Prayer and nothing else

[Menotu]

Your kid's sick. Really sick. Do you take him to the doctor or just pray?

Prayer is, it's said, the most powerful thing you can do for/against someone.
Medicine, while imperfect, is also powerful. It saves lives, makes lives better, etc.

Is there anyone here that would not take their child/spouse to the doctors and use only prayer instead?

"Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them."

Is it your faith that's weak or God's ability?

[Tcg]

[Replying to post 23 by Tcg]

You're only giving half of what we should do.

Actually, I gave a full explanation of what Jesus promised. Jesus included no requirement for us to do anything other than to have faith and not doubt.


Tcg

[2timothy316]

Given that the first human blood transfusion wasn't performed until the early 19th century, this passage couldn't possible be referring to that practice.

Incorrect. Using blood as a healing agent goes way back. From just eating it to bathing in it. In Rome between the first and the sixth century a single theological and several medical authors reported on the consumption of gladiator's blood or liver to cure epileptics.
Also the first known blood transfusion was 1492 and not the 20th century. (He died BTW)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12953616
https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/n ... Blood.aspx

When Luke wrote Acts (who was a physician BTW) he was well aware of blood being used for healing. Furthermore the writer of Acts is not relevant while Luke is the writer, God is the author. If a person is not to take blood through the mouth for healing then taking it into the body any other way is not allowed. Plus the scripture simply says, "abstain". Which is a blanket term for the use of blood. We are not to use it for anything. It belongs to Jehovah. (Lev 17:11)

Sad to see so many just accept whatever propaganda they hear on blood. People are subject to billboards and commercials telling them 'blood saves lives'. Never questioning the long term effects of taking blood or the Biblical aspect of taking blood.

[2timothy316]

[Replying to post 23 by Tcg]

You're only giving half of what we should do.

Actually, I gave a full explanation of what Jesus promised. Jesus included no requirement for us to do anything other than to have faith and not doubt.


Tcg

No you didn't. You neglected to show what Jesus did in his life. The work he did in harmony with his prayers. Or do you deny that Jesus preached from house to house?

Faith is not all you need. James wrote under the direction of Jehovah God, Faith without works is dead. James 2:14-26

[Yahwehismywitness]

Faith is not all you need. James wrote under the direction of Jehovah God, Faith without works is dead. James 2:14-26

Here are the patience of the saints here are they that keep the commandments of Yahweh and faith of Jesus.

So the works part we do for our Father such as baptism and commandments, sole teacher's words the faith. Believe is what James is saying.

[2timothy316]

Faith is not all you need. James wrote under the direction of Jehovah God, Faith without works is dead. James 2:14-26

Here are the patience of the saints here are they that keep the commandments of Yahweh and faith of Jesus.

So the works part we do for our Father such as baptism and commandments, sole teacher's words the faith. Believe is what James is saying.

What James is saying is don't just pray for something you need and do nothing to attain it.

"So never be anxious and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or, ‘What are we to drink?’ or, ‘What are we to wear?’ For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing. Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you." Matt 6:31-33

Note the phrase, "keep on seeking". This is a continual process to seek the kingdom is to place kingdom interest first at all times. This means actions are required. Jehovah God is not our butler there to answer every prayer we ask from Him. 1 John 5:14 says, "And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." Once again this shows it'd not just prayer and faith that gets a prayer answered and Jesus knew this.

[Checkpoint]

Faith is not all you need. James wrote under the direction of Jehovah God, Faith without works is dead. James 2:14-26

Here are the patience of the saints here are they that keep the commandments of Yahweh and faith of Jesus.

So the works part we do for our Father such as baptism and commandments, sole teacher's words the faith. Believe is what James is saying.

What James is saying is don't just pray for something you need and do nothing to attain it.

"So never be anxious and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or, ‘What are we to drink?’ or, ‘What are we to wear?’ For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing. Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you." Matt 6:31-33

Note the phrase, "keep on seeking". This is a continual process to seek the kingdom is to place kingdom interest first at all times. This means actions are required. Jehovah God is not our butler there to answer every prayer we ask from Him. 1 John 5:14 says, "And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." Once again this shows it'd not just prayer and faith that gets a prayer answered and Jesus knew this.

You seem to be referring to "anything according to His will". O.K.

The thing is, do we/can we always, know what His will is, specifically, about any issue or person we are praying for?

[tam]

Peace to you,

Given that the first human blood transfusion wasn't performed until the early 19th century, this passage couldn't possible be referring to that practice.

Incorrect. Using blood as a healing agent goes way back. From just eating it to bathing in it. In Rome between the first and the sixth century a single theological and several medical authors reported on the consumption of gladiator's blood or liver to cure epileptics.

But these were superstition... and... how did the Romans (or whomever) get this blood? By killing animals to bathe in their blood? By murdering and/or enslaving men as gladiators? And who knows whatever else was being done?

Drinking blood is also harmful (to humans) and can cause death.


These things do not compare to blood transfusions today - since blood transfusions can and have saved lives (that would otherwise have been lost due to blood loss), and no one is being murdered or enslaved so that their blood can be bathed in or consumed.


(And, yes, we have bloodless 'blood' now, but that has not always been available and it is still not available in all places... and certainly not in sufficient quantities for a complete replacement for blood transfusions.)



In addition to the above, where abstaining from blood has not been shown to have been referring to blood transfusions), God desires mercy, not sacrifice. He is not asking anyone to sacrifice their child instead of allowing their child to receive a blood transfusion.


The WTS once disallowed organ transplants (and vaccinations), stating that organ transplants amounted to cannibalism.

[2timothy316]

You seem to be referring to "anything according to His will". O.K.

The thing is, do we/can we always, know what His will is, specifically, about any issue or person we are praying for?

What is it that He wants? "This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, whose will is that all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth." (1 Tim 2:3,4) Prayers towards this goal are heard. Of course God can send us instructions to build a boat before a flood, but if we don't follow those instructions who's fault is that? People pray for clarity but don't read the Bible. People pray for what do to next but don't practice what they read in the Bible.

There are also cases where prayers are heard but like in Paul's case, the answer was no. But the no was for his benefit. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9) Jehovah God acts in the best interests of His loyal ones.
Some prayers are dismissed. Those that work against God, their prayers are detestable to Him. (Prov 28:9)