If praying would work, then how come people in the most religious places are often the most poor?

Question

There are many many many many very poor people here on Earth who are at the same time very very very religious. Do people really think their prayers will be heard?

I am not just talking money, I am also talking have nothing to eat, have no money for medicins, diseases, you name it. Misery.

Answer 1

The poorest often have no hope left except for prayer, so that's what they do.

On a side note, it's interesting that people of all religions still like to promote the idea that poverty is virtuous and that people will be rewarded in the afterlife. Don't people understand that they're being manipulated by their religious leaders?

Answer 2

First there is a very big difference between being religious, and proclaiming faith.

I don't proclaim religion I proclaim a belief, a faith in Jesus. Many claim to be Christian but do not follow his example or teaching. Yet they are religious. By the actions of the person you will know the difference.

I believe in the power of Prayer and that sometime (alot of times) the answer is no. I believe pray heals. I believe that pray for the right things are answered yes. I believe that when I pray for understanding and wisdom that they are answered. I don't believe that praying for a winning lotto number is going to get the answer you want.

I believe that prayer is answered according to the spirit of the prayer. Want you are after in your prayer, if it for selfish reasons or if it is to better your spirit. I don't know if that answers your question but it is the best I have.

Answer 3

Great question. It is very true that many religious people are poor. But here is the answer--this life on earth is just a test. We are here to demonstrate that no matter how much we suffer on earth--we still believe in and worship God. Money is NOT a reflection of one's value as human being--not at all. Many wealthy people cause most of the worlds pain & suffering through their greed, selfishness, theft, and exploitation of human beings. It is easy to make money when you steal, lie, cheat, and decieve people. But people who follow God--do NOT do such things. They'd rather remain poor than hurt another human being just to make a dollar. In the end, we will all see that poor people are truly wealthy, and rich people, were really "poor" after all.

Answer 4

Buddy prayer and being rich is in no way related with each other.One could be praying the whole time yet for the wrong cause.Such prayers are not answered,i say this with experience of my own.I've been praying for bike i did'nt get.Ur surprised well i was equally,i prayerd honestly earnestly but i did' get it.Cause God knew that even if i got a bike i wont be in a position to maintain it.SIMPLE
Now being poor, being rich and prayer are two ways apart.U dont become rich if u pray,it's not magical chat.
Prayer is communication with GOD JESUS and HE talking to us,
The reason that people are poor could be that they simply dont know how to mange the blessing that God gives them.I was like that,i didnt know to handle a bless properly.I dont say that iam rich now and that i perfectly know how to handle the blessing.It is just that iam learning to do it.

Answer 5

We that are poor do not seek the riches of the earth like youself. we do not seek silver or gold or mercedes benz or the 300,000 dolllar homes, like your prosperity preaching churches. You see we might be poor in that aspect of life, but we are rich in spirit. Our prayers do get answered because we understand how and what to pray for. In
St. Luke 6:20 it says
20) And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kindom of heaven

When you come into the understanding of God, you will not ever have to worry about where you stand in the earth. You will understand where every one of your blessings whether big or small come from, and you will be content with whatever you have
PHILLIPPIANS 4:11,12,13
11) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12) I know both how to be abased, and I know how to be abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Look at the life of the rich man, anything in the world he can have. Looks happy on the outside, but missing something on the inside. Look at the lifestyles of your rich and famous, always seeking to find that which is a lie.
face lifts
tummy tucks
constant marriage and divorce
all types of cosmetic surgeries, etc, etc, etc.
not satisfied with the way God made them.
So there is a big difference between being rich and poor. When you look at the overall picture; we are actually a whole lot richer than they are. PRAISE the LORD, ALLEJUAIH, Amen.

So what are you praying for and is your prayer coming from your heart. Good question. I pray for you. Amen

Answer 6

Wealth does not make one happy. Why do you see people jumping off of buildings when the stock market tanks? Why do you see families fighting for money when a family member dies?

This sums it up, my friend:

1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Money can actually create sorrow in people. There are happy rich people, and happy "poor" people. However, many "poor" people live a "rich" life, not necessarily wealthy, but happy and whole.

When a person asks God for money, what are his/her motives? To brag? To have a Mercedes? To impress? Do they just want it because they love it? God could care less if you have loads of money or not. Why not ask for wisdom and guidance through His Word?

Mat 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Mat 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Mat 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Answer 7

Ahhhh, you are thinking of material weath, and that is not the GOD we worship.

We have much treasure in heaven, where we are going. and if you believe that to be money, or gold or any other item that would be considered material and of this earth, you are wrong.

We will have no sorrow, no tears. That is way more valuable than anything you could try to find to fill yourself with on this earth.

Hope that this could help you understand a bit about what we look forward to, not what is here on this earth.

Answer 8

interesting question.
I think the following may be an answer:
a) I don't know if prayer means "asking for stuff" alone.

b) How do you know they didn't get what they prayed for?

c) Perhaps G-d has a good reason for not giving them what they want (I sure know He hasn't always given me what I asked for).

d) I don't think that G-d will usually answer a prayer that requires a real miracle.

p.s. I'm jewish, so I suppose others might have a different perspective.

Answer 9

Prayer is not about money. Prayer is a connection we have between us and God. Prayer along with faith gives us a sense of security and knowledge that there is someone out there who knows our hearts and will bless us in ways other than financially. Money doesn't buy happiness.

Answer 10

Prayer has nothing to do with the onset of prosperity. Jesus said blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God. maybe the poorest folks are the happiest because they're closer to God and have peace in their souls. Whose to say a rich person is blessed anyway?