Effective Prayer

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Mar 3, 2013
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#1
Now that I have studied why prayers are so often unanswered, I have decided to study some of the people of the Bible and see what God wants us to learn from them. Their stories aren’t included for no reason – there is a reason for everything God does. I am sure every one of their stories will show me something about their prayers.

In my
http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/73811-why-prayers-unanswered-5.html ‘study journey’ thread, there were several people who missed or ignored my point that there are some prayers God does not hear, as well as those He answers with a “yes” or “no” or “later when the timing is right” and that we are sometimes the reason He refuses to hear or says, “no.” I still maintain, because scripture says so, that there are prayers God does not hear and it is because of impurity of some sort in us. So, I have undertaken another ‘study journey’ to discover the elements or attributes of effective prayer and learn from those who prayed those effective prayers.

To recap and pick up where I left off on that thread, I mentioned one of the examples of King David left to us in the Bible:


In 1 Chronicles 14, it is confirmed to David that God has set him up as king over Israel. Israel prospers, David has lots of children, and in general, things are going well.

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all of Israel, they determined to destroy him. I can just imagine the Philistines saying something like, “Aha! You killed our great soldier, Goliath, so now, David, we’ll fix your wagon!”

Hearing of this, David went to God and asked Him, “Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” God replied, “Attack, I will hand them over to you.” And because God said it, that is what happened. David’s army whipped the Philistines so badly that they even left their gods there when they ran away. Not wanting to pass up a rare opportunity, David ordered his men to burn the Philistine gods to ashes.

As could be expected, that didn’t set well with the Philistines and they came back and raided the valley. Again, David asked God if he should attack and this time God said, “No,” and told David to turn away from the Philistines and engage in battle with them in another particular location. God told David to listen for a sound in the tops of the trees that sounded like marching, and then move out and attack the Philistines. David did exactly what God had told him to do so of course, the result was complete success.

Reading this made me think about how important it is to inquire of God for every move we make, even if it is a repeat of a prior event. If David had assumed God would grant him victory over the Philistines the second time just because He did the first time, I dare say the outcome would have been different. Just because a circumstance is the same as before, that does not mean that the course of events will be the same again or even that the results would be the same.

Then after all this, chapter 16 is a lengthy psalm that David composed in praise to God, but look what happened in chapter 21. King David, the “man after God’s own heart”, is provoked by Satan, and gives in to the provocation without prayer!
I don’t feel quite as bad about my shortcomings now – at least David, a man after God’s own heart, messed up once in a while so I’m in good company. Ah, it sure would be easy to use that as an excuse to drop this study before I even get started, but quitting is no way for me to ever become an “apple of God’s eye.” Now there's a goal to strive for!

Psalm 17:8 (NAS) “Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings”
 

john832

Senior Member
May 31, 2013
11,363
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#2
Jas 5:16 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.

Fervency in prayer matters a great deal. Simply repeating the "Lord's Prayer" is not an effectual prayer. It really has to mean something to us when we talk with our Heavenly Father. God wants us to carry on a conversation with Him...

Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Also, God wants details...

Rev 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Rev 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
Rev 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

The incense used in the Tabernacle was the shadow of prayer...

Lev 16:12 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:
Lev 16:13 And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:

beaten small, reduced from large lumps to a fine powder. Details rather than broad generalities. God is interested in every little detail of His children.
 
L

Least

Guest
#3
Now that I have studied why prayers are so often unanswered, I have decided to study some of the people of the Bible and see what God wants us to learn from them. Their stories aren’t included for no reason – there is a reason for everything God does. I am sure every one of their stories will show me something about their prayers.

In my
http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/73811-why-prayers-unanswered-5.html ‘study journey’ thread, there were several people who missed or ignored my point that there are some prayers God does not hear, as well as those He answers with a “yes” or “no” or “later when the timing is right” and that we are sometimes the reason He refuses to hear or says, “no.” I still maintain, because scripture says so, that there are prayers God does not hear and it is because of impurity of some sort in us. So, I have undertaken another ‘study journey’ to discover the elements or attributes of effective prayer and learn from those who prayed those effective prayers.

