In Reply to: Prayer posted by Seldom pray on November 03, 2002 at 14:29:46:
Growing up, I never prayed much. I was taught that God had everything planned ahead of time, and it didn't matter how you prayed, it wouldn't change anything.... after all, if God planned everything ahead of time, you couldn't change anything through prayer.
I must admit that the Family did teach me to pray. I don't open up prayer with the "Thank you Jesus" thing though.
I firmly believe now that Prayer changes things, and have seen God answer prayer in a bible study group I go to. It'a amazing how He answers prayer.
If I have trouble knowing what to say in prayer I just repeat a request over and over again. Jesus talked about a woman who approached a king every day, asking a request of him. The parable ends in saying that the king finally answered her request, not because he cared if she got the answer or not, but more because he didn't want to be bothered by the woman any longer. I've found that if one approaches God continually in prayer about a request, that He will answer eventually--- in His own way of course.