentle impressions of thought, a feeling of "rightness" and "just knowing" what is good, peace in your heart.
Recognize Him. He is everywhere.
Hope always. :)
2007-08-08 08:26:42 · answer #1 · answered by hope03 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well no, you don't NEED to pray in detail all the time, but it DOES help. God likes it when we're specific even though He already knows the details. I personally prefer to be detailed when I pray because I feel more connected to God when I do. When we pray God tells us not to be anxious about anything, to have faith that He will answer and that He has the power to produce results if the request is within His will.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
~Philippians 4:6-7 (New International Version)~
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."
~James 1:5-6 (New International Version)~
As far as how I've grown closer to God, it's been a process. Anytime I need to feel His presence I'll get into The Word, journal and/or listen to worship music. All those things are pretty much therapy for me. Anyway, I pray I was able to help. God Bless!
2007-08-09 12:53:25 · answer #2 · answered by Kori spelled backwards is Irok 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is omniscient; He knows what you are praying for. Bible says to pray unceasingly, to perservere in prayer, etc. I've never ran across whether prayers should be detailed or not, however, if you are detailed it means you are fellowshipping with the Lord longer. I would pray longer if possible.
Exercise the spiritual disciplines: prayer, Bible study on your own or with others, mediate on Scripture, fellowship with other believers, attend church service.
Also go on a missions trip, go on retreats, seminars and so on.
2007-08-08 15:26:16 · answer #3 · answered by jgalang95119 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pray as you feel led to pray. Remember that prayer is talking to God...share with him your thoughts, and feelings, and concerns. I always try to remember to pray "your will be done" in everything, especially when I'm asking him for something. See how Jesus prayed...he asked God to take the cup from him but made it clear, "your will not mine".
There is no "right way" to pray...God already knows what you think and feel...he shares your burdens and he already knows what you need. If you are concerned about your friend having sex, tell God this...and ask him to help you love your friend no matter what mistakes she makes. Ask him to give you the right words to help her understand your concerns. ...and most importantly, keep praying...the bible says to "pray without ceasing"...start making an effort to take all your concerns to God in prayer...by doing so, you are opening your heart and mind to hear him when he speaks to you.
2007-08-08 15:30:34 · answer #4 · answered by KAL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you are wonderful and I know God is pleased with you. God knows all about Stacey, so all you have to do is ask God to look after her. We draw close to God in many ways. Reading the Bible, praying, helping others and worshiping him for all he has done for us...
God inhabits the Praise of his people....when you are praising him, he is right there..try worshiping him more...thank him for sending us Jesus,,,for the good things in your life...give him all the Glory and Praise for all these things...you are doing fine,,Kiddo....keep it up...
2007-08-08 15:34:53 · answer #5 · answered by dreamdress2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He kwos why you praing for and how to keep closeness with Him? :pray as a muslim 5 times a day
2007-08-08 15:17:53 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says if you draw near to God He will draw near to you.There are different types of prayers.Prayers for others is called intercession.You need to enter into a prayer that is just between you and God and he will reveal Himself to you and His will for your life.
2007-08-08 15:24:37 · answer #7 · answered by firelight 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spend time with God's Word. Meditate on it.
Yes, you have to be specific about your prayer requests and you must have patience, often we don't get answers because we are not willing to wait long enough.
2007-08-08 15:26:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well you got no choice....when you pray, be specific. GOD already knows what you thinkin' but HE wants you to ask for it.
2007-08-08 15:17:23 · answer #9 · answered by MrPlankton 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just move a little to the left.
2007-08-08 15:22:10 · answer #10 · answered by getalifeFATTY 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