Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: geoff@pmafire.inel.gov (Geoff Allen) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: The Power of Prayer Message-ID: Date: 19 Mar 91 04:25:29 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: WINCO Computer Engineering, INEL, Idaho Lines: 47 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu Haven't seen any follow-ups yet, so here goes! sierra@cis.ohio-state.edu (German Sierra) writes: >Does anyone believe in the power of prayer? Yes. >And how does someone go about achieving it? Well, depending on what you mean here, it looks like you're seeking the wrong thing. Prayer isn't some magic genie to give us anything we want. And ``the power of prayer'' isn't something that *we* achieve. The power of prayer is simply the power of God. Prayer is simply how we relate to him. Prayer is more than asking for things. Much more. I don't spend all my time with my wife asking her for things, and neither should we spend all our time with God asking for things. Talk to him. Like he's right there with you (since he is). Remember, The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:2d-3 So what should we ask for? Enough food to live (Mt. 6:11), forgiveness (I John 1:9), God's plan and kingdom and glory (Mt. 6:10, 6:33), whatever we may *need* (not want), and especially others (including what we need to be able to minister to them). Prayer isn't a magic potion to give you health, wealth and happiness. But it is a chance to communicate with the eternal, living God, and it's wonderful! -- Geoff Allen \ Since we live by the Spirit, uunet!pmafire!geoff \ let us keep in step with the Spirit. geoff@pmafire.inel.gov \ -- Gal. 5:25 (NIV)