Prayer And Gods Will


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Who does it it help when we pray for someone?

Is it best to pray or to let Gods Will be done?

When a blessing is given for the sick is it the faith that heals someone or is it Gods Will?

What should be asked for in a prayer for someone you care about and who is afflicted?

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If you believe in God and you believe the 'thy will be done', then I suppose you will be best to ask for His will to be done in the most gentle way, if that means that the person you are praying for is going to die, and to give you all strength to deal with the situation, come what may.

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I agree with Pushka. If you think about it G-d is the smartest and most intelligent source in the entire universe. But with all that in mind we have been commanded to pray over everything. Over the work we do and over our homes and our friends. Often when I pray I attempt to explain myself telling G-d what I think ought to be done. This is not done as direction to him but as an expression of what I understand and what I am trying to do. Then I pray for his help both in what I am attempting to accomplish and in being able to understand my L-rd and what he would have me learn.

My problem is being able to wait on the L-rd. I have a hard time sitting when I think something should be done. I get nervous waiting. Often when I get up in the morning I start with my morning prayer and I report what my plans for the day are and ask for his help if I am on the right track - if I am not I ask that he intervene. Then at night I report with I accomplished and what I learned.

I believe giving priesthood blessings are different. I believe we avoid week words like might (might receive help) but instead use positive words like "You are blessed with strength" or "the spirit will guide you". But if the spirit does not speak with what to say then say in the blessing that the answer or direction is not manifested at this time. Suggesting perhaps a special fast should take place.

I am convinced we learn to pray by praying. If someone is having difficulty with prayer - such matters are best taken up as prayers with the L-rd.

I wish that all find faith in G-d through prayer.

The Traveler

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Guest ApostleKnight

Who does it it help when we pray for someone?

Regardless of the outcome, it's nice to know you can appeal to an omnipotent being who loves you.

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Who does it it help when we pray for someone?

Is it best to pray or to let Gods Will be done?

When a blessing is given for the sick is it the faith that heals someone or is it Gods Will?

What should be asked for in a prayer for someone you care about and who is afflicted?

Still thinking about our chat a few weeks back?

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Who does it it help when we pray for someone?

Is it best to pray or to let Gods Will be done?

When a blessing is given for the sick is it the faith that heals someone or is it Gods Will?

What should be asked for in a prayer for someone you care about and who is afflicted?

This is one of the biggest issues that I struggle with as a Christian... and SF, I know we've had this discussion before. ;)

I believe that praying helps the one who is doing the praying, whether we are praying for ourselves or someone else.

I think that God is going to do what He is going to do, and a little prayer isn't going to change His mind.

What irks me to no end is when people pray for help finding lost keys or something, then say that God helped them find the keys. Yes, God helps people find keys, but doesn't help a small child who was murdered by a sex offender, regardless of all the praying going on. Doesn't make sense.

I do pray, but I think the purpose of it is to figure out how to make a difficult decision by talking it through with God. I also pray for people, but it's really just a way for me to keep someone in my thoughts.

Yesterday I had a dr's appt. One grandmother was holding her grandchild and talking to another lady in the waiting room. She talked about how prayer had helped the baby get through a health problem she had when the doctor said that she would always have the problem. I just wanted to ask that lady, "What about my friend's 4 year old boy who died a while back from myocarditis? There were hundreds of people praying for him, and he died anyway. Why would God save your grandchild, but take this child?"

Yes, there must be some reason why God does what He does, but I think it's obvious that praying isn't going to make a difference. We always hear stories about God's miracles and healing someone, but we also hear about these things from atheists or others who didn't pray to God.

You can't change God's will, but He can give us strength to deal with whatever is going to happen, IMO.

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Who does it it help when we pray for someone?

Is it best to pray or to let Gods Will be done?

When a blessing is given for the sick is it the faith that heals someone or is it Gods Will?

What should be asked for in a prayer for someone you care about and who is afflicted?

God wants to communicate with us. He wants to hear our hearts, our pains, our fears, our desires. So, when we pray, we tell him what we think and feel we want and need. He's our dad--so He'll decipher it wisely. Sometimes He'll say "No." Sometimes, "Yes." Sometimes, "Wait." Sometimes He'll give us what we want, even if it's not the best--the same as we sometimes allow our children (especially older ones) to do things that we think are not the best (yet, are not too dangerous). So, no need to filter our prayers, to get them accurate, or theologically acceptable. God reads our hearts.

