When is prayer effective?

[John1:12-14]

greek word for prayer

4336 proseúxomai (from 4314 /prós, "towards, exchange" and 2172/euxomai, "to wish, pray") – properly, to exchange wishes; pray – literally, to interact with the Lord by switching human wishes (ideas) for His wishes as He imparts faith ("divine persuasion"). Accordingly, praying (4336/proseuxomai) is closely inter-connected with 4102 /pístis ("faith") in the NT.

[shazeep]

nice. that often seems to translate as God as santa claus, however. I thought an in-depth examination of the other 'problem solving devices'--which are after all just the fruit of the Spirit restated i think--and how they related to the sanctuary, was pretty cool.

[DaveC519]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

I think that would be when God told someone not to pray.

Jeremiah 7:16 says, "Pray no more for these people, Jeremiah. Do not weep or pray for them, and don't beg me to help them, for I will not listen to you."

Jeremiah 11:14 says, "Pray no more for these people, Jeremiah. Do not weep or pray for them, for I will not listen to them when they cry out to me in distress."

Ah yes, as well as 1Jn 5:16. These would be exceptions, though, wouldn't they?

I was thinking along the lines of the premise in the opening post, that:

prayer is often not what is needed, and cannot help in many situation

(emphasis mine)

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by DaveC519

I was thinking along the lines of the premise in the opening post, that:

(emphasis mine)

Yep, you're right about that!

[shazeep]

yes. i guess some thought should be given to 'prayer for others' v 'prayers for self' at some point; wherein i find none, or virtually none, of the second! And yet we are often directed to 'take it to God in prayer!' (for personal issues)

now, i'm not implying to stop being always in prayer, but that it will not help you with your problems, almost surely.

[Aquila]

I believe that if one is sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, prayer can allow one to be the conduit of divine power in a given circumstance. Prayer can also center us and align us with God's will.

[shazeep]

well, i have to agree. this was not meant to denigrate prayer, but to examine it in the light of the other problem solving devices provided for by God's will for us. i think that, unconsciously or not, we are often led to pray for the removal of something, perhaps, when it was God Who maybe put it there, or at least allowed it.

[votivesoul]

I saw this on my mom's wall today (it's been there for years, but took on new meaning in regards to this post)

1 Chronicles 4:10,

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.

This prayer was effective.

[Sasha]

Why do we think God didn't hear our prayers unless we get the answer we want?

[A239]

I see it this way. We pray for cake, and God gives us flower and eggs. We sometimes gotta do some of the work.