my view on this subject is that there is a god, if you disagree then lets discuss what you think...the second question is if there is a God, whos God is the right God...and please dont say that everyones god is the right one, because that statement is contradiction itself.

isabelgopo

A favorite Christian rationalization for why God does not answer our prayer to eliminate cancer is because "it would take away free will." The logic: If you pray and God answers your prayer, then God would have revealed himself to you, and you would know that God exists. That would take away your free will to believe in him. Of course, if this is true, then by default all of Jesus' statements about prayer in the Bible are false. It means that God cannot answer any prayer. Also, why is a God who must remain hidden like this incarnating himself and writing the Bible?

If Jesus is God, and if God is perfect, why aren't all of Jesus's verses about prayer true? Was Jesus exagerating? If Jesus is perfect, why wouldn't he speak the truth? Why doesn't a prayer to cure cancer worldwide tomorrow work?

Believers have many different ways to explain why all these verses in the Bible do not work, even if you are praying sincerely, unselfishly and non-materialistically, and even if the answer to your prayer would help millions of people and glorify God in the process. They will say things like this:

"You need to understand what Jesus was saying in the context the first century civilization in which he was speaking..."

or:

"When Jesus talked about 'moving a mountain', he was speaking metaphorically. When someone says, 'it is raining cats and dogs,' no one takes him literally. Jesus was using a figure of speech rather than speaking literally..."

or:

God is not a thing. He is a being. He has a will. He has desires. He relates to people. He has personality traits. Prayer is a fancy word for talking to God. God, who knows everything, even before we say it, knows the difference between our thoughts and wishes, and when we are actually addressing him. He hears our prayers and responds. His responses are based on his personal decisions. We cannot predict how he will respond to our prayers...

The problem is, all of these rationalizations miss two important points:

1. God is supposed to be an all-powerful, all-knowing, perfect being.

2. The statement, "Nothing will be impossible for you", along with the other Bible verses quoted above, are false. The fact is, lots of things are impossible for you.

If a perfect being is going to make statements about how prayer works in the Bible, then three things are certain: 1) He would speak clearly, 2) he would say what he means, and 3) he would speak the truth. That is what "being perfect" is all about. A perfect, all-knowing God would know that people would be reading the Bible 2,000 years later, and therefore he would not use first-century idioms (he would say what he means). He would know that normal people will be reading the Bible and interpreting it in normal ways, so he would speak in such a way as to avoid mis-interpretation (he would speak clearly). He would know that when you say, "Nothing will be impossible for you", that what it means is, "Nothing will be impossible for you" and he would make sure that the statement "Nothing will be impossible for you" is accurate (he would speak the truth). If God says it, it should be true -- otherwise he is not perfect.

Unfortunately, the fact is that thousands of things are impossible for you no matter how much you pray, and no one (including Jesus) has ever moved a mountain.

In order to see the truth, you need to accept the fact that all of the above verses are wrong. The fact is, God does not answer prayers. The reason why God does not answer your prayers is simple: God does not exist.

isabelgopo

and what makes your god better that the other gods?

Fr_Chuck

yes as long as you believe things are impossibe for you, they will be, that is why there is much more healing amoung those who are not as "educated" in to what God cant do. There are of course restrictions, we can not bring on the end of the world, that is God the Fathers that has that knowledge alone. We can not make something happen that isnot within Gods will, or that is against Gods law.

As one who has saw instant healing of many things, and other miricles, no, all things are possible, if they are first God's will and second if there is faith for it. With this we also know that all evil in the world is here because of man and his nature. The earth is not the home for the chistian, we are stangers here merely passing though. the earth is not christian and has not been since the fall of man,

So the reason God does not answer pray, the reason is he does, but often you don't want to hear the answer. first it is a season for all to live, we are born to die, so we though prayer can not stop death.

I am sorry you have not the faith to believe and see the wonders God has for you and for all beleivers.

Onan

Believers of other Gods and religions say and believe the same thing.

buzzman

The day we begin to understand that there are bigger things than ourselves and our individual selfish needs is the day we can begin to understand the concept behind prayer. We are to pray according to God's will, and not ours. There is a reason for unanswered prayer that is beyond human comprehension. No one but God can know the "Domino affect" that a selfish prayer could cause, even if prayed with the best intentions. No one on this earth is that wise. Take for instance the concept of spraying pesticides on food with the intention of having greater harvests. Take for instance the injection of steroids in traditional poultry and cows. These are but a couple of examples of how man's decisions are the cause of disease in today's society. Ultimately the root of all evil revolves around money in one way shape or form. You just have to find the path that leads to its cause and you'll find it. People pray for cures to a disease at the very same time we are contributing to the sin. It is quite ironic actually. There are things that need to come to pass in this world for a greater reason than most can begin to understand. It is this reason that we as Christians are called to find those root causes and give our sin over to God as we realize it in our lives. The only way that one can begin to understand this Wisdom is to ask for that Wisdom which ultimately belongs to God. This happens when you ask God/Jesus/Holy Spirit to live in your heart by admitting that you are a sinner and repenting from our sin to allow our bodily vessel to become a "Temple of this Spirit". No one can begin to understand Wisdom until you are spiritually awakened (Born Again). It is then that your spiritual blindness will be lifted to understand unanswered prayer. The problem with this is how do you accept a Savior in your life unless you acknowledge and recognize that you need one. Until this happens in a person's life, they are doomed to walk through life without hope and complete emptiness. Life is not without hope, unless you choose it to be so.

spunkeee1

I do not understand the immediate correlation between the belief in God, spirituality and plain old good humanity and the Bible. If humankind were eradicated tomorrow and 2000 years from now the new inhabitants( be it humanform or other) found a large collection of Stephen King books would they base their entire belief system on a Clown called 'IT' that only comes to life when you bury it in the 'Pet cemetery ? I consider myself spiritual because I am not egotistical enough to think humans are the best there is. Do you? Anyone here a Star Trek fan? I am not but I do recall the Borg and the premise to their race. Is it not possible that God is the collective conscience of every living creature on Earth? I do not know if I believe that but the point is until you can prove it wrong then who are you to tell me different? Even if you do prove it wrong then (more emphatically) who are you try to change anything about the way I think as long as it does'nt affect you. Here is an idea World...stop pushing your own beliefs on others regardless of what they might be. I can think of at least one war that may stop.

isabelgopo

...stop pushing your own beliefs on others regardless of what they might be. I can think of at least one war that may stop.[/quote]
i totally agree

Onan

Whats the point then??

This debate is really not my cup of tea, but I was just wondering why people would have to make excuses for God not answering prayers when the Bible clearly says "ask and you shall receive"

Wondergirl

God always answers prayer (sometimes not the way the pray-er would like the answer to be).

isabelgopo

how do you know that god always answer prayers? just curious...