Question About Prayer

[Timothy524]

A Christian co-worker hinted some doubts she had about prayer one day that troubled me because I did not have a good reply for her to alleviate her doubt. Recently, these doubts entered in my head today when I was about to pray for a job for my mother.

Long story short, there is a full-time position she would like at a company she has worked at for the past 5 years. She is a great work and does all that she can for the company. Today I was going to start praying on a regular basis that she would get this position. Then I thought to myself, God will work out things however he sees fit. God gives us what we need. This is when I thought, well my prayer is pointless then (basically what my co-worker alluded to on the day we had our conversation and I did not have a good answer for her.)

Part of me is also reminded of a conversation my ex-girlfriend and I had a long time ago. She told me that if she prayed for something and it didn’t come true, she worried that it would rob her of whatever little faith that resonated in her heart. Especially when in Matthew it talks about asking and receiving…how your heavenly Father will provide for all of your needs. What kind of father hands his son a snake when he asks for bread.

Can someone on here please provide me with some guidance back towards the importance of prayer and how and why it does have an effect? Scripture passages and likewise evidence would be most appreciated.Thank you.

 

[ProVobis]

If you’re asking for prayer,

PATER NOSTER,
qui es in caelis,
sanctificetur nomen tuum.
Adveniat regnum tuum.
Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra.
Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie,
et dimitte nobis debita nostra
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris.
Et ne nos inducas in tentationem,
sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

 

[tawny]

Praying to the Holy Spirit to give you guidance & direction in your time of need.

 

[dee_burk]

Can someone on here please provide me with some guidance back towards the importance of prayer and how and why it does have an effect? Scripture passages and likewise evidence would be most appreciated.Thank you.

Paul himself said to “pray constantly”, Jesus prayed many times. We have to remember prayer is not just about praying to get something, prayer is about that relationship whereby we can talk to God. Prayer is like sitting down with a friend and having an open discussion.
And just because we dont get what we pray for is no reason to NOT pray, we dont know what the future does or could have held, God knows things we dont.

There was job i wanted once and someone else got the position, i was very mad and disappointed that i wasnt selected, i felt i was better qualified for the position. About 6 months later i found out some really disturbing information about the problems in this department and the new super was really having a lot of issues with some employees and her hands were tied. She was miserable. WOW…God protected me from that situation by not giving me what i wanted.

 

[Vic_Taltrees_UK]

God writes straight, in crooked lines. It’s vital for your colleague to not get attached to specific outcomes but place herself in God’s hands.

 

[China123]

Praying for you.

Prayer is conversation. Sometimes I ask for things, sometimes I praise God, sometimes I just talk and tell Him about my day. It’s like talking to your best friend.

 

[BeautyFromAshes]

Think about the passage from Matthew you mentioned.

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!

The son in the analogy is ASKING for the bread and fish. Then it says that our Father will give to those who ASK Him. I believe that He wants us to make the first move, rather than just providing for people who don’t have the faith to ask of Him.