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How should we pray?

roger1440

roger1440

I do stuff
This seems like a simple enough question. Please give expanation of what we should pray for. Don't just quote the Lords prayer from Matthew 6:9-13 or Luke 11:2-4. I could have done that myself.
 
Reverend Richard

Reverend Richard

New Thought Minister
roger1440 said:
This seems like a simple enough question. Please give expanation of what we should pray for. Don't just quote the Lords prayer from Matthew 6:9-13 or Luke 11:2-4. I could have done that myself.
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First, I would be cautious of simply praying "for" something. Prayer sometimes implies a petition which can be very one-sided. I don't mean to be praising myself, but recently almost all of my prayers have simply been prayers of thanksgiving for the blessings I have received in my life.
 
Breathe

Breathe

Hostis humani generis
Pray for those who persecute you, As Jesus said to do. (Mt 5:44)
For God's will even at the expense of our own comforts, as Jesus prayed in Gethsemane.

At least, I thought so? :)
 
Thief

Thief

Rogue Theologian
How about....
'Go to your closet and close the door...and the Spirit that knows you in secret will be there'

Or maybe....
'Do not pray in repetition as do the heathens, who believe they are heard for their many words.'
 
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Jainarayan

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
roger1440 said:
This seems like a simple enough question. Please give expanation of what we should pray for. Don't just quote the Lords prayer from Matthew 6:9-13 or Luke 11:2-4. I could have done that myself.
Click to expand...

Pray for what you need to pray for. You just talk to God. Paramahansa Yogananda wrote that one talks to God as a child talks to its parent(s), even to the point of insisting and demanding if necessary. God won't strike you down. In fact, I read that when Abraham was stopped from sacrificing Isaac, he actually failed the test God gave him. Abraham blindly followed God's order and would have killed his own son, even though God detested human sacrifice. He passed the test arguing for sparing even 10 persons in Sodom. Moses passed the tests because he argued with God. Arjuna begged Krishna's forgiveness for all the times Arjuna thought he was being disrespectful towards Krishna (he wasn't), as friends and cousins, when he came to know Krishna as God. Krishna said to Arjuna to get up (from prostrating himself) and in effect, don't be silly, there is nothing to forgive, we are friends and relatives.
 
Thief

Thief

Rogue Theologian
Jainarayan said:
Pray for what you need to pray for. You just talk to God. Paramahansa Yogananda wrote that one talks to God as a child talks to its parent(s), even to the point of insisting and demanding if necessary. God won't strike you down. In fact, I read that when Abraham was stopped from sacrificing Isaac, he actually failed the test God gave him. Abraham blindly followed God's order and would have killed his own son, even though God detested human sacrifice. He passed the test arguing for sparing even 10 persons in Sodom. Moses passed the tests because he argued with God. Arjuna begged Krishna's forgiveness for all the times Arjuna thought he was being disrespectful towards Krishna (he wasn't), as friends and cousins, when he came to know Krishna as God. Krishna said to Arjuna to get up (from prostrating himself) and in effect, don't be silly, there is nothing to forgive, we are friends and relatives.
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That story is supposed to be about choosing which is most important between your devoted obedience and anything else.
As such....Abram passed the test.

Having done so....he would then be called Abraham....father of all
and many children would be his descendants.

It's an extreme notion.
I would not ask such a test of anyone following me.
Maybe that's why I have no followers?!
 
Jainarayan

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
That was that writer's take on it. But I wouldn't put anyone to that kind of test either. I don't think God tests us anyway.
 
Thief

Thief

Rogue Theologian
Jainarayan said:
That was that writer's take on it. But I wouldn't put anyone to that kind of test either. I don't think God tests us anyway.
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I actually agree.
The story is an old one with culture so different and far away.
The lesson displayed is extreme.

If believed the next question should be....
What kind of God would ask of you such a thing?

New topic?....post and go for it!
 
Reverend Richard

Reverend Richard

New Thought Minister
Jainarayan said:
That was that writer's take on it. But I wouldn't put anyone to that kind of test either. I don't think God tests us anyway.
Click to expand...

Nor do I. Life, by its very nature, provides opportunities that challenge us and help us to learn, but that's not God. It's just life.
 
A

Awoon

Well-Known Member
Thief said:
I actually agree.
The story is an old one with culture so different and far away.
The lesson displayed is extreme.

If believed the next question should be....
What kind of God would ask of you such a thing?

New topic?....post and go for it!
Click to expand...

Abraham's own mind thoughts via his own dreams /visions were testing him. Same as Jesus in the wilderness. One must remember ancients gave their Gods total control over every action of nature, and their cultures teachings.

Today very few follow their dreams, instead people rely on media, government and taught beliefs to guide their lives.

Abram didnt walk around with any book saying "the book says." Like people do today.
 
Thief

Thief

Rogue Theologian
Awoon said:
Abraham's own mind thoughts via his own dreams /visions were testing him. Same as Jesus in the wilderness. One must remember ancients gave their Gods total control over every action of nature, and their cultures teachings.

Today very few follow their dreams, instead people rely on media, government and taught beliefs to guide their lives.

Abram didnt walk around with any book saying "the book says." Like people do today.
Click to expand...

Are you suggesting Abraham did not hear from God or the angels?
That Jesus and the Devil did not converse in the wilderness?

So...where is the line drawn?
The prophets never had dialog with heaven?

And if you were to 'hear' a disembodied Voice.....
Would you surrender your every deed to it?
 
Treks

Treks

Well-Known Member
Thief said:
'Do not pray in repetition as do the heathens, who believe they are heard for their many words.'
Click to expand...

How do Catholics reconcile this passage with the Rosary? Is this passage from the Bible?

Many thanks
 
rusra02

rusra02

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
roger1440 said:
This seems like a simple enough question. Please give expanation of what we should pray for. Don't just quote the Lords prayer from Matthew 6:9-13 or Luke 11:2-4. I could have done that myself.
Click to expand...

Prayer should include praises to God, thanksgiving for all his goodness, specific requests for his help in serving him, requests for his holy spirit, for daily necessities, in behalf of others, etc. etc. (Philippians 4:6, James 1:5) The entire book of Psalms consists of prayers to God. It is important to note, I think, that God does not listen to all prayers and requires that we approach him through his Son, Jesus Christ. Prayers to "saints", idols, or other gods will not be heard nor answered.
 
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