Judson, Thanks for a great reflection. Unfortunately, there are those that preach that unanswered prayers are a result of sin or a failure to pray "rightly", which as you imply is absolutely wrong. There is no improper prayer because we have the help of the Holy Spirit which makes what may be improper, proper. (Romans 8:26) You also make the point of the fate of the angels being sealed. It is not that they do not have free will, they did/do. It is that having full knowledge of God's plan, at the moment God created the Heavens, they rejected the service God required of them. Unlike us, because they have full knowledge, they know exactly what they are choosing when they made their choice, there is no turning back. Anyway, again, great reflection!
First for what it is worth, I say amen to your whole reflection! If I may add a word to how I finally learned to pray, here goes. A huge part of my life, when I prayed I prayed in details which basically was telling God what to do and how to do it. Some spiritual advisors in my life actually suggested I pray this way, as it showed faith. I swallowed that hook line and sinker. Thus when a prayer was answered I didn't realize it, because my details were often never used by God. He did it His way which is best, of course, despite my opinions. Finally I learned to present the problem and finally say "not will but your will be done". I was basically saying here it is God, you take care of it. Use me anyway you will or not at all! Works quite well!
Thanks. I think my prayer evolution was similar. I've never been detail oriented at all really.... I'm more the absent minded eccentric type. But, I know it was more my will than thine.
Judson, Thanks for a great reflection. Unfortunately, there are those that preach that unanswered prayers are a result of sin or a failure to pray "rightly", which as you imply is absolutely wrong. There is no improper prayer because we have the help of the Holy Spirit which makes what may be improper, proper. (Romans 8:26) You also make the point of the fate of the angels being sealed. It is not that they do not have free will, they did/do. It is that having full knowledge of God's plan, at the moment God created the Heavens, they rejected the service God required of them. Unlike us, because they have full knowledge, they know exactly what they are choosing when they made their choice, there is no turning back. Anyway, again, great reflection!
Thanks. You are correct I should have been more clear on that point. Oddly enough, I forgot I even wrote it!
First for what it is worth, I say amen to your whole reflection! If I may add a word to how I finally learned to pray, here goes. A huge part of my life, when I prayed I prayed in details which basically was telling God what to do and how to do it. Some spiritual advisors in my life actually suggested I pray this way, as it showed faith. I swallowed that hook line and sinker. Thus when a prayer was answered I didn't realize it, because my details were often never used by God. He did it His way which is best, of course, despite my opinions. Finally I learned to present the problem and finally say "not will but your will be done". I was basically saying here it is God, you take care of it. Use me anyway you will or not at all! Works quite well!
Thanks. I think my prayer evolution was similar. I've never been detail oriented at all really.... I'm more the absent minded eccentric type. But, I know it was more my will than thine.
I think we all prefer our will, and must be on guard against it.