Lower than the angels?

[Clio]

Throughout this thread, you have given advice that it is better, and that those seeking Abba, would be better to pray only for what advances Abba's Kingdom, and not pray only for their own needs.

Those whose needs are met, develop experiential faith that then allows them to witness, spread the good news, pray for advancing Abba's Kingdom and all that you exhort.

Look at True Jesus example. Each and every time, before He sent someone out to "tell others" He met their immediate need, but they had to ask Him in some way. And when He had met their immediate need, He told them to "Go", "Tell", "Witness" "Spread the word".

Pam is struggling toward the relationship, the ongoing ability to communicate, which must be developed. Communicating her deepest needs, wants, angers, hurts, desires, to Abba, and watching Him move in her life is the only way to allow that relationship from which the type of prayer you are talking about comes, to deepen, strengthen, and grow.

The Kingdom Child who can pray only for the advancement of Abba's Kingdom is one who is secure in their Father's Love. And that only comes from experiencing Him. And experiencing Him comes as He ministers to personal needs. And personal needs are met through prayers for the meeting of personal needs, no matter what they might be.

Including money, cars, computer drives, food on the table, healing, spiritual growth, whatever is on the heart of that believer.

[Norman Byers, N.D.]

Hi Clio,

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Throughout this thread, you have given advice that it is better, and that those seeking Abba, would be better to pray only for what advances Abba's Kingdom, and not pray only for their own needs.

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This is correct, this I have done and I see you point and respect what you say. I have shared what worked for me as a baby Christian and wanted to let Pam know that it is better to ask for things to advance the kingdom of God. The reason for this was that in doing so our other needs would be met, as God promised in Matt 6.

I was not trying to say that it was not good or that someone should not talk to God as a Friend, Father, Lord or King, only that it was better to pray for things that advance.... as a result of what I have experienced and the examples of the Bible. There is no harm in a young seeking Christian doing what I suggested. If it does not meet their needs they can try something else.

The difference we have could be a male-female issue as we have different needs and sometimes solve things in different ways.

Thank you for your reply,

Sincerely,

Norman

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Perhaps I am too simplistic. When I pray, I HAVE to pray in a way that I KNOW what I'm praying for or about. To ask God to *bless* me or others (or "this food to our nourishment and us to thy service") is such a nebulous term to me. And aside from that, it seems very rote to me - and I just can't imagine God being pleased with rote prayer. <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Asking God for things to further His Kingdom - that's confusing to me. I'm not sure what the heck I'd be asking God. []http://img.inkfrog.com/pix/Rudywoofs/icon_confused.gif[/] <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Like I said - perhaps I am too simplistic. <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

[Clio]

Pam -

Pray according to how you talk. Just talk to Him. Forget all the gobbledy-gook everyone, including me if necessary, is trying to tell you about how you HAVE to pray, and just talk to Him. That's all He really wants.

There are more of Jesus' prayers recorded in the Bible than the Lord's Prayer. The Psalms are prayers. The Psalms give us the language of prayer, the language of anguish, of joy, of supplication. Talk to Him. Tell Him what's on your mind, in your heart, no matter how negative or how positive.

Some of my most meaningful and lifechanging prayers have been violent ones. Violent is the only adjective that could be applied had anyone over heard me.

Think of Jacob's prayer at Bethel... All night locked in mortal combat with he knew not Whom. Finally realizing, and crying out, "I will not go, lest Thou bless me!!!" in the agony that produces truth and clarity. That was a violent, real, prayer. A prayer that built a relationship on solid rock, even though Jacob was lame thereafter.

Talk to Him, and let whatever comes from your heart, flow from your lips. It's not like it's news to Him. He just wants you to open that pathway of communication.