Prayer: When God seems to say "No" (Matthew 6:7-8)

[Greg, TheNET Coordinator]

I've just read an article by John Godson in Lausanne World Pulse online magazine called "Persevering Prayer". In the article, Godson sites five Bible passages talking about how we should pray and not give up: Luke 18:1-8, Genesis 32:24-28, Mark 10:46-52, Matthew 15:22-28, Luke 11:5-8.

My question is this, Why do you think this kind of praying pleases God? Why doesn't this bother him (like nagging children so often bother us)? Why would God seemingly say "no" and then say "yes"?

How do we explain the relationship between these verses and Matthew 6:7-8?

"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

Any thoughts?

[swtswan]

You can, ask God for her to return; If It Is His WILL,(Only),& if it's not his will; Then, ask him to send someone else that he believes will be good for you & will make you happy,God really wants us to be happy,(Heaven is a happy place!).

[Janet]

Because God wants you to trust in Him and have faith.

[Scribe D'Nucov]

Greg, I would say that the key to that verse is "...like pagans..."

I did some research on pagan prayers in the area where Jesus lived. They were like incantations, or chanting. They used magical words and endless repetitions.

The points Jesus makes about prayer in his many parables seems to be summed up well in the life and writings of James. He speaks twice to issues of prayer and he says we must pray with faith. James was a man known for spending so many hours in prayer that his knees looked like a camel's knees. I take it that he knew that faith and persistence were partners in prayer.

For me, I struggle with this, but God has been teaching me not to cease praying. To continue to pray for many things, even when I don't see answers. I know a woman who prayed for her dad to be saved for 20 years. One week before he died, he prayed to receive Christ. I believe that her persistence in prayer is what broke through the hardness of his heart.

I know that my wife's daily prayers for me have been vital in softening my own heart over the years.

So pray without ceasing! Make your requests known to God. By prayer and supplication, with thanks giving - you shall move mountains (of darkness, unbelief, sin, oppression and more).

Why? I don't know why. I do know Jesus said to do it. I guess he knows why.

[Greg, TheNET Coordinator]

Hey, everyone! I really appreciate what each of your wrote. Everything was good and helpful. I'm going to meditate on what you've written. Thank you for the encouragement to my prayer life and hopefully to others that read this.

To summarize what you wrote, it appears to all come down to the words in the Nike ad: "Just Do It."

[swtswan]

I have to leave soon for the night;but will get back in the a.m. (This is a GOOD one!~) Had many prayers answered through intercessary praying/trevailing,One I saw it as though in living color/like it was happening before my eyes.(and I was wide awake @ the time,I got confirmation from asking my husband about a vision,I witnessed) He said every detail,because it happened to him(he almost died,)And a Spirit (must have been showed me what would happen) well I'll tell you later,it's good!...Love in christ---;--;{(@