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As most of you know, I do not believe that God answers prayers. BUT I have a question for anyone that wants to give an honest opinion.

 

I have friends/family that, if saved, the way they live doesn't indicate it. I believe that (if the Bible/God is true) just believing in God isn't enough. You should accept Jesus Christ as your savior, (notice I said IF the Bible/God exist), be baptized, & though I'm not sure that going to church is a requirement to get to Heaven, a person should do everything within their power to bear the fruit of a Christian.

 

Here's my question. I hear these people say things like "I'm praying for you", or they will say they prayed about something. Just because someone believes God exist, does he hear/answer that person's prayer?

 

 

 

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Hi Semi:

 

I think people who pray for "things" or "events" are pretty much missing the point.  To me, prayer is not a technique for getting what I want.  It is not a technique for bartering with God, promising Him that if I do thus and so, then he will deliver this or that.  No, that is not prayer, that is more the primitive delusions of old, carried forth into the Twentieth Century more or less intact.

 

So, what do I consider prayer?  If consider it a technique, not for bending the will of God to my selfish desires, but for bending my will to the higher desires and purposes of the universe.  Prayer is a technique for me to align myself with all that is real and good in the universe, to attempt to align myself with the will of God.  When I pray, I try to pray for values, not things.  I pray for goodness and love, for a better understanding of the mysterious path of life.  I pray for insight into how I might be a better person.  At least I try to. 

 

Of course, in a pinch, I still pray selfishly.  When my son got taken to the hospital, I did not pray for the world to become a better place.  Heck no!  I prayed he was OK!  I think we all, even the atheists, in their own way, pray for our loved ones when they are in danger.  And I think that is OK, we really can not help it, nor should we.

 

But those who pray for money, or success, are really missing the boat.  Prayer will not get you the material things of this world.  That is what hard work and dedication are for.  (and a little luck too, sometimes!).  People who routinely pray for money have been deceived by those false preachers who prey upon our society.  They deserve nothing more than they get.

 

Same with those who use prayer exclusively for curing disease.  Prayer is not a technique for curing real and organic diseases, but prayer has contributed enormously to the enjoyment of abundant health and to the cure of numerous mental, emotional, and nervous ailments. And even in actual bacterial disease, prayer has many times added to the efficacy of other remedial procedures. Prayer has turned many an irritable and complaining invalid into a paragon of patience and made him an inspiration to all other human sufferers.

 

Semi, never forget that the sincere prayer of faith is a mighty force for the promotion of personal happiness, individual self-control, social harmony, moral progress, and spiritual attainment. 

Semi, do not be so slothful as to ask God to solve your difficulties, but never hesitate to ask him for wisdom and spiritual strength to guide and sustain you while you yourself resolutely and courageously attack the problems at hand.

 

Prayer has been an indispensable factor in the progress and preservation of religious civilization, and it still has mighty contributions to make to the further enhancement and spiritualization of society if those who pray will only do so in the light of scientific facts, philosophic wisdom, intellectual sincerity, and spiritual faith. Pray as Jesus taught his disciples—honestly,unselfishly with fairness and without doubting.

 

Al

 I think we all, even the atheists, in their own way, pray for our loved ones when they are in danger.  And I think that is OK, we really can not help it, nor should we.

 

 

I can't speak for other atheists, but to me, praying would be the least productive thing to do in a crisis and something I'd never do. Semi and I have discussed this in PM so she knows what I mean. 

quote:  Originally Posted by Jennifer Bestworking:

I think we all, even the atheists, in their own way, pray for our loved ones when they are in danger.  And I think that is OK, we really can not help it, nor should we.


Hi Jennifer,

 

I am just curious.  To whom do the atheist pray when they pray as you suggested? 

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

Originally Posted by Bill Gray:
quote:  Originally Posted by Jennifer Bestworking:

I think we all, even the atheists, in their own way, pray for our loved ones when they are in danger.  And I think that is OK, we really can not help it, nor should we.


Hi Jennifer,

 

I am just curious.  To whom do the atheist pray when they pray as you suggested? 

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

---------------------------------

 

I never suggested atheists pray. I don't pray, it would never occur to me to do it. You're reading Al's post and my reply.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Al:

I think we all, even the atheists, in their own way, pray for our loved ones when they are in danger.  And I think that is OK, we really can not help it, nor should we.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 My reply:

I can't speak for other atheists, but to me, praying would be the least productive thing to do in a crisis and something I'd never do. Semi and I have discussed this in PM so she knows what I mean. 

Originally Posted by alwilliams767:

Hi Semi:

I think people who pray for "things" or "events" are pretty much missing the point.  To me, prayer is not a technique for getting what I want.  It is not a technique for bartering with God, promising Him that if I do thus and so, then he will deliver this or that.  

Al

______________________

Maybe I didn't explain myself very well. 

