How powerful is a PRAYER?

[John VN]

better cards on Bingo nights.

I use to work Bingo nights when our kids attended parochial school and believe me it made no difference. Talk about 2nd hand smoke.

 

[jimmiej]

And if you both wind up in Heaven, is there an advantage to you being a practicing Christian?

Actually, yes.

I Corinthians 3

11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.


Luke 8

11"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

 

[Amity 3]

You know, you're exactly right.

Matthew 7

13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Mark 2

17On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

blah, blah, blah, Jesus, blah, blah, blah.

enjoy your superior-feeling diatribe.

 

[Amity 3]

I use to work Bingo nights when our kids attended parochial school and believe me it made no difference. Talk about 2nd hand smoke.

talk about second hand child abuse. and I'm not talking about the smoke.

 

[MrsPete]

And that is the only way to pray?

No, that's not Biblical at all. In the passage, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray, and this is the example he sets forth of a perfect prayer. That doesn't mean that every day every person should pray that prayer.

 

[MrsPete]

Honest question(s). How good does one have to be to earn eternal life? Does a murderer have any chance? How about an adulterer?

Sure, a murderer, an adulterer, etc. has every chance to be saved . . . IF he genuinely repents and turns his life around.

Today we've taken the idea of being "holy and godly", and we've tried to fit it into our own ideas of being a "good person". It's perfectly possible that a person could live a good life, be a good citizen, pay his taxes, raise his children well, be active in positive community pursuits, etc., etc., etc., yet NOT be a Godly person. Our society -- and even some Christian churches -- seem to be promoting the idea that God takes all the good you do and measures it against all the bad you do, and that determines whether you're "good enough". Or a similar idea: As long as you're better than the average person, you're set. But these ideas aren't Biblical. I strongly recommend that anyone interested in this topic actually READ the Bible for himself; the message has become rather distorted through the media, society, and even the church. Between the things I thought were there that weren't, the things I didn't know were there at all, and the flat-out distortions . . . I was very surprised when I read it for myself a few years ago.

Likewise, there are a couple people in my church whom I know to be very Godly people, yet I just don't like them on a personal basis. They and I don't have anything in common. We just rub each other the wrong way. They aren't my idea of "nice people". I don't doubt their sincerity towards the Lord one bit, but I don't care to foster friendships with them.

 

[MrsPete]

That is probably true, no human is going to be totally worthy or without sin, all we can do is try and lead a good life.

Now there are some sects that take these scriptures to what I consider a perversion and say that you can do as much bad or sin as much as you want and you are automatically saved. The "once saved always saved" line of thinking. I don't buy that at all. I think just as the angels did, a person can fall from grace, turn their back on God or whatever. I think you have to try and lead a Christian life, we all fail, but you have to put out your best effort. The effort is what counts as far as our behaivor goes.

I take that to mean the following:

My best efforts = failure
My best efforts + belief in Christ = success

I don't understand the "once saved always saved" concept either. I know that people much better educated in the Bible than I DO believe it, but I just don't get it.

 

[MrsPete]

maybe there's a trend there... praying on the lonely and weak-minded and asking for you to join and donate a percentage of your salary to their belief so your 'soul' will be saved from eternal damnation.

Or maybe this "trend" has existed since the beginning of time, across cultures, across time, across economic and political circumstances, among both the strong and the weak because it is REAL TRUTH.

 

[MrsPete]

blah, blah, blah, Jesus, blah, blah, blah.

enjoy your superior-feeling diatribe.

Well, we can try, but I don't think we can come near the glee you seem to feel in insulting those of us who genuinely believe.

What I don't understand is why people want to discuss what they DON'T believe in. See, I avoid threads on medical issues, recipes, dogs -- you know, things that don't interest me. If you DON'T believe -- adamently don't believe -- what draws you to a religious thread?

Methinks the lady (or gentleman -- I don't know) doth protest. There's something behind this degree of bitterness, and it's not just simple interest in a debate.

 

[Saxsoon]

I admit, many on here who are not Christians practice the same self superior attitude that they ascribe to many Christians. Of course, I am certain almost my posts in the past have come across like that as well.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I admit, many on here who are not Christians practice the same self superior attitude that they ascribe to many Christians. Of course, I am certain almost my posts in the past have come across like that as well.

