In Reply to: Re: yeah.. posted by porceleindoll on August 20, 2004 at 02:47:57:
from my reading it seems that words like "all" and "whatsoever" etc in the context of these statements were examples of a form of speech common in the language of the jewish community at the time, an exaggeration to make a point, called hyperbole, not intended to be taken strictly literally. clearly jesus knew he could not entrust his disciples w/ the power to instantly call out for anytrhing that popped into their heads (or that samaritan village woulda been toast), and their prayers in fact for a variety of reasons were not always effective (such as the demon they could not cast out). but he was rather trying to enlarge their vision for the power of prayer.
elsewhere we learn a little more about the fine print, such as the caveat in john's epistle "if we ask anything according to his will". jesus himself says he does only that which he sees the father do. personally the prayers i've found most effective are those of which i had the most confidence of what god's will was. (altho i've made some royal booboos in that regard as well.) but knowing his will seems to grow out of relationship w/ the father, and this is built by getting to know his nature. "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of god". the WHOLE revelation, not promise box snippets that can almost get to be fortune cookie sayings! imo.