Can we use the wrong words in prayer?

[Abiding in His Word]

I read this in today's K-House newsletter and it left me with a question. Does God ignore our prayer if we use the wrong words or does He know what we mean and answer the "intended" words?

On November 27, 2010, Amy Joy Hess (one of our writers) piled wood and paper on the burn pile behind her house on her 4.5 acres. She had been renovating her house, and she piled scraps of lumber along with bags of papers she wanted to get rid of. She set the pile on fire, and as the flames rose, she realized she had forgotten to pay attention to the wind. The cold November wind whisked up ashy, burning papers and blew them into the woods near the burn pile. "I am such an idiot," Amy Joy told herself. She knew better than to light a fire when the wind was blowing.

"Dear Lord," Amy Joy prayed fearfully, "Please don't let the woods catch on fire. Please don't let the woods catch on fire." She begged God, "Please calm down the wind. Please calm it down." Nothing changed. The wind continued to blow orange flames toward the trees. Dry leaves at the base of the fire ignited, reminding Amy Joy of the thousands of dry oak leaves in the woods.

"Wait," Amy Joy said to herself, "I'm not praying right." Then she began to remind herself of the truth. "Jesus loves me. Jesus loves me. Jesus loves me," she told herself. "Jesus loves me." She felt her confidence in the love of God for her grow. The fear left. "Jesus cared about me," Amy Joy told us. "He didn't want my woods to burn down. I knew He would keep me safe."

Then, full of confidence in God's love, Amy Joy spoke to the fire and wind, and she said, "In the name of Jesus Christ, calm down."

The change was immediate. "Instantly, the fire just 'whoosh!' went from lion-mode to kitten mode," Amy Joy said. "It didn't simply calm. It was like a giant hand pressed down, and it actually puffed out the sides. The flames relaxed, and there was no wind, and the fire became as docile as you could want. There was a soft blue flame in the middle of glowing red. I was like, 'WOW! Let's try that again!'"

Evidently, according to Amy's story, God didn't answer her first two prayers evidently because she didn't pray right. That's what I'm getting from this account of answered prayer.

What do you think?

[mark s]

Taking this story as face value, I would say it was the faith, not the words that made a difference.

[Keeping Alert]

"Jesus cared about me," Amy Joy told us. "He didn't want my woods to burn down. I knew He would keep me safe."

I wonder about the three statements...

Jesus cared about me - true
He didn't want my woods to burn down - ?
I knew He would keep me safe - ?

I live my life with the thought that Jesus cared about me despite anything...

Just a side thought... otherwise, I would agree with Mark that it was the faith that made the difference rather than the words.

Blessings,
KA

[extravagantchristian]

I've tried commanding things to happen "in the name of Jesus" and it has never worked.

The only prayers that have ever been answered for me are the ones where I talk to God, not my problems.

I know how powerful faith can be. I believe that faith is organic, meaning that faith is located in a specific place in our brains, just like our 5 senses have a spot in our brains. Faith is like our "6th sense" I know that when we pray, it is our belief that takes us to that place in our brain where faith is located. I think that the section of our brain that contains our faith, is connected to the spiritual realm. Like two pieces of fabric held together with one stitch. One fabric is our brain (the physical realm) the other fabric is the spiritual realm and the stitch is our faith (which is organic and can be touched if the brain were to be taken apart) even if it is just the size of a mustard seed.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (substances can be seen and touched)

Or maybe a better analogy would be that our faith it like a door that connects the physical realm to the spiritual, allowing us to go in and out. Then again Jesus said HE was the door, and that whoever finds Him can go in and out and find pastures.

Does the Bible say that we have the power to change things, or does it say that God has the power and we access it through faith that He hears us and wants to help us(in most cases)?

Matthew 17:20
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

[Abiding in His Word]

I'm thinking that the very fact that Amy cried out to the Lord demonstrates her faith in Him. He knows the need regardless of the words we use, doesn't He? Sometimes we don't know how to pray as we ought and all we can do is "groan" before Him.

[Mrs. B]

Can we use the Wrong Words in Prayer?



Faith Activates God.........when we pray we must believe......God Honors Faith....without faith it is impossible to Please Him........We must believe that He is.....and that He is the rewarder of those that dilligently seek Him.....

