Prayer and How It Works

[casabolg]

Prayer - by Aquinas - is a fundamental part of the transformation of the self towards God and from such internal transformation we grow closer to God. Our petitions are not so much done in expectation that they would happen but telling God what we wish of him so give our expectations to him, so to enable and deserve what we are given due to our prayers. Am I understanding that correctly?

How does intercessory prayer work then? One person conforms themselves towards God so another may gain or deserve from it?

What of people who have little chance of achieving what they need to even live? Think of the starving of Africa and the ancient lepers. All cry out for food and for health. Very few receive it. Are those free who received it the truly devout or is it dictated by the necessary freedom of individuals? What is there to possibly gain from prayer for people in these cases?

And of thanking God for something that occurred to us (we got a meal, we had something nice happen, etc) we are thanking God for being the agent that allowed those nice things to occur or thanking God for all being itself, enabling both the nice thing’s elements and the agents who did it to occur?

 

[Trident_H]

Prayer - by Aquinas - is a fundamental part of the transformation of the self towards God and from such internal transformation we grow closer to God. Our petitions are not so much done in expectation that they would happen but telling God what we wish of him so give our expectations to him, so to enable and deserve what we are given due to our prayers. Am I understanding that correctly?

How does intercessory prayer work then? One person conforms themselves towards God so another may gain or deserve from it?

What of people who have little chance of achieving what they need to even live? Think of the starving of Africa and the ancient lepers. All cry out for food and for health. Very few receive it. Are those free who received it the truly devout or is it dictated by the necessary freedom of individuals? What is there to possibly gain from prayer for people in these cases?

And of thanking God for something that occurred to us (we got a meal, we had something nice happen, etc) we are thanking God for being the agent that allowed those nice things to occur or thanking God for all being itself, enabling both the nice thing’s elements and the agents who did it to occur?

I don’t think prayer exactly works that way. I think since God sees everything that will ever happen prayers don’t mean to him what they mean to us. I mean we sit here and think that we can change God’s mind just because we repeat words in our head? I don’t know about that. If God’s mind wasn’t made up about something until we asked that would mean he can’t see the whole future. I think what comes from prayer is God’s solace. It gives us strength when we need it. Telling him that we need to feed our family is not going to have him show up and feed us, but it will give us a bit of peace in that He’ll sort of remind us that knows already. The proof of this is that nothing actually happens until you get up and find a way to feed your family. You might feel inspired or might feel you are being guided or might feel you are on the right track, but that is less God’s hand pushing you there and more him walking with you with a hand on your shoulder. After all, you invited him to come along, right?

So prayer, in my mind, is all about a relationship-building experience. It is like calling one of your parents and complaining about your day, but you don’t expect they will come and sort things out for you. They’ll just give you some warm or kind sentiments that will help motivate you to get things fixed.

I don’t know if that helps. I don’t even know if I’m right. I just think it makes sense.

 

[cjforJesus]

I don’t think prayer exactly works that way. I think since God sees everything that will ever happen prayers don’t mean to him what they mean to us. I mean we sit here and think that we can change God’s mind just because we repeat words in our head? I don’t know about that. If God’s mind wasn’t made up about something until we asked that would mean he can’t see the whole future. I think what comes from prayer is God’s solace. It gives us strength when we need it. Telling him that we need to feed our family is not going to have him show up and feed us, but it will give us a bit of peace in that He’ll sort of remind us that knows already. The proof of this is that nothing actually happens until you get up and find a way to feed your family. You might feel inspired or might feel you are being guided or might feel you are on the right track, but that is less God’s hand pushing you there and more him walking with you with a hand on your shoulder. After all, you invited him to come along, right?

So prayer, in my mind, is all about a relationship-building experience. It is like calling one of your parents and complaining about your day, but you don’t expect they will come and sort things out for you. They’ll just give you some warm or kind sentiments that will help motivate you to get things fixed.

I don’t know if that helps. I don’t even know if I’m right. I just think it makes sense.

This is a very well thought out explanation.

I was just thinking about this aspect of prayer. You petition God for something but since being outside of time and space He knows past present and future in regards to everyone and everything. You cannot change God as He is the same always.

I think prayer is about building a personal relationship and understanding His will.

Now process theologists would disagree and say God does change His mind and grow with His creation,but that is not at all the Catholic belief.

 

[Karen107]

Prayer - by Aquinas - is a fundamental part of the transformation of the self towards God and from such internal transformation we grow closer to God. Our petitions are not so much done in expectation that they would happen but telling God what we wish of him so give our expectations to him, so to enable and deserve what we are given due to our prayers. Am I understanding that correctly?

How does intercessory prayer work then? One person conforms themselves towards God so another may gain or deserve from it?

What of people who have little chance of achieving what they need to even live? Think of the starving of Africa and the ancient lepers. All cry out for food and for health. Very few receive it. Are those free who received it the truly devout or is it dictated by the necessary freedom of individuals? What is there to possibly gain from prayer for people in these cases?