Some examples of aggressive praying: Abraham (Soddom & Gomorrah), Job, Jacob--even Jesus in the Garden. Bottom-line: Just keep it real.

Here's a lesson I'm using this coming Sunday, related to how we pray:

PRAY PASSIONATELY & PERSISTENTLY

Introduction:

How many want God to grant you mercy in your cases?

How many want God to supply your families’ financial, emotional and spiritual needs while you are separated?

How many have a loved one who is sick, and you want God to heal?

How many desperately want something from God?

Proposition: God wants us to pray.

Interrogative: How does God want us to pray?

Transitional: God wants us to pray passionately and persistently.

I. God is not angered by passionate persistent prayer–even when we are wrong. Genesis 18:20-33

A. Abraham prays passionately.

1. He questions God’s justice, saying: Surely you won’t destroy the righteous with the unrighteous!

2. How often it is that one person falls into sin and so many that are close to and love him end up suffering.

B. Abraham prays persistently.

1. What if there are 50 righteous people?

2. 45? 40? 30? 20? 10?!

C. God honors his request.

D. It’s to no avail.

1. 10 righteous people are not found.

2. Sodom and Gomorroh are destroyed.

E. Nevertheless, God accepted Abraham’s prayers.

F. God wants us to pray passionately and persistently.

1. We need not fear when we speak with God.

2. He is our Dad, after all.

TRANSITION: ANOTHER PASSIONATE AND PERSISTENT MAN OF PRAYER WAS JACOB.

II. God honors persistent passionate prayer with blessing.

Genesis 32:22-31

A. Jacob wrestled with a man all night.

1. Why? He wanted a blessing. He knew the man could give it.

2. The man gives him his blessing, and he realizes he has wrestled with God.

B. How often have we desperately needed something from God, and so we wrestle with him for it?

1. My appointment to the FDC.

2. Your need today?

D. Jacob is humbled.

1. Although he was determined to win, he had not realized who he was wrestling with.

2. Many, who do not know God, wrestle spiritually, only to realize their battle has been with God.

E. Victory can be costly.

1. Jacob’s hip is damaged.

2. Wrestling implies being willing to endure hardship to gain the prize.

F. How amazing that God allows us to win our battles with him.

1. He gets his blessing. His name becomes that of a great nation.

2. God answers our prayers, usually beyond our expectations.

TRANSITION: JESUS ALSO ENDORSES PRAYER THAT IS PASSIONATE AND PERSISTENT.

III. God responds to passionate persistent prayer the same way any loving father would. Luke 11:5-13

A. Sometimes he says yes “to get us to quite bothering him.”

1. God won’t give us something he truly disagrees with.

2. This is something of the, “Oh . . . all right,” response.

3. God’s not playing games.

i. Sometimes he holds back to see if we will treasure what we are asking for and be good stewards of it.

ii. Our house. We did not think we could qualify to buy it, but we wanted a place to use for God’s glory.

iii. The Christian couple who wanted a luxury yacht, and then went sailing (instead of to church) on Sundays.

B. God always gives us good gifts–never harmful ones.

1. The yacht was not bad, it was nuetral.

i. The couple could have used it for hosting Christians–thus glorifying God.

ii. They chose instead to use it for selfish personal pleasure.

2. Note that Jesus’ example is the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

i. While some Christians have created controversy over this gift, Jesus says it is a good gift.

ii. Jesus also says it is an important one to ask for.

CONCLUSIONS

1. God wants us to pray passionately.

2. God wants us to pray persistently.

3. God wants to give us good gifts–including the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

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Outstanding post PC!!!!!!!

Shortly after my six year old was born, it was discovered she had a heart defect. The first pediatreic cardiologist was a man with the bedside manner of a rabid possum. He wanted to perform surgery on a six month old child. He told me nothing about the procedure and little about the condition and left me alone with my little one in my arms.

I did not pray. I told God off and told Him to do whatever he wanted to me but to leave her alone.

I was angry. That anger and fear had an affect on my marriage.

I had bumped into an old pastor of mine from the days when I was a Bible College student. I told him my situation and he asked me why I was not praying about it. I told him that I lived in wealth and luxury compared to most of the world had and felt guilty asking for his help. Truth was, I was afraid the answer would be no. I was upset that He allowed this to happen. My old mentor called me on it.

