Answered Prayers? Yes? No?

[Woody]

The topic of Prayer is perhaps one of the most confusing to me and yet one that I am concerned about the most. Let it be said that I have no answers in this department. I am just confused as to why I have so little knowledge and few answers to prayer.

Is it because I am a sinner that I don't see answers to my prayers? Is it because I am not asking the right things? Yet HE says HE will answer ALL my prayers.

Let me throw out an Ellen G. White quote to start off my concern. Perhaps someone can shed light on this subject for me.

Quote:

" But only as we live in obedience to His word can we claim the fulfillment of His promises." MH 227

Quote:

If we live according to His word, every precious promise He has given will be fulfilled to us. MH 226

Is this the key? Because I am a sinner and don't live in obedience .... is this why my prayers are not answered?

Is it because I am wicked that no one can pray for me?

Quote:

"I saw that the wicked could not be benefited by our prayers"... THE CAMDON VISION June 29, 1851

Quote:

"In such cases of affliction where Satan has control of the mind, before engaging in prayer there should be the closest self-examination to discover if there are not sins which need to be repented of, confessed, and forsaken. Deep humility of soul before God is necessary, and firm, humble reliance upon the blood of Christ alone. Fasting and prayer will accomplish nothing while the heart is estranged from God by a wrong course of action."--T., V. II, p. 146. {HL 236.3}

Quote:

"What word has God for those who ignore the light that is shining abroad, and then ask to be prayed for that they may be sanctified and healed? --The same word that he had for Cain: "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door."--U. T., Aug. 25, 1897. {HL 237.2} We should first find out if the sick one has been withholding tithes or has made trouble in the church.--U. T. {HL 237.4}

Are we to not pray for the sick who are not tithe payers or who might have caused trouble for the church? Maybe I am a sinful trouble maker. Is this why my prayers are not answered?

Quote:

"Prayer is not intended to work any change in God; it brings us into harmony with God. It does not take the place of duty. Prayer offered ever so often and ever so earnestly will never be accepted by God in the place of our tithe. Prayer will not pay our debts to God."--MYP 248. {CS 99.3

Quote:

Faith in the healing power of God will not save unless it is combined with good works.-- U. T., Aug. 25, 1897. {HL 238.3}

All this would say to me that if our prayers are not being answered then perhaps we are just not providing enough good works. I am going to search my heart and see if my lack of performance is the reason for my unanswered prayers.

Is it perhaps because of my diet that my prayers are not answered? You know .... I do eat meat and have not been convinced that I should change that.

Quote:

Many, as their last resort, follow the directions in the word of God, and request the prayers of the elders of the church for their restoration to health. God does not see fit to answer prayers offered in behalf of such, for He knows that if they should be restored to health, they would again sacrifice it upon the altar of unhealthy appetite. (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4, p. 145)

Is it because there is a sin that we have not repented of?

Quote:

“Had not Jacob previously repented of his sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud, God would not have heard his prayer and mercifully preserved his life”. (Great Controversy, p. 620, 1888)

Sometimes I do like to do some light reading of magazines ...

Quote:

"I ask you to put away from your homes all light reading. Do not fill the house with magazines, so that when one comes in the first thing he picks up is a magazine. The Lord has nothing to do with such reading. It fills the mind with trash. Those who indulge in it are bringing to the foundation wood, hay, and stubble. It is a sin in the sight of God to give the mind to such reading, for He claims our thoughts. We are to serve Him with the mind. In the Bible you will find reading that will be food to the soul." 1 SAT 352

So, if there is some kind of act on our part before we can expect our prayers to be answered .... Are we not coming on the basis of fear that maybe our works are not good enough?

Graham Maxwell was quoted as saying this ...

Quote:

"If we obey God from fear, because we do not know the truth about Him, we may appear to be the most obedient pillars in the church, and inside we are becoming His enemies. As with the Jews exacting rules about keeping God's Laws, they hated Christ and killed Him. Then rushed home to keep the Sabbath.

