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Life's Paradox: To Have Found God and Still Pursue Him
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Just Cruising the web.

I came upon this article written by our former District Superintendent and former Missionary to Australia, John Soper.  John is a cool guy and he talks about Prayer in this article.

If you have bother to read the article I would like to add my two cents.  One of the area's that I feel that I have been obedient is in prayer.  I know its value. It our time to with the Maker of the Universe.  Usually when I pray I listen to what God wants me to do and I tell him what I want him to do.  It would be wonderful if I could say that after every prayer session that I ran off and did what God asked me to do.  However, where I may fail, I never struggle with the thought that God does what I ask.  That he acts upon every request.

There is a Woman that lives down the street.  She will be driving around and see me outside and come to me and ask me to pray for whatever is going on in her life.  She has seen results and fully believes that God listens to me...and does as I ask.  And he does. But, I think in my prayer time I am sensitive enough to pray what God wants me to pray.  Sigh.  I know, perhaps you non believers out there think this is nuts...and sounds circular, but I have witnessed the results.  The Lady down the street has witnessed the results as well.  That is why she keeps coming back and seeking me.  I have told her many of time.....that she doesn't need me.  She can pray.  She  FAITHFULLY believes that somehow I am a conduit.  But she can be a conduit too..as can you.  Take time to sit with him, and pray.

Well, yesterday the woman camewhile I was getting into my car to leave, and said she is anemic.  That she has to have 23 treatments and her insurance has some great demands.  I told her no problem. To go for she will be healed and her expenses will be covered.  And I knew.....as I was saying this it was true.  I encouraged her to pray as well and I hope she does....so she can experience her own personal relationship with God.

Going back to sitting in my car.  Today I realize that I drove away giving the matter no second thought.  That I knew God would insert his hand and address this situation.  That the woman will recognize Him and give God the Glory.  For He alone deserves it.

Print | posted on Saturday, February 10, 2007 7:01 AM

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 re: Just Cruising the web.

No, I don't believe that at all. Matter of fact I believe that the first moment that we ever seek God and pray to Him, it brings him great joy. Here is what I suggest, sit somewhere, some people like to sit in their living room or bedroom and with your heart of hearts listen to God. He will speak and He will even tell you what to pray.

That is praying within the Spirit of God...probably too much information.

I do not believe what you were told. I find it abhorent. God wants a relationship with you. Do you have to be a Christian to for him to hear your prayers. I believe not because he will use the prayers of the non-believer assist the non-believer that he exists.

There is so much more...wonderful beautiful stuff.
2/12/2007 10:58 PM | MrJ
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 re: Just Cruising the web.

Sorry to Janie...I was deleting comments before yours...a fun exchange between two computers and accidentally erased yours.

Janie, errrr...or Janine...can you comment again?
2/12/2007 11:05 PM | MrJ
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 re: Just Cruising the web.

This was Janie's question.

Hi,
I was once told by a minister that I couldn't talk to God, -pray- because I wasn't a Christian, and therefore, God wouldn't be able to hear me. Kind of put a damper on the whole issue of God and church for me. But I've always wondered, is it true?
2/13/2007 8:01 AM | MrJ

 re: Just Cruising the web.

Thanks. I'm going to give your idea a try - the sitting in silence. If you're interested, I'll let you know how it went. Thanks again.
2/13/2007 9:34 AM | Janie
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# re: Just Cruising the web.

Matt and Janie: Any comments I might extend here are but what my experience has taught me during the course of a 34 year walk with Him. Not that such longevity gives me any reason to think I've got it all figured out. What I express is simply what I have come to believe via the Scripture and the experience as it came. I personally believe that when the Bible speaks of Jesus being "the only way unto the Father", it refers to the connection restored via Calvary. The Spirit lost by Adam in the Garden is again made available unto us through Christ, the "second Adam". Prayer, "real" prayer, mountain-moving prayer...is gained when we fall into the river of that connection and the Holy Ghost begins to pray through us and with us. Does that, then, negate God hearing any other kind of prayer? There is a verse in Psalms that does indicate His ear refuses that one who comes unto Him with an insincere heart; but, again, it is my belief that it is the "connection" that Jesus has renewed and, when the verse states that God so love "the world", it indicates all have been so renewed with the potential to know their Maker through the gift of God. Any blockage, any hindrance, any failure...is on this end of the hook-up, not on His. I "preach" it as "inner plumbing" with a "belly spigot" left in my/our ability to turn on. Indeed, "born-again", for me, just applies to the initial time we bend our knees, surrender our heart, and open up the flow. I hope this makes sense, Matt. I warned you it needed more room to be better examined. You've got my e-mail addy if either or both desire to talk in greater depths. Peace.....
2/13/2007 4:59 PM | jim
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 re: Just Cruising the web.