I prayed that night. I told God that I knew that His will may be different from mine but this is my wish and my desire and my desperate need. Six years later, she is healthy as can be and there is no ailment. Now I sit here feeling unworthy of His grace, but grateful.

I am now not afraid to pray for my needs, but I am also prepared to accept the answer.

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It helps me to realize that prayer is a word we use to refer to talking to God about something, to know Him and ask Him about something He knows or to thank Him for something He’s done. And all of that talking can be easily done just as talking to others about something, and the more that we talk the more that we know both God and all that He knows.

Prayer – the way to know God and all that He knows – and the more that we talk we will know - and the more we can be like God.

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While I do not believe that God jerks us around like puppets to do his will I do believe that there are things we can change. The path is not already planned out for our lives step by step. We can and must make decisions in our life every day. Since I believe that God knows the future as well as the past he knows our nature but does not force us or pull us one way or another.

The scriptures show many incidents of God doing what was asked of him by his faithful. Does God wish to have us happy? Yes he does. From the Book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price we know that God's work and his glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. We also know from the scriptures that Man is that he might have joy.

When I say my prayers, when I lay my hands on someone to give a blessing I always close with a heartfelt "Not my will but thy will".

As I watched my mother dying of cancer my prayer was for her passing as painlessly as possible. Not a blessing to heal her that moment or for her to last longer than necessary. We had all visited with her. She was ready. But not my will but his will.

Ben Raines

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Thanks for your comments...still reading and thinking. :hmmm:

Nick has a bad infection (staff) right on top of the metal plate they put on his head to replace the bone over his brain. The infection has come though over the path of 'least resistance' where the plate and synthetic bone (they used to make his forehead smooth) come together. His head has been 'leaking' now for two weeks. What scares me is what will need to happen IF the infection is not superficial and if it is coming from the plate. If the later is the case they will need to remove the synthetic bone and the titanium plate leaving his brain only covered by his skin for at least six months. To disturb the brain (remove the plate) could cause a multitude of problems. To leave the infection there if it has gone to the plate is dangerous as well having no place to go and to be right at his brain.... Another thing that frightens me is the 'leakage' looks very similar to the CFS fluid that had a hard time sealing two years ago.

I have been talking with my Father about my concerns. The mother part (human) wants to plead again for a positive outcome. Two years ago when Nick survived the horrific accident of the tire crushing his skull at work, many of you went through this with me. I was sure that this miracle was an exercise of Faith. I had been taught as a child to pray for the things I needed. Two years ago I needed a miracle.

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'berry,

Im very sorry to hear this about Nick.

You remember our conversation a few weeks ago. I say, if prayer works as a placebo for you and your son, then by all means go ahead. But please consider seeing multiple specialists on this issue, and don't just settle for one doctors opinion (or one hospitals for that matter). I believe in the power of the mind to overcome, and if he's got the will to survive, I think he can do it.

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Guest ApostleKnight

I don't know God's will or the future, but I pray for added strength for you SF and your loved ones. Having dealt with my father's brain injury--including doctors cutting away skull to monitor intra-cranial pressure with a large bolt--I do know it's an anxiety-laden experience and I send my best wishes to you and Nick. I was unaware of the original injury (haven't been on the board that long). I'm sorry you and Nick have to go through this.

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Oh SF... I'm so sorry Nick is having these problems. We have incredibly good doctors who can do amazing things. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

I think you should pray to your heart's content. I think God will hear you and give you strength. Nick is young and I know he is a strong young man.

I agree with Jason that you should get several doctors' opinions on the best course of treatment.

Please keep us up to date with what's going on when you get a chance.

Big hugs!

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For anyone who might be interested there is a copy of Nick's CT Scan on from the day of the accident. He has had many, many, surgeries since that day.

http://www.ldstalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4115&hl=

This is what I have gathered thus far.

Prayer is an act of Faith because before we pray we need to believe that 'someone' is listening.

Prayer is most productive when we ask for the right things such as comfort and strength.

Prayer doesn't change the Will of Our Father.

I will continue to pray for those I want to help and understand that answer or outcome will be because it is my Heavenly Fathers Will.

