Reasons to Pray Specifically -or NOT

[Dave]

5 Great Reasons to Pray Specifically - Why spelling out to God what you need has several advantages.
by Bob HostetlerPosted in How to Pray, Sep 1, 2015
www.guideposts.org/faith-and-prayer/prayer-stories/pray-effectively/5-great-reasons-to-pray-specifically

When Jesus taught his followers to pray, he could have said to pray, “bless us” or “help us.” But he didn’t. He said, “Give us this day our daily bread.” He urged his followers to be specific in prayer.

To his first followers, bread was central to life. It was a staple. A necessity. A lifeline. So Jesus said, “Pray for bread.” Praying for specific needs like that has several advantages:

Ok – How did Jesus teach us to pray?

Mat 6:5 And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.
Mat 6:7 And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Mat 6:8 Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Mat 6:13 And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Yes – we are to ask - Give us this day our daily bread
Gnostic – sustenance – the disciples traveled with very little – none of them had a big home and a used car dealership
Catholics – make thing into a new job, a new car, college education for the kids, grandmas hip, world peace (I love this one – World Peace)

So what specific needs does this article lis:

1) Praying for specific needs clarifies our minds.
I can imagine Jesus responding to my prayers much as he spoke to Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52):

“Oh, Lord, have mercy on me.”
“What do you want me to do for you?”

“Please come to me.”
“What do you want me to do for you?”

“Please bless me.”
“What do you want me to do for you?”

“Help me.”
“What do you want me to do for you?”

“Well, what I really need is enough patience not to scream at my little boy who just spilled his juice all over the new carpet.”
“Ah, well, I can do that. I can also remind you to put a lid on his cup from now on.”

Maybe you don’t relate to God in quite that way. But I think Jesus’ instruction to pray specifically for our needs helps us to spell out and spill out what we really want to ask.

So – the article listed spiritual needs – then make the correlation to physical wants?

2) Praying for specific needs helps us define our needs.
Often in prayer I have asked God for something and soon have heard myself saying something like, “No, that’s not it exactly. It’s not that, but this other thing I really need.”

Correct – we don’t even know what we really NEED - for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

For example, “Lord, bless me” won’t lead me to recognize that I don’t need a raise as much as I need to say no to buying more stuff, or that maybe I don’t need a new co-worker but the wisdom, love and humility to resolve my conflicts with the one I have.

So this Catholic view says - for your Father (Doesn’t) knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

3) Praying for specific needs emphasizes our dependence on and intimacy with God.
If I really pray for God to provide the bread I need today, I may be tempted to forget that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.”

But if I pray for the things I need, I am not only reminded of that fact but am also drawn closer to my Father as I do “precisely what children do when they love and trust the one they call ‘Father’.”

Only if you “see” your prayers answered

4) Praying for specific needs makes us more alert to answers.
If I pray for “blessings,” God may answer but I may not recognize the answer when it comes. But if, on the other hand, I pray for “bread”—or someone similarly specific—I will be more attentive and alert to the answer when it comes.

Many times the answer is NO – This article is making NO answers the same ans unanswered prayer

5) Praying for specific needs increases our faith.
As a young pastor, I was awed by the men and women of faith who surrounded me. Their lives, words and prayers revealed depths and heights of faith that were simultaneously attractive to me and seemingly impossible for me.

Then one day, decades later, I realized that I truly believed and trusted God—probably not as well as those I looked up to years ago, but certainly in ways I had once thought impossible.

Why? Because in those years I had experienced—over and over again—God’s faithfulness in hearing and answering prayer. The more I learned to pray specifically, the more I saw and marked and remembered his answers. And each time that happened, my faith grew.

So – the Catholic view – if God answers my prays as I want Him to – then I’ll follow him

Two agl passages are always referenced to support the Catholic view

Mathew 20:30-34 – The blind men asked for two things
1- Mercy
2- to open their eyes – Jesus restored their corporeal vision
Gnostics – the true things that result from being awakened is so much deeper – more spiritual – than just corporeal vision – (2 Kings 6:17-20)

Mark 10: 46-52 – Catholics say Jesus said – ask for anything you want
Gnostic view – First the man recognized Jesus for who he was = gnosis, Second the request was – Have Mercy on me. Then Jesus says – what would you have me do – the man says:
(YLT) 'Rabboni, that I may see again;'
(KJV) Lord, that I might receive my sight.
1- Mercy
2- Gnostics – the true things that result from being awakened is so much deeper – more spiritual – than just corporeal vision – (2 Kings 6:17-20)

