Skip to main content

Hi to my Forum Friends,

In the discussion begun last week by DogSoldier, titled "Prayer: How Does One KNOW It Works?" -- he is asking a very important question, one which is critical to our Christian walk, one which is critical for our Christian lives.   In my mind, he is asking, "How do  we know God cares?  How do we know God is listening?  How can we know if God really does answers our prayers?"

DogSoldier asked, "I know....one must have FAITH.  I also am well aware that God seldom 'works' as we expect.  But how does someone of weak faith overcome their doubts regarding prayer?"

Your own answer of faith is a good start.   By faith, we know that God always answers the prayers of Christian believers.  He may not answer the way we want -- but, He answers.  And, His answer is always either "Yes" - "No" - or "Wait a while, My child."

But, I believe your question can also be stated, "How can we KNOW, in our frail, often doubting human souls -- that our prayer has truly been heard and answered?"

First, let's differentiate between meditating and praying.  Both are valid means of communication with God.  Meditation is when we are listening to God; which should be frequently -- or better, all the time.  Prayer is when we are addressing praise and adoration, a need, a desire or a want -- to God.

Joy mentioned, "For me, prayer is a release of everything...my fears, my concerns, my anger, my joy, my praise, just anything on my mind and in my heart...and a filling from God at the end - a settling of peace, contentment, whatever I need to go on in my current circumstance."

True, this can be viewed as prayer -- but, I prefer to call it meditation, when we are turning everything over to God and just listening for His soothing, comforting peace, allowing His Word and His love to flow into us.

When we pray, first, we praise Him and thank Him for all the many blessings He has given to us, to our family and friends, and for His guidance of our nation as it moves, once more, closer and closer to Him.

Let me share excerpts from several tracts and bulletin inserts I have written in past years, and have also shared in my Friends  Ministry eNewsletter.


+++++++++++++++++++++

 

Excerpt from a Bulletin Insert in 2002:  PRAYER: A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND!


What is your attitude toward prayer?  Do you think, "Oh, prayers are just wishful thinking.  God never answers them."  Or maybe you feel, "Why would God answer my prayers?  I have too many problems, I haven't really been a good Christian."  Or, possibly, your attitude is, "I have prayed so many times and I have never seen one single prayer answered."

Maybe you don't really understand how to pray.  That is not unusual.  I never really knew how to pray effectively until I met a gentleman, Pastor Sam Lacanienta, who told our Bible Study, "Prayer is just a conversation with your best Friend.  Talk with Him as you would any other good friend."  In other words, don't try to make your prayer too grandiose, too much like a sermon.  God doesn't need a sermon, there is nothing you can teach Him anyway.  Speak simply and from your heart.

But, one thing Pastor Sam did emphasize and I will attest to it, "Make your prayer specific.  Don't pray in vague generalities."  If you pray for something specific, then you will know when God has answered that prayer.  However, if you pray in vague generalities; how  will you know if that prayer has been answered or not? 

 

(Could that be why you believe you have never had a prayer answered --  because, in praying in generalities, you cannot recognize the hand of God at work in your prayers and in your life?)

Let me give you an example of a specific prayer and God's answer.  In the early 1990s, I was unemployed and on the last day of the month I had only $5.  Rent was due the next day.  I went into my bedroom at 3:00 PM and prayed, asking God to provide a way for us to pay the rent.  I didn't pray for God to give us great financial security and all the things we would love to have.  I prayed specifically for one thing -- the means to pay our rent.

The next morning my mother, who knew nothing about my situation (because of her health, I had not told her), called me and said, "Yesterday, when I was taking a bath, I had a strong feeling that I wanted to send you money.  I had your brother wire you $1000 today."  I asked her what time she was bathing.  She was taking a bath at 5:00 PM Alabama time, which is 3:00 PM my time in California -- exactly when I was praying.  I asked for something specific -- and I received a definite answer.  There is no doubt my specific prayer was answered by God.

However, we must always remember --- the answer to our prayer will not always be, "Yes."  Just as Jesus prayed, our prayer should always be, "Father, not my will, but Your will be done!"  God's answer may be, "Yes," it may be, "No," or it might be, "Not yet, My  child."  (His will, which is much more knowing that ours, be done.)

