Does God really answer prayers about material things?

Question

I had a dream I was driving a car really fast and being chased. But I stopped just in time before going over the cliff. The other car didn't. I didn't know the cliff was there I just stopped before going over. I heard a voice to stop, I didn't see anyone. I just stopped. Lately, I have been dreaming of luxury trucks, big houses, and an enormous bank account. I want to believe that my prayers are being answered but I just want others opinion. What does this all mean?

Answer 1

Lectio Divina is Latin for “spiritual reading” and represents an early monastic technique of prayer which continues in practice though less widely, intended to achieve communion with God as well as providing special spiritual insights and peace from that experience. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray from God's Word.

History
Lectio Divina was first expressed in the year 220 AD. It was found that to read the Bible profitably it is necessary to do so with attention, consistency and prayer. The systematization of “spiritual reading” into four steps dates back to the 12th century. Around 1150, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book entitled “The Monk’s Ladder” (Scala Claustralium) wherein he set out the theory of the four rungs: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI stated, “This is the ladder by which the monks ascend from earth to heaven.”

Method
Lectio is typically practiced daily for one continuous hour. A selection from the Holy Scriptures is chosen ahead of time, often as a daily progression through a particular book of the Bible.

Time
Selecting a time for lectio divina is important. Typical methods are to pray for one hour in the morning, or to divide it into two half-hour periods, one in the morning and one in the evening. The key is to pre-select the time that will be devoted to the prayer, and to keep it. Using the same time every day leads to a daily habit of prayer that becomes highly effective.

Place
The place for prayer is to be free from distractions. This means it should be isolated from other people, telephones, visual distractions, etc. Some find a religious icon to be helpful. The same place should be used for lectio if possible, especially as one first begins to practice it. Familiarity with a location reduces the possibility of distraction away from the prayer. Some practitioners conduct other devotions, such as praying before the Catholic Eucharist, as a preparation for Lectio Divina.

Preparation
Prior to reading, it is important to engage in a transitional activity that takes one from the normal state of mind to a more contemplative and prayerful state. A few moments of deep, regular breathing and a short prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide the prayer time helps to set the tone and improve the effectiveness of the lectio.

Once the stage is set it is time to begin the prayer. There are four phases of the prayer, which do not necessarily progress in an ordered fashion. One may move between different phases of the prayer very freely as the Spirit guides.

The Four Moments
Lectio
Read the passage several times.

Meditatio
Reflect on the text of the passage, thinking about how to apply to one's own life. Gravitate to any particular phrase or word that seems to be of particular import. This should not be confused with exegesis, but is a very personal reading of the Scripture and application to one's own life.

Oratio
Respond to the passage by opening the heart to God. This is not primarily an intellectual exercise, but more of the beginning of a conversation with God.

Contemplatio
Listen to God. This is a freeing oneself from one's own thoughts, both mundane and holy. It is about hearing God talk to us. Opening our mind, heart and soul to the influence of God. Any conversation must allow for both sides to communicate, and this most unfamiliar act is allowing oneself to be open to hearing God speak.

Answer 2

Dreams are symbolic and only you can interpret their meaning. Forget about the dream dictionaries. They try to categorize everything. Your dreaming about riches can mean something totally different than my dreaming about riches. When you go to bed tonight, instead of counting sheep, continuously ask yourself the meaning of the dreams. In time, you may get an answer. You have to remember, though, sometimes our prayers are answered by not being answered. Meaning, the best thing for you was not the material thing you were wishing for but something else (finding a lost love, reconnecting with an estranged family member, etc). Good luck on your search.

Answer 3

i have prayed many many times for many many things ever since i was a kid and have gotten a wide variety of answers that come in many shapes and forms. however i have seen some very strong consistent themes that transcend all of them.

in regards to material things specifically, i would say this: God will always answer in a way that brings about the most overall good to your life and the lives of others and in a way that will cause you to seek and/or grow closer to him. i say "overall" because sometimes you may ask for something that you think will benefit you but actually may end up having long-term negative effects. i'll give a couple quick examples from my life:

a few months back, i lost my backpack which contained some of my most prized possessions: several journals, some memory cards with important files, and power adapter chords for both my cell phone and camera. i prayed diligently over and over and over that God would help me to find my backpack. i never found it though, still to this day, and it has been many months since i lost it. however, through all of this, i think that i have really benefited because it has really allowed me to release my grip on material things to a much greater degree and live without depending on these things to keep me satisfied. i actually feel happier and more free now because those things don't have so much control over the way i feel. if i drop something expensive and it breaks, i'm not going to freak out as much as i would have before. if i lose something, i know it's not the end of the world.

here's example of when i did get material wealth i asked for:
i really wanted to go to japan last summer and i prayed that God would allow me the financial means to go there. by the time i went to japan, i had been generously given more than enough money to go from several people with very little effort on my part. i simply told people that i wanted to go and i got all the support i needed.

i actually have tons and tons of other examples, but that would take forever, but just to summarize once more, i have found that God loves all of us deeply and wants the very best for us, even if it is completely different from what we think we want. also, whenever you pray, always make sure that you ask with unselfish intentions and seek God while you do it. it may be that a new car or a new house or whatever is God's plan for you, however, in 90% of cases, we are seeking material things to somehow satisfy us in a way only God can. remember, if you are living your life for money and goodies, those things are going to be what control you. here's a quick bible verse i think is relevant:

"Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." (Matthew 19-21 - NLT)

Answer 4

I think it just means that is what you want like everyone else does. Perhaps the car stopped to let you know that you are chasing the wrong dream and you better stop before you go off the deep end. Have faith in your prayers for guidance and wisdom.

Answer 5

Yes God answers all prayers, yes, no, later. I wouldn't put too much thought into your dream, if you want these things the best thing to do is to go to work and work for them.
God blesses all of His children, these luxury things are between you and Him. Talk to Him about it, only He knows what you need. It sounds like these things are what you want instead of a need. Talk to your heavenly Father about all things, it's all about perspective.

Answer 6

I've never had God answer a material need, rather He has given me the desire to achieve, and I get the material stuff as a matter of course.

That's not to say He hasn't stepped in and helped me with material needs (not desires, needs). I've gotten checks from companies I forgot owed me just in time to pay the electric bill, I've had relatives send me gifts in the form of money just in the nick of time to meet the rent.

So I've never gone without what I've needed, but I wouldn't dare ask God for millions of dollars or anything lol

Answer 7

Like any good father, God is concerned about what concerns you. He answers all prayers. There are usually three answers: Yes, no or wait.
He also told you in the scriptures to lay up your treasures in heaven where moths and dust won't corrupt them. That means do good in the world.
The scriptures also say you have not because you ask not; or you ask amiss.
Finally, the scriptures say he will deny you no good thing. Ask what you will, your father in heaven will always provide what is best for you and deny you what will do you harm.

Answer 8

now if you are Christian and believe that only the meek inherit the earth ... why would God grant material things .. especially luxuries ?
these things i am sure would not matter to him , would not be worth the energy of producing
i am not a Christian though .. but i dont understand this way of thinking sorry

Answer 9

it means nothing, your dreams are only inspired by your own interpretations of the life you are living. There is no God- read the "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins- or for a fun starting point, visit www.richarddawkins.net

Answer 10

No, God doesn't care about your material life. He said "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." meaning righteousness and mercy. If you want to be holy, luxury items are beneath you.

Unless I'm mistaken.