What is wrong in the Prayer request forum when the person requesting Prayer want to control how the spirit moves the members to respond.

[Jay Ross]

I have noticed over the years that members who ask for prayer do not want the Holy Spirit to prompt other members when they respond to the prayer request.

Often, we see the same pray request repeated time after time.

When people respond as the Holy Spirit leads them, then that poster is often chastised for asking question or praying in a manner that is contrary to the what the person, making the prayer request, wants or desires.

Often the originator of the prayer request refuses to answer these legitimate questions by claiming that it is a pray forum and not a discussion forum.

If a member persists to ask question to help them in clarifying how they should pray, then the originator of the thread will ask the Moderators to remove those "offensive" posts from the thread and as such they are controlling how a person should respond. In fact, with this behaviour, they have committed the sin of turning away from God and His counsel given by other members of this forum. They have replaced God and only chose what they want to accept as being suitable for themselves. They have begun to act God like.

What do other members of this forum think of this behaviour of a number of members on this forum.

Shalom

 

[Debp]

I think that godly counsel should be allowed in the prayer forum. Or sometimes there might be a question....such as how has the situation progressed. I don't see anything wrong about this.

When posts keep getting removed because they contain some counseling or a question, it seems to stifle the Holy Spirit's leading in one's answers.

 

[quietthinker]

I have noticed over the years that members who ask for prayer do not want the Holy Spirit to prompt other members when they respond to the prayer request.

Often, we see the same pray request repeated time after time.

When people respond as the Holy Spirit leads them, then that poster is often chastised for asking question or praying in a manner that is contrary to the what the person, making the prayer request, wants or desires.

Often the originator of the prayer request refuses to answer these legitimate questions by claiming that it is a pray forum and not a discussion forum.

If a member persists to ask question to help them in clarifying how they should pray, then the originator of the thread will ask the Moderators to remove those "offensive" posts from the thread and as such they are controlling how a person should respond. In fact, with this behaviour, they have committed the sin of turning away from God and His counsel given by other members of this forum. They have replaced God and only chose what they want to accept as being suitable for themselves. They have begun to act God like.

What do other members of this forum think of this behaviour of a number of members on this forum.

Shalom

Self centred immaturity clearly stands out.

 

[Debp]

Self centred immaturity clearly stands out.

I agree because most Christians do welcome some insight from other believers.

 

[shepherdsword]

I have noticed over the years that members who ask for prayer do not want the Holy Spirit to prompt other members when they respond to the prayer request.

Often, we see the same pray request repeated time after time.

When people respond as the Holy Spirit leads them, then that poster is often chastised for asking question or praying in a manner that is contrary to the what the person, making the prayer request, wants or desires.

If you are being led by the Spirit why do you need to ask a question?

Often the originator of the prayer request refuses to answer these legitimate questions by claiming that it is a pray forum and not a discussion forum.

It is not a discussion forum. Asking questions that could lead to debate are discouraged.

If a member persists to ask question to help them in clarifying how they should pray, then the originator of the thread will ask the Moderators to remove those "offensive" posts from the thread and as such they are controlling how a person should respond. In fact, with this behaviour, they have committed the sin of turning away from God and His counsel given by other members of this forum. They have replaced God and only chose what they want to accept as being suitable for themselves. They have begun to act God like.

This is a bit confusing. On one hand you say you need information on what to pray for the requester. On the other you claim that the Mods are rejecting your "Godly" council and acting Godlike. How do you have any council at all if you don't even know what to pray?

What do other members of this forum think of this behaviour of a number of members on this forum.

Shalom

I think it's time to pray and not try to start a reform of the prayer forum guildines.
Blessings

 

[Jay Ross]

If you are being led by the Spirit why do you need to ask a question?

It is not a discussion forum. Asking questions that could lead to debate are discouraged.

This is a bit confusing. On one hand you say you need information on what to pray for the requester. On the other you claim that the Mods are rejecting your "Godly" council and acting Godlike. How do you have any council at all if you don't even know what to pray?

I think it's time to pray and not try to start a reform of the prayer forum guidelines.
Blessings

I was posting my "Global observations" of what has been happening in the Prayer forum. I am not the only one who have asked questions of the persons who have made a request for prayer.

My experience is that if I do not pray in the way that the person requests, then I am often called a "bad person" and should apologise to that person.

Recently I posted in another member's prayer request and after a while all of my posts and another member's posts were deleted as being "off topic" by a moderator. Now I have not questioned their "responsibility" for the moderating of the forum, but from where I sit, "wokeness" has entered this forum and is now influencing how we can/should post/openly pray.

As to your claim that I have inferred that the Mods are acting "God Like," that is a misrepresentation of what I had posted in this thread. But if I point out your misrepresentation of my post, am I entering into a debate with you? Certainly not, I am just pointing out your misrepresentation of what I have posted in this thread.

Now if I follow the direction of the person requesting prayer for a particular need, then if I am not careful, then I will be acting "God Like," telling God what to do so that the prayer requestor will have the outcome that they desire.

