| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/11/2007 10:00:51 AM | To answer the OP:
No.
I had a long rant about prayer, but I won't go into it.
Suffice it to say, "No. No He does not." | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/11/2007 8:02:37 PM | krc0007, I agree with you that there does not seem to be too much difference visibly in those that pray and those that do not. I started reading a book last year where the author was making all kinds of absurd claims of how God got him good seats in a crowded movie house and things like that. If this guy was right, God has nothing better to do that to sit around waiting to wait on this guy. It was utter trash, written to earn a buck, nothing else.
I used to hear that Prayer does not change things, it changes us. I never liked that answer, as I wanted certain things to change. I now put more stock in that answer. Unless we change sometimes, we cannot receive an answer to prayer. Kind of hard to understand unless you have been there. | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/12/2007 11:11:34 AM | Depends which god you're talking about... I always try to answer my prayers...
"Be the change you want to see in the world"
--Mahatma Ghandi | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/12/2007 9:15:35 PM | Let's see how far this gets....
Suppose just for a moment that God has infinite power. Then that could also allow the situation that in fact, he is holding more answers and abundances for us, and before us, than we could ever be physically (etc) capable of accepting. Under the point of view from this vantage point then, God is/has already could have answered our prayers (or the true prayers we should be praying) before we are even aware of the needs which might prompt us to think of them in the first place.
Perhaps then, the function of praying then really isn't for "asking God to do anything" that He hasn't already done for us, but rather to help in the preparation of our own (freewilled) hearts to make us readily able to accept the fullfillment (and mold our requests, see last part below).
How infinite do you think God's power is? If you believe as I do, He might just not be the weak link here that needs the motivation for and from the exchange.......
But then also, there are other concepts here too to be aware of....for instance, is our prayer that we are praying the best that God is holding before us? ie: the answer to some requests would still be 'no' if the request is not the right one in the first place for our fullfillment of His best vision offered for us.....in other words, like as with what Dharma said in Post #6 on this thread...sometimes we not only have to get ready for the fullfillment of the prayer we pray ourself, but we also need to be sure (again through prayer and trial and error sometimes) that what we are praying for is the correct and best thing in the first place. Pray for correct prayers! | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/13/2007 11:29:18 AM | It depends on what you are asking for. Most people's idea of prayer is this: "I want something, God has the power to do it, and I want God to carry out my will". Put this way, it seems ridiculous, which it is. Really, who is serving whom? If I am simply asking God to do what I want, am I not trying to get God to serve me? Most people's concept of prayer is like this. They have their idea of what they want, and turn to God if they can't get it on their own.
Better to look at it the other way. Take the famous John Kennedy quote and put in "God" instead of "country." Ask not what God can do for you, but what you can do for God. I guarantee you that if you start only asking God to know his will, or, even better, only asking God to able to serve Him/Her, things will actually start changing, probably in unexpected ways. | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/13/2007 1:40:52 PM | yes op, I agree with the other posts that say he answers with yes, no and wait....I hate to derail this thread but...I am really enjoying the sharing of answered prayers...and I have a few to add myself...(so I will be back to post - my break is over  ) Please share your answered prayers.....They are great | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/13/2007 3:55:13 PM | What if all possibilities exist.. but we cannot access them until we are ready and open for those possibilities to occur? Until we believe that it is possible? And by praying, we infuse that wish/prayer with life and positive energy... creating a cascade of events to occur to support our belief... a cocreation with the universe..
I see prayer as one method of announcing to the universe/divine your readiness to have what it is you are praying for. Not asking for favors from some divine being in the clouds... but announcing your readiness to accept that which is already yours.
But this is of course, JMO | |
|
mak68
|
Joined: 4/14/2007
Msg: 58 | |
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/13/2007 4:13:12 PM | Simple question, right? Think about it before you answer. There have been answers to prayer but does our prayer get God to change His mind? Or was He already going to answer our prayers before we said them? Jesus set down a model for prayer in "the Lord's Prayer" and while it does request God to "give us our daily bread" and request that our trespasses be forgiven, it does not cover finding a new job, a mate, etc. So what do you think? Does God answer prayer?
