Skip to main content

Prayer

I've been thinking about prayer. There is so  much I don't know about it.
I wonder is prayer more effective when it is spoken out loud?
Is God hearing my prayers when it seems all the answers are no?
Does prayer really make the thing better or does it just help to have that outlet?
I know I'm sounding pessimistic. Sometimes in the night when I've spent hours up with the boys I get to wondering these things.
  Does it make a difference to God about WHO'S doing the praying?  Because sometimes it seems like Matt has a special hearing with God that moves things..
..Does the amount of trust and faith make a difference?  If so can trust and faith be built or does experience bring those things?
  Someone said not too long ago that we Americans are too casual in our relationship to God.  Does that include our prayer life too?
 Is prayer a state of being or a state of doing? 
Do you ever NOT pray about something because you're scared of the turn out or that the answer will be no anyhow? 
Its not that I don't believe in prayer.  I just feel so weak and unpracticed. And then it can be scary too....wondering if I'm strong enough for whatever  or however God chooses to move.
I think it would be interesting to hear what you know about prayer.....

Comments

Charlotte said…
Well one thing I've noticed is that praying for material things seems to be answered more quickly and definitively, then praying prayers that involve people. Maybe because other people also have to make choices?
But yeah, in my days of praying that the baby would please sleep really good tonight, sometimes I wondered if it was better to just expect a bad night rather then praying and sort of expecting God to fix it, and then being disappointed when I still had a bad night. I mean God I even PRAYED about it, so surely I deserve to have a good night...
August 12, 2011 11:42 AM
Luci Martin said…
I saw on facebook that you had blogged but couldn't get into it from there and am finally getting back to find your post. :)

I've had so many of the same questions about prayer and I really wish I knew the answers. One thing I think is that God is a place to unload our troubles, even though it feels like there are no answers. Somewhere I read that you should visualize yourself actually giving your burdens into the hands of God and I like that.

I pray for things like a good night's sleep too---and feel like I really should get it because I PRAYED....and I don't. :) But think how much harder it is to accept when you pray that your child will be healed of cancer and they aren't. But sleep seems so NEEDED sometimes!!

I wonder about the casualness of my prayer life too.....

And I was reading some of your other posts, too, Amy. You're tired and I'm sorry. Soooo know the feeling. I hope that changes for you soon and your boys start to sleep better. Prayers and sympathy.....!!
August 13, 2011 5:56 PM
Anonymous said…
Sid says: II Peter 1:2-8

I think about prayer too.

1. You ask if prayer is more effective if spoken out loud? I
personally think praying out loud is more effective because you can
keep your mind on what you are saying.

2. Does God hear when it seems all the answers are no? I think God
hears every prayer. Sometimes the answer is wait; sometimes the
answer is yes, even when I have not perceived it. Yes, sometimes the
answer is no.

3. Does prayer help? Yes, prayer does help! It is always a good outlet.

4.When you are up at night it might be very helpful to pray out loud;
it may be a real comfort to the boys and maybe even to Matt.

5. God loves us all. it does not make a difference with God. It may
make a difference in the faith and trust of the one praying. This
can be obtained by building in faith and trust and also experience.

6. On being too casual. Yes, we need to be up front with our
prayers. Say like it is. I pray and talk to God about some things
that I'm not going to talk to anybody else about. In reality God is
the most understanding friend I have. Go ahead, just have a 'Little
Talk With Jesus".

7. Is prayer a state of being or a state of doing? Both. The Bible
say, 'pray without ceasing."

8. Do you ever not pray about something because you're scared of the
turn out? I'm tempted to do that but go ahead anyway; it could bless
your soul.

9. It isn't that I don't believe in prayer; I just feel so weak! Now
is the time to pour it all out to God for in your being weak you will
become strong.

Amy, I just want you to know that this email is an answer to prayer.
I am going to use this for devotions Sunday morning. Keep praying
for me.

Love Dad 11 Peter 1:2-8
August 13, 2011 11:32 PM
Evie said…
Amy, Dad read this blog to me over the phone. I like how he ended his comment; your blog being an answer to prayer.
August 14, 2011 3:51 PM
marinj said…
I love what your dad had to say. I often struggle with the same thoughts on prayer and wonder sometimes if He ever really listens and cares. But then the ones that are answered, even teeny tiny little requests that are so immaterial, make me smile and know that he cares about the little things. I still struggle daily with it though, it would just be nice to have someone talk back, out loud!!
August 15, 2011 8:58 AM
Luci Martin said…
I love your Dad's comment here. Older people have so much wisdom.
August 22, 2011 12:24 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

In My Worship Place

Last time I posted I mentioned being in a quiet spot.      It's curious to me how one can be in a quiet spot internally but super busy externally and then be in a quiet season externally but Internally be in a season of seeking and crying and lonely.      Zerrick and Susanna's reception in our yard is over and my many siblings showing up for us was a cherry on top.   It felt like a relaxed good reception and I spent most of it watching people and listening in on little groups of chatter.      And then the twelve hours with my siblings on Saturday.  God worked it out so I could have tiny little snitches of chat that I could be assured that I got the most of the gift of them even being here.        We all stood around and prayed and cried and sobbed together for a short time before Bruce's left.  Healing.  I still feel emotional about it.  And now it's qu...
Post a Comment
Read more

A few things...

Okay, I have a whole pile of pictures I'm going to post one of these days. In the mean time....a few more questions to add to my last post.... 1. What do people mean when they say things like, " He/she spoke peace/ blessing/ love/truth or whatever into my heart? How does one get truth spoke into ones heart by another person? Okay, now I expect to hear someone defend themselves for saying this or else clarify to me why it sounds so off the wall......no reading this w/out some input! 2. What else? I was asking about what does it mean to have deeper relationship w/ God. So everyone said ya that's a good thing to desire. Here's my thought. You either have a relationship w/ God or you don't. So then who decides if it's a deeper relationship than....see how can you know? Can you compare? That won't work because God doesn't work like that....putting us on brackets of who is most spiritual. The only way you can use the term in having a deeper relationship w/ Go...
5 comments
Read more

Happy Birthday Keagan

Keagan turned three while we were in Idaho. So we made a cake and celebrated with the Skrivseth cousins this year. He was enthralled watching me make the cake. Had to have his little hand on that hat! gazing in adoration at it. Just about ready to blow those candles. He kept telling me that we couldn't sing Happy Birthday though. He's easily embarrassed! Silly guy! I rather like my little three year.
6 comments
Read more