A question about the Bible.

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gigitgirl

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#1
#1
I just started studying the Bible not to long ago. My mom brought home a study Bible and another book that i can't remember the name of. Well in the Bible it says to keep prayers short because God already knows what your going to pray. But there are people who pray for two hours. I'm sort of confused about this. If you know anything, please help me.
 
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carpetmanswife

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#2
#2
i think what scripture u may b refering to is there is no need to make long drawn out prayers, yes God does know what we need before we even ask But God like any good Father wants to hear from us . So when we pray get to the point , dont think that there needs to be some spectacular fancy prayer spoken . Matthew 6:7 says when ye pray use not vain repetitions as the heathen do for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. ..vain repetitions means meaningless repeated words. hope that helps :)
 
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gigitgirl

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#3
#3
yeah, thank you. there's still so much i don't know. thanks again!
 
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KingdomGeneration

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#4
#4
It's ok to pray long prayer just as though those prayers are truly from the heart about real issues or people. The reason the bible says that is because some people who pray in public like to recite long dramatic prayers that are more for show and trying to look good rather than being sincere.
 
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KingdomGeneration

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#5
#5
carpetmanswife said:
i think what scripture u may b refering to is there is no need to make long drawn out prayers, yes God does know what we need before we even ask But God like any good Father wants to hear from us . So when we pray get to the point , dont think that there needs to be some spectacular fancy prayer spoken . Matthew 6:7 says when ye pray use not vain repetitions as the heathen do for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. ..vain repetitions means meaningless repeated words. hope that helps :)
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Amen! Great example CMW.
 
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carpetmanswife

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#6
#6
KingdomGeneration said:
It's ok to pray long prayer just as though those prayers are truly from the heart about real issues or people. The reason the bible says that is because some people who pray in public like to recite long dramatic prayers that are more for show and trying to look good rather than being sincere.
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yes sir totally agree talk as long or as little to God as we like as long as its from the heart
 
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thefightinglamb

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#7
#7
You have to also take into account that the Bible says "pray without ceasing" or pray continually...

This of Jesus spending whole nights in prayer...

Prayer isn't just speaking: praising, thanking, asking, petitioning--even just talking...prayer is listening, watching and waiting...

Even as Ecliasistes says "to draw near to listen is better than the sacrifice of fools."

So wait, watch, listen...its not about you but God see what he shows you...

To babble on or to make prayers 'flowery' or effrontery is an offence to God...ask for what you want and for what the Lord shows you and pray that they may be one...take the Lord's prayer as a model.

God bless
tony
 
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Thaddaeus

Banned
#8
Jan 31, 2009
2,225
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#8
gigitgirl said:
I just started studying the Bible not to long ago. My mom brought home a study Bible and another book that i can't remember the name of. Well in the Bible it says to keep prayers short because God already knows what your going to pray. But there are people who pray for two hours. I'm sort of confused about this. If you know anything, please help me.
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I think you mught be a little mistaken on what the verse says cause

th 5:17Pray without ceasing.

this would not be a short prayer
 
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Cup-of-Ruin

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#9
#9
Greetings,

Good question.

I would agree with 'Thaddaeus' for once:), pray ceaselessly.

But I think that comes over time, when you have leant the word of the Bible, it will be more easy to pray, and when I say pray, doesn't have to be a heavy down on your knees in a puddle of tears while locked in a dark cupboard time of prayer, although Christians will occasionally feel the need to do that, but no, I mean just talking to God in your head, that's prayer, trying to imagine yourself in relation to God, what would He expect or want of me? What would He do? After not too long you will be able to do this while you are working or studying or whatever you are doing, after a while you will feel as if God is indeed opening up a line of commnication with you and you alone, He wants you to reason with you face to face. Most definitely the reading and contemplation of Holy Scripture will be very important in helping you talk to God, you will try to learn His language if you are going to speak to Him, or sometimes words are not neccessary but that is an exception rather then the rule, you dont want to start taking that for granted, and it's just 'Oh God, you know what I mean', you don't want that. Then again taking time to humbly go down on bended knee as if you were at the very throne of God to pray a prayer is advisable.
 
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MaggieMye

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#10
#10
What verse says to keep prayers short??
Maggie
 
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thefightinglamb

Guest
#11
#11
that would be eclisiastes 5:2 is the best one out of the old testament...
Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

But also Jesus mentions this in every gospel that has the Lord's prayer, I believe:
Mathew &:7-8, but also 9-13

God bless
hope this helps
tony the lesser
 
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eric51

Banned
#13
May 3, 2009
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#13
gigitgirl said:
I just started studying the Bible not to long ago. My mom brought home a study Bible and another book that i can't remember the name of. Well in the Bible it says to keep prayers short because God already knows what your going to pray. But there are people who pray for two hours. I'm sort of confused about this. If you know anything, please help me.
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Hello! A very important topic.

First, I do not think length of time is a criterion in evaluating the appropriateness of prayer.

When you first start to learn how to pray, it is probable best to start with short prayers. You do need a small amount of quiet time each day to learn how to pray. Start experimenting how you can make prayer a part of your daily routine, the fabric of everyday life. You can find God in all aspects of your life. Think about how, and you will easily find Him.

As with faith itself, God takes care of the difficult part of praying. You will find that you have the easy part: learning how to pray. You start by praying every day. St. Paul tells us, "The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with sighs too deep for words." (Rom 8:26)

The foundation for successful prayer is a real conversion to God. You must have a love for God; a desire to carry out His Will; and be open to making changes in your life. Faith comes from God, not from our own work. But we have to consciously receive and nurture His gift of faith. A good step is learning how to pray.

Your first step, is to PRAY FOR HELP. Turn to God when you are learning to pray. With faith it is easy to ask God for HELP. As you pray be aware of your desire for God, focus on that. You want what He wants for you. You are reaching out to Him to help you get there. You find yourself PRAYING.


IMPORTANT: Prayer depends on this attitude of neediness before God', it depends on an attitude of humility and faith. I say humillity and faith because a prayful disposition looks to God as the only source that can fulfill our needs and desires. This is the Christian Disposition.

So, let's make a list: we need 1. a good, christian disposition, especially humility and faith. Without it you won't really be praying.

2. You need perseverance to keep praying.

Our dispositions in prayer are what will make us grow and progress, or stagnate in our interior life. In addition, perseverance is necessary for learning how to pray. It shows our commitment to loving God even if we don't feel any particular benefit.

The next, and final step, in learning how to pray, is to develop two simple habits:1. place a few quick prayers into key parts of your day. 2. Develop your awareness of the presence of God.This will work some quick prayers into the fabric of your normal day. You'll also have a basic structure of prayer to build on.

As you develop more experience in your prayer life you well may find the length of your prayers increases. But when starting out, start with short ones.

With All the Christian Love,

Eric
 
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