I think that's an easy thing to slip into without even realizing it. Especially on the internet because we can't see and respond to the visual cues that we depend upon in regular conversation.
Everyone feels that their belief is correct, otherwise they wouldn't hold it, right? The point that I try to remember is that while I think my belief system is right and good and I'm happy, that doesn't mean that it's right and good for everyone and that everyone would be as happy as I am. Everyone's journey is different and has led them to different places and their journeys are just as valid as mine. I did a lot of reading and thinking and yes, praying in the years that led me to where I am now. Others have taken just as much time and effort getting to where they are, so who am I to say that my conclusion is better than theirs.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Or maybe this "trend" has existed since the beginning of time, across cultures, across time, across economic and political circumstances, among both the strong and the weak because it is REAL TRUTH.

Actually it didn't really become a concept until the greeks came along, especially the idea of eternal damnationa and Hell..These ideas were not part of early religions nor are they or were the a part of Judaism

 

[JennyMominRI]

Everyone feels that their belief is correct, otherwise they wouldn't hold it, right? .

No....There are plenty of relions that teach that their religion is right for some,but not neccessasarily all.. Judaism is right for Jews...Christianity may be right for you and that's fine...I have no need to get you to beleve what I do

 

[cardaway]

No....There are plenty of relions that teach that their religion is right for some,but not neccessasarily all.. Judaism is right for Jews...Christianity may be right for you and that's fine...I have no need to get you to beleve what I do

Yup, that is almost totally exclusive to Christians. One of the reasons there appears to be a agenda against them. But those saying there is an agenda against them like to ignore they are the only ones out there witnessing, which is basically telling others they are wrong and they are the only ones that are right.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Everyone's journey is different and has led them to different places and their journeys are just as valid as mine. I did a lot of reading and thinking and yes, praying in the years that led me to where I am now. Others have taken just as much time and effort getting to where they are, so who am I to say that my conclusion is better than theirs.

I'm quoting myself for clarity, because it's important to me that this be understood. I can believe that what I'm doing is best for me without thinking that it has to be best for everyone. I don't think my conclusion is inherently better, only that it's better for me.

 

[JennyMominRI]

I'm quoting myself for clarity, because it's important to me that this be understood. I can believe that what I'm doing is best for me without thinking that it has to be best for everyone. I don't think my conclusion is inherently better, only that it's better for me.

Now you're sounding like me

 

[cardaway]

I'm quoting myself for clarity, because it's important to me that this be understood. I can believe that what I'm doing is best for me without thinking that it has to be best for everyone. I don't think my conclusion is inherently better, only that it's better for me.

Nobody said everybody fitswimmer. Only those that are frequently doing exactly what I posted, and I believe you have seen it.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Now you're sounding like me

Now that's a compliment! You are an inspiration to me.

I really don't like the "brand" of Christianity that insists that the way they sing, the way they pray and how they interpret the Bible is the only way and everyone else that doesn't do those things their way is going to burn for eternity. It has always rubbed me the wrong way. Sadly, these folks can be found in almost every denomination of Christianity. My Dad was Baptist before he converted and they were there, we had a few in my parish growing up and I've got a few in my parish now. I don't understand why another person's choice for their life has to be wrong in order for my choice for my life to be right.

 

[phillybeth]

What I don't understand is why people want to discuss what they DON'T believe in. See, I avoid threads on medical issues, recipes, dogs -- you know, things that don't interest me. If you DON'T believe -- adamently don't believe -- what draws you to a religious thread?

This didn't start off as a religious thread per se, just one abour prayer. Last time I checked prayer is not exclusive to Christianity. And just because we don't believe in it doesn't mean it doesn't interest us. By your rules I shouldn't read any parenting threads, since I don't (yet) have children. Or any trip-planning threads since I'm not currently planning a trip.

 

[phillybeth]

And if you both wind up in Heaven, is there an advantage to you being a practicing Christian?

Actually, yes.

I Corinthians 3

11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.


Luke 8

11"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Neither of those quotes have anything to do with the question.