So my last post got me thinking a lot about prayer.
I have a lot of thoughts and questions on the subject (well, mostly questions) but today I'm curious about your thoughts . . .
What do you think the role/purpose of prayer is?
(By the way, I started reading a great book on the subject quite a while ago. Haven't gotten all the way through it but I'd highly recommend it . . . "Prayer" by Philip Yancey)
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I must admit prayer sometimes can lead me to a bunch of question also.... To me prayer is visiting with my Father, best friend, and counselor. I try hard to spend time thanking God for all he has done and giving him the praise he deserves, however, I do come to the point in my prayers where I ask him for some type of intervention/need for my life or a loved one. I have found that often times it isn't the answer so much that he give, yes/no, but the way he changes my heart and my perspective about the whole thing in the first place. To me prayer is getting connect to the most amazing Power Source and letting him realign my desires to get closer to his. I really believe praying is one of the post powerful thinks we can do as Christian. I must admit some prayers are more praise, thankfulness and openess to change toward his view, were others are very fleshly with why me and begging for my way. I still have sooo much to learn and sooo far to go.
ReplyDeleteI think that God just loves for us to talk to him weather it is the "big thing" or just the mundane things in our life, he just wants to be included. I also think our prayers let God know our hearts desires and how much we do care about an issue. I know there are somethings that I pray over and over and wonder why they are not answered yet, but I think they do serve purpose after all His word says "Do not be anxious for anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your request know to God."Phil 4:6
This is one of my All time favorite verses!!!
Sorry for the huge post, these are just my thoughts on Prayer.
C- Love, love, love your thoughts!! I really like the idea of praying as "visiting" with our Father. That brings to mind an image of friends talking with each other - not a one-sided conversation as so many of prayers are. Your words are an encouragement to me to make sure I'm praising and thanking like I need to be - and not just focused on needs.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you too. My brother Bradley often asked me this question about if God know what is going to happen anyways then why pray? Good question to ask my response was first of all because he tell us too and secondly he is our friend and Father and we couldn't have a relationship with someone without talking to that person. Just a few of my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteG: Because He tells us to . . . what great perspective. While it's natural for us to question and try to understand we have to come back to obedience. Good thought!! (and that sounds a lot like me with the girl these days . . . "because I said so!" ha ha)
ReplyDeleteThanks for asking this question. That's a topic that I struggle with often, and I'll readily admit that prayer often starts and stops in my life. Certainly something to be developed. Prayer for me has been a time to self- other- and world-awareness. In doing this, I sure that I will become closer to God, and through the thoughts and actions that follow, will start to live into his will and ways of the world. Prayer time is one of the few moments of the day to stop, and try to reconnect with our deepest longings (thanks to Dr. Philip Newell and his book Christ of the Celts for helping to articulate this).
ReplyDeleteB - thanks for your honesty. It's good to know we all struggle with the stop and start of prayer life. Personally I often get so distracted and end up thinking about the most random things in the middle of prayers. Good thing there's grace :-)
ReplyDeleteI like that thought of prayer being one of the few times a day to stop. We are so busy, busy. But it's amazing how relaxed and peaceful I feel after praying even when I think I didn't have time to do so.
I can always count on you for a good book recommendation :-)