I know what prayer is & I wasn't talking about someone praying for things or events. I meant people that pray for a loved one to be healed, for a friend or relative that is hurting mentally, etc., not praying for selfish reasons. 

Is the prayer of a person that believes in God but unsaved, answered/heard?

Originally Posted by CrustyMac:

Praying for an outcome is a waste of time.  Praying for your own soul might be helpful in the end.

________________

Crusty, I'll admit being confused where you stand as to the existence of God, but how could praying for a healing or the emotional state of a loved one be a waste of time? I'm talking about people that believe in God & prayer.

Do you not believe in prayer either?

Originally Posted by alwilliams767:

Hi Semi: 

I think we all, even the atheists, in their own way, pray for our loved ones when they are in danger.  And I think that is OK, we really can not help it, nor should we.

 

Semi, do not be so slothful as to ask God to solve your difficulties, but never hesitate to ask him for wisdom and spiritual strength to guide and sustain you while you yourself resolutely and courageously attack the problems at hand.

Al

_______________________

BTW, why would an Atheist pray or who would they pray to since they don't believe in God?

 

I don't pray, Al. What would be the point when I know He doesn't answer prayers?

Originally Posted by semiannualchick:
Originally Posted by alwilliams767:

Hi Semi:

I think people who pray for "things" or "events" are pretty much missing the point.  To me, prayer is not a technique for getting what I want.  It is not a technique for bartering with God, promising Him that if I do thus and so, then he will deliver this or that.  

Al

______________________

Maybe I didn't explain myself very well. 

I know what prayer is & I wasn't talking about someone praying for things or events. I meant people that pray for a loved one to be healed, for a friend or relative that is hurting mentally, etc., not praying for selfish reasons. 

Is the prayer of a person that believes in God but unsaved, answered/heard?

Only God knows,ask Him.

Originally Posted by semiannualchick:
Originally Posted by CrustyMac:

Praying for an outcome is a waste of time.  Praying for your own soul might be helpful in the end.

________________

Crusty, I'll admit being confused where you stand as to the existence of God, but how could praying for a healing or the emotional state of a loved one be a waste of time? I'm talking about people that believe in God & prayer.

Do you not believe in prayer either?

____________

When Jesus was asked if he was the King of the Jews, what was his answer?  

Originally Posted by CrustyMac:

Praying for an outcome is a waste of time.  Praying for your own soul might be helpful in the end.

________________

Originally Posted by semiannualchick:

Crusty, I'll admit being confused where you stand as to the existence of God, but how could praying for a healing or the emotional state of a loved one be a waste of time? I'm talking about people that believe in God & prayer.

Do you not believe in prayer either?

____________

Originally Posted by CrustyMac:

When Jesus was asked if he was the King of the Jews, what was his answer?  

__________________________

Thou sayest.

 

Matthew 27:11----

And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

 

I'm still confused as to where you stand, but it's not any of my business.

Originally Posted by CrustyMac:

Try John, he gets asked twice. 

__________________

Yes, I started to mention John too, but figured one would be enough. He's basically saying the same thing everywhere it's mentioned.

Jesus never actually said he was the King of the Jews. Most people said it, but not Jesus.

 

One I can give you is John 18:37---

"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice".

 

Originally Posted by semiannualchick:
Maybe I didn't explain myself very well. 

I know what prayer is & I wasn't talking about someone praying for things or events. I meant people that pray for a loved one to be healed, for a friend or relative that is hurting mentally, etc., not praying for selfish reasons. 

Is the prayer of a person that believes in God but unsaved, answered/heard?

Originally Posted by Gingee:

Only God knows,ask Him.

___________________

If he was around where I could & he would look me in the eye & tell me, I would!

 

Gingee, do me a favor & ignore my post from now on. Sheeish!!

Originally Posted by Winston Niles Rumfoord:

God answers all prayers.

But sometimes the answer is "no".

Remember, Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy will be done". 

Also remember that great faith can accomplish great things. 

________________________

Thy will be done?? You kind of contradicted yourself. How can you have great faith in order to accomplish great things if you don't know what you're asking is his will or not?

No one has bothered to answer my question & I don't understand why. I've known the answer all along, even before I started this topic. I was curious what the answer of some of you would be.

 

Winston said God answers all prayers, but sometimes the answer is "no". That's not true. 

 

God doesn't answer all prayers, not even with a no. John said God doesn't hear a sinners prayer. How can He answer it if He doesn't hear it?

 

The bible warns "The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is desperately wicked: who can know it?

 

 

 

Originally Posted by Bestworking:

 If "thy will be done" why bother with prayer? Sounds more like you're begging and then you're still disappointed.

===================================

best, dear, do you ever wish for anything? [other than bad things to happen to others?]

maybe wishes for your fam or the business. i'll just bet you have.

 

why do you wish?