Our God is not a whimsical, frivolous Lord who just causes things to happen to amuse Himself.  He has a plan, and every prayer answered fits into that plan -- perfectly.  As an example, let's say you have three loved ones who are involved in an accident.  All three are in the hospital, critically injured.  You fervently pray to God to give all three of them healing.

Two of the them recover fully.  The third will be in a wheel-chair for life, a paraplegic.  Does this mean that God ignored your prayers or just didn't think you deserve to have your prayer fully answered?  No!  If God leaves that person in a wheel-chair, it is because He has a reason.  If that person is willing, God can use a wheel-chair bound witness to reach many hurting people.  Look how God has used Joni Eareckson Tada, in her wheel-chair, to be an amazing light-in-the-darkness to great multitudes of people around the world.

Excerpt from a Tract and Bulletin Insert in 2000:  PRAY, AND RELEASE THE POWER OF GOD!

How do we pray?  The acrostic ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) can serve as a mental prompt for a balanced prayer life.

Adoration: "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:9-10).  You acknowledge God's holy character and attributes.  Praise Him for His love, His power and His majesty, and His wonderful gift of Jesus Christ.

Confession: "Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:12-13).  Confession of our disobedience is necessary, for God must cleanse our hearts before He will hear and answer our prayers.  In this way our fellowship with God is restored.  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

Thanksgiving:  Praise God for all the blessings He has given you.  Praise Him also for all your trials and tribulations, through which you have matured in your walk with the Lord.  "Enter His gate with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him; bless His name" (Psalm 100:4).  "Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God"  (Ephesians 5:20).

Supplication: "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11).  Ask the Lord for those things you need.  But, always putting Christ first, pray for others, then yourself.  Jesus first, Others next, then Yourself:  you get JOY -- another acrostic which should define your Christian walk.

Excerpt from a Tract and Bulletin Insert in 2000:  PRAY, AND RELEASE THE POWER OF GOD!

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 the apostle Paul tells us, "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."   And when you pray, do so in the name of Jesus Christ for he is the only door through which our prayers get to the Father.  "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus"  (1 Timothy 2:5).

Jesus also tells us, "And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it"  (John 14:13,14).  Does this mean, as the "Name It And Claim It" Prosperity preachers declare, that if we ask for a Rolls Royce, God will provide it?  NO!  God Himself tells us in scripture, "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (1 John 5:14).  (And, He will answer according to His will.)

Jesus gives us the best example of praying according to the will of the Father when, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, "Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done" (Luke 22:42).


Note:  In the excerpts above, some parenthetical comments, bolds,

and underlines have been added for explanation or emphasis.

+++++++++++++++++++++


PRAYER!  Our conversations of praise and petition with our Heavenly Father.  When we pray, whether it be as a group or whether we go off into a room alone -- pray for one another; lift your brothers and sisters up in prayer before God because "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much"  (James 5:16).  Pray in the name of Jesus Christ; pray that God's will, not yours, be done; and as Job did, pray for your friends (Job 42:10).

And when you know that brothers and sisters have been praying for you, and those prayers are answered, let them know.  Then, both they and you can PRAISE the Lord for answered prayers!

If these thoughts on prayer have helped you -- then please feel free to share them with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs.   May all of God's people continue to commune with Him through Prayer and Meditation; may all of God's people find peace with God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1) -- and may we all grow daily in our knowledge and understanding of God's Word.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

1 - Prayer - Meditation_Outline-1a

Attachments

Images (1)
  • 1 - Prayer - Meditation_Outline-1a
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

quote:  Originally Posted by CrustyMac:

I didn't read your latest dissertation, but I have one question.  Does God hate amputees?


Hi Crusty,

 

Then, that means that you most likely cannot read this one -- for it exceeds two sentences.

 

But, to answer your question.  No.  Do you?   But, the better question should be -- does Crusty hate God?  You do not deny that God exists -- yet, you ask the same questions asked by the atheists.  What does that tell us about Crusty?

 

Actually, neither you nor the atheists have an excuse for this ridiculous question.  The atheist have no excuse for this question -- because they have convinced themselves that God does not exist.  At least, they have brainwashed themselves, or been brainwashed, to keep declaring this -- even though everything around them screams of God's existence.  So, since, in their minds, God does not exist -- why the silly question?

