Prayers - Closing in the name of Christ

[_Wisdom Seeker]

I know there are scriptures concerning asking God for things in the name of Christ, but what does this actually mean to your average LDS or other?

I recently had a discussion with a born-again, rapture-seeking Christian and I never really thought much about how we close prayers except we were told to by scripture and church leaders. If anyone has anything insightful to share, I would appreciate it.

[_Wisdom Seeker]

I don't think many ever really think about how or what they say other than that's how they see others say it.

I remember hearing a friend of mine always starting his prayers with "father in chart in heaven." I asked him one time, what is it are you saying and he told me "father in chart in heaven." I asked him what does that mean, he did not know. I then said, "don't you mean Father which art in heaven", he said, yeah I guess that's what I meant.

Funny, but I digress. I doubt I will hear from the faithful about this, but since this is the Celestial forum it will sit up here on top for a month anyhow.

[_Quasimodo]

I remember hearing a friend of mine always starting his prayers with "father in chart in heaven." I asked him one time, what is it are you saying and he told me "father in chart in heaven." I asked him what does that mean, he did not know. I then said, "don't you mean Father which art in heaven", he said, yeah I guess that's what I meant.

Reminds me of an old joke. A child say's he knows God's name is "Art". When asked how he knew this, he recited the Lord's Prayer (Catholic version) "Our Father, who's Art in heaven...".

I'm not one of the faithful, so your prediction holds true so far.

I've always been a little puzzled by the idea of prayer. If God is omnipotent and "has a plan" for everyone, he, she or it should already know what I need.

Whining to God about some problem should be of no value whether it's in the name of Christ or Yogi the Bear.

[_Quasimodo]

Just one thought in opposition to my own last statement (Wisdom Seeker's name reminded me).

There may be one thing logically worth praying for... wisdom.

[_Wisdom Seeker]

Mom,

yes child,

Why is my fathers art in heaven?

[_Quasimodo]

:)

[_Wisdom Seeker]

The reason why I even brought it up, was because I always thought that closing in the name of Christ was like the key to the communication with God.

This EV guy, told me otherwise. Something I never really looked at before. He stated that we turn to God not by his name but in his name. I seriously in my entire LDS life never thought of it in this way. I know we say in the Sac-prayer that we are willing to take upon us Christ's name, but never thought of it as the way to communicate with God.

He went on to tell me that the reason why God does not give us what we ask for is because we are not asking as Christ but as ourselves. And God is bound to give you the things if Christ asks of it. The problem he says is, Christ does not want these things for you so it is not a sincere prayer.

So if I wanted a million dollars, if I asked as myself I will not get it, but if I could ask for it AS Jesus, I would get it, but chances are God knows that this is not really what Jesus wants so your not getting your million dollars.

There are some great contributors to these message boards, many with far more wisdom and knowledge than I, so I keep throwing out questions that interest me in hopes that those smarter than I can answer.

[_Quasimodo]

So if I wanted a million dollars, if I asked as myself I will not get it, but if I could ask for it AS Jesus, I would get it, but chances are God knows that this is not really what Jesus wants so your not getting your million dollars.

There are some great contributors to these message boards, many with far more wisdom and knowledge than I, so I keep throwing out questions that interest me in hopes that those smarter than I can answer.

You seem pretty bright to me.

I think it's a little petulant of Jesus (I understand his real name was Joshua... Yshua) not to let you have your million bucks.

I'm not a Buddhist (stealing from Groucho Marx, I wouldn't want to belong to any religion that would have me as a member). I read where someone asked Buddha about the nature of God. He replied that he didn't know anything about God. I don't think anyone else does either.

I think your guess is as good as anyone's.

[_Hoops]

Asking in the name of Jesus is to recognize that He is our great petitioner. Our defender. That we can come to God the Father (one God, remember!) clean and pure (not white and delightsome) because of Jesus.

And, we do not come to God in prayer to change His mind. We come to Him to change ours.

[_Joseph]

Larry King should have asked Gordon Hinckley if Mormons believed in God. I can see him saying 'I don't know that we believe that".