Quote:
Originally Posted by SWTXBelle
This was my facebook status a few days ago:
"God is always much better than the most loving person you can imagine, Jesus is saying. It is not that we pray and God answers. It is that our praying is already God answering within us and through us." — from Wondrous Encounters
So, in answer to your question DF - I don't think prayer triggers some "Jackpot!" with God. I think prayer opens us up to what God is already doing.
And I do think you can pray for everyone - I know my parish does, along with those we know. Heck, we even make a point of "praying for those who have no one to pray for them". Covering all the bases, I guess!
It also depends on the type of prayer - meditative, gratitude, intercession . . .
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Yeah I specified "asking" rather than intercession but that's really what I'm looking at here. But if intercessory prayer doesn't really have an effect then again, why bother? And if it does, how DO we conscience only praying for specific people at any given time?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito
Yes I agree with what SWTX has to say. By praying for others, it is a very real way to express our love for them, even if not something that is always visible or always produces a tangible result.
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If I see it as "I took some thought for you today" I see the point, but if the only benefit is the person appreciating the thought then why prayer? Isn't it just a self fulfilling prophecy then?
Quote:
Originally Posted by AGDee
I've never been comfortable with prayer that asks for something specific. My prayers tend to be for assistance in accepting God's will or simply putting a problem in His hands. For example, I was struggling with finding funds for my kids' Christmas presents and I was really stressing over it. One night, I thought to myself "I am just putting this in God's hands". The next day, we got a surprise bonus at work and my dad sent me my own Christmas gift, an A_mazon gift certificate. Between the two, I was able to get each of my kids the gift they really wanted. It's like my own personal worry jar. When I let go and stop worrying, things work out as they should. Would I have received those two things if I hadn't put it in God's hands? Yes. But I would have kept worrying until the next day.
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This part of prayer doesn't confuse me so much, although I see it more as self-talk ultimately at this moment. It's more the intercession, the 'please help _____' that I'm struggling with.
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