Is Prayer futile?

If God already knows what is going to be in our lives, why do we pray? Will our prayers change what God has already planned for us? What about the people who claim God answered their prayers because a loved one didn't die; or becuase they themselves were saved from some terrible situation such as abuse or a serious car accident. Does that mean for those who did lose a loved one; or who did get seriously hurt in an automobile accident, that God didn't care enough about them to answer their prayer and keep them safe as he did the others? It upsets me a great deal to hear people say, "I know God loves me because He protected me from being abused." or "I know God is watching out for my child because He had me walk into the room just as he nearly hung himself on the cord." Again I ask. Does that mean God didn't love the one who was abused? Does He care less for the mother of the child who did hang himself on a cord? If God already has His will for us set out, why pray for healing, or for a sick loved one, or for protection in a harmful situation? These questions lead me to believe that prayer is about us. Not God. Prayer is showing us that we need God, no matter the answer. The answer or no answer to a prayer isn't what is important. It is the fact that when we go to God in prayer, we are reminding ourselves that we need God. If we didn't, why are we praying? Why not take care of the situation ourselves? Also, by going to God in prayer, we are admitting we believe He exists. God doesn't need my prayers. He already knows what I need. He knows what I feel. God knows all about me. If you doubt this,read
Psalm 139. It is I who needs prayer. To be humbled. Prayer is about praising God for who He is, not what he does.I may not understand why I pray at times. I may question whether or not God cares or will answer according to my will. But what I do know is He is listening and if I believe that, then I must believe He exists. When it comes to prayer, God's will be done!

Can a Christian be "petty"?

Once again I was confronted with making a decision to stand up for truth or let it alone. Shame brought me to my senses. A group of us were on our annual Christmas tree cutting. Two of us are believers. We were joined by a young lady fresh out of college who is a faithful Catholic. I saw this young lady's faith in action. Mary, (a ficticious name)a fellow believer who comes every year,once again cut down a small tree for her dining room table. About four feet in height. Every year Mary,who is a Seventh Day Adventist, cuts down an extra tree. And every year it bothers me. This year the young lady spoke up and told Mary what she did was wrong. It was stealing. I wanted to hug and kiss the young lady! I was also embarassed at my lack of courage to stand up to Mary over the years we had been cutting trees together. Mary's responce surprised me. "Cutting down a small tree isn't a sin." I could not hold it back, I spoke up. (finally). I told the young lady I was in complete agreement with her and that I admired and respected her faithfulness to God. I could tell I had made an enemy out of Mary. She said we were making a big deal over nothing. Later that afternoon I heard her blatantly use our Lord's name in vain. I could not help but wonder if perhaps she was no longer a believer and that is why she was acting so disrespectful towards God. I also found myself upset. Was I being petty? Did it matter to God whether or not I took an extra tree? If it wasn't wrong, why were they hiding it under the bigger trees? Is stealing only stealing if it is in a large capacity? Would Jesus say, "Oh, thats ok. it's just a small sin."? I don't think so. As a matter of fact, I think it is very clear that stealing is wrong and also unwholesome talk. Eph.4:28 says "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. and verse 29 states, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." I cannot judge Mary, I can only humbly admit that I too can blend in with non-believers when I give Satan a foot hold. I am also once again reminded of how important it is to be in His word and around fellow believers who are mature in their faith and trying to live the way our Lord wants. I am not expecting perfection. But where do we draw the line of complacency and truth? Is it possible for a Christian to be "petty" when it comes to doing wrong, no matter the size of the wrong-doing?

being in the world, but not of the world..

Being in the world but not of the world. This has been on my mind for some time now and recently it has been very bothersome.It is becoming more and more difficult for me to know who is a Christian and who is not at work, in the stores, on the phone, doesn't matter where I am I cannot honestly tell the majority of the time if I am talking to a fellow Christian or a non-believer. How this saddens my spirit. I am hungry to hear about Jesus and what He is doing in people's lives, or what He has done to cause one to love Him and believe in Him. I thirst for other believers to stand out so I can talk to them about Jesus and my own struggles with faith or my excitement in the ways I see Him working in my spirit. But what I find are Christians wanting to talk about worldly things, problems they are having with family members or co-workers, etc. Is this bad? No,not necessarily; but what I find discouraging is that Jesus is never brought into these conversations. I am made to feel embarassed when I bring him up or ask one if they would like to pray on the topic. "Not here, its too public" or "I already did" are the two most freguent answers I get. Why would we want to "stand out" by praying in public where others can see us. I find myself uncomfortable praying at the dinner table with my husband because he is a non-beleiver. However I have chosen to do it just the same. Perhaps if I live my faith it will cause him to want what I have; inner spiritual strength and peace. However, as I trudge this Christian walk alone I find my strength and inner peace wavering. I wonder if we really believe what we say we do. Seems to me I would be more confident in my faith if others were willing to share theirs with me. I know I am responsible for my own faith. I also know it is up to me if I choose to believe or not. But I also believe strongly that we would all believe and be encouraged to live differently among non-believers if we didn't feel we were doing it alone. Didn't Jesus send his Apostles in pairs out into the world? Didn't He himself need his Apostle's support when he was struggling before he was arrested? So why should we not need one another? I have decided once and for all no more excuses; I want to look, act and be different from the world. No matter how lonely it may feel at times, no matter how uncomfortable or disliked I become; I want to know and experience what be a true believer is like. Perhaps by living these things myself, I will meet other's who believe or feel as I do. I hope so.