Obedience from fear springs the heart of a rebel"

What do you think of that? Is a fear based relationship going to get our prayers answered? Wouldn't we just become rebels?

[Amelia]

We humans can't do anything to get our prayers answered. God either says yes or no to our prayers according to our needs and His plan.

[CyberGuy]

I have prayed to be rich. God said No. He has granted everything I need. Just not everything I want.

[Woody]

I have prayed to be rich. God said No. He has granted everything I need. Just not everything I want.

What were you wanting to be rich in? Did you specify it to God?

HEY .... How many of you have read the new book that is out called ...

Sometimes I don't feel like praying by Mike Jones.

I like Mike so I suspect that this is a good book.

[LifeHiscost]

We humans can't do anything to get our prayers answered. God either says yes or no to our prayers according to our needs and His plan.

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16 KJV

There is no doubt in my mind that EGW was called of God to be a spokesperson for good behaviour. When I get depressed by reading extra-curricular instruction (other than the Holy Word) I bury myself in the Word, asking for the Holy Spirit to open my heart to Jesus' teachings and promises. Soon, sometimes gradually, my heart is lifted to enable me to practice what He lays on my heart.

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37 KJV

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" Philippians 1:6 KJV

Regards!

[phkrause]

Redwood it can't depend on not be a sinner, because we are sinners. I believe that God answers all out prays one way or the other. It might take a little longer than we want, or not the way we think it should be answered. And there are those times when he says no. Usually when God doesn't answer one of my request's, I try to understand why he keeps saying no to that particular pray. I also believe that somewhere in the Bible or from EGW it says be careful for what you pray for.

pkrause

[phkrause]

Shabbat Shalom Redwood,

Just to add on from my previous post. I just came across an interesting book called: Highways to Heaven. In this book there is a Section called "Ask, and it Shall Be Given" pgs. 115-128 (chapter 12). According to the book this chapter is based on Luke 11:1-13. If you have this book check it out. Its pretty interesting. Also here are a few verses to read: Mark 11:24, John 14:13, 1 John 5:14&15. If come across anything else I'll let you know.

pkrause

[Guest truthseeker007]

Haha lol Redwood. I think your prayers are unanswered because you didn t want to wear the ridiculous dress ellen invented to protect your health.

[Stan]

1 John 3:22

King James Bible

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

[Stan]

sounds pretty much like works?

[Woody]

sounds pretty much like works?

Yes it does. And I have an aversion for work. I was hoping to find a loophole or a way around that aspect of prayer.

[Guest truthseeker007]

Well you got to get to figure something out for me. If you are doing that work, i think God will answer your prayers. Lol. No seriously if you can help me out with this desmond ford thing i am very gratefull

[Nightingale]

I have personally found the chapter "The Privilege of Prayer" in the book Steps to Christ a very real help in understanding prayer in the life of a christian. There was a time in my life when I needed a miracle for a special baby. I was told by the social workers, attorneys and others that it could not and would not happen. I prayed that God would give me a willing heart to accept His will in this, and that he would work a miracle if it was his will. I read this chapter and asked God to show me what to do and how to ask. I would say that I literally spent hours and hours in prayer. A wonderful miracle happened!! My prayer was answered in a marvelous way.

All the promises of God will be answered in our lives if we pray in faith, willing to accept His will.

Prayer does make a difference.

Ask. Matt. 7:7

Believe. Mark11.24

Thank. 1John 5:14

There are conditions:

We must feel our need.

"If we regard iniquity in our hearts, if we CLING to any known sin, the Lord will not hear us.

Faith

Perseverance in prayer, diligence

Praise

God is too wise to make a mistake, too good to withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly.

[Guest truthseeker007]

I ve found a way to get your prayers answered. To me it works perfectly. All you ve got to do is ask the lord NOT to respond to your prayers. See for yourself, it works!! :D

[LifeHiscost]

sounds pretty much like works?

