inquiringmind Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) The Topic Title may be an attention getter, but my question has to do with prayer, difficulty praying, and troubling or distracting thoughts while praying.I was reading Joseph Smith--History 1:15.Joseph was attacked while praying, and delivered when he exerted all his strength to call upon God.Since this was the first time he had prayed vocally, immediately before the first vision, and when he was very young, I suppose he may not have been praying properly (and it doesn't even say he was praying in the name of Jesus, but I would assume he was, because of his Christian background, and the fact that it was a passage in the New Testament that had led him to the grove.)My question is whether it might be expedient to open prayer in the name of Jesus, instead of only closing our prayers in the name of Jesus?Could Joseph have avoided this demonic assault by starting "in the name of Jesus"?Could we avoid demonic assault (and/or distracting, troubling, or worldly thoughts) while praying, if we started with the name of Jesus (instead of just ending with it)? Edited May 17, 2012 by inquiringmind
CASteinman Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Could Joseph have avoided this demonic assault by starting "in the name of Jesus"?Interesting Question! I will be watching this to see what answers there are. I am unable to answer, being a total noob when it comes to demonic assault during prayer. I am literally clueless in terms of experience with this and so I have never thought about it. But it is a rather dramatic title and did get my attention!
inquiringmind Posted May 17, 2012 Author Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) Interesting Question! I will be watching this to see what answers there are. I am unable to answer, being a total noob when it comes to demonic assault during prayer. I am literally clueless in terms of experience with this and so I have never thought about it. But it is a rather dramatic title and did get my attention!Demonic assault is an extreme (I think.)Have you ever experienced any difficulty praying?Any distracting or disturbing thoughts?Any mental static?Any difficulty concentrating?Should all this (and any demonic assault, like Joseph apparently experienced) be avoidable by simply opening our prayers "in the name of Jesus"? Edited May 17, 2012 by inquiringmind
inquiringmind Posted May 17, 2012 Author Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) Short answer--noLong answer -- noThat's what I kinda thought, but why? Edited May 17, 2012 by inquiringmind
mfbukowski Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Well we are taught to begin in the name of Heavenly Father- I mean I hate to have him pull rank or anything, but I think he could handle any situation the savior could -- But that said, even beginning that way, it can happen, and yes I have had that problem myself. It seems to me I have seen a quote about it somewhere but I am not sure where.
CASteinman Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Have you ever experienced any difficulty praying?I think the worst is being sleepy. And yes. I have had that experience quite a bit. But because I sort of pray out loud, I never really find myself getting distracted.
inquiringmind Posted May 17, 2012 Author Posted May 17, 2012 Well we are taught to begin in the name of Heavenly Father- I mean I hate to have him pull rank or anything, but I think he could handle any situation the savior could -- But that said, even beginning that way, it can happen, and yes I have had that problem myself. It seems to me I have seen a quote about it somewhere but I am not sure where.Thank you.If you come upon that quote, would you please post it here?
TAO Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) Have you ever experienced any difficulty praying?Any distracting or disturbing thoughts?Any mental static?Any difficulty concentrating?Yes to all. I have wierd feelings about it, actually. There are thoughts inside my head (or so they seem) that try to block the Spirit... I can tell I'm being blocked usually, and that the Spirit is still there... it's just behind a wall. Usually after trying a few things, I can grasp onto the Spirit, and prevent the distracting things from bothering me any more. Once I get a hold, it's usually much easier to hold on to the Spirit I need for prayer. =)Should all this (and any demonic assault, like Joseph apparently experienced) be avoidable by simply opening our prayers "in the name of Jesus"?I dunno. I haven't had as much success with that one. I guess for me, prayer is about connecting with the divine, and asking for guidance, so I'm more worried that I can feel that Heavenly Father and/or Jesus Christ is there at the time. Their... feeling... gives me comfort and stability, and I can pray as I need to, I find.I'm not sure this is a good things or not though, but I suspect it isn't such a bad thing either lol.You will have to discover what works for you, that you will. Keep working at it! It is worth it! I know it! Edited May 17, 2012 by TAO
Darren10 Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Short answer--noLong answer -- noI do agree. I think Satan wanted to, and did, try everything he could to stop Joseph from praying. And, of course, God allowed Satan to do all he could short of overpowering Joseph beyond that which Joseph could bear.
