GIC
Full Member
Joined: 02 Mar 2001
Posts: 102
Location: IL.
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 Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2001 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Let's say you're going on a trip. You are afraid of flying. You tell a Christian friend with great faith about this. They tell you the Bible says to pray about this and God will hear your prayers. Then you tell your other friend with the gift of prophesy. She says, the Bible says, God already knows the outcome, don't worry about it. Does God change His mind? Or can you pray yourself out of it. Or since God knows the outcome for our lives, Why pray? I am stumped. :confused: Is there anyone out there with a clear answer? Thanks for your help! |
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Susan
Newbie
Joined: 12 Apr 2001
Posts: 6
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2001 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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That's a very interesting question, and one I've also thought about. I think that God wants us to pray so that we draw closer to him. I think it's more to bring our will in line with His, than to change his mind. If we pray about something, we're also praying about our being able to handle whatever happens.
I'm not saying that I don't believe our prayers have an impact on what happens here on earth. Does God "change His mind"? An interesting question... My husband, whose taste in reading is more to the intellectual side than mine, read a book on that subject that he liked. And of course I can't remember the name of it! ;-o It was a Christian book, though.
I'm interested in hearing other people's ideas!
Your sister in Christ,
Susan |
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Linda
Newbie
Joined: 23 Apr 2001
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2001 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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Here's my best shot:
If this situation was me, here's what I'd do:
To the friend with great faith, I'd say, "thank you for the encouragement to trust God in all things."
To the prophetic friend, I'd say, "thank you for reminding me that God is in control."
Then, I'd move along to my own gifts, (which have been confirmed to be that of decernment/evangelism), and say, "neither great faith nor prophesy will address the real issue at stake here, which is my FEAR of flying! I already KNOW that God will hear my prayers, and I already KNOW that God knows all things. But, I can read my own hearts' longing reflected in this Psalm:
"I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live...Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yes, our God is compassionate; The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me...I shall pay my vows to the Lord, oh may it be in the presence of all His people..." (Psalm 115)
I'd find COMFORT in knowing He not only hears MY voice, but that He turns His ear to hear ME!! He is compassionate, He saves, He considers my thoughts/fears, and I ought to honor Him with a serving, trusting heart, AS LONG AS I LIVE.
Then, as my little SIMPLE heart has always found confidence, strength and courage from, I'd read this verse to remind myself of my responsibility:
"What does the Lord require of me, but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk HUMBLY with Thy God". (Micah 6:8)
I'd get on the plane with the TRUST that I know is true, the FAITH that He is with me wherever I go, and PROMISE that He will never leave me nor forsake me (past, present & futuree are addressed here!) "Hopefully", I'd come home from the trip with a great suntan, a few souveneirs, and a lot of great memories! Mostly, though, I'd like to come back knowing my faith was tried, tested, and nurtured to bring it one step higher in its USE. Faith without a USE is of no gain.
What a great trip this could be!
By the way, I have a fear of flying, and we are going to fly soon, so this was a great moment of reflection for me, too!
Blessings, Linda |
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