Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 6:9-13 – "The Prayer Paradox: Matthew vs. Romans"
05/27/25 • 14 min
2 Listeners
Welcome to this episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, where host Lance Smith delves into the seeming contradictions in scriptures about prayer. Is prayer a structured spiritual recipe, or is it more about letting the Spirit lead when words fail us?
We explore Matthew 6's Lord's Prayer as a framework provided by Jesus, intended to guide believers in building a relationship with God, not just a set of rote phrases to be repeated. In contrast, Romans 8:26 introduces the role of the Holy Spirit, stepping in when our requests get tongue-tied or when we struggle to find the right expressions.
Join us as we untangle this paradox, examining skeptic arguments and reaffirming that prayer's power lies in trust and relationship rather than mere results or scientific evidence. Lance also offers practical advice for deepening your prayer life. Tune in and discover how to harmonize these teachings into a cohesive understanding that prayer is less about having the perfect formula and more about connecting with God.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: [email protected]
- https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/first/contra2_list.html (The Skeptics Annotated Bible)
- https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/spiritual-growth/prayer/how-to-pray.html
- https://www.mbu.edu/seminary/the-spirit-and-prayer-romans-826-27/
- https://www.bibleref.com/Romans/8/Romans-8-26.html
- https://davidhuffstutler.com/2024/08/22/the-spirits-prayer-and-the-fathers-promise-in-romans-826-30/
- https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/romans-826-27-%E2%80%93-spirit-intercessor
- https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=135949
Welcome to this episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, where host Lance Smith delves into the seeming contradictions in scriptures about prayer. Is prayer a structured spiritual recipe, or is it more about letting the Spirit lead when words fail us?
We explore Matthew 6's Lord's Prayer as a framework provided by Jesus, intended to guide believers in building a relationship with God, not just a set of rote phrases to be repeated. In contrast, Romans 8:26 introduces the role of the Holy Spirit, stepping in when our requests get tongue-tied or when we struggle to find the right expressions.
Join us as we untangle this paradox, examining skeptic arguments and reaffirming that prayer's power lies in trust and relationship rather than mere results or scientific evidence. Lance also offers practical advice for deepening your prayer life. Tune in and discover how to harmonize these teachings into a cohesive understanding that prayer is less about having the perfect formula and more about connecting with God.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: [email protected]
- https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/first/contra2_list.html (The Skeptics Annotated Bible)
- https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/spiritual-growth/prayer/how-to-pray.html
- https://www.mbu.edu/seminary/the-spirit-and-prayer-romans-826-27/
- https://www.bibleref.com/Romans/8/Romans-8-26.html
- https://davidhuffstutler.com/2024/08/22/the-spirits-prayer-and-the-fathers-promise-in-romans-826-30/
- https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/romans-826-27-%E2%80%93-spirit-intercessor
- https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=135949
Previous Episode
Embarking on a 20-Week Faith Journey: Unpacking 'Faith That's Not Blind'
Join host Lance Smith in a captivating new series exploring J. Steve Miller's 'Faith That's Not Blind,' kicking off with 20 thought-provoking episodes that delve into compelling arguments for the existence of God. Each week, uncover evidence like near-death experiences, the universe's origins, and more, while examining how faith aligns with life's purpose and morals. This series promises to challenge perceptions and fuel curiosity about the divine, offering insights grounded in reason and evidence.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
- The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
- The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
- Email Address: [email protected]
- Miller, J. S. (2016). Faith That’s Not Blind: A Practical Guide to Evaluating Spiritual Beliefs. Wisdom Creek Press. Available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/gTR0odd
Next Episode
Exodus 7:11 – "Exodus Showdown: Miracle Workers vs Magicians"
In this episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, we explore the intriguing showdown described in Exodus 7-11. Join host Lance Smith as he unravels the spiritual cage match between Moses, Aaron, and Pharaoh's magicians. Discover how Egyptian sorcerers mimicked divine miracles and consider the nature of their power. Was it mere illusion, or something darker? With engaging insights and light-hearted commentary, this episode offers a fresh perspective on these ancient biblical events and their implications for today's spiritual landscape.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: [email protected]
- https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
- https://a.co/d/fQ53nsg (The MacArthur Study Bible Notes from Amazon)
- https://darrylburling.com/magicians-and-miracles-in-egypt-exodus/
- https://janes.scholasticahq.com/article/2413-moses-and-magic-notes-on-the-book-of-exodus
- https://www.hebrewversity.com/sorcerers-egypt-magic-tricks-study-contrasts/
- Perkins, William. The Damned Art of Witchcraft. In Works IX, 366–369. Cited in “Pharaoh’s Magicians Were Incapable of True Miracles.” Purely Presbyterian, April 3, 2023.https://purelypresbyterian.com/2023/04/03/pharaohs-magicians-were-incapable-of-true-miracles/
- https://academic.tyndalehouse.com/explore/articles/the-strange-case-of-jannes-and-jambres/
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