Ever watch "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", the Charles Laughton 1939 version?
There's a very telling scene in which Esmerelda is praying before the statue of the virgin mary. The viewer can hear whispers of all the other people praying for themselves, things they want, things or hopes they want for themselves.... rather in some selfish way or another. Much like I've read in this thread... ^^
Yet when Esmeralda prays, she prays not for herself at all, but for others. Actually a very inspiring scene, if one is so religiously inclined.
If I were a praying person, Esmerelda would be the example I would hope to follow.. | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/13/2007 6:40:06 PM | | I can't answer what 'God' in a Christian world would do, but I can give an opinion based on that God. It is an absurdity if you think about this... an omniscient God already knows what's on your mind and whether or not you are going to approach 'him'. It's a bit like another actor waiting for you to read his/her lines before you can continue. | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/13/2007 7:10:40 PM | mak, good point. my prayers are for thought and reflection. thanking god for all he has bestowed upon me.
god answers the needs of his faithful. without being asked | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/13/2007 7:15:16 PM | Simple yet complex, I agree. These are the conclusions that I have been coming to myself.
Mak, that is a great example and yes, Esmeralda would be a much better model than any tv preacher. | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/13/2007 9:25:38 PM | I believe many times our prayers are answered without us even realizing it because the answer may NOT necessarily be the outcome we were hoping for, or requesting. When that happens we often times don't understand why He'd "let us down" because we perceive whatever it is we were praying for to be the best and only solution. Sometimes that solution is what we need to make US feel better just as praying for someone who's very ill to recover rather than remembering that should that person pass on, they'd be in a much better happier place than here.
It helps to remember at all times that only He knows the master plan and as confused creations of His we sometimes pray for things that we want that are within our immediate time frame when in actuality that's only a small percentage of the rest of our lives. The entire road is paved by God so trust that even if you pray for something that you think is a crucial need at this very second, His answer to our prayers may not be seen or realized until some time in our future. The path He leads us on is comprised of obstacles all along the way but it absolutely has a start and a finish and He guides us without us even knowing it sometimes. In fact I'm sure there are times in our lives that we may have looked back and thought...."Wow, I'm glad I didn't get what I prayed for because if I did, this or that wouldn't have happened!" I know I have!
When prayers go unanswered, (or we think they're unanswered because He's choosing a different route for us) be patient and trust in Him! Those prayers WERE answered by Him even if we don't see the outcome we were looking for. He will reveal all things to us in time, if not here, than in the afterlife! I have faith that there's a reason for everything and all He does....and I'm sure that HE knows what's best..at all times, even if we don't see or understand His decisions at the time!!
As hard as it is to accept some things, I'd like to believe that ALL my prayers are answered in whatever way He feels they should be....and some day He'll reveal the reasons to me.
 | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/16/2007 2:09:51 PM | Charles
No, I didnt say no. He does answer prayer , just not in the way we want or envision it.
We pray for a car, he is not just going to plump down a new Jag for us to drive. He will how ever , make sure we get to where we need to go.
With hind sight, looking back on my life, I can see now that prayers were answered, in ways though that I didnt envision back then, or in a way I liked even.
But he has answered them. LOL, and in a lot more consistent way than I have kept my promises to him! | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/16/2007 2:25:00 PM | | The idea of prayer is quite amusing, in it's childish nature. When prayers are answered, people thank god. When prayers aren't answered, it's 'god's will'. Clearly, god only answers prayers he wants to, therefore people are wasting their time praying in the first place. So skip the praying part and go straight to 'his will'. | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/16/2007 2:31:44 PM |
He does answer prayer , just not in the way we want or envision it.
Because as well all know, someone suffering horribly (say burning alive, drowning, dying of starvation, etc, etc) won't get their prayer answered by god rescuing them. Instead he'll answer 'not in the way we want or envision it', meaning the people in question keep suffering and/or die horribly.
But I guess that's okay, because god 'loves' you. You stand by and do nothing when loved ones suffer despite easily being able to prevent it...yup, that's love, ain't it? | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/16/2007 3:07:39 PM | Pray about the things you cant control, not the ones you can.
