Originally posted by darvlayThe prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Is God more likely to answer a relatively trivial prayer that concerns the well-being of one singular Christian than to answer a prayer that positively affects an entire nation of suffering people?
If so, why would God sooner answer an "easy" prayer than answer a "hard" prayer?
Originally posted by FreakyKBHThat's super.
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Would a thousand of these righteous men praying together for God to intervene on a macroscopic level yield any results? Has God limited himself, by choice as DragonFiend has stated, to only reveal himself in microscopic and relatively trivial situations?
Originally posted by NordlysI'm not a big fan of praying for parking spaces. However, God is pretty emphatic about keeping our minds stayed on Him, to be constantly praying about all things.
Does that mean that righteous men only pray for petty personal favours?
In that regard, I'd say the righteous man (which is the pre-requisite), is likely a pretty upbeat guy about most things in life. Lucky him, huh?
Originally posted by darvlayThe real question is, are there a thousand righteous believers?
That's super.
Would a thousand of these righteous men praying together for God to intervene on a macroscopic level yield any results? Has God limited himself, by choice as DragonFiend has stated, to only reveal himself in microscopic and relatively trivial situations?
Or, better, am I among them?
If no concession there, what am I to do about the macroscopic situations?
Originally posted by FreakyKBHI sincerely hope so. If not, Heaven will be a pretty empty and depressing place.
The real question is, are there a thousand righteous believers?
Or, better, am I among them?
Remember Revelation: "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth."
Better get righteous, Freaky.
Originally posted by darvlayThe verse quoted had to do with experientially, not positionally.
I sincerely hope so. If not, Heaven will be a pretty empty and depressing place.
Remember Revelation: "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth."
Better get righteous, Freaky.
Heaven will be full of folks lacking in personal righteousness, but admitted because of their positional righteousness, in Christ (not that anyone will be there because of their personal integrity, mind you).
Working on it, baby, working on it!
Originally posted by FreakyKBHMy point was not that a righteous man should never pray for petty personal favours, but I would expect him to pray for some important and big things as well. And I would expect that God listens to those prayers at least as much as to the personal ones.
I'm not a big fan of praying for parking spaces. However, God is pretty emphatic about keeping our minds stayed on Him, to be constantly praying about all things.
In that regard, I'd say the righteous man (which is the pre-requisite), is likely a pretty upbeat guy about most things in life. Lucky him, huh?
Originally posted by FreakyKBHYou could ask DragonFriend to pray. He must be a righteous man, because God heard his prayer and helped him break a pillar.
The real question is, are there a thousand righteous believers?
Or, better, am I among them?
If no concession there, what am I to do about the macroscopic situations?
Originally posted by NordlysDo Chrsitians really believe that God cannot handle such big prayers or else he may tip the delicate balance from a planet of free willed heathens to a planet of God-fearing automatons? Somebody tell me this isn't true!
My point was not that a righteous man should never pray for petty personal favours, but I would expect him to pray for some important and big things as well. And I would expect that God listens to those prayers at least as much as to the personal ones.
Originally posted by darvlayThere are examples in the bible where people prayed for pretty big things and had their wishes granted. Maybe God has just become tired of all those requests and decided to concentrate on fixing broken bicycle seats and helping students with their homework.
Do Chrsitians really believe that God cannot handle such big prayers or else he may tip the delicate balance from a planet of free willed heathens to a planet of God-fearing automatons? Somebody tell me this isn't true!
Originally posted by NordlysThat's a great point, Noodles. I wonder when exactly God decided that Humanity as a whole wasn't worth his time and that assisting with menial tasks was the wave of the future?
There are examples in the bible where people prayed for pretty big things and had their wishes granted. Maybe God has just become tired of all those requests and decided to concentrate on fixing broken bicycle seats and helping students with their homework.
Originally posted by darvlayNo.
Is God more likely to answer a relatively trivial prayer that concerns the well-being of one singular Christian than to answer a prayer that positively affects an entire nation of suffering people?
Every prayer is answered - but the answer is always the one you need, rather than the one you seek.