Yes, I sat today with two Pastor's shortly discussing this very point. Pator Bill was asked today to do an "inservice, or rather a small seminar on contemplative prayer. This was for the hospice he where he is employed. Bill is bi-vocational. We discussed this very topic. I imagine where Bill works everyone has a relationship with God, but not necessarily through Jesus. So, does he hear them?

I tell you what, scripture scares me. It is beautiful and holy...and blessful.

But, before my own "born again" experience I used to pray to God. I used to feel his presence, and I new that he existed. At the time, I did not have a relationship with Jesus...later on I met my wonderful savior and understood the the price on cavalry and the extent of eternal life. I interpret that we gain eternity through Jesus, but God doesn't hide from us...and he wants a relationship with us....what happens if you never had a person tell you about Jesus, such as me in my youth, but in some sort of quiet time...I developed a relationship with him...and he revealed himself to be real. Later on, at the age of 22, Jesus was revealed to me...and from my past experience with God, it made is so wonderful to accept Jesus into my heart.

Personally, I think it is harsh for a Pastor to say what he said to Janie. Yes...there is only one road for eternal life. But, it is my experience that God allows us to have a relationship with him....and within that relationship he will reveal at some point, His son and holy spirit. What a bonus!

Will Janie come up short using my technique? We will find out, additionally I love having you here Jim. You really bare your sole and your years of living with Christ I always find valuable.

I am the eternal Grasshopper.

Janie, heed what Jim says. I think he explains it much better and broader than the other Minister that you met.

Be Still...and know that He is God. and he will show you...whether it be answering your prayers.

I hope what appears to be a contradiction does not confuse you. There are many approaches to God and many forms of Christianity, and it can become very harsh sometimes with disagreement.

But, Jim and I are great friends and I know that steel sharpens steel. hehe...at least I hope he gleems something from me...I do from him.
2/13/2007 6:30 PM | MrJ
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# re: Just Cruising the web.

Great topic… I wonder if that guy from the article followed Einstein’s suggestion for his thesis.

God is in the business of hearing prayer… not only from godly persons, but others also. In Proverbs chapter 2, God directs all persons to cry after wisdom, and to lift up their voices for understanding, so they may obtain fear and knowledge of God; and James says, “If any man lack wisdom, let Him ask of God;” and in Acts 8:22 Peter directs Simon Magus to repent, and pray to God. God, in is mercy is sometimes pleased to answer the prayers of unbelievers and to pity wicked men as He hear their cries. Thus God heard the cries of the Ninevites (Jonah 3), and the prayer of Ahab, (1 Kings 21:27,28). Even though there is no regard for God in their prayers, God, in His infinite grace, was pleased to hear their prayers and grant their requests. God hear the cries of wicked men as He hears the hungry ravens, when they cry (Psalm 147:9). God opens His bountiful hand, and satisfies the desires of every living thing (Psalm 145:16). God hears the prayers of sinners, who have no goodness in them, yet their prayers are a release mercy and grace. Because God hears prayer, it doesn’t mean that he will always listen and grant requests.

Also, I apologize if this seems a bit preachy, but I wanted to include Bible references for Janie because this isn’t just my opinion it’s what the Bible says. So I pray that Janie would be encouraged and seek these things out her own.

2/14/2007 11:36 AM | Vince
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 re: Just Cruising the web.

Thanks All. I lood forward to hearing from you again Janie.
2/17/2007 12:02 PM | MrJ

 re: Just Cruising the web.

Ok, for the past few evenings, I’ve spent some time sitting in a quiet room, trying to keep still long enough for my soul/spirit to communicate with God. At first it was more difficult because my own thoughts kept getting in the way, telling me I would never be heard – I mean, after all, I was told that by a genuine man of God. Degree and all J. But after a while the strangeness of the idea seemed to fall into the background of my thoughts. I tried to be honest with God about not having all the answers – ok, any of the answers but I was (am) seeking those answers. I did seem to feel a closeness to God that I hadn’t felt before. But even more strange, for me anyway, was I got the impression that God wanted to be in communication with me. That maybe this “experiment” was more about whether God would talk with me than what I felt I needed to say to God. I know that it sounds sort of confusing. And I’m not sure what it all means. I still don’t really know if someone can talk to God without all the so-called qualifiers in place. Maybe it’s about being silent and finally hearing God.

A couple more things - Maybe some (including the minister from years ago) felt I was talking about a laundry list of things I wanted from God and that I only wanted to speak to God about my wants. I don’t think that has ever been the case for me. I just wanted to know God and I was thinking talking to God would be the way to accomplish that goal. And finally, because of trying this whole talking with God thing, I decided that I would seek out someone locally who might be able to help with this journey. We’ll see how it goes.

And finally, thanks for making the suggestions. And for the discussion your blog inspired.

Janie
2/19/2007 3:36 PM | Janie
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 re: Just Cruising the web.

Thanks :)
2/21/2007 5:44 PM | MrJ
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# re: Just Cruising the web.

I wonder how Janie is making out these days?
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