Praying to God

[Mayflower]

The what and the how is the deeper goodies. So I'll pause for discussion on the lighter things.

 

[Rhema]

@Rhema I think you would be much happier for a seminary student starting the topic on the Trinity.

I'm sorry that I hadn't made myself clear. I am not a seminary student. I had said that I typically limit my discussions about the Trinity with those who are or have attended seminary, because I am always running into modern day Christians who think they are Trinitarian but are actually by definition Modalists. If you already know the difference between the two, then you should recognize what you posted that gives me the impression that are you not Trinitarian. If you don't see why, then I am encouraging you to learn more about the historical orthodox Doctrine of the Trinity so that you may better represent yourself, or ensure that your words are clear. Trinitarians believe that there is one being, having three persons.

(Or did you mean to say that you think I would be much happier if a seminary student started such a thread?)

Jesus Deity is in the statement of faith here,

I had looked, but could not find anything which states that one must adhere to this forum's statement of faith in order to post. Many forums do have such a rule. Is that the case here? (It wouldn't seem so.) Oddly enough, I have no problem with the Deity of Jesus, but not as is described in this statement of faith, which seems to adopt the historical orthodox Doctrine of the Trinity. But while the statement itself has a number problems, it doesn't look open for discussion, and I hadn't joined to denigrate any statement of faith.

I just wanted to establish your view on the Trinity,

Unless you've had some seminary courses on the topic, though, you'll not be able to follow my views and I would hate to create confusion. (Let's just say I've learned my lesson.) What should be repeated, though, is that I believe God anointed the Son to preach the gospel and that we should obey what He commands. That should suffice. I don't care what fanciful ideas people might have about what happened after the ascension, nothing has been written to change those commands. Indeed I could post scripture which says that He changeth not. So I reiterate that scripture commands to pray to the Father period. We decide whether we obey what is written, or make up other stuff.

I just wanted to establish your view on the Trinity, because that does effect how you pray. I think I clearly established where I stand too in that matter.

Yes, you told me what you've decided to believe, but as with Jerry, have posted no scripture showing where anyone ever prayed to or should pray to Jesus. I find that disappointing. Surely we shouldn't be making up our own beliefs as we go along, thinking... well God loves me so it doesn't matter. From my perspective, I love God enough to think that it does matter.

But God did not make the Bible hard to understand. He made it where even a child can understand.

As I found out at the age of eight. But then I also proved that the church had lied to me. At eight, I set my face to follow Jesus. Then, of course, some things just didn't sound right, and as I later found out many Christians are extremely confused and uneducated.

Now for this discussion, I think the better way would be focusing on these questions now that we established the different views on who to pray to.

I am reminded of the story where a Brother asks his Bishop, "Father may I smoke while I pray?" "Oh dear me no," answers the Bishop. "Prayer is a sacred undertaking and it would be profane to engage in such secular practice while praying." As the Brother, crestfallen at his moral failing, starts to walk away, a Priest stops him, turns to the Bishop and asks, "Father, may I pray while I smoke?" To which the Bishop replies, "But of course my son, no matter whatever secular activity in which we are engaged, it is always good to lift our hearts to God in prayer." (So the Brother shot him.)

I'll answer the others, but give others some time to respond.

Okay, I can agree with that.

Kindly,
Rhema

 

[Mayflower]

Bumped for discussion from last page:


1) where do you pray?

2) what do you pray? We talked about this some, but specifically what type of things do y'all pray about. What should the majority of prayer be if anything or is it an overall balance of praise/request/etc

3) how do you pray? Like I was always taught eyes closed/hands folded for less distraction/reverence. But I also will just walk down the street, eyes open, praising God or laying in bed. Very rarely am I on my knees, but I think that is a very reverential way to pray.

4) when do you pray? Morning, noon, and night for me!!!! As it says in the Word of God.

5) why do you pray?

 

[Gregoryp]

I pray as if it was a phone call to a friend. Simple as that. I rarely ask for anything, just a conversation, after all this is what a personal relationship is all about.

 

[Brad Huber]

Bumped for discussion from last page:


1) where do you pray?

2) what do you pray? We talked about this some, but specifically what type of things do y'all pray about. What should the majority of prayer be if anything or is it an overall balance of praise/request/etc

3) how do you pray? Like I was always taught eyes closed/hands folded for less distraction/reverence. But I also will just walk down the street, eyes open, praising God or laying in bed. Very rarely am I on my knees, but I think that is a very reverential way to pray.

4) when do you pray? Morning, noon, and night for me!!!! As it says in the Word of God.

5) why do you pray?

Whenever you talk to God, you are praying. I rarely spend more than an hour where I am not talking with God. He is my Father, my best friend, and the person I goto for advise. Other than while asleep, I spend a lot of time in prayer, just while typing this, I have talked with Him about 5 times.