tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876471869713699426.post2435444484365357126..comments2023-06-13T03:52:37.065-07:00Comments on The Seeds You Sow: The Power of PrayerKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01967592779620126459noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876471869713699426.post-33581043173524768932010-02-16T06:09:02.728-08:002010-02-16T06:09:02.728-08:00I read the comment about prayer and felt led to wr...I read the comment about prayer and felt led to write something. First we have to understand one thing, God does not authorize the death, loss, or pain that we experience in this life. He does allow it, but we also have to remember that it was men who introduced that first sin into the world, not God. So God allows sin, because he has given us a way out and the ability to choose a faith in Christ. <br><br>The second thing that we can not forget is that prayer is a petition to God. It is a humble request to the maker of everything you see, touch, smell and experience. Our culture tells us that if we ask for something from anybody and dont get it then there is something wrong with the giver not with the asker. So we can not forget that prayer is humbling approaching the creator of all things and asking for help. The trouble is, God is not a vending machine, insert two prayers and get out whatever it is you wanted. If that kind of God was the God we served I wouldnt want any part in it. God wouldnt have the control, he would be at the mercy of whoever prayed. If God had to answer every prayer we prayed in the moment we prayed it, simply because thats what we wanted, then what would stop people from praying that God would kill their boss so they could get a promotion or praying that God break the legs of the bully at school. People have told me they dont really believe in God because they prayed and the thing they wanted didnt happen, and so now they dont believe in him. That would be like a child standing in the son and dying from the heat and then the mother saying she no longer believes in the son because if the son existed it would have dehydrated her kid. <br><br>The final thing is this. The Bible tells us all things work to the good of those who serve the Lord and are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) <br><br>People quote that verse all of the time. Even people who really dont go to church or have any relationship with God, but they will quote that "All things work to the good" <br><br>The problem with just quoting that is that you cut out the qualifier. All things work to the good of those who 1) Serve the Lord [which means live by the commandments] and 2) Are called according to his purpose. [Have accepted Jesus Christ as the savior of their life and seek after a relationship with him] <br><br>So I believe that the Bible paints a clear picture that prayer works, if we remember that we are humbly requesting and not demanding, and that even in a situation that would seem horrible God can work it out for good if you are living a life that Honors him, and are seeking to follow Jesus.Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07299986652850978271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876471869713699426.post-41704613356331785582010-02-06T18:05:00.402-08:002010-02-06T18:05:00.402-08:00Jessica, I'm not even sure how to answer that....Jessica, I'm not even sure how to answer that. I think I would struggle if something ever happened to our sweet baby and I already worry everyday, but I know that God wouldn't take him without reason and firmly believe that it would be God that chose to take him from us for a reason that we can't possibly understand. Faith is pushing aside our human desire to ask "why" and instead finding ways to work through the hard time to make a greater impact and find a deeper trust in Him. I would love to chat more with you about this, just because I think it's interesting, so maybe we'll have to swap email addresses soon!Kim and Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01967592779620126459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876471869713699426.post-69431998379370091042010-02-06T08:22:02.930-08:002010-02-06T08:22:02.930-08:00How Awesome Kim- what a beautiful postHow Awesome Kim- what a beautiful postChelsea and Joe Brewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16767685978342771555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876471869713699426.post-3537960566100052332010-02-05T19:24:34.415-08:002010-02-05T19:24:34.415-08:00What a beautiful post Kim, your words are so real ...What a beautiful post Kim, your words are so real and encouraging. That sweet baby is so blessed to have you as his mother, you are in my prayers.Leigh Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145565178234798831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876471869713699426.post-49911325549234801292010-02-05T19:21:40.438-08:002010-02-05T19:21:40.438-08:00I'm so glad that your clot is getting better a...I'm so glad that your clot is getting better and that Baby Jake is growing so well--yay! Since you are delving into theological topics, though, I have to ask, what do you make of families that pray earnestly for a loved one's health or a baby's survival, and still lose that person? <br><br>I never really worried about theodicy issues before I was a mother, but now it really concerns me when I pray for my child. If I didn't pray for her health and well-being, I wouldn't blame God if something happened to her, but if I do pray for her and she dies...what should I conclude about God? <br><br>I've been meaning to write a post about this for a while. It's an interesting theological question, with major emotional implications for parents.Jessica Miller Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407283047174143978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876471869713699426.post-77048961713010887062010-02-05T18:49:04.071-08:002010-02-05T18:49:04.071-08:00Beautiful post, Kim. We've been praying for y...Beautiful post, Kim. We've been praying for you and will continue to do so. You're right! It works! I'm so glad that you're doing so much better!Liz Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549586800620411712noreply@blogger.com