From - www.openbible.info/topics/asking_in_prayer

Matthew 21:22 ESV / 139 helpful votes
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

If you have faith – you gnosis – and you gnosis what to ask for – God’s will

1 John 5:14 ESV / 127 helpful votes
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

Same comment

John 14:13 ESV / 119 helpful votes
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If your asking it in the name of Jesus – it is God’s will you are asking to be fulfilled

Matthew 7:7 ESV / 96 helpful votes
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

What are we to ask for – a new car? – a raise at work? NO
We are to ask mercy in seeking and knocking

James 4:3 ESV / 92 helpful votes
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

YES! – you ask wrongly! – new car – raise at work – grandma’s hip – better employment – all 100% selfish

John 16:24 ESV / 79 helpful votes
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

What fulfills your true spiritual joy – the baptism of the HS
Material mammon address a carnal joy - selfish

Mark 11:24 ESV / 68 helpful votes
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Believe that you have already received it – in the past – this is the function of Jesus Christ and His resurrection – ask for Baptism of the HS and it will be yours

James 5:16 ESV / 58 helpful votes
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Pray for one another – that their Souls are awakened to the reality of God – God’s ultimate will for them

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV / 52 helpful votes
Pray without ceasing,
Correct

1 John 1:9 ESV / 50 helpful votes
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Gnostic – confess our sins – know that we fall short – remember that we are Mind-Body
Catholic – apologies for being a sinner – Just Prayers

1 John 5:14-15 ESV / 47 helpful votes
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

When does He hear us? – When we ask according to His will! – Not ours

James 1:6-8 ESV / 41 helpful votes
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Be a Born again Christian – not a believing want-a-be pretender used car salesman

John 9:31 ESV / 37 helpful votes
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.

God’s will

Ephesians 6:18 ESV / 36 helpful votes
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Praying for others

John 15:7 ESV / 35 helpful votes
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

If you abide in Him – your requests are from the HS - = God’s will

Romans 8:26 ESV / 33 helpful votes
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Do we know how what to pray – NO – The HS does
Groaning too deep for words – suppose that = new house, new job, a raise at work? NO
IT is a praise and support for God’s will

John 14:13-14 ESV / 28 helpful votes
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
In my name – is a prayer through the HS – supporting God’s will

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV / 26 helpful votes
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

In my name

Jeremiah 33:3 ESV / 24 helpful votes
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Opening of the eyes – spiritual education

1 John 5:15 ESV / 23 helpful votes
And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

If we gnosis he hears us – it is because we asked for His will to be done – support of the Lord – not man – and certainly not self

I could go on and on and have 36 more verses to list

Final comments – selfish prayers are never answered
You can pray all day long to become master of the universe
If it is not God’s will – it is never going to happen
Ooops! – another unanswered prayer from a God that doesn’t answer prayers
Maybe He isn’t even there – people pray for all types of things – that are never answered

World Peace – Christians are taught it is compassionated to pray for world peace
What does the agl say – What does the ahl say – What does Enoch say – What does the Dead Sea Scrolls say – what does Revelation say – and does it have any correlation with World Peace? NO!
So stop praying against God - stop praying against scripture – stop praying against God’s Will

What did Jesus say
Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

Followed by basic substance and forgiveness

[Dave]

Prayer of Jabez

Interrupting the long list of descendents from Adam is a short commentary about a man named Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. It starts by saying that he was more honorable than his brothers. It went on to say that Jabez called on God, saying,

1Ch 4:9 (KJV) And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

1Ch 4:10 (YLT) And Jabez calleth to the God of Israel, saying, 'If blessing Thou dost bless me, then Thou hast made great my border, and Thy hand hath been with me, and Thou hast kept me from evil—not to grieve me;' and God bringeth in that which he asked.

1Ch 4:10 (TLV) Jabez called out to the God of Israel, saying, “If only You would greatly bless me, and enlarge my territory. Let Your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I might not suffer pain.” Adonai granted what he asked.

