AboutRev C.Brian Ross Expertise I am happy to offer answers to anyone with a question that refers to the Christian Faith in its widest possible sense. I believe that the Bible is the living Word of God, and seek to base all of my life on its teaching. I also have some knowledge of some of the cults, and of Islam and Judaism. Of course, my answers are just one man's thoughts, and I would always advise a questioner to check with others, and with the Word of God.
Experience Served as a full-time parish minister in Scotland for about six years, and then spent the last thirty as a teacher (now 'retired') of Religious Education in Secondary Comprehensive schools (ages 11-17) while continuing my own preaching and teaching ministry. I also believe that learning is a life-time process, and have recently completed a Master's degree in Divinity.
Organizations Former Presenter on Revival FM - a local Christian, community radio station, broadcasting in west central Scotland, and online at revival.fm Involved with a number of organisations that support Christians who are currently suffering persecution in some 70 countries around the world.
Publications Various articles in Christian magazines. I also have two blogsites - www.crazyrev.blogspot.com and (with audio messages) www.revcbross.blogspot.com
Education/Credentials Diploma of The Bible Training Institute, Glasgow;
Licentiate in Theology of the University of Glasgow;
Associateship of The Philosophical Society of England;
Bachelor of Arts Degree (Hons) in History from The Open University;
Post-grad Certificate of Education - Religious Education and History;
Post-grad Cetificate in Learning and Teaching;
Post-grad Diploma in Management and Learning in Education;
Master of Science Degree from the University of Strathclyde;
Master of Divinity Degree (Hons) from Trinity College and Seminary (accredited by the University of Liverpool)
Question Can prayers be evaluated? can you speak of a "good"prayer and a "bad" prayer?
Answer Hello Oscar, and thank you for your question.
My immediate reaction is that there is no such thing as a 'bad' prayer. However, a moment or two of reflection takes me further. I suppose that it depends on how we define prayer! For me, prayer is the menas by which I communicate with Father God, in the Name of the Son - Jesus, with the help of Holy Spirit - the third Persona of the Trinity (I commend, to you, the audio message on the Trinity that you will find at www.revcbross.blogspot.com).
As I allow God the Holy Spirit to guide me, my praying will be in the will of the Father - and that cannot be anything but good. However, it has to be admitted that there are those whose idea of prayer is either a very selfish 'shopping-list' ('Please, God, let me win the lottery this week'; 'Please. God, make that beautiful girl fall in love with me'); or it is the parrot-like recitation of some words that they have learned, and can rhyme off while thinking about other things!
Of course, true prayer also contains a number of aspects. I find that the old acronym still works. When I pray, I bring in Adoration (letting the Lord know that I recognise His awesomeness); Confession (letting Him know that I am aware of my own sinfulness; and seeking afresh His forgiveness);Thanksgiving (offering Him my thanks and praise for all that He graciously does in, and through, me); Supplication (interceeding for others whose needs are known to me, and about situations of which I also know). This helps to ensure that prayer A.C.T.S.!
A final thought - it may be that you are asking this question because you have "not received an answer to a specific prayer". May I point out that God always - but always - answers every prayer that is offered, in sincerity, in the name of the Lord Jesus. Our problem often is that we only consider a prayer to have been 'answered' when we receive that for which we asked! The truth, of course, is that Father God knows best, and that He will often say "No", or "Not just now". However, each of these is as much an answer as "Yes, have it now"!
I trust that this will have been of some assistance to you, but please feel free to come back to me with a supplementary question.