And of thanking God for something that occurred to us (we got a meal, we had something nice happen, etc) we are thanking God for being the agent that allowed those nice things to occur or thanking God for all being itself, enabling both the nice thing’s elements and the agents who did it to occur?

Here’s my thoughts on prayer.

There are different types of prayer… Prayer of adoration, petition, intercession and thanksgiving. All forms are done in the mass and each has it’s own purpose. The more we pray, and take time for prayer, the more it changes us inside and the more it changes us inside, the more it makes us ‘move’ to help others. This is how I see Jesus as transforming us one soul at a time. It is true that Jesus said there will always be poor, but that doesn’t mean we chalk it up to okay, the jobs too great so I do nothing… We do what we can and pray for strength for those who are in a better position to help. Apart from God we are nothing… So we need God to help…

Specifically in prayers in intercession, we are praying for others, whether it is a saint in heaven praying whom God has shown favor upon, or a person on earth who prays for others. If we don’t know what to pray for or whom to pray for, pray to the Holy Spirit who knows. God hears the prayers of the faithful and they avail much. Proverbs 15:29 As one body of Christ, we are part of a bigger body, our family of God, and that is powerful!.. When the family prays together God listens and works through us and we all work for one another to make this place a better place with Gods help. Our purpose in life is to know, love and serve God in this life so we will be happy with Him in the next… And to love and serve God is to love and serve people. God hears the cries of the poor and it is in remembering that that we should understand our responsibility is to help people. I hear Gods voice and He says…God hears the cries of the Poor… God hears the cries of the Poor… Well if God hears the cries of the Poor that means something to me… We are the instruments that God uses to help the poor and we are the hands and feet for God…We say that in mass as a responsorial psalm and it means something… That calls us into 'action!" If God hears the cries of the poor, that says that God is wondering where we are at and why aren’t we helping them?? Whether that means poor in spirit or poor in health or poor in monetary ways…There are needy people all over waiting for us to help them in some way…

Gods work is done in the stillness and the quiet… So even though it seems like prayer might not be working prayer does work… All of a sudden hearts are changed and what seemed like the possible, is truly possible…Never think that prayers don’t work, they do work and they work through us… Prayers changes things.

 

[mikekle]

Ive thought about this often, I remember reading a good piece about this topic long ago, wish I could remember where, and I would post the link.

Basically, it went into the whole “Ask and you shall receive” statement by God, this is not really true, Im not talking about people praying for secular goods, like money, material things, etc. There are people out there suffering without enough food, no roof over their head, some have been praying for years…for JUST the basics, yet NOTHING happens, year after year…nothing. Of course, this does not bode well when it comes to attracting people to the faith.

Then theres people in certain parts of the world, whose lives would be MUCH better off, if they would just have a little rainfall, again, these people have prayed and prayed over long periods of time, yet they still dont even get rain? Im sorry, but that is ridiculous!

I know some people bring up the excuse of ‘Gods time is not our time’, implying it takes God longer to act, but I dont buy into that, Gods time is different, as he resides in a place without time, but he is FULLY aware of our time and how it works in our world, plus when Jesus was hear as a man, many times he acted immediately, proving that it CAN happen.

Im on the fence about this, I still pray everyday, but at only one time in my life where I feel I was answered, even that is debatable though, as I dont for sure if God had anything to do with it…it could have been just secular reasons, I think if it was truly God acting, answering a prayer, we would KNOW for sure.

 

[Trident_H]

This is a very well thought out explanation.

Hey thanks!

I was just thinking about this aspect of prayer. You petition God for something but since being outside of time and space He knows past present and future in regards to everyone and everything. You cannot change God as He is the same always.

I think prayer is about building a personal relationship and understanding His will.

Yeah, exactly.

 

[Evania]

Im on the fence about this, I still pray everyday, but at only one time in my life where I feel I was answered, even that is debatable though, as I dont for sure if God had anything to do with it…it could have been just secular reasons, I think if it was truly God acting, answering a prayer, we would KNOW for sure.

I hear you, friend. However, I think God should be given more glory than that. How could He not get the the credit of your prayer after you prayed and got a favorable outcome?
The mere fact that you woke up, are here, and enjoying life for another day is proof of His Mercy, whether it entered into your mind to pray for that each day or not. As for whether we would KNOW for sure if it is truly God acting when a prayer is answered is not necessarily true. That is in the realm of faith. It can’t be “debated” or scientifically tested. I mean, Jesus walked among us, performed miracles, and was crucified and there were still those who were ignorant, and these were people that walked and talked with God in the flesh! I think it boils down to looking for the small things that we can thank Him for. Gratitude opens our eyes to see the bigger picture. Then you’ll be able to see God’s Hand in answering prayers in your life, and the times He’s anticipated your prayers before you even thought to ask Him.

To God be the Glory!
God Bless!