To recap and pick up where I left off on that thread, I mentioned one of the examples of King David left to us in the Bible:




I don’t feel quite as bad about my shortcomings now – at least David, a man after God’s own heart, messed up once in a while so I’m in good company. Ah, it sure would be easy to use that as an excuse to drop this study before I even get started, but quitting is no way for me to ever become an “apple of God’s eye.” Now there's a goal to strive for!

Psalm 17:8 (NAS) “Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings”

I love the comparison to David going to battle with the Philistines. You know sister, I was just thinking about a covenant that Joshua made that carried on for generations because he didn't inquire of God.

When the Gibeonites came to him in disguise claiming to be from a far off land, with old bread and worn out shoes, (even though they were really neighbors of Israel,) Joshua entered into a covenant with them that would carry through with consequences all the way to the time of King David and beyond.

Joshua 9:14 And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.
Joshua 9:15 And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.

That covenant is still seen in 2 Samuel Ch. 21

It shows the seriousness of inquiring God in everything.

Thank you for continuing to share your study on this topic.

God bless you
 
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starfield

Senior Member
Jun 13, 2009
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#4
For a prayer to be effective it ought to be offered in faith and in harmony with God's will. For instance, one cannot make a request with selfish motive expecting that God will answer because such prayer is contrary to His will. We can know God's will by studying His word.
1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Jabez offered an effective prayer:
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.


Hezekiah did likewise:
2 Kings 20:1-11
1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,
3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?
9 And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?
10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.
11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.

Now sometimes we may get a "no" response from God; this may be because He has a different plan for us. We should trust in His promise that all things work together for good to them that love Him, and to them who are called according to His purpose.
:)
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#5
Again ...faith

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
 
Mar 3, 2013
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#6
The first thing that popped into my mind when I thought about the topic of effective prayer was the scripture of James 5:16 (CJB)
Therefore, openly acknowledge your sins to one another, and pray for each other, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Well, there I have it right in front of my face, in black and white; the prayer of a righteous person is effective. Now all I have to figure out is, how do I become that righteous person whose prayer will be effective. No big deal…Ha!

So what makes a person righteous?
“Righteous” Strong’s G#1342 “correct, righteous, by impl. innocent:”
Well, I don’t know how you feel but I know there is no way I am ‘innocent’ until I have confessed my known sins and asked for God’s forgiveness. And in order to confess my wrong attitudes and thoughts, whether I verbalized them or not, requires…oh no, here we go again…”humility”. Maybe I can just skip that part. Nobody wants to do it or even read it anyway. Moving on…
Proverbs 15:29 (CJB)
“ADONAI is far from the wicked, but he listens to the prayer of the righteous.” He will listen to me because I’m not wicked


Proverbs 18:10 (CJB)
10 The name of ADONAI is a strong tower; a righteous person runs to it and is raised high [above danger]. I can handle that!

Ephesians 4:24 (CJB) 24 and clothe yourselves with the new nature created to be godly, which expresses itself in the righteousness and holiness that flow from the truth.
I like this one – I can make people believe I’m righteous, especially if I tell myself often enough that I come around to believe it myself. You know the saying “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it,” was originally referring to politics and politicians, but if it works there, it will work for me.

I always say that if a person is going to use scripture to back up his or her actions, behavior, or beliefs, to be sure to take all of the relevant passages throughout the entire Bible and the context in which the chosen verse was written. So, the paragraph containing Ephesians 4:24 starts with verse 17 so the paragraph reads:
17 Therefore I say this - indeed, in union with the Lord I insist on it: do not live any longer as the pagans live, with their sterile ways of thinking.
18 Their intelligence has been shrouded in darkness, and they are estranged from the life of God, because of the ignorance in them, which in turn comes from resisting God's will.
19 They have lost all feeling, so they have abandoned themselves to sensuality, practicing any kind of impurity and always greedy for more.
Now we’re getting somewhere. I’m okay with that – I’m not a pagan.

