(June 15, 2010 at 12:23 pm)J.R. Braden Wrote: That's actually a question I was trained to handle when I was a Christian.
*puts on Jesus hat* God gave us free will, and a true Christian does not pray to change God's plan, rather to listen to what God's plan may be and make his choices based on God's response. Those who plead with God to alter His plans do not understand the meaning of prayer. That is why prayer is not like a service where you can request a cancer cure or a winning lottery ticket and expect to get what you ask--God is not Santa Claus--rather, it's like talking to a supremely wise therapist who knows what is best for you and can help lead you to the right way to exercise your free will.
Why would someone need to be taught to give an answer to a question like prayer. Did they (who ever they are) not believe you knew what prayer was ? Did you not understand what prayer was ? By your answer I do not think you did or do, prayer is part of our personal relationship with God, God has made Himself personally avalible to those who have received His Son as their savior. We may ask of Him anything but that does not mean it will always be given, there are those things that God knows is not good for us and those things that are against His will and then there are those things that are just foolish to ask for. This leading us thing to exercise our free will how can that be free will. It is there for us to make choices right or wrong this is one way in which we are able to learn. Sometimes prayer can be used just to talk with God about anything no matter how simple or difficult a thing may be. Prayer is also used to praise God to thank Him and to worship Him. Prayer is avalible for some good ol' one on one with our friend our constant companion. I'm sorry some one taught you that prayer was just a religious exercise when it truly is so much more.
God loves those who believe and those who do not and the same goes for me, you have no choice in this matter. That puts the matter of total free will to rest.