Fear....Activates satan.......Fear activates the Devil..........Fear is the absents of Faith..
We can not have fear and faith at the same time......


"Dear Lord," Amy Joy prayed fearfully, "Please don't let the woods catch on fire. Please don't let the woods catch on fire." She begged God, "Please calm down the wind. Please calm it down." Nothing changed. The wind continued to blow orange flames toward the trees. Dry leaves at the base of the fire ignited, reminding Amy Joy of the thousands of dry oak leaves in the woods.

She Prayers in fear.....Please don't let the woods catch on fire...
Please don't let the woods catch on fire...
She is Begging God.....
We don't Beg......We Believe.....We act in Faith.....we confess faith......we speak words that are of Faith...
and God Honors Faith......



She first feared......then she reminds herself that God in Jesus Loves Her.....


"Wait," Amy Joy said to herself, "I'm not praying right." Then she began to remind herself of the truth. "Jesus loves me. Jesus loves me. Jesus loves me," she told herself. "Jesus loves me." She felt her confidence in the love of God for her grow. The fear left. "Jesus cared about me," Amy Joy told us. "He didn't want my woods to burn down. I knew He would keep me safe."

Then, full of confidence in God's love, Amy Joy spoke to the fire and wind, and she said, "In the name of Jesus Christ, calm down."


She came to herself.....and
Used Her Faith in Jesus Name......and confessed her faith...
Jesus loves Me
He doesen't want my woods to burn.....
Then She used His Name...
Jesus has given us His Name.......
all must bow to His Name........Nothing is Impossible to Him who believes....
He has given us His Name....and every knee must bow to His Name....Even Satan
Even fire.....even wind.....All power is give to me Jesus said.....You Go......and Preach this Gospel to all Creatures....
all that Believes......in Me In My Name....shall be saved...

He Saves us

We were in a Car....our neighbor bought a New Car and wanted to take us for a ride...
at a red light.....another car did not stop....it was going to hit us......I Cried....JJESUS..
tHE CAR STOPED....STOPED ON A DIME...and we were saved......it would have hit the car we were in right in the door and possible great hurt......but In Jesus Name....the car stopped...

Learn to Use His Name......all power in Heaven and Earth Must Bow to HIS Name....He Only Is Worth to Open the Seals...He has paid our Sin Debt....and He only is Worth.......All Power in Heaven and Earth is Given to us the Church..
In His Name.....The Name of Jesus.....Faith in His Name.......Glory



Jesus Has given us the Believers Power in His Name.....

In Jesus Name.....



Mrs. B

[Keeping Alert]

I am wondering if even if the words said in fear were not heard... i.e. does God really not answer a prayer made in fear rather than in faith?

I have been taught that we are pray in whatever situation to him... we can cry, we can whisper, we can groan, we can wrestle, we can shout, etc

In this situation, God's object lesson was to build up her faith so things happened as it did.

But in another situation, God's purpose may be only to save the person out of a fire... He would stop the fire whatever the type of prayer.

But in another situation, God's purpose may be to teach the person a lesson on dependence on Him... He would not intervene and let the whole house burn down...

And yet in another situation, this is the end of the road for the person... Well done, my good and faithful servant...

Can we not allow God to be sovereign in any of these situatons?

Blessings,
KA

[Abiding in His Word]

I have been taught that we are pray in whatever situation to him... we can cry, we can whisper, we can groan, we can wrestle, we can shout, etc

This is what I believe, KA. Several years ago, I fell from a 12 ft. ladder and landed in such a way that the breath was knocked out of me. I simply couldn't catch my breath! I remember saying in my mind....Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. And with that, my breath returned and after an x-ray, suffered only a minor rib splinter. The point is that I couldn't pray with my mouth let alone think of the words to use. My prayer was only the name of Jesus. And it was immediately answered.

I think of David's prayers with no mention of anything other than just crying out:

Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him And saved him out of all his troubles.

[extravagantchristian]

God is always with us. Always. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me.

God answers all kinds of prayers... prayers of faith, fear, doubt, anxiety. No matter what is swirling around in our minds He is always with us and always knows our prayers, and can answer any one of them any time He wants to.