 

And, you, Crusty, have no excuse for the silly question -- for you do not deny that God exists.   I am not sure if that makes you a borderline agnostic -- or if you just hate God that much.  Either choice is dangerous to your eternal life.   Not too many folks get into heaven by hating God.

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

It tells me I'm a reasonable, thinking person who can see the difference between reality and distorted takes on the Bible.  Go ahead and try and slap a label on me, that is your MO, it makes you feel better and somehow superior. I don't hate God, Bill, I just have a better understanding of how he works than you ever will.  Talk about brainwashing yourself.  Your silly, distorted, cultist take on the Bible is pathetic at best.  A screaming crowd doesn't change reality. 

 

Since God does not hate amputees, why has he never regrown an am p u tated body part for any of the faithful that have prayed for it?  He takes care of your five dollars, he cures your cancer, but he won't ever give a limb back? 

 

Hi Crusty,

 

So, what is your answer for the amputee?  Does God not have the power to do this?   Does God just not care about the amputee?   Do you believe God could heal the amputee?   If no, then, is He really God?

 

If yes, why would He not heal the amputee?  What are your thoughts on this?

 

My take on the issue:  I will not say that God has never healed an amputee.  I do not personally know of it happening -- but, that does not mean that it has not or that it cannot happen.   Personally, I believe God is omnipotent and can do anything He wants.  Do you believe that?

 

My second thought on the issue:   God can and does use people with infirmities.  Joni Eareckson Tada is a prime example.   Since her teen years, she has been a paraplegic in a wheel chair.  What does she think about God not healing her?  At first, she was angry.  But, she soon learned that God's plan for her in the wheel chair was far better than her plans without the wheel chair.  Today, she tells us she would NOT change her circumstances even if she could.  So, it seems that God's plan was better than Joni's plan.

 

Crusty, you tell us you believe in God.  Can your God heal the amputee?

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

I think the reason the question gets ask all the time Bill is because it is a perfect example that shows God does not answer prayers. Not your god or any other one. There has not be one single case of someone praying and having a limb restored by God. Not one.... In other illnesses there have been cases where people have overcome and lived years longer. Such as cancer. Many (like you) believe that God chose to help those that have recovered and given them another chance at life. So why not just ONE amputee getting a limb back? Are they the only ones that are ALWAYS used for other purposes? How about someone who has lost their eyes? I know a guy that lost both his eyes in a horrible accident, he is very religious and I am sure he prayed to God. Yet no new eyes. I know a girl who lost one eye due to cancer and she still only has one eye. The only reasonable explanation for the difference in those that have lost body parts and those that have cancer or other such illnesses recovering is that science has figured out cures or the persons body has recovered on its own. Amputees or those that have lost whole body parts have never...not once..recovered those parts. When science has figured out a way to grow these parts then people like you will began to say God did that too.

quote:  Originally Posted by DarkAngel:

I think the reason the question gets ask all the time Bill is because it is a perfect example that shows God does not answer prayers.  Not your god or any other one.  There has not be one single case of someone praying and having a limb restored by God. Not one....


Hi Dark,

 

Can you prove that?  I cannot prove that He has healed an amputee.  But, can you prove that He has not?

 

I have personally witnessed a Friend whose body was filled with cancer, throughout.  That Friend was given only weeks, at most, months to live.  Yet, when many of us began to pray for her -- I personally saw her live another seven years -- and actively direct our church choir for the last six of those years.  How did this happen -- if not the workings of God?  How could a person whose body was overrun by cancer -- live another seven very productive years -- except that it was the will of God, that God had a better plan for her life?

 

Dark, I have personally seen so many prayers answered by God; that I could not doubt even if I wanted.

 

Yes, God could heal an amputee.  Has He?  I don't personally know; but, I absolutely know that He could.

 

Is this just pure faith on my part?  No.  As I said, I have personally witnessed His healing powers -- on me and on Friends.  God truly is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.   He truly is God.

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

Originally Posted by INVICTUS:

Didn't Dog just do this topic? Have the winter reruns already started?

After 10,00 years, we just now realize that stump isn't coming back.

 

And some people still try to second guess God, good luck with that.

 

LOL! Dogs thread must have been getting too much attention and you know bill can't stand that.

 

 

 

The only way it works, Bill, is that God doesn't answer prayers regarding earthly matters.  There are plenty of scientific studies that show that prayers don't get answered. There is NO record of an amputee ever regrowing a limb, or digit, or organ. Otherwise, your God hates amputees, and a host of other innocent people.  What a rat b astard. 