Thanks to those who share concern for those I love. THAT is a big part of why we are here...to lighten the load of another.

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Strawberry:

My heart goes out to you because of your honest humility.

In my ward we had an experience with prayer, that strengthen all involved. We needed the weather to change, in anouther state, to do what would seem to you as a very small thing. It worked. I will not give you the details, other than to say that everyone involved had there faith tested and strengthened.

What you are going through (and AP K for that matter), is harder than what I think I could bare. Your Father in Heaven know you and I and will give you only that which is best for you.

Matthew 7:9-11

9:Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask for bread, will he give him a stone. 10:Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11:If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

I'm going to paraphase President Hinkly, because I know not were to find the qoute. If all the prayers in the world were answered, just the way they were asked, there would not be a plan of salvation. No good verse's evil. No way to learn what pain is because there would be nothing but goodness.

In my prayer's, I will pray for your young one and I will pray for you, also. I know that he will give only fish and bread. It is not always what we want to eat but it is always what is best for us in the eternity's.

Thanks again for letting me Jabber on - Allmosthumble

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In my ward we had an experience with prayer, that strengthen all involved. We needed the weather to change, in anouther state, to do what would seem to you as a very small thing. It worked. I will not give you the details, other than to say that everyone involved had there faith tested and strengthened.

Not to be a downer for you, Allmosthumble, but isn't it possible the weather was going to change anyway? It just seems like if people pray for something and it works, it's bc they prayed. But if it doesn't go the way they prayed for it to, it must've just been God's will and He knew better than them.
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Guest ApostleKnight

If all the prayers in the world were answered...there would...be...no way to learn what pain is because there would be nothing but goodness.

I firmly believe that suffering teaches us what the Spirit can't.

It still hurts to bleed though.

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Guest Monica

Who does it it help when we pray for someone?

Is it best to pray or to let Gods Will be done?

When a blessing is given for the sick is it the faith that heals someone or is it Gods Will?

What should be asked for in a prayer for someone you care about and who is afflicted?

It helps all the parties involved whenever we pray for anything.

Faith is what draws out the healing. God has the healing we need thru the atonement made by Christ, but its up tp us to recieve it.

Isa 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Mar 1:40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth [his] hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

Mat 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Mat 9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

Mat 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Ask for the person to be healed in Jesus name and for sins to be forgiven and anoint them with oil.

Jam 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 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.

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Hey AK,

You said,

I firmly believe that suffering teaches us what the Spirit can't.

That is an interesting idea. Might it be better said as, "The Spirit teaches us through suffering." This obviously takes away the hierarchy of "suffering over the Spirit" but I haven't really thought about it.

Dr. T

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Guest ApostleKnight

Might it be better said as, "The Spirit teaches us through suffering."

The Spirit has taught me important gospel truths. But to really know what a broken arm feels like, I have to break my arm. That's what I'm getting at. Suffering gives us something that revelations can't...experience. And experiencing the bitter allows us to treasure the sweet, as D&C 29:39 explains.

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All of those who have been close to us through this experience have been richly blessed IMO. To suffer is a great teacher. I believe that what we do with ourselves after and during the suffering is what defines us. I am quite certan that we have all been 'refined through suffering in one way or another. As I look back on my life even just four years ago I see a less burdened soul. I also see a less Christ-Like person.

Tomorrow is Nick's two year post injury date. We will be seeing three specialists. We will see his plastic surgeon, his neuro-surgeon, and his orthopedic surgeon. We feel so blessed to have Nick still with us to 'celebrate' the 10th of July. :)

<div class='quotemain'>

In my ward we had an experience with prayer, that strengthen all involved. We needed the weather to change, in anouther state, to do what would seem to you as a very small thing. It worked. I will not give you the details, other than to say that everyone involved had there faith tested and strengthened.

Not to be a downer for you, Allmosthumble, but isn't it possible the weather was going to change anyway? It just seems like if people pray for something and it works, it's bc they prayed. But if it doesn't go the way they prayed for it to, it must've just been God's will and He knew better than them.

Shanstress,

:dontknow: Is it wrong to believe this? I know this is a difficult topic for you but if some people pray, and this strengthens their faith then why does it bother you? Don't trying to offend you in any way but how does praying affect you in the end? Just wondering what feeling you get with the outcome of a prayer whether it was the way you wanted it to turn out or not.

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