Tuesday, November 08, 2005

If we aren't careful, is it possible for solid theology to keep us from viewing God as involved and intimate in some areas?


The question mark is there because I am curious...meaning I wouldn't mind some responses.
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3 comments:

spartacus21 said...

hmmm...

3:02 AM
Brent said...

yes

3:56 PM
Stephanie said...

Alrighty. I know that you explained more of what you meant by that question to me several days ago, and I've been meaning to say something but I've been busy. And I kinda forgot. haha... sorry :( I also know that you actually wanted more than one-word responses, and since prayer was actually a topic of discussion with me and some friends just two days before you posted your question on your blog, I have some thoughts on it (with scripture!). This is totally disorganized, by the way, so try and follow along. Here we go...

We can be "prayer pessimists" and see the expectation to pray merely as an obligation or we can be "prayer optimists" who view the command to pray as an opportunity to receive the mercy and grace of God. The Bible commands us to pray (1 Thess 5:17-18; Phil 4:6), so it's not like God isn't expecting us to present our requests to Him. We are His creation in which He finds constant joy in what we do, including hearing our prayer requests, concerns, and thanksgiving. However, prayer should not just be viewed as a divine command, but also a royal invitation. God hears everything we pray about (1 John 5:14). God will give us what we need, when we need it, when we ask for it (Matt. 7:7-8). And sometimes we can pray about something, but the outcome may not be what we expect, because it's not a part of God's timing and there are still lessons to be learned (2 Cor. 12:7-10). I also believe that prayer is not just one-sided. I see it as a way that God uses to convict us about things in our lives. Through those convictions, we start to transform our thinking into that of His, therefore making His will become ours.

Did any of that make sense? Because I think I just confused myself... haha.

11:53 PM

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