I'm insisted that I should pray everyday

[MrCleveland]

I'm not much of a praying man, but I am a Christian since I accept Jesus as my Savior.

But...I was talking to my secretary, she said that I should pray everyday and you'll be blessed with a lot! She also said to read the book called "Draw the Circle" by Mark Batterson, but there's some criticism with the book for being too new aged.

Is there something I'm missing?

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

I'm not much of a praying man, but I am a Christian since I accept Jesus as my Savior.

But...I was talking to my secretary, she said that I should pray everyday and you'll be blessed with a lot! She also said to read the book called "Draw the Circle" by Mark Batterson, but there's some criticism with the book for being too new aged.

Is there something I'm missing?

I'm not sure if you are missing something or if she is---you might want to ask her why something that doesn't teach on "SOUND DOCTRINE" would be a good book to read?

The secretary is correct that the more that you pray--the more blessed (blest) that you become...
I personally don't know much about the book "Draw The Circle" 40-day Prayer Challenge, but do know that it is a follow-up on a book called "The Circle Maker" also by Mark Batterson. Here is a review on 'Draw The Circle":

Rather than focus on “sound doctrine.” Batterson is teaching “fables” to the church. Batterson reinforces this by saying he is in fact teaching “how to pray in a new way” and states “you can’t just read the Bible, you need to start circling the promises..” All of this is with this goal of achieving “big dreams” and having God deliver your desires to you. This “me-centered” approach to the Bible is a hallmark of the Prosperity Gospel heresy. It is a false teaching that misuses Scripture to teach that whatever a Christian desires on Earth, can be theirs, either through faith, giving money to a pastor or some other New Age technique.
When in fact, Jesus Christ instructs to not store up treasures on Earth, but focus on eternal life (which comes through faith in Christ), serving God and our eternal riches in Heaven. But Batterson, like many Pastors today who are “seeker-sensitive” and “emergent” want church to cater to the wants and desires of the world wants to use the Bible as a means of receiving what you want, as soon as possible.

In this case, it is done by “drawing a circle in the sand” or around whatever object it is that a person wants. This is where “discernment” – the ability to distinguish a teaching that is based on the Bible and thus The Word of God, from what is not. This is a very important skill for every Christian and The Circle Maker is a perfect example to demonstrate how believers can be lured and deceived into thinking a teaching is Biblical, when it is not.

http://beginningandend.com/the-circl...in-the-church/

Here is something else I thought you might find interesting

On Being Single: Content in God's Plan
The Single Christian: Living as One in a World of Twos

Living Free Every Day®

Today's Scripture
"Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13 NLT

Thoughts for Today
The mistaken belief that singleness equals rejection can lead to insecurity and depression. If you are experiencing these feelings, it may help to remember that Jesus was always single. Although he never had a marriage relationship, he did have many friends.

The apostle Paul was either single or widowed. Used greatly by God, Paul wrote that his singleness allowed him to have a deeper relationship with God and to serve him more fully (1 Corinthians 7).

Consider this …
God wants you to look to him, not to another person, to have your needs met. His presence within you can help you handle loneliness and depression, your need for intimacy and your search for fulfillment.

Remember that being single is not God's second best. Although marriage can be wonderful, it is not for everyone. Some people find contentment in being married; others find contentment in singleness. God has a plan for your life. Your main concern should not be in whether you will be single or married, but in fulfilling God's purpose.

If you are not already content in your singleness, whether it be for a time or throughout your life, ask God to help you be content in his plan for you.

Prayer
Lord, help me be content in your plan for me single or married. I thank you that I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. In his name

http://www.livingfree.org/index.php?...ian&Itemid=203

[Penny Lane]

Here's the answer! Nothing more to say on the matter!

[Wawwie]

Life is what YOU make out of it. Wishing and praying isn't gonna make it better. It takes initiative from YOU.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Wawwie

Life is what YOU make out of it. Wishing and praying isn't gonna make it better. It takes initiative from YOU.

Spoken by someone who DOESN'T understand how PRAYING WORKS!!!

Ask Doctor's (and there is a growing number of them) who have seen the MIRACLES OF PRAYING!!

Or better yet. go see the true story "Miracles From Heaven"--maybe it could be an eye-opening experience for you!

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Spoken by someone who DOESN'T understand how PRAYING WORKS!!!

Ask Doctor's (and there is a growing number of them) who have seen the MIRACLES OF PRAYING!!