20 But this is not the lesson you learned from the Messiah!
…Oh dear, this isn’t good….
21 If you really listened to him and were instructed about him, then you learned that since what is in Yeshua is truth,
22 then, so far as your former way of life is concerned, you must strip off your old nature, because your old nature is thoroughly rotted by its deceptive desires;
23 and you must let your spirits and minds keep being renewed,
24 and clothe yourselves with the new nature created to be godly, which expresses itself in the righteousness and holiness that flow from the truth

There, in verse 24…looking a little closer, those last few words…”that flow from the truth”…so much for convincing myself and others of my righteousness. If it has to be real, that would mean I would have to find humility hidden somewhere deep inside myself and meet our omniscient heavenly Father on my knees...and…that’s just too much to ask. Let’s try another scripture

1 Peter 5:6 “Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the right time he may lift you up.” I like that last part! But I can’t have it without the first part...humility and being humble is no fun! In fact, my ego is being crushed by the mere thought of it!

Every direction I turn I see the need for humility stuck in my face. I’m going back to James 5 and see what follows verse 16. It says, “17 Eliyahu [Elijah] was only a human being like us; yet he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and no rain fell on the Land for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the Land produced its crops.”

Wow! Elijah – only a human being like us…and he made the rain stop for over three years? I always assumed he was “special” somehow.

This has gotten a lot longer than I planned so I will stop for now. Besides, it has been a tiring couple of days looking in that spiritual mirror again.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,066
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#7
The question "does God HEAR all prayers" has been asked since Jesus ascended, and I'm not sure there is a perfect answer. However, given that God IS GOD, how would it be possible for Him to not hear all prayers? Even the prayers of sinners? How would sinners ever receive Grace if their prayers were not heard? Anyway, I don't have a Biblical answer, just my thoughts.

JHON832 SAID: "Fervency in prayer matters a great deal. Simply repeating the "Lord's Prayer" is not an effectual prayer. It really has to mean something to us when we talk with our Heavenly Father. God wants us to carry on a conversation with Him..."

I fully agree that fervency in prayer matters a great deal. However, I also believe that praying "the Lord's Prayer" can surely be and effective, spirit filled, sincere and humble prayer that God will honor and cherish. Were it just vain repetition, why would Jesus have taught us to pray such? ANY PRAYER can become vain babbling if we are not praying to God with all sincerity, humility and spirituality.

I also agree that God wants to have a "conversation" with us, and the important point most people miss when they are praying is that a "conversation" IS A TWO WAY STREET. :) We are quick to pray, but how quick are we to "be still........" and listen to Him? This is really important when praying in my opinion.

God is interested in every little detail, but Jesus told us that God ALREADY knows all our hearts desire. God knows all our concerns, needs, hopes, dreams, and such............IF we accept that this is true...........then are we NOT praying in FAITH if we don't lay everything out step by step? Just saying........

Romans 8:26) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 .) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 .) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

STARFIELD SAID: "For a prayer to be effective it ought to be offered in faith and in harmony with God's will. For instance, one cannot make a request with selfish motive expecting that God will answer because such prayer is contrary to His will. We can know God's will by studying His word.
1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. "

Amen!


 

starfield

Senior Member
Jun 13, 2009
3,393
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#8
However, given that God IS GOD, how would it be possible for Him to not hear all prayers? Even the prayers of sinners?
God is all-knowing so He hears all prayers. The thing is, He does not respond to all for various reasons.

How would sinners ever receive Grace if their prayers were not heard?
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10).
 
C

Canchristiansgetalong

Guest
#9
Sue,
I honestly doubt that a single one of your prayers has ever been unheard or unanswered.

1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.


Proverbs 15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

James 5:16 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.

Wicked men might pray for things contrary to God's commandments. Like: "I don't like that person, God please make something bad happen to him." Wicked men might pray for a sign without a wink of faith. Like: "If you exist God, help me win the lottery." It makes sense that God would ignore these prayers, but he still has to hear all prayers to decided whether or not to answer them.