Acting God like/turning away from God, is a line in the sand that we can all easily step over without realising it. This sin is not as easily observable, for example like, worshipping Idols, or stealing or fornication etc. and we will ask for forgiveness for these observable sins which are all a manifestation of our primary sin of our turning away from God and beginning to act, "God Like," but not repent of "our primary sin" of turning away from God.

When we turn away from God and begin to act God like, we lose our moral compass, and the other sins quickly manifest themselves in our lives to warn us that we have turned away from God. Satan tells us that we only have to focus on repenting of the manifested sins that occur after turning away from God and not that we need repent of our primary sin of having turned away from God.

All of the manifested sins have consequences that require "fixing" and we need to ask for forgiveness from the people who we have trespassed against. We will also have to forgive them for their actions against us when they retaliate against us for our manifested sins against them.

Believe me, there is a whole can of worms when it comes to us sinning because of our lack of understanding of this subject matter.

Shalom

 

[Angelina]

If you want to give godly counsel, you can pm the member directly. I'm sure members would be interested in what others have to say, but it does not mean it should be an ongoing public discussion. The prayer forum is simply for that, prayer. You can ask questions for sure, but only to ensure you have the correct understanding of the said prayer request. Why is this even an issue?

 

[GTW27]

If you want to give godly counsel, you can pm the member directly. I'm sure members would be interested in what others have to say, but it does not mean it should be an ongoing public discussion. The prayer forum is simply for that, prayer. You can ask questions for sure, but only to ensure you have the correct understanding of the said prayer request. Why is this even an issue?

"Why is this even an issue?" Because there are some here that suspect something is amiss. And there is.

 

[Jay Ross]

If you want to give godly counsel, you can pm the member directly. I'm sure members would be interested in what others have to say, but it does not mean it should be an ongoing public discussion. The prayer forum is simply for that, prayer. You can ask questions for sure, but only to ensure you have the correct understanding of the said prayer request. Why is this even an issue?

Angelina, if you review what I normally post, initially in the prayer request forum, it is usually to "Ask God to include that member among those whom He is drawing to Himself so that they can know of His Loving embrace, His peace within their soul and His purposes for their life."

I usually refrain from giving any direct council. That is a God responsibility unless God prompts otherwise.

In this thread a number of posts have been deleted which highlighted my concerns. If the member who made those posts requested that they be deleted, so be it, they have that "right" to make that request.

However, when there have been many threads opened by the same person, with the same OP thrust, I would question why the other members' prayers have not been effective, or if they have, why only for a short time period, when the same prayer request is repeated once again for more prayer on the same subject matter.

Perhaps it is time for all of the responding members on this forum to prayer requests to review their actions with God to see if they need to change their approach.

I had hoped that this thread would have generated more open and honest discussion. Sadly, it has not.

Shalom

 

[Angelina]

"Why is this even an issue?" Because there are some here that suspect something is amiss. And there is.

What is amiss @GTW27?

 

[Angelina]

However, when there have been many threads opened by the same person, with the same OP thrust, I would question why the other members' prayers have not been effective, or if they have, why only for a short time period, when the same prayer request is repeated once again for more prayer on the same subject matter.

Perhaps it is time for all of the responding members on this forum to prayer requests to review their actions with God to see if they need to change their approach.

I had hoped that this thread would have generated more open and honest discussion. Sadly, it has not.

Okay, let's say then that the person requesting that prayer has not asked the Lord him or herself, and the issue is really about the relationship with the Lord that they had not sought him out for themselves first. Perhaps there are other reasons why those prayers have not been answered yet, or it may be about waiting. Or are you talking about something else? I personally approach prayer by reading it and then praying for their needs immediately or just letting them know that I am praying. What is wrong with this approach?

 

[GTW27]

What is amiss @GTW27?

Has not The Lord shown you what is amiss sis.?

 

[Jay Ross]

Okay, let's say then that the person requesting that prayer has not asked the Lord him or herself, and the issue is really about the relationship with the Lord that they had not sought him out for themselves first. Perhaps there are other reasons why those prayers have not been answered yet, or it may be about waiting. Or are you talking about something else? I personally approach prayer by reading it and then praying for their needs immediately or just letting them know that I am praying. What is wrong with this approach?

An ex-Hindu who became a pastor came up with the statement, "Pray Until Something Happens." So, I asked him two questions: -

1. If God has decided to do nothing, has something happened?
2. If God fulfills your request, then "who" is God?

Psalm 37 tells us this: -

Psalm 37:1-11: –– The Heritage of the Righteous

and the Calamity of the Wicked​

A Psalm of David.​

​

37:1 Do not fret because of evildoers,​

Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.​

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,​

And wither as the green herb.​

​

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;​

Dwell in the earth, and verily you shall be feed as part of His flock.​

4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,​

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.​

​

5 Commit your way to the Lord,​

Trust also in Him,​

And He shall bring it to pass.​

6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,​

And your justice as the noonday.​

​

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;​

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,​

Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.​

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;​

Do not fret — it only causes harm.​

​

9 For evildoers shall be cut off;​

But those who wait on the Lord,​

They shall inherit the earth.​

10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;​

Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,​

But it shall be no more.​

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,​

And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.​

If we delight in the Lord, then our desires will align with God's desires for us and God will give us these desires.