 

do you ever wish you were back up Nawth where being nice is seen as a character flaw?

Semi, you said, "No one has bothered to answer my question & I don't understand why. I've known the answer all along, even before I started this topic."

 

You just answered your own question as to why no one has bothered. We've discussed this topic many times, and while my answer satisfies me, I know it doesn't satisfy you. I just wonder why you even asked the question if you already knew the answer. If you wanted to hear the opinions of others, all you had to do was go back and read their answers to the same question on other threads.

I'm sorry, O No. I guess in my stupidity I missed those other topics. I started this topic because of a conversation with a friend of mine a few days ago. She honestly believes that any prayer she prays is heard & answered. And this from a person that is not saved.

 

You say all I have to do is go back & read on other threads. Have you ever done a search? Sometimes it's near to impossible to find something. I've  sometimes searched for days to find what I was looking for.

 

I'll be sure & ask next time before I start a topic to get input from others. I sure wouldn't want to start a topic about anything if it's been talked about before.

Bill Gray does it all the time. He will leave a topic to start another topic about the same thing being discussed in the one he just left.

But I guess he can do it because he has you convinced he's a Christian & after all, I'm just a nasty ole sinner.

I'm not allowed. I must admit that I'm surprised of this attack from you. But no problem, I guess it was your turn.

Last edited by semiannualchick
Originally Posted by lexum:

SEMI Your friend that prays; do you discourage her at any time given your non belief in anyone other than the mail man?

________________________

Even though I think you're being a smart ass, I'll answer your question. No, I do not discourage her, I love her to much to do that. If an unsaved person can pray & God answer that prayer, then more power to them. It would, of course, make John a liar since he said God doesn't hear the prayer of a sinner. If He doesn't hear it, it makes no sense to me that He would answer it.

 

As for my mailman, he's a jerk whom thinks he's a ladies man & irresistible to any female.

Semi, that was not meant as an attack, and I'm sorry if what I said hurt you. I know how hard it is to find anything using a search on this "God forsaken" (LOL) new software. But the reason *I* didn't answer this thread was that I HAVE answered the question many times here. I believe that God hears the prayers of anyone who is sincere, and He answers - sometimes yes, sometimes no. And when He says "no" it's because He has something better in mind.

 

I've also told you that I believe that even if He says "no" to a prayer to ease suffering, or spare the life of someone we love, it is because He has a good reason, one that the puny minds of humans will never be able to understand until we are with Him, and He makes it all clear to us.

 

That's why I said that my answer satisfies ME, but I know it doesn't satisfy you. And sweet friend, I am not saying you are a nasty ole sinner. I KNOW that you are unsure of your beliefs and looking for answers. I'm just not sure any answers you get HERE will ever satisfy you. I think that someday, GOD will answer your questions, and then you will know for sure.

 

And I know it sticks in your craw that Bill and I have called a truce. I fully realize that he starts new threads on the same topic all the time. You may NOT have noticed that I very rarely participate in those topics. Do I think he is a Christian? Yes. Do I agree with all the things he says? Not by a long shot, and Bill KNOWS that. But we have agreed to disagree.

 

So I hope you will forgive me if I offended you. That was never my intention. And I flatter myself that our friendship is strong enough to withstand this bump in the road. I love you. (((HUGS)))

 

 

I'll be sure & ask next time before I start a topic to get input from others. I sure wouldn't want to start a topic about anything if it's been talked about before.

Bill Gray does it all the time. He will leave a topic to start another topic about the same thing being discussed in the one he just left.

But I guess he can do it because he has you convinced he's a Christian & after all, I'm just a nasty ole sinner.

I'm not allowed. I must admit that I'm surprised of this attack from you. But no problem, I guess it was your turn.

 

-------------------------------------------------------

 

Semi, start your topics about anything you want and don't worry about it. If they don't want to read or comment no one is forcing them to do it. At least you are interested in what you post. Bill just does it because he thinks he controls the forum, thinks he's the "head pastor" and he has to give his little "mini-sermons" to the flock. You know, those THOUSANDS that read and hang on to his every word. I can't imagine anyone thinking bill is a christian, and anyone that has contact with true christians know there aren't any posting on this forum. 

Originally Posted by semiannualchick:
Originally Posted by lexum:

SEMI Your friend that prays; do you discourage her at any time given your non belief in anyone other than the mail man?

________________________

Even though I think you're being a smart ass, I'll answer your question. No, I do not discourage her, I love her to much to do that. If an unsaved person can pray & God answer that prayer, then more power to them. It would, of course, make John a liar since he said God doesn't hear the prayer of a sinner. If He doesn't hear it, it makes no sense to me that He would answer it.

 

As for my mailman, he's a jerk whom thinks he's a ladies man & irresistible to any female.

============================================

so your avatar represents you sitting out by the mailbox waiting on the mail.  humm??

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