Comments on: Praying Like a Broken Record

By: Daddypopp

Daddypopp — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:06:22 +0000

I try not to pray like a nag. I have been through a tough couple of years. I have lost so many people and things that I love. I have to be honest and say that I get depressed about it all.

But when I pray, I try to remember to submit to God’s will and not what my heart desires. I know that God has the power to “fix” everything. But I have to believe that God knows what I need and what is best for me. Even better than I know for myself.

Is it a broken record to say “I submit to your will Lord and not my own.” every time I pray. I guess I say it more to remind myself than to remind God.

By: sonchild

sonchild — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:31:12 +0000

I get the roman soldier, he trained his mind as well as his body for his duty. Military kids get the drill to survive the madness of that lifestyle. Later learned words do have life, so use them wisely. They can build or destroy. One with real authority can make a change quickly. God has all authority. It is man that needs nagging. Hooray for the widow who nagged the unfocused judged. Lots of great life lessons in the bible. When I ask God the same thing, he has gently shown me I am worrying, acting selfishly, or trusting in my prayer -not Him. God renews my focus to Him.

By: JRH

JRH — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:19:08 +0000

I am in a similar situtation as “davidanealsmith” and have been praying for months and months regarding finances and employment. Sometimes feeling hopeless and lost. But, like “davidanealsmith” said, I believe it was his intention for me to draw closer to him. To learn to lean on him and trust his plan for my life, without knowing the details. Every post on this topic has truly helped me remember who GOD is and what GOD is about. This website has been a blessing. Just remember to trust ur BIBLE…..
B=Basic
I=Instruction
B-Before
L=Leaving
E=Earth

By: cherielyn

cherielyn — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:22:17 +0000

Wow, Sakoieta, what a perspective! Your post realy gave me pause for thought.

If only we, as Christians could only give thanks for what we are given and trust Him to take care of us and not question or ask for anything. That is true faith.

By: Loree

Loree — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:03:55 +0000

I agree that God has total control of answering prayers; however, several scriptures need to be considered:

God hears our prayers when they are in line with His will: 1 Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. Followed by: 2 Cor 1:20: For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Praying ‘amiss’ infers the prayer will not get a response from God: Jam 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts.

Hindrance to answered prayer: Psa 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:

Faith must be involved: Jam 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Other scriptures:
Pro 21:13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
Pro 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination.

Jhn 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.
Mic 3:4 Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

By: singing Debbie

singing Debbie — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:06:32 +0000

I think prayer is not just asking for our will.

I think God is honoured when we first adore Him and praise Him for who he is. Really relish in His goodness and enjoy being in His presence. After that confession of our sins is the next thing that would naturally follow. Then thanksgiving follows out of a tender heart which is grateful for God’s grace and forgiveness. Supplications come at the end. This spells
A -Adoration
C- Confession
T- Thanksgiving
S- Supplication

ACTS

This is how I learned to pray many years ago and it is a good way to keep my heart humbled before the Lord. God is not a vending machine, as my pastor often says. He wants us to obey Him because that way he knows that we truly love him. God wants to spend time with us and as we do, we begin to resemble Him more, and then desire to live in such a way as to honour Him and desire His will above our own.

This kind of prayer helps keep in perspective the glory and majesty of our God, who is our Father, but also the King of Kings. We know we are loved as his precious children and secure in our identity in Him.

By: savedbygraceme

savedbygraceme — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:38:46 +0000

For myself there are a number of reasons to pray persistently about certain things. The first one is that while I am praying for something I have already asked for/about, the Holy Spirit will show me whether my heart is in the right place, ie: am I asking within God’s will. If I can find scripture that proves that what I am asking for is something that will bring glory to Him. We can gain encouragement by remaining faithful and persistent, whether the answer is given now or ever. We can be uplifted just knowing we are following His word.
It gives me occasion to spend more time talking to God…and hopefully, listening to Him as well. It is His will for us to be in constant relationship with Him. It helps me to develop a more constant awareness that He is ALWAYS listening, ALWAYS desiring to hear from me, ALWAYS available. There is nothing to big, and there is nothing too small to bring to my loving, heavenly father.
It gives me opportunity to reflect on, and to understand, the loving nature of God, as my father, as I search for scriptures to back up what I am praying for.
This list is endless. But the main point is communication with, and deeper relation to my God, who in great mercy and patience, waits to hear from ALL His children with a longing desire in His heart.

By: Sakoieta

Sakoieta — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:06:28 +0000

She:kon,
I have always followed our cultural teachings as a Mohawk. In those teachings we are taught that our Creator is all wise, all knowing, ever present. As such since we as humans who walk on the earth for a short time are of a limited mind we are taught not to ask for anything. Our original instructions are to continue to always offer thanks for all things knowing that if we follow those teachings, the Creator, in His wisdom will always supply and fulfill our needs. We are not to question only to trust that we are being taken care of and looked after, much like your Roman Military officer trusted. I am an older Mohawk man of 54 years. I have followed this all my life and it has never failed yet. I see the Creator’s work each and everyday in my life and the life of my people. Take care and stay strong. Onen ki wahi.

By: dependent

dependent — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:47:44 +0000

SFDBWV wonders:

“dependent, Has God ever told you “No” to a prayer request?”

Ummmm….yes. I guess I don’t accept your premise that unless one hears a verbal “no” from God one can expect a “yes”.

I included the Jesus and Paul examples as illustrations of “No” answers that were accepted by some pretty astute prayers–no claim that they apply to every prayer for everyone. [Seems a bit of a stretch to assume that had Paul and Jesus just kept praying they would have escaped their suffering.]

One way we all(?) can get a “no” answer is to pray “amiss” (per James 4)– no matter how fervently, faithfully or sincerely we ask. I submit, from personal experience, that it is all too easy to mistakenly make requests outside of His will.

Also, when it comes to requests that include other people, the petition may not be granted, despite aligning with His will, due to free-will choices.

Hopefully I haven’t ’stolen’ anyone’s faith (not sure that is within my power). I agree, hang on a pray. But remember the wealth of scripture that indicates God is more interested in our character (moving toward Christlikeness) than our comfort. And great things can happen within us during that ‘perservering’ time that produces much fruit. Whether or not, in the end, we see a “yes” in this life.

By: phpatato

phpatato — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:44:51 +0000

Thank you everyone for your posts. Each one of them have spoken to me today.

God Bless you All