I am not seeing this.

 

[Angelina]

An ex-Hindu who became a pastor came up with the state, "Pray Until Something Happens." So, I asked him two questions: -

1. If God has decided to do nothing, has something happened?
2. If God fulfills your request, then "who" is God?

Psalm 37 tells us this: -

Psalm 37:1-11: –– The Heritage of the Righteous

and the Calamity of the Wicked​

A Psalm of David.​

​

37:1 Do not fret because of evildoers,​

Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.​

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,​

And wither as the green herb.​

​

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;​

Dwell in the earth, and verily you shall be feed as part of His flock.​

4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,​

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.​

​

5 Commit your way to the Lord,​

Trust also in Him,​

And He shall bring it to pass.​

6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,​

And your justice as the noonday.​

​

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;​

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,​

Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.​

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;​

Do not fret — it only causes harm.​

​

9 For evildoers shall be cut off;​

But those who wait on the Lord,​

They shall inherit the earth.​

10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;​

Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,​

But it shall be no more.​

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,​

And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.​

If we delight in the Lord, then our desires will align with God's desires for us and God will give us these desires.

I am not seeing this.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding your premise here. What has this got to do with the prayer forum?

 

[Dan Clarkston]

What is wrong in the Prayer request forum when the person requesting Prayer want to control how the spirit moves the members to respond.

Maybe they just need to pray for themselves...

 

[Angelina]

An ex-Hindu who became a pastor came up with the state, "Pray Until Something Happens." So, I asked him two questions: -

1. If God has decided to do nothing, has something happened?
2. If God fulfills your request, then "who" is God?

Psalm 37 tells us this: -

Psalm 37:1-11: –– The Heritage of the Righteous

and the Calamity of the Wicked​

A Psalm of David.​

​

37:1 Do not fret because of evildoers,​

Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.​

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,​

And wither as the green herb.​

​

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;​

Dwell in the earth, and verily you shall be feed as part of His flock.​

4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,​

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.​

​

5 Commit your way to the Lord,​

Trust also in Him,​

And He shall bring it to pass.​

6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,​

And your justice as the noonday.​

​

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;​

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,​

Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.​

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;​

Do not fret — it only causes harm.​

​

9 For evildoers shall be cut off;​

But those who wait on the Lord,​

They shall inherit the earth.​

10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;​

Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,​

But it shall be no more.​

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,​

And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.​

If we delight in the Lord, then our desires will align with God's desires for us and God will give us these desires.

I am not seeing this.

Oh, I think I know what you're saying now, brother @Jay Ross. There's nothing we can do except just pray for them, and perhaps they will eventually work it out for themselves. Be blessed!

This reminds me of a story the pastor told us about a young man who would go up every Sunday at church for the altar call of those who want to be saved. Eventually they will understand because God is talking all the time. We just can't always hear him.

 

[Lambano]

And sometimes, someone will request prayer just to know that others out there actually give a damn.

 

[Jay Ross]

And sometimes, someone will request prayer just to know that others out there actually give a damn.

This may be true, but with the level of discernment of those that may reply will also leave that person worse off because the responders are often responding for their own benefit rather than for the benefit of the person making the prayer request.

 

[doctrox]

...with the level of discernment of those that may reply will also leave that person worse off because the responders are often responding for their own benefit rather than for the benefit of the person making the prayer request.

Would we not be unanimous in our estimation that a great number who frequent sites similar to this are "walking disorderly" (2 Thes. 3:6) - believers and posers alike?

Believers do have a charge:

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us; For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. (2 Thes. 3:6-9).

Unfortunately, we cannot assume that every poster is a "brother."

Largely it's the tares (but not always) who go back and forth saying 'you see what he/she said? Don't you think that's atrocious?' They can then take the response and send it all around until they've stirred up "certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar." (Acts 17:5). And these tares can be very subtle in their ravaging of their prey. In the ensuing turmoil, they then seek to capitalize on it by insinuating themselves as the defenders of truth.

Unfortunately, unwary believers are easily sucked into this repetitive maelstrom that seems to present a clear case of good versus evil. But truth is the first casualty of war, and in the spiritual warfare that is raging even now, the Christian forum genre has become a stronghold of Satan. Indeed, there seems to be a spirit associated with the very concept - thus I choose to avoid that unsavory arena on the internet unless directed otherwise by my Master.

Even though such forums are a very economical and inexpensive way to communicate, the spiritual price tag is very high. The sad truth is, the forums reduce everything to its lowest common denominator and the world's Christians are poorer for it.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Mat. 10:16).

Proceed accordingly.