does God really answer prayers? why wenrt mine answered?

Question

i remember 10 yras ago when i was 12 i lost my father that was afteri prayed to go make my dad better. does he really exsist? i know one time my cousin had hodkins disease our church prayed three months latetr he was cleared of the cancer or diseace or wat ever. i dont know what do u think?

Answer 1

(The real) 'God' doesn't answer prayers. We have free will, and free will negates the idea of divine intervention. Free will is something we each chose for ourselves, and through free will we eventually learn that 'God' is a portion of you and me and everyone, and, in recognizing this, we have the power to answer our own prayers.

Answer 2

Bless your heart. I know how difficult it can be when God seems distant, or even disinterested. But, He does move in mighty ways, but we must also realize that God uses everything for our good...even when the bad stuff hits us.

I read a book not too many years ago about the life of George Mueller. One thing that struck me was that he kept a record of his prayers. He would record the prayer request, then leave a space for the answer. He would pray continually until he received an answer to that prayer.

Four years ago, I began keeping a journal just like he did, and as I learned that the kinds of prayers God answered the most (or the best) were those for or about others and their needs. Yes, even many of my selfish ones were answered. Right now, I can point to a record that shows clearly what prayers have been answered, and those that still have gone unanswered. I have 7 unanswered prayers right now, four of which are from years prior to 2006. God has been so faithful in answering prayer. The ones unanswered are all recent prayers, beginning in the month of May, not including those prior to 2006.

It has been a wonderful blessing to see my history of prayer with God, and even when He has answered "no," He has made up for any disappointment I've had by doing something different/better.

You ought to try this out, and see how He does move. The key is to remember and write down what you prayed for, and then record the answers. It is amazing how often He truly does answer our prayers!

Answer 3

I'm so sorry about your father, I can't imagine what that must be like. I think everything happens for a reason and God sees the bigger picture - it's very hard for us to see that, especially when we can only feel the pain of losing a loved one.
I think we all have a certain time here on earth and when we have finished our business - we came to do what we were supposed to do - our soul leaves to go home. It was just your dads time and he is in a much more beautiful peaceful place now - our home where we all belong and you will be with him again some day. I think God does answer prayers - even though we may not always get what we want. Imagine if God answered our prayers by giving us everything we ever wanted - the world would be a mess (have you ever seen the comedy, Bruce Almighty? Millions of people prayed to win the lotto and they all did - but there wasnt enough to go around!!!) For example, maybe someone is praying to God that they will pass there driving test, God knows he or she is not ready to be driving yet and if they were to pass they could cause a fatal accident in which it was not time for the person to die. So instead they may not pass there test at that time, but maybe a later time when they are ready.
We would never learn anything if we always got what we wanted, because that is what we are here on earth to do - learn and better our souls. I do belive the power of prayer helps - but only if that person still has more to learn here. I think your dad came and did what he had to do (perhaps by providing your life?) learned what his soul wanted to learn and then it was time for him to move on.
I do hope for you that you still belive in God and know that he is always listening to your prayers and always with you in your times in need. I am not a religious person but I do have strong faith in God and the afterlife. If your interested in reading more about it there are some great books by Sylvia Browne or Louise Hay that may bring you some more understanding.

Answer 4

Think about it: Nothing ever happened after a prayer that couldn't just have happened in the natural course of events. People do get well - it happens. Just because someone prayed, doesn't mean the prayer did anything. People get rescued from disasters by the courageous actions of others - That's what people do. Just because the victim prayed, doesn't mean the prayer was responsible for their rescue. And so on. You get the idea.

What you have to think about is not the fact that people sometimes get what they pray for, but that they only EVER get what they pray for if it could have happened anyway, without divine intervention. No doubt many people will point out that prayer never restored a lost limb, and there's a good reason for that - There is no-one up there listening, to do anything about it.

Gods are imaginary.

Answer 5

I know it hurt that you lost your father ten years ago, but I believe it was your father's time to go back home to God. I believe GOD heard your prayers, but your father needed to go home, not as punishment to you because you didn't prey hard enough, but because God thought the time was right for him to come home. I believe since that day your dad still watches over you, and you are probably a strong and independent person because of it.

I think you should remember the most important thing about death is you go home to God. Perhaps it was not your cousins time to go home and God sensed that through your prayers, and made him get well so he could stay with you all. That does not mean that you and the rest of your family didn't prey hard enough, I think your dad felt how beautiful, peaceful and loving God can be, and he accepted that it was time to go home to God. Try to find comfort in that, because your dad will be there waiting for you when it is time for you to go home to God. Your children will probably feel the same way as you are now, and you will probably do everything you can to help them understand their loss after you have gone home. I know this answer can never take away the pain you still feel, but I hope it can help.

