I really don’t have any questions right now, but I just wanted to be one of the first to post a comment on St. Mark’s new blog!

I think Jesus is our best example that we should pray. He had to have had the best relationship of anyone with God and Jesus prayed. In John 17, Jesus prays for his disciples and future believers. Interesting to note that he asked God to protect his disciples from the evil one. Now if Jesus prayed directly for them, you would think that would carry a lot of weight with God. And I believe tradition has it that all of the disciples but John died a nasty death. So did Jesus request for protection get an answer of no. Not at all. God is more interested in our heart condition and our eternal condition and He obviously considered spiritual protection to be the more important thing. I imajine that the disciples didn’t falter spiritually even though they suffered physically. How can we not expect anything less. We are always consumed with concern over the physical needs and problems we have and God doesn’t seem to be as concerned about that as we are, He seems to be more concerned about our spiritual health. God allowed Jesus to suffer for a purpose. Who are we to question God allowing us to suffer even if we don’t know the purpose. If we truly believe that God loves us as much as we say He does then we must believe that God allows things for a reason. Perhaps he allows someone to die to stop their suffering. God sees the big, long term picture, we certainly don’t.

I agree Maria, Prayer is the most intimate and immediate way we can communicate with God any time any place. I love to tarry in John 17, I would love to do an Inductive Bible Study on John 17, it is so powerfully packed with several prayer forms.
Every time I read it I can almost hear Jesus words and the energy, passion and confidence with which he prayed.
Jesus prayed for many things through out this chapter and displays I think, several forms of prayer. I am always amazed that after Jesus glorified God, he prayed for himself. I try to pray for myself….but it soemtimes feels really selfish.
It sounds to me like you are trying to convince yourself of something? Does God allow or not allow some things? Are these things natural consequences of our actions, beliefs or lack there of or even possibly sin in our lives? I guess the bottom line is, Does prayer matter, or change things?

Deborah