I asked my husband what kind of prayer he thought was unheard and I really like what he said: "the prayer unsaid." Maybe that is what the scriptures are talking about when they say "unheard prayer."
 
L

Least

Guest
#10
Dear sister Sue,

There's so much in the word about humility, humbling ourselves and being humbled. I agree with you that it's a key part of our walk and our prayers and it's so very important.

I reminds me of the debtor who was forgiven his debt, yet he didn't consider what was done for him when he went to collect from others what was owed him. He ended up being thrown into prison himself.

That taken into consideration with the woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and dried them with her hair. Jesus said this of her.

Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

This woman understood the goodness of God and His mercy, she knew what HE had done for her in forgiving her sins. She knew the healing grace of God. When God gives us HIS mercy it changes us, we understand HIS grace and how can that not flow through to others?

I think the difference between the two examples is sincerity of heart.

This woman knew the level of her sin, and in the presence of Christ how could His truth not shine a light on the condition of her (and our) heart?

Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Romans 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

It's interesting in the Romans passage above, Paul was addressing believers. Paul asked them, if they despised the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads to repentance. Perhaps there's a connection between Romans Ch. 2 and the account of the man who didn't likewise forgive those who owed him? I'm praying on this.

The woman must have understood this as she was humble and thankful for what Jesus had done for her. So much so that when she came into His presence, she washed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. In knowing the need for healing, and experiencing the mercy of God how can we not draw near to HIM in prayer with that same thankfulness and complete honor toward HIM with a humbled heart?

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
James 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

What a merciful, mighty and just God we serve!
 
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pickles

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2009
14,479
182
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#11
Scripture says we are to set all requests before God in Jesus's name with praise and thanksgiving. :)

If I have learned anything, it is that prayer is praise, and the answer is, about trusting all to God Our Father in humility.
Knowing in faith, that all we ask is in His perfect care.
In faith, we can know that every prayer is answered, even if we do not always see the answer.
Because we have asked, God answers, in faith we know He has provided all needed.
one of my fave scriptures is where Paul asked God three times for the thorn in his side to be removed.
And three times God answered, my grace is sufficient for you.
I have often found the answer in this scripture, and the peace to recieive it. :)

God bless
pickles
 
Mar 3, 2013
858
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#12
The question "does God HEAR all prayers" has been asked since Jesus ascended, and I'm not sure there is a perfect answer. However, given that God IS GOD, how would it be possible for Him to not hear all prayers? Even the prayers of sinners? How would sinners ever receive Grace if their prayers were not heard? Anyway, I don't have a Biblical answer, just my thoughts.
I have wondered the same thing and remembered reading a scripture about prayers being hindered, so I undertook the "Why are prayers unanswered" study. That was when I found places where the Bible tells us that God will not hear prayers under certain conditions.

JHON832 SAID: "Fervency in prayer matters a great deal. Simply repeating the "Lord's Prayer" is not an effectual prayer. It really has to mean something to us when we talk with our Heavenly Father. God wants us to carry on a conversation with Him..."

I fully agree that fervency in prayer matters a great deal. However, I also believe that praying "the Lord's Prayer" can surely be and effective, spirit filled, sincere and humble prayer that God will honor and cherish. Were it just vain repetition, why would Jesus have taught us to pray such? ANY PRAYER can become vain babbling if we are not praying to God with all sincerity, humility and spirituality.

I also agree that God wants to have a "conversation" with us, and the important point most people miss when they are praying is that a "conversation" IS A TWO WAY STREET. :) We are quick to pray, but how quick are we to "be still........" and listen to Him? This is really important when praying in my opinion.


Absolutely!


STARFIELD SAID: "For a prayer to be effective it ought to be offered in faith and in harmony with God's will. For instance, one cannot make a request with selfish motive expecting that God will answer because such prayer is contrary to His will. We can know God's will by studying His word.
1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. "

Amen!
It is important that we as real Christians to examine ourselves for sin within our hearts or asking amiss, etc. rather than assume we are fine and God just said, "no."

