Psalm 51:17
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« on: June 10, 2013, 10:38:02 pm » |
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Yes! Exactly!
From someone who's been in this false modern-day church system for almost my entire life - I can attest to the fact that they have NO idea what prayer is.
For example, the average pastor thinks he HAS to get down on his knees for at least 1 hour a day to put out prayers to God, even if they have to force themselves to do so. Another pastor once said, "Prayer is sweat".
I could go on and on, but let's step back to see what the scriptures has to say...
1The_5:17 Pray without ceasing.
People(including myself) have interpreted it saying "Pray all the time". But does it REALLY mean this?
Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
John_14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
James_1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
People(especially myself) tend to jump to conclusions even after ONE little verse, like 1 The 5:17. Again, we have to divide the word of truth when looking at the words "without ceasing". Look at these 6 other scriptures above that further explains it(at least from what I see).
And scripture has this...
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
1John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
You see - "without ceasing" can't mean "we have to pray all the time" b/c scripture also says our flesh wars against the Spirit, and if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and have made God a liar. You see the point?
And another reason why it's not "Pray all the time"?
Ecc 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. Ecc 5:3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.
And how can people cut down their prayer times? Simple, STOP praying for the world! I hear people all the time that they're praying for family and friends that they'll find jobs, over their well-beings, that they'll get saved, etc. And some of these people they pray for to get jobs(for example) are lost! And yes, while we should pray that all get saved, if these people continue to be stubborn and hard hearted, then there comes a point to just move on...
John_17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
1Cor 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 1Co 5:2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 1Co 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 1Co 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Jer 14:10 Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins. Jer 14:11 Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.
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