Originally Posted by CrustyMac:

The only way it works, Bill, is that God doesn't answer prayers regarding earthly matters.  There are plenty of scientific studies that show that prayers don't get answered.  There is NO record of an amputee ever regrowing a limb, or digit, or organ.  Otherwise, your God hates amputees, and a host of other innocent peopleWhat a rat b astard


Hi Crusty,

 

How sad that you will acknowledge that God does indeed exist -- then, deny His omnipotence and His omniscience.  On top of that, you call Him a "rat b astard."   Now, tell me again -- you know you are saved and you are going to heaven?  Okay!

 

Crusty, I would really like to see some of those scientific studies.  Who did them -- Dawkins and Hitchens? 

 

Unless you are just blowing smoke, as usual -- please give us URL links to verify your claim.

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

Google is your friend, Bill.  We've been through the scientific studies already, and you choose to ignore reality, as usual.  It is your twisted version of God that allows for him to hate amputees, not mine.  And really, Bill, you know you are a long way from heaven, my friend.  Cultists such as yourself usually have a horrible end. 

quote:  Originally Posted by CrustyMac:

Google is your friend, Bill.  We've been through the scientific studies already, and you choose to ignore reality, as usual.  It is your twisted version of God that allows for him to hate amputees, not mine.  And really, Bill, you know you are a long way from heaven, my friend.  Cultists such as yourself usually have a horrible end. 


Hi Crusty,

 

Okay, no problem.  It is very obvious to everyone that you were blowing smoke and have no support nor knowledge to back up your statements.  Not a problem.  I will merely accept your concession to ignorance of the subject and just move on.

 

However, I do want to address one issue.  You did not tell us why you said of God, "What a rat b astard."

 

I do believe you owe, not me, but the other Christian believers on this Forum an explanation why you call our God a "rat b astard."   What say you?  You have told us you are a Christian -- please explain how a Christian can say of God, "What a rat b astard."

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

Originally Posted by Bill Gray:
quote:  Originally Posted by CrustyMac:

Google is your friend, Bill.  We've been through the scientific studies already, and you choose to ignore reality, as usual.  It is your twisted version of God that allows for him to hate amputees, not mine.  And really, Bill, you know you are a long way from heaven, my friend.  Cultists such as yourself usually have a horrible end. 


Hi Crusty,

 

Okay, no problem.  It is very obvious to everyone that you were blowing smoke and have no support nor knowledge to back up your statements.  Not a problem.  I will merely accept your concession to ignorance of the subject and just move on.

 

However, I do want to address one issue.  You did not tell us why you said of God, "What a rat b astard."

 

I do believe you owe, not me, but the other Christian believers on this Forum an explanation why you call our God a "rat b astard."   What say you?  You have told us you are a Christian -- please explain how a Christian can say of God, "What a rat b astard."

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

________________

What kind of rat ******* hates amputees so much he won't answer their prayers, when he will - according to you - cure everyone else?  The god of your cult, Bill, will take care of a $5 problem you have, but obviously hates amputees.  You see, Bill, I'm not questioning God, I'm questioning your misguided take on God.   

quote:  Originally Posted by CrustyMac:
What kind of rat ******* hates amputees so much he won't answer their prayers, when he will - according to you - cure everyone else?  The god of your cult, Bill, will take care of a $5 problem you have, but obviously hates amputees.  You see, Bill, I'm not questioning God, I'm questioning your misguided take on God. 

Hi Crusty,

 

You did not call Bill Gray a "rat b astard."   You wrote, "Otherwise, your God hates amputees, and a host of other innocent peopleWhat a rat b astard."

 

Since you and I KNOW there is only ONE GOD; then you must be speaking of the God all Christian believers worship.   So, you ARE calling God a "rat b astard."

 

Would you care to justify that?  With every post, the hole gets deeper and deeper.  Why not just admit that you put your "foot in your mouth" and bow out gracefully?

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

Baby-Bath_Eating-Toe

Attachments

Images (1)
  • Baby-Bath_Eating-Toe
Originally Posted by Bill Gray:
quote:  Originally Posted by CrustyMac:
What kind of rat ******* hates amputees so much he won't answer their prayers, when he will - according to you - cure everyone else?  The god of your cult, Bill, will take care of a $5 problem you have, but obviously hates amputees.  You see, Bill, I'm not questioning God, I'm questioning your misguided take on God. 