Great comments, folks! Thanks for contributing.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,066
6,459
113
#13
just-us-2 said: "I have wondered the same thing and remembered reading a scripture about prayers being hindered, so I undertook the "Why are prayers unanswered" study. That was when I found places where the Bible tells us that God will not hear prayers under certain conditions."



What I'm wondering is..........and this may be semantics.........if the original writing meant "God will not acknowledge prayers" under certain conditions...........Not that He does not "actually" hear them, for every word we speak is recorded, but that in saying He doesn't "hear" certain prayers, they meant He doesn't "acknowledge" certain prayers?


I know, nit picking..........but, oh well.......just saying.......... :)
 
Mar 3, 2013
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#14
just-us-2 said: "I have wondered the same thing and remembered reading a scripture about prayers being hindered, so I undertook the "Why are prayers unanswered" study. That was when I found places where the Bible tells us that God will not hear prayers under certain conditions."



What I'm wondering is..........and this may be semantics.........if the original writing meant "God will not acknowledge prayers" under certain conditions...........Not that He does not "actually" hear them, for every word we speak is recorded, but that in saying He doesn't "hear" certain prayers, they meant He doesn't "acknowledge" certain prayers?


I know, nit picking..........but, oh well.......just saying.......... :)
I see what you are saying. I might look at some other translations and see what they say. I like the Complete Jewish Bible but often use the New American Standard and even the KJV as I study. I found these scriptures in the CJB, which is where I got the 'not hearing' thought.
I read Isaiah 59:1-4 (CJB).
1 ADONAI's arm is not too short to save, nor is his ear too dull to hear.
2 Rather, it is your own crimes that separate you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he doesn't hear.
3 For your hands are stained with blood and your fingers with crime; your lips speak lies, your tongues utter wicked things.
4 No one sues with just cause, no one pleads honestly in court, they trust in empty words and say worthless things; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.
and

Isaiah 1:15-22 (CJB)
15"When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; no matter how much you pray, I won't be listening; because your hands are covered with blood.
16 "Wash yourselves clean! Get your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing evil,
17 learn to do good! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, defend orphans, plead for the widow.
18 "Come now," says ADONAI, "let's talk this over together. Even if your sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow; even if they are red as crimson, they will be like wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land;
20 but if you refuse and rebel, you will be eaten by the sword"; for the mouth of ADONAI has spoken.

Always more food for thought in the Word of Almighty God!:eek:
 
Mar 11, 2011
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#16
I also like the example of prayer set forth in the book of Nehemiah; a trowel in one hand, a sword in the other, looking up at the wall, praying feverently, while danger is lurking all around them.

If one is a child od GOD Almighty, then one is surely a sinner.

There are 2 different types of sinners and 2 types of righteous people.

There is the sinner that not only pre-meditates the sin, but also enjoys the executing of the sin, and never gives one iota as to whether it is right or wrong; and they don't believe in Getting Over Death (GOD) as their own conscious never bothers them. (Gee I wonder who they are?)

Then there is the sinner that sins by being led innocently into the sin; meaning to do well all along, they find themselves in a situation where they are overcome by the circumstances around them. The evilness/un-fairness of the situation is so bad, that for the sake of self preservation they go along with what is taking place until they can find a way out.

They got no pleasure from being there, their consciousness is extremely upset, and they cry out to GOD Almighty to forgive them for being involved at all, and for being so weak as to not have tried to do something about it, upon reflection.

I found out through my studies, that this is part of GOD'S work in us; and we keep getting stronger and stronger, the more we get into His Word and stand against these situations, doing it GOD"S way and not of our own will.

If one is murdering, raping or abusing a child right before your flesh eyes; then it would be very possible and likely that a child of GOD Almighty may just kill someone.