That pretty much fits in with this.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 NASB

Another issue, separate from prayer answered according to our works, is salvation according to our works.

"Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--" Ephesians 3:20 AMP

Regards!

[aldona]

Quote:

"What word has God for those who ignore the light that is shining abroad, and then ask to be prayed for that they may be sanctified and healed? --The same word that he had for Cain: "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door."--U. T., Aug. 25, 1897. {HL 237.2} We should first find out if the sick one has been withholding tithes or has made trouble in the church.--U. T. {HL 237.4}

So when Jesus healed people, did He first enquire of the priests and Pharisees to check the temple records so that He could see who was paying their tithe?

No, He graciously offered His healing power even to those who did not bother to thank Him (9 out of 10 lepers) and to those who did not follow the "true religion" at all (Samaritans, Romans).

It seems that Jesus has changed in some way since Ellen White's time. A Jesus who checks your tithe records before accepting your friend's prayer on your behalf is not the same Jesus whom I worship.

aldona

[John317]

Yet there are a lot of things in the Bible that would agree with what Ellen White taught in that paragraph.

We do reap what we sow. Look at Jesus' parables about the talents. If we are stingy in what we sow, we can't expect to get much back. It's a law in both the natural and the spiritual world.

[LifeHiscost]

Jesus answers prayer and performs miracles at different times in different ways. While it is true that Jesus at certain times healed all who happened to be present when He passed by, this next text allows a lack of reception based on attitude or perhaps a measure of ignorance from those Jesus would have liked to do more if the potential recipients had allowed it to happen.

"And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief."

Matthew 13:57-58 KJV

Often the words of spokespersons for Christ are taken out of context, seeming to cast a negative upon their ministry and the character of Christ, when the meaning could be clarified were the surrounding circumstances be known at the time of the utterance.

An example___

"....Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour." Exodus 32:27 KJV

Unless one understands the full extent of what brought this on, it would be hard to rectify this Scripture.

"And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth," Exodus 34:6 KJV

Regards!

[Gerr]

The topic of Prayer is perhaps one of the most confusing to me and yet one that I am concerned about the most. Let it be said that I have no answers in this department. I am just confused as to why I have so little knowledge and few answers to prayer.

Is it because I am a sinner that I don't see answers to my prayers? Is it because I am not asking the right things? Yet HE says HE will answer ALL my prayers.

Let me throw out an Ellen G. White quote to start off my concern. Perhaps someone can shed light on this subject for me.

Quote:

" But only as we live in obedience to His word can we claim the fulfillment of His promises." MH 227

Quote:

If we live according to His word, every precious promise He has given will be fulfilled to us. MH 226

Is this the key? Because I am a sinner and don't live in obedience .... is this why my prayers are not answered?

"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to Him.

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but He loves him who pursues righteousness." Prov 15:8 ESV

"If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination." Prov 28:9 ESV

"Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God, and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him." 1 Jn 3:21,22 ESV

As you can see, what EGW was saying was only echoing what the Bible is saying. It has not changed nor did it change when EGW came along.

Consider the following: How can God answer a prayer for prosperity if the suppliant robs both God and man?

How can God answer a prayer for health when the one entreating Him is doing everything to destroy his health?

Until you recognize the difference between willful/intentional/deliberate disobedience from inadvertent/unintentional sin, you will continue to struggle with these passages.

Gerry

[Planey]

From my experience with the church, having observed many "seasons of prayer", "laying on of hands" etc etc etc over the years, I do not believe there is any greater probability of healing with prayer or without prayer.

I believe the whole "prayer" thing is a crock. Even "little" day-to-day prayers like asking to help you find mislaid keys or documents or whatever - sometimes you find them, sometimes you don't - this is the same whether you pray or not.

