Power Of Prayer

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
Some schmuck goes to a Medium who asks him, "Do you know a Jeremy, i'm getting a Jeremy." The schmuck answers "I don't know a Jeremy." The Medium quickly asks "What about John, i'm feeling a John." The schmuck shakes his head. "I don't know a John."."Well then," panics the Medium, "what about Fred." "Yes!" shouts the schmuck in amazement, "I know a ...[text shortened]... your prayers were not answered,and jumped on an occasion of good fortune as divine intervention.

South Park is right, John Edwards is a douche.

Originally posted by twhitehead
Do you believe that God is ever swayed by your prayers, ie does he ever help someone you prayed for that he wouldn't have helped if you didn't pray for them?

This is difficult to know. If you're asking me if I am arrogant enough to assume that God acts based on my requests, then no.

Even if someone appears better, or to have recovered, or has their fortunes reversed, no, I do not assume that it is because of me.

I am a Christian. God's will be done, not mine.

That is what you're asking, isn't it?

Originally posted by Suzianne
This is difficult to know. If you're asking me if I am arrogant enough to assume that God acts based on my requests, then no.

Even if someone appears better, or to have recovered, or has their fortunes reversed, no, I do not assume that it is because of me.

I am a Christian. God's will be done, not mine.

That is what you're asking, isn't it?

Have any of your fellow Christians presented what is, in your view, convincing evidence of the power of prayer on this thread?

Originally posted by twhitehead
My question are sincere in that I honestly wanted to know what you believe - and not what some article on the internet says. I do not believe in God, so my questions were not a genuine desire to learn how God works nor did I intend them to appear that way.
If you believe my questions demonstrate that your beliefs are ridiculous, you should reconsider your beliefs.

Did you ever stop to think that if he believes that your questions make his beliefs sound ridiculous, then perhaps he should not answer your questions anymore?

Originally posted by twhitehead
I am not really interested in what some article says. I am interested in what you, yourself believe.

So that you can attempt to shoot it down?

I'm not sure that considering him your entertainment is really in his best interests.

Originally posted by FMF
Have any of your fellow Christians presented what is, in your view, convincing evidence of the power of prayer on this thread?

The evidence of the efficacy of prayer is not for wholesale consumption.

Those who have been helped, have been helped, and it is neither your decision nor my decision to validate or to naysay their experience.

They know the truth of it. That's good enough. Their faith was bolstered, which may have been the entire reason for answering their prayers.

I know you don't believe. But I really can't let that bother me in the least. God will continue answering those he chooses to answer with or without input from you or me.

Originally posted by Suzianne
That is what you're asking, isn't it?

Yes. So it seems you agree with me that most prayer requests are done without expectation that they will be fulfilled because of the request.

Originally posted by Suzianne
Did you ever stop to think that if he believes that your questions make his beliefs sound ridiculous, then perhaps he should not answer your questions anymore?

No. I think that is all the more reason to answer my questions, honestly and in full. If his answers make his beliefs sound ridiculous, then maybe he should rethink his beliefs.

Originally posted by Suzianne
So that you can attempt to shoot it down?

Would I succeed?

I'm not sure that considering him your entertainment is really in his best interests.
That depends on whether he wants to hold true beliefs that can withstand scrutiny, or if he wants to feel cozy and safe with false beliefs.

Originally posted by Suzianne
Those who have been helped, have been helped, and it is neither your decision nor my decision to validate or to naysay their experience.

I'm not asking you to validate or to naysay your fellow Christians' experiences, I am simply asking you if any of what they have presented on this thread is convincing evidence of the power of prayer to your way of thinking?

Originally posted by 667joe
I am crushed by your mighty wit! I will never get over it! I hope this capitulation makes you feel good.

What makes me feel good is clicking skulls when they appear in my games list.

Originally posted by ThinkOfOne
[b]But God looks at the heart and my guess is, he would change circumstances so he would get the glory.

What exactly do you have in mind here? Specifically regarding "he would change circumstances so he would get the glory"[/b]

Lead that person to the true God. The God and father of Jesus Christ.

Originally posted by checkbaiter
Yes.
My grandson was injured in an accident.
To not get into too much detail, his injuries looked overwhelming.
The doctors said they did not expect him to make it.
Prayer was started immediately.
The entire family, the church, friends, etc.
To keep it short, he is alive and well today.
All he has is a scar across his stomach and he wears it ...[text shortened]... y, thanking God for his life every day.
Even the doctors were perplexed at his quick recovery.

It's great that your grandson has recovered from his injuries.

Has your family now started praying sessions to pray for the prevention of new accidents?

The disciple asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.

"And while He was in a certain place praying, when He ceased, a certain one of His disciples said to Him, Lord teach is to pray, even as John also taught his disciples." (Luke 11:1)

There are many good lessons in this chapter concerning prayer. But a number of you will not bother to read them, so they will do you no good. Rather several of you are only interested in what you can pop off in a cynical way off the top of your head. Then you may think you have contributed something to the discussion out of your cynicism.

The loss is yours who will not learn anything about prayer. And a vital part of your own manhood and full humanity is lacking because of your cynical attitude about prayer.

It too bad. But if some of you true seekers would read the rest of Luke 11 at least down to verse 13, I'd be happy to explain some things about effective prayer to God.

George Muller wrote, I am pretty sure, a six volume autobiographical record of answers to his prayers to God. He established orphanages by faith and prayer. God used him to be an example of effective prayer. Other effective praying Christians have made a mark on history too for our learning - Evan Roberts of the Welsh Revival, "Praying Hyde", Derick Prince's YouTube videos of effective prayer I would recommend for serious enquirers.

Five videos by Derick Prince on "How to get your prayers answered".
If you only have a superficial interest or are only wanting to fault find to reinforce unbelief in God or skeptical cynicism about the Christian life, don't waste your time.

Thy Kingdom Come
YouTube&list=PLABDC21F765DDD03E

Originally posted by checkbaiter
Lead that person to the true God. The God and father of Jesus Christ.

I'm struggling with how this would all work out. Based on what you've said, it seems like God would not answer a prayer of a Jew or a Muslim without making it clear to the person making the prayer (and others?) that they are worshipping the wrong god and that God chose to grant it regardless.

Are you basing any of this on anything other than that's the way you'd like to think it works?