tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post8361439405752991350..comments2024-03-27T17:15:37.606-04:00Comments on Triablogue: Praying for the pastRyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809283662428917799noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-43593319259843648092009-09-28T02:00:30.036-04:002009-09-28T02:00:30.036-04:00As Steve knows, in Calvinistic theology, 1. it'...As Steve knows, in Calvinistic theology, 1. it's sin to pray contrary to God's known decree (past, present or future) or 2. contrary God's past providence. To do either would be to call into question God's wisdom.<br /><br />But if what Steve is saying is true, then when the guests on "The Maury Povich Show" pray that such a such a man is or isn't the father of a baby, it may not be too late. <br /><br />That is, unless something in Scripture would suggest that God will only answer prayers for the present and the future. I can't think of any Scripture passage that would suggest either a prohibition or allowance (via teaching or example). The whole thing hinges on whether God is really timeless or not. If He is (and I lean toward that), then it's not a matter of whether God could, but whether God would. <br /><br />While earlier I said it's wrong to pray contrary to God's decree, there are instances where, amazingly, God answered the prayer of someone who apparently (but not ultimately or in reality) was praying contrary to God's decree. In these instances I'm using the word "decree" in the sense of "policy" or "declared will". But the point still applies since both senses are related and used by Calvinists for the word.<br /><br />One case is that of Moses. Moses seems to be extremely "cheeky" (or impudent) to pray that God would forgive the Israelites for having made the golden calf. EVEN THOUGH God told (in essence commanded) Moses not to pray for them and that He would create a new people through him (Moses). This goes to show the amazing efficacy of, and privileges that go along with, intercessory prayer.<br /><br />A second example would be when the Syro-Phoenecian woman continued to petition Jesus to heal her daughter, EVEN AFTER our Lord said He didn't come but to preach and minister the Gospel to the tribes of Israel. Yet her boldness and faith got the answer anyway. Along with the greatest of all compliments, "Great is your Faith!"<br /><br /><br />btw, in a latter post I presented a hypothetical situation that involves this very idea and the preservation of Scripture.<br /><br />http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2009/09/petitionary-prayer-and-accidental.htmlANNOYED PINOYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00714774340084597206noreply@blogger.com