God certainly has not even given a hint of answering my prayers with regard to health or healing. Yes I know, it's all my fault for the way I've lived etc etc etc. Well I have lots of friends who have lived just as delinquently as me, and they are going strong. So why did I cop diabetes, hypertension, renal failure and many other more minor illnesses, and my wife be afflicted with breast cancer on two different occasions (two different breasts, two different types of cancer) and at the moment, very bad asthma?

God may once have healed indiscriminantly, as Aldona reminded us, but He appears to have gone out of business in that particular speciality. This whole idea of "earning" your answers to prayer is totally repugnant to me.

I do not expect to live one hell of a lot longer. I don't particularly wish to live one hell of a lot longer. But I'm just really angry that when I do die, that God will feel it necessary to bring me back to life just to torture me for a while before killing me again, this time permanently. What a sadist!!!

Graeme

[Dottie]

I had been doubting that prayer worked for me, but still I prayed, hoping that maybe, just maybe, it does work. I believe in God, just thought that the problem was within myself.

A couple of weeks ago, my oldest son, who will be 40 this summer, called to ask about having his membership transferred to the church he is now attending. Two answers to prayers of more than 20 years: first, he was attending church regularly for the first time in 22 years, and second, he was interested enough to ask for his membership. Also, the person he is now dating (he has never been married) is an Adventist. He had never dated an Adventist before. I can't judge his motives, or his heart, but his actions sure look great from this vantage point.

Yes, I am convinced that God does answer prayer.

[Woody]

Praise God Dottie. Our children and how they love and serve God .... is something mighty important to us parents. I can just feel your joy.

[Woody]

Quote:

Yes, I am convinced that God does answer prayer.

I'm not sure how much He answers our prayers. But I am convinced that we are to do more work at answering them than HE is.

[Woody]

From my experience with the church, having observed many "seasons of prayer", "laying on of hands" etc etc etc over the years, I do not believe there is any greater probability of healing with prayer or without prayer.

I believe the whole "prayer" thing is a crock. Even "little" day-to-day prayers like asking to help you find mislaid keys or documents or whatever - sometimes you find them, sometimes you don't - this is the same whether you pray or not.

God certainly has not even given a hint of answering my prayers with regard to health or healing. Yes I know, it's all my fault for the way I've lived etc etc etc. Well I have lots of friends who have lived just as delinquently as me, and they are going strong. So why did I cop diabetes, hypertension, renal failure and many other more minor illnesses, and my wife be afflicted with breast cancer on two different occasions (two different breasts, two different types of cancer) and at the moment, very bad asthma?

God may once have healed indiscriminantly, as Aldona reminded us, but He appears to have gone out of business in that particular speciality. This whole idea of "earning" your answers to prayer is totally repugnant to me.

I do not expect to live one hell of a lot longer. I don't particularly wish to live one hell of a lot longer. But I'm just really angry that when I do die, that God will feel it necessary to bring me back to life just to torture me for a while before killing me again, this time permanently. What a sadist!!!

Graeme

Graeme ... I do not want your post to go un-responded to. I don't want it to get lost. You have raised some serious questions. Some are not on this topic. Would you mind if I copied the last paragraph of your post and started a new thread? Or would you be willing to?

The issues about prayer that you raised ... we could answer here. I hope others will respond to what you said. I want to think a little more before I respond. Let me just say that I am sorry for your pain and troubles. I just read somewhere this weekend ... how that those who experience pain are so much better able to witness to those who are hurting. And that is so true. So, I would just encourage you to reach out to others ... because they will see that you are genuine because of what you have been through.

[Planey]

Dp what you like, Red.

I personally am so disillusioned with the "church" thing, the "prayer" thing, the "faith" thing, the "worship" thing, that it just doesn't matter. I call them all "..." things because I don't believe any of them are real. They are just charades we play to make us feel better.

And I for one definitely do not feel better.

I search for something real but have not found it.

Graeme