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| Author | Topic: God hears every prayer? |
| Trish |
posted 12/26/07 1:06 AM
Getting back to the Lutheran Handbook if we could, on page 92 it says under BE AWARE - God hears every prayer. I don't remember being taught that. Is it a problem of definition (hears vs listens) or am I missing something? One of the references I am going by is Psalm 66 (esp vs 18). Any comments? Thanks! |
| Pastor |
posted 1/2/08 3:25 PM
I think God hears and knows all things, as a part of our understanding of God being omniscient (an attribute of God we make our confirmation students learn). However, as Psalm 66 conveys, God is not obligated to respond, or be moved by our prayers. The most notable example is of St. Paul who wanted physical healing, and prays three times to God only to find that God will not help- 2 Corinthians 12:7 ff. I think the larger warning from the Lutheran Handbook has to do with in our prayers our true nature being revealed. As we pray for material things we are shown to be shallow and selfish. We pray for people hoping God will do something so that we do not have to help them. We pray to hold on to people, not always wanting what is best for them, but what is least painful for us. "The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well;" -James 5:15. It is to say that the prayer of the righteous has power. Much like the understanding of praying in Jesus name, which means more than simply adding "in Jesus name we pray" at the end of our prayer. It means living as a child of God. It means bearing that name, and not being ashamed of being a Christian. It means wanting the things that Jesus wants. Then we pray in his name and we have "influence" with God. Hope this helps. |
| Trish |
posted 1/3/08 12:46 AM
Yes, it helps some - I've also started reading "What Luther Says" about prayer - quite a lot to absorb there! Thanks! |
| nina baum |
posted 1/5/08 9:51 AM
thank you pastor eric for reminding me about prayers and why we pray. nina baum |
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