And because Christians take the forgiveness card waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too far, well, here is the world we have today, totally dis-obedient to The Father's Will concerning these people, and doing our own will about it, through the laws of man. (Wimpy: allowing the Devil to protect his own)

Then there are the righteous LOL (sorry) Yep they do everything right, according to actions and being fair, even looking like they are living Godly lives, and really, even are living Godly lives; but just try to talk to them about GOD, one won't last long in their presence. (just speaking from personal experience; ex: Doctors, Politician's, Teachers, Law Enforcement, etc...) Lots of self-edification and self-justification going on here. But GOD does hear the prayers of these children, for the same reason that GOD heard the prayer of Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, that actually wrote the 4th chapter of Daniel: Because they try in all earnesty to be fair with people. (Though they fall short of the mark; for not checking with The Father ALWAY'S before proceeding in ANYTHING that concerns His Children)

And last but not least; The Righteous LOL LOL LOL! Self righteous hypocrites that is; those that profess GOD, yet are totally entangled in the world/money. (Gee, I wonder who they are?) LOL

Teach a person how to fish, instead of trying to provide the person with a fish, and people may just make some headway; As Our Father provides for ALL. These blanking religious organizations, forever self-glorifying themselves in their own works. :p

GOD ALMIGHTY does NOT hear these prayers. Why does one think the world is falling apart/away? Because it IS!.

Prayer & Praise is all that the children have left at this point, and working on ones patience and endurance, is probably the most important work at this time; Next of course to studying Our Father's Word's, that Christ/Messiah confirmed and affirmed.

Rant Over :)
PRAISE BE TO YAHAVEH

JUDAH BE TO YAHAVEH'S SAVIOUR

CHRIST/MESSIAH/MELCHEZIDEK/THE ANGEL OF THE LORD
 
Mar 3, 2013
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#17
I also like the example of prayer set forth in the book of Nehemiah; a trowel in one hand, a sword in the other, looking up at the wall, praying feverently, while danger is lurking all around them.

If one is a child od GOD Almighty, then one is surely a sinner.

There are 2 different types of sinners and 2 types of righteous people.

There is the sinner that not only pre-meditates the sin, but also enjoys the executing of the sin, and never gives one iota as to whether it is right or wrong; and they don't believe in Getting Over Death (GOD) as their own conscious never bothers them. (Gee I wonder who they are?)

Then there is the sinner that sins by being led innocently into the sin; meaning to do well all along, they find themselves in a situation where they are overcome by the circumstances around them. The evilness/un-fairness of the situation is so bad, that for the sake of self preservation they go along with what is taking place until they can find a way out.

They got no pleasure from being there, their consciousness is extremely upset, and they cry out to GOD Almighty to forgive them for being involved at all, and for being so weak as to not have tried to do something about it, upon reflection.

I found out through my studies, that this is part of GOD'S work in us; and we keep getting stronger and stronger, the more we get into His Word and stand against these situations, doing it GOD"S way and not of our own will.

If one is murdering, raping or abusing a child right before your flesh eyes; then it would be very possible and likely that a child of GOD Almighty may just kill someone.

And because Christians take the forgiveness card waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too far, well, here is the world we have today, totally dis-obedient to The Father's Will concerning these people, and doing our own will about it, through the laws of man. (Wimpy: allowing the Devil to protect his own)

Then there are the righteous LOL (sorry) Yep they do everything right, according to actions and being fair, even looking like they are living Godly lives, and really, even are living Godly lives; but just try to talk to them about GOD, one won't last long in their presence. (just speaking from personal experience; ex: Doctors, Politician's, Teachers, Law Enforcement, etc...) Lots of self-edification and self-justification going on here. But GOD does hear the prayers of these children, for the same reason that GOD heard the prayer of Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, that actually wrote the 4th chapter of Daniel: Because they try in all earnesty to be fair with people. (Though they fall short of the mark; for not checking with The Father ALWAY'S before proceeding in ANYTHING that concerns His Children)

And last but not least; The Righteous LOL LOL LOL! Self righteous hypocrites that is; those that profess GOD, yet are totally entangled in the world/money. (Gee, I wonder who they are?) LOL

Teach a person how to fish, instead of trying to provide the person with a fish, and people may just make some headway; As Our Father provides for ALL. These blanking religious organizations, forever self-glorifying themselves in their own works. :p

GOD ALMIGHTY does NOT hear these prayers. Why does one think the world is falling apart/away? Because it IS!.

