#WhyJesusHatesPrayers - His Very Own Words (a #BibleStudy #VerseByVerse #WordByWord) - Spirit vs. #Flesh | @prayerDotOrg
'That word' (below-hyperlinked to one of the main sources of 'unreal hope') is built on an even-deeper source ... something crucial that firms the foundation upon which our lexicon stands ...
The word “Flesh” (& #Fleshly #Fleshy #Fleshless #Fleshpot #FullFleshed #Fleshing #Fleshed) is built on the same foundation as ancient words that mean "the |Pork, Bacon"—possibly "piece of |Meat Torn off the Bone" (to Clothe with Flesh, Reward with Flesh to make the |Hunting |Animal Eager to Hunt Some More).
The word that's translated "Flesh" in the quote below (you might need to scroll down to see it) is σὰρξ (sarx) and could also have been translated "the Body, Human |Nature, |Materialism, |Kindred"
My Christian friends—they're Christian in the 'just sit back and trust and let the good things happen'-sense. And it makes me sick whenever they post one o` those "With God's help, nothing is impossible"-memes ... I just ...
... because ... something He said to His disciples (in two of The Gospels, both revisiting the time Jesus left His Disciples for a minute (to go pray, I think) and returned to catch them sleeping):
watch, and pray, that ye may not enter into temptation: the spirit indeed is forward, but the flesh weak.' (Matthew 26:41)
Watch ye and pray, that ye may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is forward, but the flesh weak.' (Mark 14:38)
I'm using Young's Literal Translation, which uses "forward"
where the King James Version uses the "willing" that we're
up'–I was caught by one 'ball of wet clay begging
for a molding' ...
Now, back to the study ...
What 'riles me up' about all those 'trust in God to make everything okay'-memes is ... something they don't seem to mention—that it requires the pray-er to take & use the 'gifts God gives' (which are only 'strength' and/or 'wisdom' required to know whether the other material things should be taken & used-or-shared by you).
And–for all the 'spiritual power' we're hoping-for–the only 'spiritual' gift we receive is the patience, wisdom and (what 'the world' would call) "luck" we need in order to get Fleshly Fortune!
I guess I can understand people's use of prayer as a way to 'cautiously think things over before they get too hasty (and take on more responsibilities than they have the power to handle)'; but ... I guess they open the door too wide, wide enough to let all kinds of sweet-talking demons in.
But my statement at the top–that Jesus hates prayers–lemme explain ...
Of-course, 'something in you' is saying, "That can't possibly be true! Jesus loves all His brothers & sisters who pray 'in His name,' and He tells His disciples to pray together!" And that's what Jesus hates—that people take several definitions of 'prayer' as the same thing.
The one I think Jesus chose is 'a private conversation with God.' In fact, when He instructed us How To Pray, He specified that we do it 'in a private-room, WITH THE DOOR SHUT!'
But too-often I see people talking about 'prayers' as if they're "notes of encouragement" or "things that I can 'send your way' to strengthen you in your struggles"–'good vibes' or 'thoughtful thoughts' or something. And I do want my brothers- & sisters-in-Christ to 'feel good about doing the will of Our Heavenly Father'–to step out on the water without worrying about 'gravity' & 'surface tension' & 'foot placement' & 'weight distribution' etc.–
but it isn't 'prayer' that takes care of ... Wait a minute (you're thinking right-now), doesn't "having said one's prayers" make one 'sure enough to proceed without worrying'? Maybe that's the reason-why people think of prayers-for-others as "something they can give"—no, prayers aren't 'physical things you can supply' (like fuel or firewood or kindling or matchsticks for the fire);
but ... they're like 'the programmers having written this blog-program': since I know they've 'communicated with the interface to "give the necessary acknowledgment-credence to the necessary gatekeepers" (i.e. using the agreed-upon words in the passcodes to make these simple words into the complex code that gets to your machine where it's translated back into our simple words), I don't even have to worry about all that complexity ... not more than 'just being thankful for the grace of those who do take care of all the complexity!'
For instance: when people are sick, and say 'they need our prayers' ... no, they need to know that they are 'all prayed-up'—that things are going exactly according to plan, and that all they need to do now is rest & relax & keep doing as their caretakers advise (eat right, exercise as much as they need to, sleep as they need to, etc.); and be patient, and they'll just get better.
... but The Flesh is Weak—sometimes caretakers & friends & 'even doctors sometimes' (why they call their offices 'just practice'—why you'll never find a doctor's "performance" in the Yellow Pages) are Wrong! My case (and several of my fellow TBI-survivors' cases) is an example of that—doctors were saying that I'd never be more than vegetative on life-support, then that I'd never talk again, -that I'd never use my arms again, -that I'd never walk again ... and they're glad to be wrong on all those counts!
What I'm saying here is: yes, 'prayer' assures you that all the things you can't influence are taken-care-of by unseen powers (usually humans who love you or -who support peaceful life in general); but your responsibilities aren't taken away by prayer!
But my statement at the top–that Jesus hates prayers–lemme explain ...
Of-course, 'something in you' is saying, "That can't possibly be true! Jesus loves all His brothers & sisters who pray 'in His name,' and He tells His disciples to pray together!" And that's what Jesus hates—that people take several definitions of 'prayer' as the same thing.
The one I think Jesus chose is 'a private conversation with God.' In fact, when He instructed us How To Pray, He specified that we do it 'in a private-room, WITH THE DOOR SHUT!'
But too-often I see people talking about 'prayers' as if they're "notes of encouragement" or "things that I can 'send your way' to strengthen you in your struggles"–'good vibes' or 'thoughtful thoughts' or something. And I do want my brothers- & sisters-in-Christ to 'feel good about doing the will of Our Heavenly Father'–to step out on the water without worrying about 'gravity' & 'surface tension' & 'foot placement' & 'weight distribution' etc.–
but it isn't 'prayer' that takes care of ... Wait a minute (you're thinking right-now), doesn't "having said one's prayers" make one 'sure enough to proceed without worrying'? Maybe that's the reason-why people think of prayers-for-others as "something they can give"—no, prayers aren't 'physical things you can supply' (like fuel or firewood or kindling or matchsticks for the fire);
but ... they're like 'the programmers having written this blog-program': since I know they've 'communicated with the interface to "give the necessary acknowledgment-credence to the necessary gatekeepers" (i.e. using the agreed-upon words in the passcodes to make these simple words into the complex code that gets to your machine where it's translated back into our simple words), I don't even have to worry about all that complexity ... not more than 'just being thankful for the grace of those who do take care of all the complexity!'
For instance: when people are sick, and say 'they need our prayers' ... no, they need to know that they are 'all prayed-up'—that things are going exactly according to plan, and that all they need to do now is rest & relax & keep doing as their caretakers advise (eat right, exercise as much as they need to, sleep as they need to, etc.); and be patient, and they'll just get better.
... but The Flesh is Weak—sometimes caretakers & friends & 'even doctors sometimes' (why they call their offices 'just practice'—why you'll never find a doctor's "performance" in the Yellow Pages) are Wrong! My case (and several of my fellow TBI-survivors' cases) is an example of that—doctors were saying that I'd never be more than vegetative on life-support, then that I'd never talk again, -that I'd never use my arms again, -that I'd never walk again ... and they're glad to be wrong on all those counts!
What I'm saying here is: yes, 'prayer' assures you that all the things you can't influence are taken-care-of by unseen powers (usually humans who love you or -who support peaceful life in general); but your responsibilities aren't taken away by prayer!
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