thatjimguy Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 Hey all been awhileRemembering the talk at conference about asking for something through prayer. Like when he asked for a quarter for a piece of chicken and found one on street. I have a hard time with this since prayers seem to go unanswered to me. Things of much more importance and not unworthy asking for. I know I am not the only one of course and probably by people who are more vigilant and righteous than I am.Is this just really a "power of positive thinking" thing ? I'm not really saying its wrong or anything. I am, however, struggling with the idea that this is anything but that. Thoughts?
Log Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/9.31?lang=eng#30
thatjimguy Posted October 30, 2011 Author Posted October 30, 2011 Sounds good log, but as I mentioned, there are people who are better than I am and do not get thier prayers answered. Also, the idea that prayers are answered only of you do not sin implies that only Jesus himself would ever get prayers answered, since we all do...and still will. Or am I looking at that the wrong way?
Log Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 (edited) Sounds good log, but as I mentioned, there are people who are better than I am and do not get thier prayers answered.That doesn't really matter: http://lds.org/scrip....37?lang=eng#36Also, the idea that prayers are answered only of you do not sin implies that only Jesus himself would ever get prayers answered, since we all do...and still will.Why do you believe that we all sin, and always will? http://lds.org/scrip....33?lang=eng#31Or am I looking at that the wrong way?I think so. The first, and perhaps only, step to getting one's prayers answered is to repent of one's sins with all of one's heart from the depths of humility. Once one is clean, and submissive to the will of God, one's prayers are indeed answered. Of course, that's rather the point of that citation from John, to me. Edited October 30, 2011 by Log
thatjimguy Posted October 30, 2011 Author Posted October 30, 2011 Now you are confusing me a bit. In one hand, I am perfected by the grace of God. On the other, I cannot expect any help unless I repent of all my sins.
Log Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 Now you are confusing me a bit. In one hand, I am perfected by the grace of God. On the other, I cannot expect any help unless I repent of all my sins.And, if you put both hands together... ?
thatjimguy Posted October 30, 2011 Author Posted October 30, 2011 So what I think on those days or weeks when I am doing great but nothing happens or even gets worse then? I know the God does things in his time idea, but doesn't it get a bit circular?
Log Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 Someday you should put all of your heart and soul into praying to receive a remission of your sins, and not stop praying until you receive it. Then see what happens.
CV75 Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 (edited) Hey all been awhileRemembering the talk at conference about asking for something through prayer. Like when he asked for a quarter for a piece of chicken and found one on street. I have a hard time with this since prayers seem to go unanswered to me. Things of much more importance and not unworthy asking for. I know I am not the only one of course and probably by people who are more vigilant and righteous than I am.Is this just really a "power of positive thinking" thing ? I'm not really saying its wrong or anything. I am, however, struggling with the idea that this is anything but that. Thoughts?It seems to me that God answers the prayers of those who would receive the requested blessing in the same spirit the speaker did. While in principle, God's assessment of the merits of the request (His will regarding it) is key to their fulfillment, the relative importance and worthiness of the request, and the vigilance and righteousness of the one praying are not factors to be compared between individuals. Edited October 30, 2011 by CV75
Calm Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 (edited) I think a lot has to do with being in tune with the Lord's Will to begin with....miracles great and small can happen then.But it can take some time to get there and I think some have been blest with a gift of 'instinctually' knowing it and others blest with having to struggle more....the second is a blessing because a sincere seeker in that situation will be constantly going before the Lord to learn and what better use of our time here on earth is there? Edited October 30, 2011 by calmoriah
rpn Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 Sometimes getting what we pray for would not be a blessing. And the issue isn't worthiness so much as whether we have done what is necessary to bind Heavenly Father to give us the blessing. "When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered" by Michael Wilcox helped me to understand this prayer/blessing thing better.
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