Sandy Pines
Intermediate Member
Intermediate Member
Posts: 58
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Post by Sandy Pines on Jan 12, 2010 16:44:45 GMT -8
I admit, I've asked others to pray for me, but a question that recently popped into my head yesterday is, "why?"
Shouldn't one prayer by the person that is going through a trial be enough? I mean, God knows your situation already. Is there any Biblical reference as to "More prayers the better"? Isn't that basically saying that we're trying to change God's mind to say "yes" instead of "no"? Isn't that greediness on our part (Of course depending on the situation)?
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Post by Josh on Jan 12, 2010 17:24:26 GMT -8
Good question. And it's great to post it here. I just tend to send questions here to other sub-forums and create a link. I'll send this one to the "prayer" sub-forum on the "other topics".
But first, some thoughts. BRB
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Post by Josh on Jan 12, 2010 17:31:53 GMT -8
Ok, first, a seeming contradiction in Scripture. If Paul and others taught that:
1 Timothy 2:5 ...there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus...
then why are we told to "intercede" for each other in prayer? (1 Timothy 2:1, for example, in the same chapter, or any other of the many places where we are told to "pray" for something specific for someone else, such as:
Prayer for other’s salvation: Romans 10:1 Prayer for others perfection: 2 Cor. 13:9 Prayer for others enlightenment: Eph. 1:18 Prayer for strength for others: Eph. 3:16 Prayer for deliverance from wicked men: 2 Thess 3:2
I think the answer to this riddle is that there is only one Mediator (Jesus) in that there is only one who successfully appeals to the Father on our behalf. But there are many intercessors who appeal to the Father for others on behalf of the Son, not out of their own powers of persuasion.
Christians are called to be "imitators of Christ" (1 Thess 1:6"), so God calls us to do the things Jesus did/does. If Jesus intercedes for us, then we are likewise to do so in His power and Namefor others.
As to whether more prayers are better than one, the only passage I can find that might possibly support that is 2 Corinthains 1:11, which says:
Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
But I just think that this verse means that the more people are praying the more people will be blessed by the answers.
So, no, I don't think there is something magical about "more people praying". Actually I think Christians fall into just the error you were describing, and like Jesus described, when they start believing that "by their many words they will be heard" (Matt. 6:7)
Rather than how many people are praying, it is apparently actually the righteousness of those that are praying that is of real benefit (James 5:16, 1 Peter 3:12)
As to whether we can actually change God's mind- that's a tough one. Based on the Biblical evidence, I think we can't answer that for certain, but it is okay to ask God to change what appears to be His course of action (for instance, as Abraham did when he interceded for Lot in Genesis 18:16-33 or when Moses "talked God out of" (?) destroying all the Israelites). Wanting something is not greed. Wanting something really badly isn't greed either.
Greed is wanting too much of something to the point where it is no longer good for you.
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Post by Josh on Jan 12, 2010 18:07:51 GMT -8
Another thing I really like about prayer is the idea that we "struggle" in prayer for those we love.
I don't fully understand how this works, but I have experienced it and I think it's just an example of how God knits his family together through "bearing each other's burdens". Sure, we can each pray directly to God, but we are called to bring others into our prayers as well, and to let others carry our load (or, more properly, to let others carry our load in the name and power of Jesus).
Here are two verses along these lines that I love:
Romans 15:30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
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Post by Josh on Jan 12, 2010 18:11:28 GMT -8
Oh, and another point you touched on is "shouldn't one prayer be enough". I'd like to think so as well, but Scripture does exhort us to continue asking in some cases:
Col. 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
see also Luke 18:1-8 and 1 Tim. 5:5
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Post by rbbailey on Jan 12, 2010 21:53:38 GMT -8
It seems clear from Josh's posts that the scriptures do tell us to pray for one another.
Why?
Why worship? Does God need it? No. We do. Someone recently asked me what the heck is meant by: "I lift you up." or "I magnify you." in so many worship songs? It occurred to me that it isn't God that we are lifting up, He is up! He doesn't need our help to get any greater. It's that we are lifting him up in our lives compared to the other things we have on our pedestals.
I think it is sort of the same thing with sharing prayer with others. Yes, we are praying to God, asking him for help, but when we share it with others... well, we share. That's the point. We are building a community.
I also think we are supposed to try to change God's mind. The Old Testament is sure full of references to God changing His mind... And why shouldn't he? Just don't get confused into thinking that when he changes his mind he is changing from doing something wrong, to doing something right. No, it's that he is changing His mind to fit His will according to the way we want. A fantastic thought!
It's not that the other option was wrong, it's that both options are right in His eyes, but we are granted some part in deciding what way it's going to go. And perhaps, by simply asking, we are making one way the right way and the other the wrong.
At least, that's the way I see it.
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