GRAMMAR is important

KJV = future tense
YLT = past tense
TLY = “Conditional – IF” + present perfect tense

Septuagint Greek =
1Ch 4:10 καὶ ἐπεκαλέσατο Ιγαβης τὸν θεὸν Ισραηλ λέγων Ἐὰν εὐλογῶν εὐλογήσῃς με καὶ πληθύνῃς τὰ ὅριά μου καὶ ᾖ ἡ χείρ σου μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ, καὶ ποιήσεις γνῶσιν τοῦ μὴ ταπεινῶσαί με. καὶ ἐπήγαγεν ὁ θεὸς πάντα, ὅσα ᾐτήσατο. –

καὶ ἐπεκαλέσατο Ιγαβης τὸν θεὸν Ισραηλ
conjunction –verb 1st person aorist tense – Jabel nonimitave therefore subject – The God – accusative singular – direct objet + noun indirect object
and Jabel called upon (in the past) The God of Israel

λέγων Ἐὰν εὐλογῶν εὐλογήσῃς με
a preset tense verb, Active voice – used as a noun Case: Nominative (subject; predicate nominative) and therefore a Participle + a conditional conjunction + Verb, Aorist, Active, Subjunctive, second person [you], Singular + pronoun
saying – on the condition – you good speak (present tense) – good speak (noun) – of me (or my good speak)

καὶ πληθύνῃς τὰ ὅριά μου
conjunction + Verb, Present, Active, Subjunctive, second person [you], Singular + article the – noun – singular accusative direct object – pronoun genitive (of, through, belonging to, associated with)

and –expand /enlarge – the horizon – of me (of mine – my horizon)

and Jabel called upon (in the past) The God of Israel
saying – on the condition – you good speak (present tense) – good speak (noun) – of me (or my good speak)
and –expand /enlarge – the horizon – of me (of mine – my horizon)

Catholics use this prayer to justify praying for televangelist empires, big houses, and fast cars

[Stella]

Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Mat 6:13 And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses

School Shooting in an Amish One-Room School
October 2nd, 2006. It was a typical fall day. Birds could be heard in the distance and little else, except maybe the clip-clop of a horse’s hoofs and the rattling of a buggy heading down a back country road. It’s normally quiet and peaceful in the rolling Amish farmlands of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

But that peace was shattered when the sound of gunfire was heard from inside an Amish school. When local police broke into the one-room Amish schoolhouse they found 10 Amish girls ages 6-13 had been shot by Charles Carl Roberts IV, who had then committed suicide.

Amish Forgiveness in Response to School Shooting
In the midst of their grief over this shocking loss, the Amish community didn’t cast blame, they didn’t point fingers, they didn’t hold a press conference with attorneys at their sides. Instead, they reached out with grace and compassion toward the killer’s family.

The afternoon of the shooting an Amish grandfather of one of the girls who was killed expressed forgiveness toward the killer, Charles Roberts. That same day Amish neighbors visited the Roberts family to comfort them in their sorrow and pain.

Later that week the Roberts family was invited to the funeral of one of the Amish girls who had been killed. And Amish mourners outnumbered the non-Amish at Charles Roberts’ funeral.

It’s ironic that the killer was tormented for nine years by the pre-mature death of his young daughter. He never forgave God for her death. Yet, after he cold-bloodedly shot 10 innocent Amish school girls, the Amish almost immediately forgave him and showed compassion toward his family.

In a world at war and in a society that often points fingers and blames others, this reaction was unheard of. Many reporters and interested followers of the story asked, “How could they forgive such a terrible, unprovoked act of violence against innocent lives?”

Lessons of Amish forgiveness
Posted on May 20, 2011 in Amish Beliefs
This October will mark 5 years since the Nickel Mines shootings. The Amish forgiveness story was hugely powerful and quickly spread around the world, in part because it was so unusual. People just don’t forgive, so quickly, after a crime of such magnitude.

Five years on, one wonders how much the lessons of the Amish at Nickel Mines have stuck with us.

an excerpt of an interview with as the mother of the shooter, Terri Roberts.

"Unforgiveness leads to self-pain, and I believe the Bible commands us to forgive. the anguish I experienced was not easy to deal with. Comprehending what he had done took days and weeks to absorb. However, I knew that his actions came from unforgiveness. And seeing what others experience without forgiving–I knew this was not an option for me. He was my son, so full of love but blinded to the love of our heavenly Father. I cannot comprehend how this happened and we did not see it. Yes, I forgave my son."

Unforgiveness leads to self-pain and pain is louder than praise

[Dave]

Thanks for playing - miss you
and as always you are perfect in your post


het is zo goed om van je te horen - soms vertelt Bob me over jou en wat is er aan de hand. God zegene mijn vriend. Praat meer met ons