How does Prayer work?

[texan]

I’m not sure if the “trait” is limited to the father of one? What I do know is that I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me. And I personally know that sin is of the devil and if I was born in sin, then I’m certainly not of God. That sin problem was solved by my acceptance of His Cross and the trust I placed in Him to bring me to the Promised Land.

Psalm 51-
Have mercy on me,[a] O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
(emphasis mine)

I've been reading about the interpretations of the above passage and how it relates to other passages.

on inherited sin...

Ezekiel 18:19 - 20
“Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.

on the origin of your soul...

Ecclesiastes 12:7
and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Does this not contradict with David's psalm if both are to be taken literally? Reconciling David's concept of original sin seems highly problematic if one is to accept both a hereditary and yet individual wellspring. I can accept that his meaning was to the world around us when we are conceived and what we are born into, but I don't see how a child is sinful from birth and have heard the opposite stated myriad times from Christians. I was taught children are innocents until they can be spiritually responsible for themselves and choose to sin.

A literal interpretation of Psalms seems disingenuous to its very nature and in light of other passages doesn't seem to me to be that rational of a course to take.

[Lineman101]

Yes it does make it clearer, especially in the context of the ancient culture the writings date to. 'Children of' is tantamount to 'loyal to' or 'on the side of' and has nothing to do with physical lineage.

I certainly am not a believer the "Serpent Seed" doctrine.

[Lineman101]

I started a new thread called - The Fall, Man and Sin
These issues seem to be coming up quite often. I thought it might keep the threads readable. I hope I don't offend anyone...

[texan]

I started a new thread called - The Fall, Man and Sin
These issues seem to be coming up quite often. I thought it might keep the threads readable. I hope I don't offend anyone...

Thank you and yes it makes sense to separate this discussion. I'll definitely have more thoughts on the matter.

[h0use]

I know prayer works and God is real. Been praying for a new car for the last month. And randomly some on just gifted me a brand new 2014 Chevy Silverado....

[wpage]

Pray without ceasing...

Thanks and prayer to the one!

[bandook]

Prayer works if you believe it works. in other words, it doesn't work on its own, but it could put you in a state of mind that could allow you to handle adversity better.

I think God is a crutch. Use as needed.

[RAMCLAP]

Prayer works if you believe it works. in other words, it doesn't work on its own, but it could put you in a state of mind that could allow you to handle adversity better.

I think God is a crutch. Use as needed.

It's not a linear if/then. The first thing that must be understood is that God is not obligated to men in any way. So, if you go into prayer believing that God is your cosmic butler who only exists to give you what you what you want then you should be prepared for disappointment. However, if you want to have a relationship with Him then be prepared for a richness you could not know in any other way.