BlueDreams Posted February 14, 2015 Posted February 14, 2015 I don't think that the prayer circle is meant to be a form of personal prayer, or a means whereby we directly receive personal revelation. The prayer circle is about communal prayer. We act in unity and love with those with us in the circle. It's part of becoming one with those around you, in thought and in action, so that the group may be prepared to enter into oneness with the Father and the Son in the Celestial Kingdom (hence it's placement before the veil). Agree 100% In fact I think that the scriptural equivalence for this is best foun in 3 Nephi 19: 24 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus prayed unto the Father, he came unto his disciples, and behold, they did still continue, without ceasing, to pray unto him; and they did not amultiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should bpray, and they were filled with desire. 25 And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his acountenance did smile upon them, and the light of hisbcountenance did cshine upon them, and behold they were as dwhite as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof. 26 And Jesus said unto them: Pray on; nevertheless they did not cease to pray. 27 And he turned from them again, and went a little way off and bowed himself to the earth; and he prayed again unto the Father, saying: 28 Father, I thank thee that thou hast apurified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me. The prayer circle is a prayer of deep union, representing the sanctification and creation of Zion: without animosity, linked together in equity and purpose, and entrenched in all manifestations of Christ's power. With luv,BD 4
Avatar4321 Posted February 14, 2015 Posted February 14, 2015 What is mighty prayer and how does it differ from regular prayer.
JLHPROF Posted February 14, 2015 Author Posted February 14, 2015 What is mighty prayer and how does it differ from regular prayer. In my opinion mighty prayer refers to what we are taught in the temple. But there is nothing to prove that. The scriptures also frequently pair it with fasting.
Avatar4321 Posted February 14, 2015 Posted February 14, 2015 Moroni mentioned might prayer in Moroni 2:2"And he called them by name, saying: Ye shall call on the Father in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this ye shall have power that to him upon whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine apostles."I don't think this necessarily means temple prayer. This was to get power though.Does anyone know how mighty prayer differs from prayer?
Avatar4321 Posted February 15, 2015 Posted February 15, 2015 Another question, was mighty prayer possible before the temple prayer was restored?
JLHPROF Posted February 15, 2015 Author Posted February 15, 2015 The prayer circle is a prayer of deep union, representing the sanctification and creation of Zion: without animosity, linked together in equity and purpose, and entrenched in all manifestations of Christ's power. Does anyone know how mighty prayer differs from prayer? I attended a session yesterday. I completely agree with BD about the circle. But further to our discussion of mighty prayer, I wonder if there is a difference between a prayer circle (where many people unite in prayer for one purpose, a "deep union") and offering up mighty prayers using the signs as an individual? The quotes provided in the OP seem to indicate that temple prayer can be used both individually to see revelation AND collectively for unity in a prayer circle? I may be wrong on the subject, and I am certainly not advocating making something as special as this kind of prayer into something that gets used by all endowed members for all prayers. But perhaps this kind of prayer encompasses both individually seeking, knocking and approaching the throne of God AND uniting our prayers in the circle. Anyway, just a thought I had after a session yesterday...
DragonLancer Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 (edited) I recall a somewhat recent General Conference talk that may be of help here for those who may be looking for some kind of "substitute" for doing the true order of prayer on your own in your own house, since those are no longer authorized. I can't remember who gave it precisely, but my mentioning it here may help someone else identify it for me. I think it may have been Elder Holland, but I'm not sure. I don't know where to find this talk, so if anyone remembers from my description of it about who gave it and when, please chime in. I remember something to the effect that he said that he was away from his family on a business trip or something and unable to be a part of an endowment that they were participating in. But that he knew exactly when they would be in there. And so he ran through the endowment step by step in his mind, and visualized himself performing the things in it and everything at the exact same time his family members were. And he said it was one of the most powerful experiences he had where he was able to join in with his family in an endowment even though he was not present. My point is, why is it so necessary for someone to perform the true order of prayer in their homes and have an altar there when they are free to perform it through visualization no matter where they are? If it was such a powerful experience for this person giving the conference talk, I don't see why people cannot perform it through visualization and meditation privately, mentally, without performing the actual actions or speaking words with their physical body. I can't imagine that the Church would have an issue with this practice of doing it in one's own mind. Edited February 17, 2015 by DragonLancer
HappyJackWagon Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 Is it possible we make things much more complicated than we should? -Prayer circle versus mighty prayer, unified with others or individual tokens and signs etc. Why would a God who loves his children and wants them to communicate with him place so many barriers between him and them? An additional test of faith? Why wouldn't he hear the most simple, sincere prayer just the same as an elaborate, ritualized prayer? I think we often add layer after layer of process, procedure, ritual, and behavior to prove a level of worthiness that really can't be proven. This seems very pharisaical to me and totally unnecessary at best, harmful at worst. If we are pure in heart, seeking with real intent we should pray, opening our hearts to God, unfettered by the rules of appropriate language and process.
JLHPROF Posted February 17, 2015 Author Posted February 17, 2015 Is it possible we make things much more complicated than we should? -Prayer circle versus mighty prayer, unified with others or individual tokens and signs etc. Why would a God who loves his children and wants them to communicate with him place so many barriers between him and them? An additional test of faith? Why wouldn't he hear the most simple, sincere prayer just the same as an elaborate, ritualized prayer? I think we often add layer after layer of process, procedure, ritual, and behavior to prove a level of worthiness that really can't be proven. This seems very pharisaical to me and totally unnecessary at best, harmful at worst. If we are pure in heart, seeking with real intent we should pray, opening our hearts to God, unfettered by the rules of appropriate language and process. You'd have to ask the prophets who taught that God recognizes temple prayer in a different way than standard prayer.It's the same principle as why God recognizes priesthood healings in a different way from faith healings.It's the same principle as why God recognizes eternal marriages in a different way from civil marriages.It's the same principle as why God recognizes priesthood baptisms in a different way from sectarian baptism. For those who have studied the second anointings one of the blessings of that ordinance is supposed to be an even more sure guarantee of having prayers answered than those who have not. Why does God esteem certain prayers higher? Because those offering them are demonstrating that they have received more authority from him. Hierarchy, orders, and levels are a key part of Mormon teachings, from priesthood, to the temple, to the Godhead. All are NOT equal before God, but because God is no respecter of persons he gives all the opportunity to move higher.It may seem Pharisaical, but it is also doctrinal.
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