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Jpeg33
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Joined: 6/19/2008
Msg: 122 | |
| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 6/23/2008 12:16:44 AM | Matthew 6:8, "for your Heavenly Father knows all of your needs before you ask Him"
Psalm 37:4, "take delight in the Lord and He will give you your hearts desires"
God absolutely answers prayer, however, not always as we would think. Somewhere along the line we have manifested the perception of God answering prayer as a concrete, physical answer, something that may be perceived through sight or physical proof. However, I believe a lot of times God answers prayer in ways we are not consciously aware of. For example, if you pray for strength, God may instead of giving you strength as you have asked, increase the the difficulty of daily living. Through daily discourse you will be provided with the opportunity to grow in perseverence and subsequently character. From this character will manifest strength if you allow yourself to be challenged.
My field of studies include neuropathology, social psychology, cognition, and sociology. From these fields I feel that there is plenty of evidence to support the supernatural claim of "answered prayer". However, as I mentioned earlier, I do not believe our mental representation of "answered prayer" matches God's template for answered prayer. Sometimes we have to trust without evidence and understand without really understanding. It's this whole idea of leaning not on our own understanding (proverbs 3:5-6). See also, Isaiah 55:8-9.
God's works go beyond our understanding. If our heart is pure, we can be sure that we will have what we ask of Him (1 John 5:14-15). Sometimes God may not answer prayer becauase our sin has cut us off from Him (Isaiah 59:2). Sometimes God may appear to have neglected our prayers because of our lack of a holistic understanding of His works and deity (Isaiah 55:8-9). In other words, we may not also be consciously aware of the ways in which God is moving and answering prayer. | |
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| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 6/23/2008 1:18:02 AM | Very good answeripeg33 , you eloquently stated a conclusion that I have come to in regards to my own prayers. This question haunted me an awful lot for many years.
Looking back, I can not see where God answered my prayers in granting me what I prayed for. Does it mean he failed to answer my prayers? No, I find he may not have granted me a specific request, but have faith that they were answered, albeit in a way I do not even recognize.
As far as why he leaves us in situations that are difficult, lonely maybe, I have no answer. But I do know, that I have a comforting feeling resulting from my prayers about those situations, even though they seem by and large to be mostly unanswered at times.
The way I see it is this, if I have prayed about it, I have put that thing into his hands. If my situation is unchanged, then get some comfort from knowing that I am where he wants me to be, for what ever reason, so at least feel a peace with in that situation. What very recently frustrated me, now gives me a peace, when I look at it this way. Its in his hands, he knows my situation from my praying to him, so for what ever reason he wants me to continue to be in a very , what seems to me to be a dead end situation, well that is his choice.
Many of the promises made by God to individuals in the Bible, were not granted till long after the person had even left this world. There is a passage about this in the New Testament. Cant quote it right now at 4 am, but will look it up later.
Yes God answers prayer, if he does not give you your request I am starting to believe he will at some time down the road, let you know why though.
Any good parent knows there comes a time when they have to let their child , fend for themselves. Give that child things with out them having to strive for it, suffer , they will never grow up and mature. Many Christians never mature, grow . Have to admit, that much of my growth , has come from the difficult times in my life.
If he answered every prayer we made, by granting our specific request, do you think we would mature in our beliefs more? | |
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| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 6/23/2008 10:31:20 AM | If you answered every request your child made, by granting that specific request, do you think your child would mature in his/her own beliefs more?
If you consistently denied requests that your child makes, that are very important to them, would your child trust you more? Or less?
If you disguised your responses to your child so that they had to search for the answers, how do you suppose your child would regard you? | |
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| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 6/23/2008 6:31:18 PM | { "If you consistently denied requests that your child makes, that are very important to them, would your child trust you more? Or less?"Quote ends}
- depends what they asking for doesnt it? In my monetary situation, if they ask for 20 bucks, a ride, sure I can and do accomondate them. If they are asking for a Mustang GT, I cant and dont.
{QUOTE"If you disguised your responses to your child so that they had to search for the answers, how do you suppose your child would regard you?"END OF QUOTE}
- Got kids? Teens? Remember being one? Dont kids naturally want to do the opposite of what they told? Rebellion is a natural state at times, in the life of a teen. That teen when they grow into a parent one day will then be the "establishment". Guess what , when that parent now tells their teen they cant have someting, that kid is going to want it all the more.
{QUOTE"If you TRULY believe that your god answers prayers, ask yourself why he let 6 million jews die? Was that some kind of sick vengeance for them nailing his kid to a couple of planks? "END OF QUOTE}
- no it wasnt pay back for his "kid being nailed to a plank". The reason Christ died was not because of Jews, it was because of me. Why did he let 6 million die, I cant answer that. I do think, he allowed Hitler to be taken out though, saving maybe 16 million.
{ QUOTE"& lets not forget that Hitler also wiped out 6 million catholics before & during WWII, so he seems to be an equal opportunity slayer of the faithful... " END OF QUOTE }
- lets never forget that. | |
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| Does God answer prayer?
Posted: 6/23/2008 9:50:45 PM | | I can only tell you what I told my son one night. My faith is a simple faith. I know what I know! I know God has answered prayers and given me peace when things didn't turn out the way that I wanted. My Dad is sick with cancer and his faith and humble spirit is amazing to me. He is ready to take what ever comes because he knows what the end result will be. I thank God that he gave me a Dad that makes it so easy to trust my heavenly father. Call it what you want but I have peace can you say the same | |
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