Comments on: Questions about Prayer http://www.asmallfaith.org/108/questions-about-prayer/ Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:03:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Brian http://www.asmallfaith.org/108/questions-about-prayer/#comment-2360 Brian Tue, 07 Nov 2006 21:59:17 +0000 http://www.asmallfaith.org/108/questions-about-prayer/#comment-2360 J, Ok, I want my brain back.... Seriously, this line of thinking has been bothering me for some time as well. I think there's a fuzzy line somewhere that I just have a hard time recognizing. For instance, when we pray for someone(like your friend) and ask that their new job go 'well' in general we mean 'easy' or 'successful' or something like that. In general I have a hard time praying like that because I really don't think God is interested in how easy our life is. On the other hand, I have no problem praying that someone not suffer from cancer or that a kidnapped little girl be returned to her parents. And Paul had no problem praying that his thorn be removed. So where is the balance? Recognizing that God transforms us through trials should we welcome those trials and never try to extricate ourselves from them? I don't really think that's the case but neither do I think we should seek the life of comfort either. As the King of Siam said - 'Tis a puzzlement. J,

Ok, I want my brain back…. Seriously, this line of thinking has been bothering me for some time as well.

I think there’s a fuzzy line somewhere that I just have a hard time recognizing. For instance, when we pray for someone(like your friend) and ask that their new job go ‘well’ in general we mean ‘easy’ or ’successful’ or something like that. In general I have a hard time praying like that because I really don’t think God is interested in how easy our life is.

On the other hand, I have no problem praying that someone not suffer from cancer or that a kidnapped little girl be returned to her parents. And Paul had no problem praying that his thorn be removed.

So where is the balance? Recognizing that God transforms us through trials should we welcome those trials and never try to extricate ourselves from them? I don’t really think that’s the case but neither do I think we should seek the life of comfort either.

As the King of Siam said - ‘Tis a puzzlement.

]]> By: jlove http://www.asmallfaith.org/108/questions-about-prayer/#comment-2333 jlove Sun, 05 Nov 2006 03:11:15 +0000 http://www.asmallfaith.org/108/questions-about-prayer/#comment-2333 Thanks for the thoughts and comments, Rey & Jon. It is a difficult topic indeed. It is nice to know that God is bigger than us and that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. Also, thanks Jon for listing us on your site. Cheers! Thanks for the thoughts and comments, Rey & Jon. It is a difficult topic indeed. It is nice to know that God is bigger than us and that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

Also, thanks Jon for listing us on your site. Cheers!

]]> By: Jon http://www.asmallfaith.org/108/questions-about-prayer/#comment-2316 Jon Thu, 02 Nov 2006 19:10:56 +0000 http://www.asmallfaith.org/108/questions-about-prayer/#comment-2316 Sort of the subject of the last two classes I've led at my church. I'm one that is big on God being bigger than us, and also God's plans are higher than our plans, and that growth happens at some of the lower points of our life. I believe that the Holy Spirit is in control of our growth, and though we certainly have a role in our growth, it is in concert with the HS guiding and leading us. I sometimes balk at the concern given to new or 'baby' Christians, that we must protect them, and make sure their experience as a Christian is smooth and joyful, and not rocky or hard. I don't think that meshes with how God grows us, and the battle that wages within us with the flesh and the Spirit. I'd think that new Christians should be MORE in battle than an older more mature Christian that has begun to conquer the battle of the flesh. Am I even ON topic anymore? Cheers, Sort of the subject of the last two classes I’ve led at my church.

I’m one that is big on God being bigger than us, and also God’s plans are higher than our plans, and that growth happens at some of the lower points of our life. I believe that the Holy Spirit is in control of our growth, and though we certainly have a role in our growth, it is in concert with the HS guiding and leading us.

I sometimes balk at the concern given to new or ‘baby’ Christians, that we must protect them, and make sure their experience as a Christian is smooth and joyful, and not rocky or hard. I don’t think that meshes with how God grows us, and the battle that wages within us with the flesh and the Spirit. I’d think that new Christians should be MORE in battle than an older more mature Christian that has begun to conquer the battle of the flesh.

Am I even ON topic anymore?

Cheers,

]]> By: Rey http://www.asmallfaith.org/108/questions-about-prayer/#comment-2315 Rey Thu, 02 Nov 2006 13:24:20 +0000 http://www.asmallfaith.org/108/questions-about-prayer/#comment-2315 I think that's where Jesus' lessons on Prayer and Paul's lessons on prayer come into play. On the one side we pray for what we need while also asking for God's will to be done (Jesus even did that in Gethsemene). On the other hand (quite unlike Jesus) we don't know how to pray says Paul and the Spirit takes our prayers and addresses specific needs. James would say to prayer earnestly, not on our selfish wants being careful to ask in His will and without doubting. So I guess there's lots of preperation in prayer, not careless asking but if the road does get bumpy or the water does get choppy we can cry out "HELP!" and the Lord does respond albeit with a lesson (Oh, you of little faith). Multifaceted Answer, ay? I think that’s where Jesus’ lessons on Prayer and Paul’s lessons on prayer come into play. On the one side we pray for what we need while also asking for God’s will to be done (Jesus even did that in Gethsemene). On the other hand (quite unlike Jesus) we don’t know how to pray says Paul and the Spirit takes our prayers and addresses specific needs.

James would say to prayer earnestly, not on our selfish wants being careful to ask in His will and without doubting. So I guess there’s lots of preperation in prayer, not careless asking but if the road does get bumpy or the water does get choppy we can cry out “HELP!” and the Lord does respond albeit with a lesson (Oh, you of little faith).

Multifaceted Answer, ay?

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