Prayer & Praise is all that the children have left at this point, and working on ones patience and endurance, is probably the most important work at this time; Next of course to studying Our Father's Word's, that Christ/Messiah confirmed and affirmed.

Rant Over :)
PRAISE BE TO YAHAVEH

JUDAH BE TO YAHAVEH'S SAVIOUR

CHRIST/MESSIAH/MELCHEZIDEK/THE ANGEL OF THE LORD

Excellent rant!!!
 

my_adonai_

Senior Member
Mar 19, 2012
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#18
buffet of eternal life giving meat, what to eat what to eat?
 
Mar 3, 2013
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#19
I have been trying to avoid bringing up this part of the teaching I have been given as I studied, but it won’t go away so I’m going to get it over with so I can move on to more interesting, pleasant things – like Elijah and other Biblical characters!

While I prayed, God brought it to my attention that I can ask all day long, but if I have not asked forgiveness for my sins, my prayers are as good as bouncing off the ceiling. I argued with Him (never a good idea, by the way) and said, “I did ask you to forgive any sins I might have committed and help me not to do the things that displease you any more.” God is even more loving and gentle than my earthly father was, but He told me what my dad would have said about such a situation – just more gently. Dad would have said, “Quit pussy-footin’ around!” My heavenly Father said, Which sins? Examine yourself and find the sins so you recognize them and do not continue repeat them constantly, then vainly ask me to keep forgiving when you are blinding your eyes to your own sins.”

I have listened multitudes of times as people have prayed, including in the cc chat rooms, and noticed that I am not the only one who says this to God. IF (biggest word in the English language!) the person praying even asks for forgiveness of sins at all it is a quick, cursory mention and then on to more beautiful sounding prayer requests.
 
Mar 4, 2013
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#20
Posted in the "The falling away" thread also.

Hebrews 10:19-20 (KJV)
[SUP]19 [/SUP]Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
[SUP]20 [/SUP]By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Too often we hear that we can pray to him with boldness, and we take that way beyond the realm what it was intended. It almost gets to the point that we are entering into His presence with an attitude of “He loves me and I will get what I want because I’m his child. Being of the “old school” I wouldn’t have dared to have that kind of attitude reward my earthy father, let alone my heavenly Father.
Picture this, we enter into God’s presences, and we see a God who is huge beyond what we have ever seen before. His magnificence is blinding, and His voice shakes the entire universe with reverberating sounds. The music of the mighty angels that surround His throne is something beyond the beauty of anything we have ever heard. His exhortations demand explicit attention, and any neglect of them demands a response that would make the mightiest scream with terror. And we think we can march right up there and get what we want because He loves us? We don’t know the scope of that love. How can we determine what real love is if we sidestep the reality of His, and throw away His instructions thereof? Sacrifice is needed, and has been made complete through Jesus. What is our reasonable approach? Do we really want to come before him under these conditions? We then say, Jesus can go in our stead, and we skip away think that Jesus would approach God as our High Priest and we side step our reciprocation saying to ourselves, “It’s all good. Jesus’ will take care of it.” How then can we be in a love relationship with the almighty God, unless we follow Christ Jesus to the throne of God? What’s the protocol? SACRIFICE WITH A PURE HEART. It has been a statute from the beginning. Bring your goat/yourself. Slay the thoughts of the flesh, and lay your spiritual hands on its fleshly thoughts, and enter into the presence of your Almighty God with the attitude He demands!
Psalm 51:17 (KJV)
[SUP]17 [/SUP]The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Romans 12:1 (KJV)
[SUP]1 [/SUP]I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.