Answer 6

i belive u should remember that although ur father is not with u right now if u truly belive in God u will see him again and i also feel everything happens for a reason and the devil is gonna throw some hard balls at ya but ya gotta keep ur head strong and remember that God is not against u hes all about u and he doesn't like it when we are sad anymore than we do i also belive God says yes, no, or wait as answers and if the answer is not yes then we need to realize that and see how we can better ourselves from the situation i walk by faith not by sight when thingz go wrong i know they'll be alright b/c someone greater is watchin out for me. faith is not an easy road to travel on but it is possible to travel on it and will lead to the kingdom of God just trust in him and ask him to help u make it through

Answer 7

Yes, God is real and He does answer prayers. Sometimes we think that He's not listening, but sometimes what we ask God for isn't in His will. It was time for your father to go to heaven and be with God. I know that may sound harsh, but we are all here on earth for an appointed time. Unfortunately, your father's time was over while you were still young. God never makes a mistake. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “ ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts. Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Just know that God has everthing in control and there is a reason for everything that He does or does not do. If you have want to ask God why, go ahead. We can ask Him since He is our father. He will answer. Just be patient and be prepared to hear from God. He's wanting to talk to you.
Be Blessed!

Answer 8

God always answers our prayers. Just not always the way we want Him to.

A verse in the book of Jeremiah says "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to give you a hope and a future, not to harm you"

It would be hard to see your father die, and someone else healed. God had a better place and plan for your dad. God knows us before we are born. He might have seen something bad coming up in your dad's future, and decided not to let him suffer in that manner, by taking him to heaven before the event.

An example could be, say God knew that your dad was going to be run over by a drunk driver and paralyzed for the rest of his life...instead, before he was born, God decided to spare your family that pain, therefore, took your dad before that could happen.

His ways are not our ways, and we can't see the big picture. We can't see how our living or dying will affect others lives. God can see the big picture. He loves you and he sheds tears for YOU. Keep praying and reading His word and you will grow into a new understanding. It is normal to question why some people have it better than others.

Remember, the grass isn't always greener...

Answer 9

Stop and think .......Your dad was sick and in pain ( assumption )...... You Prayed for God to make him better........If your dad was a "saved by the blood believing Christian " would you come to the conclusion that your dad is in Heaven which certainly makes him in a better place and better off with no pain to bare anymore .......God answers Prayer in His way and in His time..... Humans are impatient with Prayer , and most only Pray to God when they want something or are in trouble.....It is OK with God if you Pray daily and thank Him for the things and benefits you have been Blessed with in life, and not with just things you want ..... We don`t live forever , keep in mind that you will see your dad again someday If and when you get to Heaven....No matter how bad we think we have it , I assure you , someone else has a worst situation than we do . Always count your Blessings and be thankful for what you have and not what you don`t have..... Remember , you have never seen a U-Haul truck pull up next to a burial site , cause you can`t take it with you .....Peace & Blessings to you when you think of the person that was told today that they had only 3 months to live.So, for today I thank God for what he has given me .....We might not make it ourselves for 3 months , but we will have the option not to have to think about it every minute of everyday for the next 3 months... God Bless You.........Seek and Ye shall find !!

Answer 10

To quote an old song, "no" is an answer also.
I am so sorry for your loss. There are some things in life that are not fair and there are no easy answers for.
My life has not been easy either, but I found, for me, the best way to deal with it was to try and turn something negative that has happened to me into a positive. For example, I have had cancer, I have fibromyalgia, horrible allergies to medicines, food and animals, I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I have been severely and permanently injured in a car accident, my daughter has Crohn's Disease-- and I am only 38 years old.
But with all those things, I can help people who are going through it too because I have been there.
God's plan is not always our plan. There are lots of things I want to ask Him when I get there, but in the meantime, I keep faith that He loves me and that while my life has not been easy, there are wonderful moments of joy and happiness.
Hang in there, I know its hard.

Answer 11

God brings people into and takes them out of our lives for various reasons. If one never experienced grief or trouble of any kind, he would never understand the reason for compassion and reconciliation with others. That is how one's tests in life become testimonies. Some people would depend upon certain others indefinitely if they stayed in our lives forever. That would not allow them to grow, to change or to rest from their work. God knows what is best for those He takes back and for those He allows to stay here. "To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven." Yes. God always answers prayer, but sometimes, the answer is NO.