He wants our faith to grow, and He wants us to learn to pray in faith, but He knows that's not always easy for us. He is our Father, we don't have to worry about did I say the right thing to Him? or did I have enough faith?

[slick]

Hello Gang,

Happy New Year to all!!

According to Romans none of us really know what to say or how to Pray but we see according to Romans 18 that the Spirit interceeds for us in prayer so that our MOTIVES are in view not our words, therefore I would say that the words are less important than the motive or intent of the heart.

ROMANS 8:26-27
"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;"

"and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

When we begin to believe that a certain pattern of words or invocations must be used or a certain syntax, or language style we fall into the trap that our GOD is a genie that bends to our will and desire. this is the lie and occultic trap that the PROSPERITY teachers I.E WORD OF FAITH have fallen into.

Pray with motives that are pure at heart with intent on bringing Glory to JESUS CHRIST always consistant with Gods word ,will & Plan and you will see an amazing amount of answered prayers in spitef our choice of words or style!

GOD-BLESS,
THE BATTLE RAGES TIL THE LION SOON ROARS!
Clarence

[laney]

slick!

[4givenmuch]

Taking this story as face value, I would say it was the faith, not the words that made a difference.

Agreed!

[4givenmuch]

I'm thinking that the very fact that Amy cried out to the Lord demonstrates her faith in Him. He knows the need regardless of the words we use, doesn't He? Sometimes we don't know how to pray as we ought and all we can do is "groan" before Him.

True, although I think there are times we pray, but we don't really believe at that moment God is willing or dare I say able to answer. As we focus on Him and not our problem, our faith becomes stronger. Would He have put the fire out anyway??? Maybe???, but He allowed her faith to grow. Just like Lazarus- could He have healed him before he died? Of course, but He allowed it to happen so all who watch him come forth from the dead and all who read and believe have stronger faith. IMO

[DutchLady]

Lately, with all my personal problems, I have learned one important thing:

Pray for His will to be done. Ask for something and ask God that if it's according to His will, please let it happen. If it does not happen (right away), do not lose faith in God. Do not feel like "God doesn't want to do it for me" and feel miffed or disappointed in Him. You know that when this happens, you doubt Gods (Who is omnipotent and allknowing) decision? Do we really mean to do that?

We should have full 100% trust that Gods will is being done. And because we belong to Him, we should support all decisions He makes. Sure, you can be emotional about the situation itself, but the trust that His will is always the best way to go should always be in your mind. This is faith.
Keep hoping despite cursomstances, don't think yourself a fool to trust in God, and don't doubt if God will let His will be done in the situation. Accept the results. God asks for faith like a child.

I learned that "God can definately do it, but does he want to..? Will He do it for me?" does not cut it if you don't add "May His will be done, and either way, His will shall be done in this situation."

Why do I think this?
- christians that are insulted, persecuted and/or killed because of their faith are huge winners in the eyes of God
- Jesus never struck a man or used any sort of violence to protect His life on earth (in fact he rebuked those who tried to save Him by using violence)
- God wants and expects us to be dependant on Him, wether we're a young one in faith, or someone who is mature in faith. Being dependant on God is not an unhealthy relationship
- God's response to a christian dieing because of his faith in God while he could have defended himself, is not "Why didn't you defend yourself, moron?" but a crown of life, an everlasting reward visible for all! God does not reward the foolish, ya know!

We may not like what happens, it may even kill us, but we need to trust in God 100%. We will never be disappointed in the end. Even if the end is death. Through faith in God, great things can happen. They don't always happen in this life. So we should never resort to ignoring Gods will to survive or act in a critical situation. The will to live should be replaced with the will to live for God.

This may sound crazy and zealous, and maybe it is. It is the truth... but increadibly hard to live by. Probably the hardest thing christians may ever do. I hope to learn this one day and practice it all the time.

1 Cor 9:25-27 "Everyone who Competes for the Prize is temperate (DISCIPLINED) in ALL THINGS. Now they do it to obtain a Perishable CROWN, but we for an IMPERISHABLE (INCORRUPTIBLE) CROWN. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I DISCIPLINE MY BODY AND BRING IT UNTO SUBJECTION, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."