The Nehor Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Could Joseph have avoided this demonic assault by starting "in the name of Jesus"?No.Could we avoid demonic assault (and/or distracting, troubling, or worldly thoughts) while praying, if we started with the name of Jesus (instead of just ending with it)?Probably not. The few times I've dealt with similar situations the remedy is to expel the evil spirits not to take precautions beforehand. Reciting a name to repel demons would be as silly as kneeling in a summoning circle with protective runes and probably as effective.
Log Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) Joseph couldn't start praying, even, to say the name of Christ, before he was bound; and he was not released until he exerted all his powers to pray.Demonic assaults are, I believe, largely unforeseen.Reciting a name to repel demons would be as silly as kneeling in a summoning circle with protective runes and probably as effective.Even if the name is that of Jesus Christ, our Master? I have to part ways with ya there. Edited May 17, 2012 by Log
The Nehor Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Even if the name is that of Jesus Christ, our Master? I have to part ways with ya there.The New Testament has an interesting account of people trying to cast out devils using just a name:"Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took on them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded."So just saying the name isn't enough.
Log Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) Yeah, you have to say it in a manly bass voice - demons aren't impressed by tenors. But, seriously, you have to have faith in Christ as well. Those individuals clearly did not. . Edited May 17, 2012 by Log
Monster Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 We would do better to eliminate the concept of demons from our faith and religion. Stories of such are no more than ghost stories to scare children and adults who are susceptible to such.
CV75 Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Could we avoid demonic assault (and/or distracting, troubling, or worldly thoughts) while praying, if we started with the name of Jesus (instead of just ending with it)?No more than we can avoid any other kind or timing or situation of interference from the adversary. Sometimes we are successful, sometimes we are not. Most often the Lord permits opposition. We "stand in holy places " and receive His deliverance and strength as needed.Prefacing or approaching prayer with reverent attitude or prondering is a very wise thing to do, and if thinking upon the name of Jesus, or saying something like "In the name of Jesus I pray unot thee, Heavenly Father" may help some people accomplish this. I see no harm in starting off a prayer with these words.
The Nehor Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 We would do better to eliminate the concept of demons from our faith and religion. Stories of such are no more than ghost stories to scare children and adults who are susceptible to such.I would only want them removed if they don't exist rather then for the psychological health of our members. I imagine removing the concept of hell would also help to avoid scaring people. Same thing if we stopped telling children they could get run over if they run into the street. Lying to make people feel safe is almost always counterproductive.I believe they do exist so I don't want them eliminated. I also don't think they are worth fearing though.
CV75 Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Should all this (and any demonic assault, like Joseph apparently experienced) be avoidable by simply opening our prayers "in the name of Jesus"?No, because His name is not magical.
altersteve Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Joseph was "attacked" by Satan while praying because Satan really, really, really, really, really, really didn't want that prayer to happen. Not because Joseph didn't say "in the name of Jesus" at the beginning.
mfbukowski Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Yeah, you have to say it in a manly bass voice - demons aren't impressed by tenors. And you should know!
mfbukowski Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) We would do better to eliminate the concept of demons from our faith and religion. Stories of such are no more than ghost stories to scare children and adults who are susceptible to such.Ah yes, another romantic story.I suppose I could call for a CFR but just think about what you would say if I did. Edited May 17, 2012 by mfbukowski
Monster Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 I would only want them removed if they don't exist rather then for the psychological health of our members. I imagine removing the concept of hell would also help to avoid scaring people. Same thing if we stopped telling children they could get run over if they run into the street. Lying to make people feel safe is almost always counterproductive.I believe they do exist so I don't want them eliminated. I also don't think they are worth fearing though.I find ignoring such concepts leads to a much more fulfilling life. No more looking under the bed to see what is there.
blackstrap Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Is a dust bunny a form of demon? If so,I have quite a collection of demons under my bed.
The Nehor Posted May 18, 2012 Posted May 18, 2012 I find ignoring such concepts leads to a much more fulfilling life. No more looking under the bed to see what is there.I personally try not to care what would lead to the most fulfilling life. I want to know the truth even if it is of no help at all or is depressing.And if you are petrified of demons you are probably going with the medieval conception of them as vast powerful beings which I do not believe.
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