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In my area, there is this concept that one can pray away any bad situation and do absolutely nothing to achieve a result. This concept is foreign to me because nowhere in the OT or the NT is such a concept found. The book of James clearly shows salvation is tied to works, in that one is saved by Grace alone, but extended through works. The OT has no story about faith alone, every story is set up to show faith operates through works done by an individual or group. So where does this concept of grace with no works come from? Both are tied to each other, and throwing a universalism idea on top of the Bible that anything can be prayed away just makes Christians easy pickings for other groups looking to subvert Christianity. Ironically, coming from the midwest, i couldnt find such a concept being practiced by any church i went to. This universalistic, pray away your problem only seems to exist in super liberal states

In my area, there is this concept that one can pray away any bad situation and do absolutely nothing to achieve a result. This concept is foreign to me because nowhere in the OT or the NT is such a concept found. The book of James clearly shows salvation is tied to works, in that one is saved by Grace alone, but extended through works. The OT has no story about faith alone, every story is set up to show faith operates through works done by an individual or group. So where does this concept of grace with no works come from? Both are tied to each other, and throwing a universalism idea on top of the Bible that anything can be prayed away just makes Christians easy pickings for other groups looking to subvert Christianity. Ironically, coming from the midwest, i couldnt find such a concept being practiced by any church i went to. This universalistic, pray away your problem only seems to exist in super liberal states

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[–] • 0 pt

It's a bad interpretation. In all the stories in the Bible where someone pulled off something miraculous, they prayed before hand. All people do now is point to the prayer and claim He did something. The prayer did nothing more than clear his mind and allowed him to focus on his task at hand, this is interpreted as God intervening where there is no evidence that He intervened.

Add in that the people that are trying to enslave us, don't want us to recognize that John Doe in each story did something. God doesn't help people who do nothing.

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt

In all the stories in the Bible...

Acts 3:6

Peter just heals the man, no recorded prayer. Have you read the Bible, or even the NT, fully?

God doesn't help people who do nothing.

Ah, there's my answer. You clearly have NOT read the Bible.

To the one WHO DOES NOT WORK, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. (Romans 4:5)

We do exactly nothing. We are dead in our sins without the sacrifice of Jesus.

[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

Peter called on Jesus Christ to heal a person, which is much more than what the common Christian does today. Nowadays, people see prayer as a get rich scheme, where you say some words, do some motions, and hey presto, prayer answered. They don't really have a connection with God himself, people much more idolize a God of their own beliefs, over actually believing in God himself.

[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

Peter called on Jesus Christ to heal a person

No, you are twisting what it says. Peter doesn't talk to Jesus, ask Him anything, or order/command/beseech anything. The imperative is "WALK" and it's directed at the cripple. Of course Peter is a man of prayer and fellowship with Jesus, but don't read into the text something that isn't there.

If you want another example, consider Acts 14:8-10. Paul says "stand up" without any record of him praying before or directing anyone towards God/Jesus.

Perhaps you should be commended for your faith and prayer life. Your ability to reason and read the Bible at face value are lacking.

[–] • 0 pt

I love how people grab one specific verse that fits their message exactly and they live exactly to that verse.