Does repeat prayer cancel out previous ones?
By ChaJudLeoBit
@ChaJudLeoBit (1656)
United States
March 31, 2007 2:21am CST
A friend recently told me about a discussion she heard. A preacher (or something) said that when you pray, you have to have complete faith that God's going to take care of it, in his way and in his time. And to pray the same thing again shows that you didn't have faith in the first prayer and needed to say it again. As if he'll only listen as long as you pray it many times.
This is confusing to me since I pray a lot on the same subject. But I guess since most of my prayers are 'thank-you for taking care of things' type prayers, maybe I'm ok. How do you feel about that? It makes sense, but also makes it sound like your prayers won't be aknowledged because your faith isn't big enough, so you have to keep asking and begging. Hmmm... something to ponder.
2 people like this
9 responses
@Lavera1 (896)
• United States
31 Mar 07
ChaJud, I'v heard that teaching before and I tried to follow it but it caused confusion in my life and God isn't the author of confusiom. Sometimes I do pray over again for prayers I've all ready said. But other times I just praise and thank and worship the Lord for answered prayers.
Sometimes I get anxious when I've prayed for years for loved ones and families and they appear to only get worse so I pray again. But what I've learned to do is to put my trust and confidence in the Lord and trust Him the bring it to pass what I've requested of Him.
Mainly I'd advise you to praise and worship Him more and more and that will build up your faith and scatter the enemy. For praise is comely and from the mothes of babes and sucklings God has ordained praise to still the enemy. So peace be still.
@ChaJudLeoBit (1656)
• United States
6 Apr 07
I wish I knew where that teaching came from. This was the first I had heard of it, but since you have heard it also, I guess it isn't something new. I say 'The Lord's Prayer' the same each time... but maybe it wouldn't count since it's generalized, and this teaching would probably apply to more specific prayers; You think??
@arseniajoaquin (1732)
• Philippines
2 Apr 07
God tells us to pray persistently and unceasingly and request what we need (be specific). Yes, if we repeat and repeat our prayers, it seems that we lack faith but that's what God wants - for us to pray persistently and unceasingly for prayer is one way of worshipping God. The others being reading the Holy Bible which is the best, singing, giving, and taking the Lord's supper.
@phon4u (2215)
• Laos
1 Apr 07
Ones are going to pray to the god, they have a must to clean themselves before praying. They have to concentrate on god(s), so their mind focus on one thing, making your brain free form the other problem.
It makes your heart peaceful and more space on brain.
Praying every day is like watering followers to see them growing at last, you can not see it at once.
God will know what we pray, who we will respect.
How faithful we are to the god! don't worry when you reach the top level you will see and understand more.
The prayers won't be acknowledged are the reason of:
Their faith aren't big enough.(as you said)
Their time has not come yet.
There are still Karma( previous action) the prayers need to clear first(Like the cookies in the computer)too much cookies you can't go into the internet. The more we practice the more successful we are.
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
1 Apr 07
A lot of preachers teach about asking for things and then believing that they are a done deal before you even see evidence of any change happening. It is a good point...practicing our faith (which is believing in things unseen)helps us become stronger in our faith and is a good thing. On the other hand, there is a story in the new testament. A woman was hassling a judge about getting justice for something. She repeatedly went to him again and again. The judge finally became tired of her and helped her just because she was persistant. And asking and begging are two different things.
1 person likes this
@msbyte (219)
• United States
2 Apr 07
Y'shua, (Jesus in English) taught us the Lord's prayer. Rather then repeat it as if it were some kind of magic spell or by using our works to make it "work", we need to say it with our heart, soul and mind. In the Word of YHWH (called God by many) we are told to worship in spirit and in truth. When a person worships in the spirit, they can feel it. Not a physical feeling (though at times it can be), but something beyond the phyisical. Where you know you are truly communicating with God.
When we pray we should not make a "wish list". YHWH is called father. What does a person do when they are young and live at home? They ask advise and seek counsel from there parent(s). They learn from those older than them.
