Prayers and intentions

[jason3477]

So when we pray for people or for our own intentions, how do we know when to stop praying for the intentions?

And/or how do we know when God has answered our intentions/prayers?

 

[Thankfulness]

I think when the prayers are answered and the situation past, a thread poster could respectfully post on the thread thanking God, and contact the moderator to have the thread closed. I have observed when a post says the prayer is answered and the person has recovered or whatever, but afterwards people keep posting even a long time later. This happens especially with multi-page threads. The person concerned should in courtesy contact the appropriate moderator and have the thread closed so others can concentrate on newer prayer intentions. I have often thought that when viewing the forum.

As for intentions that don’t have a clear answer, maybe a time comes when we should trust in God’s time.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

So when we pray for people or for our own intentions, how do we know when to stop praying for the intentions?

And/or how do we know when God has answered our intentions/prayers?

I do not know how to answer you questions but I tell you a person prayed 25 years for an intention never got and St. Monica 15 years (?) for the conversion of the future St. Augustine, her son, which happened.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Mark 11:24
"Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.”

From this, I note that in order for prayer to be effective one must a) believe you will receive it, and b) not hold any grudges against anyone.

Note that you “will” receive it if you believe. That means you should believe even before you receive the results.

So I say if you meet both criteria, there is really no need to pray again. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t; it just means you don’t need to. I don’t think it hurts to pray again, especially if you feel your faith is stronger or your heart is more forgiving than the last time you prayed.

As far as I’m concerned, if I were to take God at His word, then once I pray in a state of having forgiven others and belief I will receive it, then I won’t pray for it any more as far as getting it, but will pray in thanksgiving for having received it – whether or not I’ve seen the physical manifestations of that answer.

But that’s just my own opinions; your mileage may vary.

Alan