Only a fool, would stop to pray before rendering assistance that they have available to them.
If a person is hungry and you have food, then feed them. Prayer to God to cook the meal isnt going to be answered. He already answered it when he gave you the ability to cook the food provided.
As far as previous posts about atheists who had miraculous recoveries ?
I will not say that only prayer is the cause of these things. But do want to point out though, you cannot be certain that it wasnt a factor. Many prayers go out for loved ones, who do not believe. | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/16/2007 3:27:46 PM |
Pray about the things you cant control, not the ones you can.
Only a fool, would stop to pray before rendering assistance that they have available to them.
If a person is hungry and you have food, then feed them. Prayer to God to cook the meal isnt going to be answered. He already answered it when he gave you the ability to cook the food provided.
And the people who have no food to cook because their area is resource poor? I'm sure many of them pray for food, which is beyond their control. How come they aren't getting answered with food delivered by your god?
As far as previous posts about atheists who had miraculous recoveries ?
I will not say that only prayer is the cause of these things. But do want to point out though, you cannot be certain that it wasnt a factor.
That's an Appeal to Ignorance fallacy. You can't be certain invisible magical goblins with invisble magical potions didn't heal people...does that mean you are willing to entertain that possibility?
Many prayers go out for loved ones, who do not believe.
And those who have recoveries without prayers of any kind, either from themselves, friends or loved ones? | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/17/2007 5:41:37 PM | | My guess is yes and no. If God knows what you're going to do and how you're going to respond to a specific situation, he's probably already set things into motion to fulfill your needs. God probably even knows whether you'll pray in one situation and not in the other. Just because we have free will, doesn't mean that God can't/hasn't anticipated what paths our wills will take us and made provisions(spelling) for us. Let's put it this way, if God has a plan, I doubt he's going to allow someone going left instead of right to ruin his master plan. He already knows what we're going to do and what we will need as well as what we'll pray for and what we won't. My guess is that everything that is supposed to work out will and everything that isn't won't, no matter whether you pray for it or not. If anything said here convinces someone not to pray for something...it won't matter because God already knew it would happen and made provisions(spelling) | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/17/2007 8:13:37 PM | | Yes, God answers prayers. Maybe not the answer we are looking for or wanting, but as long as we are VERY specific in our prayers, they will be answered in God's time, not ours. It is stated in the Bible that the most effective prayers are the ones that are earnestly said for the sake of benefiting others and ones that if we pray for ourselves, what we pray for should also benefit others. Like the Bible says......be VERY, VERY SPECIFIC in your prayers. Take a look at Jesus in the garden when he prayed to His Father. He was like.........'is there any other way out of this? Do I really have to sacrifice myself for the sake of others? PLEASE...there's gotta be another way' (modern day terms so to speak) and what was the answer......NOPE.........gotta go through it Son. And look at the outcome. Awesome. Sometimes when we pray, we have to go through a little hell before we get to heaven. Think (and pray) about it. | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/17/2007 8:15:37 PM | | One more thing........."Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path". | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/17/2007 8:26:36 PM | The funny thing is, if people pray to anything, their prayers would be answered at the exact same rate.
I have a couple of friends of mine who used to be religious, who prayed a lot. I convinced them to try praying to anything else, me, a lamp post, their dog, a car, whatever. After some time, they admitted their prayers were 'answered' no differently than had they been praying to their previous fictional god. Now they're both atheists. | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/17/2007 8:44:14 PM |
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path
"Shut up and do what you're told, don't ask any more damned questions!" | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/17/2007 8:58:48 PM | Not all answers are positive or to your benefit.
I am sure if you asked your earthly parents for stuff all the time, they would sometimes say no. Why wouldn't god be any different? | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/17/2007 11:35:11 PM |
I am sure if you asked your earthly parents for stuff all the time, they would sometimes say no. Why wouldn't god be any different?
The point is that casting a spell or not praying is just as effective as praying. | |
|
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 7/18/2007 3:51:02 AM |
y would we ever learn ne thing- if all we had to do was ask to gt wat we wnt.- besides is'nt the question more important thn the answer?
Not when it involves third degree burns and children. HIV, or cancer. | |
|
Home
login 
