Chris, I hope I came accross as explaining where you come from on the issue and not condecending. Just trying to clarify the point....
Not at all bro. You're good. Actually...it felt good to know that though you didn't always agree with me...you obviously listened to my rants...and understood the burden in my heart.
Agreed ... Aquila ... it's like a knee-jerk catchphrase in Pentecost ....
Instead of going into the trenches ... we relieve any guilt by giving the person in need a pat on the back and the obligatory ... I'm praying for you ...
and they feel relieved on any further responsibilities ...
I think that could be a misapplication. A dead baby or a dead person is no longer alive. There is no hope. But if someone is still alive and hurting....when are we justified in ending our prayers? If David didn't end his prayers until the babe was dead....shouldn't we pray and hold out hope as long as a person has breath?
Just a thought bro.
Oh yes absolutely ... that's exactly my point ... he really interceded as long as there was hope ... no lip service EITHER...
Once there was closure ... he didn't spend a lifetime reveling in it ...
This happens to many who are praying for things that happened 20 years ago that are DEAD. They are unable to turn the page and it affects their daily lives, emotions and others around them.
Oh yes absolutely ... that's exactly my point ... he really interceded as long as there was hope ... no lip service ...
Once there was closure ... he didn't spend a lifetime reveling in it ...
This happens to many who are praying for things that happened 20 years ago that are DEAD.
Have you ever worked with folks that had PTSD? Sometimes that thing that happened 20 years ago is very much alive and hurting like it happened yesterday. It was explained to me how the hemisphere's of the brain communicate and how a painful or traumatic event can become lodged in the brain's functionality to the point that all of life and experience is processed and filtered through the experience by the brain. It often requires a psychotherapy such as EMDR to resolve the issue. I'm not a big fan of EMDR....I don't buy into all of it. But many say it's helped them when nothing else (even prayer and fasting) could.
Somethings folks don't need prayer ... they need action and/or you to be the hands and feet of the Body .... and sometimes it's time to move on ....
Heard John Hopkins preach a message about a year ago on David who travailed for 7 days hoping God would spare his first son to Bathsheba who died as a result of his failure ....
Once he realized the baby was dead ... he arose, washed and anointed himself ... and did not continue that line of prayer ....
Sometimes you gotta realize the baby's dead.
He giveth and taketh away ....
Why didn't David pray to raise him from the dead? Just think how much better that Sunday School lesson would have turned out.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Have you ever worked with folks that had PTSD? Sometimes that thing that happened 20 years ago is very much alive and hurting like it happened yesterday. It was explained to me how the hemisphere's of the brain communicate and how a painful or traumatic event can become lodged in the brain's functionality to the point that all of life and experience is processed and filtered through the experience by the brain. It often requires a psychotherapy such as EMDR to resolve the issue. I'm not a big fan of EMDR....I don't buy into all of it. But many say it's helped them when nothing else (even prayer and fasting) could.
Very possible ... in some cases ....
I also do not doubt that all of us suffer from some form of mental disabilities/illnesses and some form of mental deterioration ...
We forget that as are bodies and cells are breaking down ... especially as we age... so is our mind.
Part of the effects of sin on our entire being.
I still believe God can do the impossible ... and we can move him through prayer and fasting.
Don't get me wrong...I know many do help people in need.
For a long time I had a rule....if someone asked for prayer or asked that I pray for them sometime....I'd stop what I was doing and pray right there and then ask, "Is there anything I can do to help?" This came about because I was opening up to a good friend about some things and asked for prayer....he couldn't even remember the conversation...... This happened a couple times. At one point I was at church and a brother who I had asked to keep me in prayer about something walked up and said, "How've you been? I've been prayin' for you." The Holy Ghost spoke to me so strong and said, "He never prayed for you. He saw you, remembered your conversation, and now just wants to know if you're doing okay." Later I approached him and said, "Do you remember me asking for prayer about *****?" He said, "Sure." I then said, "You said you prayed for me....I felt the Holy Ghost tell me that you didn't really pray for me, did you actually 'pray' for me....or did you just remember my situation when you saw me? Just be honest bro....I'm not upset....I just need to know if I heard the Lord." He got real quiet and said..."I'm sorry brother....I just forgot. But I remembered it when I saw you and while it was on my mind I wanted to see if you were doing alright."
These kinds of lies are often well intentioned...but they can hurt.
It's easy to say, "I'll pray for you"...and then go out to Applebee's, live it up, and never even think a second thought about your brother or sister's need."
Praying for someone doesn't have to be something long and drawn out. People ask for prayer on this forum all the time. When I read such a request, what I do is simple. For instance, with Ferd's baby, I simply say, "God, watch over that baby, heal his body, and give strength to his parents, in Jesus name." I then say (and sometimes don't say even when I've prayed) that I've prayed or am praying.
When it comes to mind again, I simply say, "God, don't forget about Ferd's baby today." or something to that effect. God knows and hears us. I don't even close my eyes nor get on my knees. I just tell God. He knows.
As for the Holy Ghost telling you that he lied, I have to wonder about that. Does the Holy Ghost want to hurt us? Is telling someone you prayed for them when you really didn't something important enough for God to tell you otherwise?
I have had a feeling that people weren't telling me the truth, but I won't attribute it to the Holy Ghost telling me such information.
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