Hi Crusty,

 

You did not call Bill Gray a "rat b astard."   You wrote, "Otherwise, your God hates amputees, and a host of other innocent peopleWhat a rat b astard."

 

Since you and I KNOW there is only ONE GOD; then you must be speaking of the God all Christian believers worship.   So, you ARE calling God a "rat b astard."

 

Would you care to justify that?  With every post, the hole gets deeper and deeper.  Why not just admit that you put your "foot in your mouth" and bow out gracefully?

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

 

___________

You need to get your underline straightened out Bill.  Here I'll repeat for your benefit:  Your god hates amputees and a host of other innocent people.  God doesn't.  Your worship of the Bible, and the resulting distortions you adhere to, have caused you to place limitations on God.  I'm not the one with my foot in my mouth, Bill, you are.  You have to contort your belief system so much it makes no sense.  It's gibberish.  It is based on a system that denies realities that are obvious to a child. It only works through double-speak and fantasy.

 

But at least you have admitted that YOUR god hates amputees.  Now we are getting somewhere.  So, how about it?  Does a god that hates amputees, by your apparent admission, qualify as a nice guy, or a rat b astard?   Does a god that excludes billions of souls from heaven just because they are born in the wrong geographic location qualify as a nice guy, or a rat b astard?  Does a god that aborts 25% of all pregnancies qualify as a good guy, or a rat b astard?  These are the things you believe that your god does.

Hi Crusty,

 

Something to think about.  If you are not having prayers answered by God (and obviously you are not) -- maybe you are doing something wrong.   

 

Possibly, you are praying in vague generalities.  Possibly, you do not pray.   Or, possibly, you are not a believer -- and God does not hear your prayers.    Just a thought.

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

PrayerLi***etsTooHard

Attachments

Images (1)
  • PrayerLi***etsTooHard
quote: Originally Posted by CrustyMac:

It's possible that you have no idea what you are talking about.   So the question, once again, why does your god hate amputees?  Do you tell all of them that they are praying in vague generalities, not praying, and not believing - ALL of them?


Hi Crusty,

 

Better yet, what do YOU tell them -- that God is a "rat b astard"?   DUH!  Yes sir, that really does give me the feeling that old Crusty is a real Christian believer! 

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

Exodus 20-7-9_1a

Attachments

Images (1)
  • Exodus 20-7-9_1a
Originally Posted by Bill Gray:
quote: Originally Posted by CrustyMac:

It's possible that you have no idea what you are talking about.   So the question, once again, why does your god hate amputees?  Do you tell all of them that they are praying in vague generalities, not praying, and not believing - ALL of them?


Hi Crusty,

 

Better yet, what do YOU tell them -- that God is a "rat b astard"?   DUH!  Yes sir, that really does give me the feeling that old Crusty is a real Christian believer! 

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

 

__________

OMG, Bill, you said "duh" to me again.  I understand you have no real concept of God or his nature.  So, tell me, are you ever going to explain why your god hates amputees?  My God doesn't.  My God doesn't abort over 25% of pregnancies, my God doesn't abandon the innocent just because of geographical or historical accident of birth, my God loves everyone.  So if someone asks me about Bill's cultist god, I will tell them that he is a rat b astard.  ©

quote:   Originally Posted by CrustyMac:

Bill, you said "duh" to me again.  I understand you have no real concept of God or his nature.  So, tell me, are you ever going to explain why your god hates amputees?  My God doesn't.  My God doesn't abort over 25% of pregnancies, my God doesn't abandon the innocent just because of geographical or historical accident of birth, my God loves everyone.  So if someone asks me about Bill's cultist god, I will tell them that he is a rat b astard. 


Hi Crusty,

 

Since you have somehow convinced yourself that you and I worship different Gods; please do me a favor.  Will you please tell me what you know about your God.  Who is He?  What are His attributes?  What does He want of you and me?  How can we be saved with Him?  How can we be secure in Him?

 

And, does the God you worship answer prayers?  Is so, when and under what circumstances?

 

If you will do this, you can help me clear up any misunderstandings I may have about God.

 

Thank you and God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

Add Reply

Post

Untitled Document
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×