Prayer is the same thing, but more. We seek knowledge, we seek to do the will of YHWH, which is simply to put love above ALL things of this earth. To love ALL people equally, whether they are friend or foe. We give Him thanks for He is good. He loves us even though we can be mean, angry, selfish, self-serving and down right bratty. Especially in our country, America. We have SO many blessings, yet we complain about some of the smallest things. I do not exclude myself from this list. I must admit I love comfort, but I am also so thankful for it! I know that my bed, fridge, electric, car, clothes and shoes, tv, computer, phones etc these are all luxuries. They are the things of kings and queens. Even the extra weight on my body is from lots of luxury. Extra food when so many have barely enough!
We hear these lectures, but so often they just go in one ear and out the other, but we really must count our blessings. A time will come when all of these things will pass away and we will remember the most important blessing of all, love. I would give up everything if I had to choose. Love is the most important.
Even this communication to you is like a prayer. It is a time I have given to YHWH to bring "his kingdom to earth".
@ChaJudLeoBit (1656)
• United States
1 Apr 07
You're right, I remember that story from "GodSpell"! I just feel, how could I possible change my prayer every time?? I have a few prayers I recite a few times a week, I feel that's ok. Plus I have the Lord's Prayer hanging on my wall so I can read it from bed (I DO have it memorised, though!!). So I'm not fond of that teaching...
@gegegelay (933)
• Philippines
31 Mar 07
That's pretty odd, if he's a preacher, he should know that every prayer will always be considered by God, may it be long or short or even "I love you". God never cancels and will never cancel any of our prayers. Praying over and over again over the same thing doesn't make your faith any less. In fact, when you pray over and over again over the same thing or person, it makes you more confident that God will answer it in His own perfect time. It actually increases your faith because you know that you do not rely on yourself and your capabilities. Prayer is powerful. It is our way of communing with God. He doesn't care whether we repeat the same prayer all over again.. AS LONG AS we are sincere and it came from our hearts and not just from our mouths.
@ChaJudLeoBit (1656)
• United States
1 Apr 07
Well, I'm not sure if he was a preacher. Maybe some kindof speaker or something. I don't remember what my friend said. So maybe if he wasn't, then his opinions don't carry as much wight. ????
@ChaJudLeoBit (1656)
• United States
1 Apr 07
By the way... I really like your response. It makes me feel better for repeating myself. I was really confused by this and frustrated. I don't want to feel like there are so many rule!! Besides, the Bible says to say teh Lord's prayer, so if we repeat that over and over, like God told us, it's not a bad thing. So I won't worry about that anymore!
@gegegelay (933)
• Philippines
5 Apr 07
Aaaw.. i'm really touched and i'm glad to be of help. God bless you in your walk with Christ ;)
1 person likes this
@steelmoggy (410)
•
31 Mar 07
I don't believe God is a book-keeper in terms of prayer. Prayer is simply our way of communing with Him, and I think you should just ignore this preacher; I doubt he has any special insight in to the mind of God.
Pray whenever, wherever and however you wish to; the very act of prayer indicates, IMO, you have faith.
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
5 Apr 07
I've already responded, but found myself here again reading answers. Just a reminder, prayer is just talking to God. Talk to Him about anything and everything and often all throughout the day. He wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives, and by us talking to Him more often, we learn to depend upon Him and our faith and fellowship grows in response. Prayer is also praise and prayer is also thanking Him for everything we have. Prayer can be long and prayer can be as simple as Help me, Lord.
@judyt00 (3497)
• Canada
31 Mar 07
Since god is supposed to be all knowing, then really, any prqyer would be an insult, don't you think? Why bother praying at all if god issupposed to know in advance what you need. However, i don't know, since I was told many conflicting things before I stopped believing. And how would some ignorant uneducated preacher know what god wants since he hasn't even generally read the whole book.