Or better yet. go see the true story "Miracles From Heaven"--maybe it could be an eye-opening experience for you!

I've been in a 12-step program for many years and prayer and meditation (p & m) is an integral part of my spiritual practice. Even if you're not sure there what God looks like or is, these activities are useful in that they help bring acceptance of situations; or at least somewhat of an ability to transcend self-will and self-seeking. Without p&m I'd would stay in stewing and resentment. When I do p&m I can handle challenging people and situations much better.

I personally believe there is some type of Spiritual Force out there. There are too many things us humans still can't explain. I personally don't think I have to"understand" them. Part of not knowing is an acknowledgment of humility for me.

All this being said, not everyone has to embrace this. I only know that for me it works. And that's all I need to know.

[Svenfan1234]

Praying undoubtedly works for everyone. Maybe not in the way you want it to, but it does. I encourage it. Do the 5 x 5 challenge where you pray 5x a day for 5 days, see how it works for you.

[Bonniegirl]

Prayer has helped me through a lot of things. I believe it is beneficial to say prayers!

[MrCleveland]

I'm also right-brained...meaning I'm more creative than organized.

I can't see myself in a form of a routine unless I'm going to work.

[ABlairican Pie]

Originally Posted by Penny Lane

Here's the answer! Nothing more to say on the matter!

Not sure either if I like the idea of prayer as the ultimate Chain Letter!!! "Share this prayer and be blessed!! Break the chain and....woe be unto you!!"

[shotzette]

Originally Posted by Penny Lane

Here's the answer! Nothing more to say on the matter!

You rock, Penny! I loathe it when people put tripe like that on Facebook.

I personally find comfort in prayer. However, when it's given as an ultimatum, or coerced, I find the whole process tainted. My prayers aren't many, except for giving thanks nightly for the people I hold the most dear, but they are sincere.

I grew up Catholic, and it was pretty much "you are at Mass every Sunday unless you are in a coma" mandate. I said a lot of words I didn't understand by rote because everyone else at Mass said them. I can recite most of it to this day, but i don't feel a connection when I am there. I don't consider myself a religious person, and I don't belong to a parish even though I drop my MIL off at Mass every Sunday. Its just not me.

[MrCleveland]

Originally Posted by shotzette

I grew up Catholic, and it was pretty much "you are at Mass every Sunday unless you are in a coma" mandate.

I get that too...since I live close by my church and I work there every week, but It's a Lutheran Church.

And even if I have a coma, I'd have to go to church...so it seems.

[shotzette]

Originally Posted by Wawwie

Life is what YOU make out of it. Wishing and praying isn't gonna make it better. It takes initiative from YOU.

I agree. Wasn't there an old saying that goes, "God helps those who help themselves"? A lot of getting to where you want to be involves getting off your a$$.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by shotzette

I agree. Wasn't there an old saying that goes, "God helps those who help themselves"? A lot of getting to where you want to be involves getting off your a$$.

"God helps those who help themselves" is probably the most often quoted phrase that is not found in the Bible, even though many people might tell you that it is in the book of Hezekiah 6:1

(Hezekiah sounds plausible enough, but is not a real book of scripture.In reality, it is only a code-word for a book of the Bible, that is not in the Bible)

This saying is usually attributed to Ben Franklin, quoted in Poor Richard's Almanac in 1757, but in actuality, it originated from Algernon Sydney in 1698 in an article titled Discourses Concerning Government.

Whatever the original source of this saying, the Bible teaches the opposite.

God helps the helpless!
Isaiah 25:4 declares, "For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat..."
Romans 5:6 tells us, "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly."

Now, in terms of salvation, we are all utterly helpless.
We are all infected by sin (Romans 3:23),
and condemned as a result of that sin (Romans 6:23).
Nothing we can do on our own can remedy this situation (Isaiah 64:6).

Thankfully, God is the helper of the helpless.
While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8).
Jesus paid the penalty that we were incapable of paying (2 Corinthians 5:21).
God provided the "help" that we need precisely because we could not help ourselves.(John 3:16)

[shotzette]

Originally Posted by Foggy

"God helps those who help themselves" is probably the most often quoted phrase that is not found in the Bible, even though many people might tell you that it is in the book of Hezekiah 6:1

Foggy, per usual you cut and paste word salad as a response without really comprehending what my earlier post said. I never attributed the quote to the bible, I just stated that it was a saying.