How do God's Plan and Free Will fit in the same Universe?

Question

I mean, what good does praying do in a planned-out world and state of things?

Does it mean that God might be able to bend or twist his plan in order to help a ailing theist??

Or on the contrary, does it mean God knew what would happen at VTech, but did nothing to prevent it?

Answer 1

Malcolm, I hear you. I've asked myself this question many a time, and I came to the same conclusion you did. So, instead of beating around the bush I'll just say it.

THE GOD OF CHRISTIANS IS AS REAL AS YODA... less real, actually, since we have Yoda on video and god is only available in paperback or hardcopy.

Answer 2

There is a devil, and since the bible says that God is light and in him is no darkness AT ALL, you cannot hold God responsible for bad things in this world.
Why you ask is the devil allowed to do things in this world.
The answer lies in Genesis when Adam decided to (harken unto the voice of his wife and disobey God) eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Had he not have transgressed Gods one and only request, man today would only know good.
It doesn't seem fair that we all as human kind have to be born with the curse of Adam, we don't get to choose our parents, or our nationality, we are just born into it.
God (who is good) made a provision for this, as soon as Adam screwed up God made a promise that the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:16)would crush the head of the serpent. DO women have seed? NO only man or in this case, the perfect seed that God would create in Mary
the perfect sacrifice, a lamb without spot or blemish, on him do all of the burden of sin that we carry rest. That's why God got him up from the dead as a sign that he was approved by god to do this work for mankind. Now we do have a CHOICE to believe on Christ and confess him as our Lord. The bible is the source for information on God,
but you need to believe that he IS and he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him.

Answer 3

God's Plan is actually done as far as what we need to live and survive in the planet. The completion task is now endorsed to us humans. When He said go forth, multiply and replenish the earth. He meant whatever is lost we are to take part and fill whatever void is there to fill. Since He gave us also the task to subdue and name the animals, we then take the responsibility of looking over the balance of nature.
There is a right and wrong way to live and there is a right wrong way to keep the balance of nature. He gave us His guidance through the all the testaments handed down from mouth to mouth through many generations until it was written down to many tablets of stone and paper. Some are left carved inside the caves, stones, walls and remains to probe and prove the facts about ancient histories.
Then we are given the Free Will to decide our own individual destinies that may prove to be right and partake to a grand design of mankind for his happiness and enjoyment. As long as our tasks is n ot going to destroy what nature was intended for, His blessings will be abundant. If we walk on wicked ways as that we may destroy the balance of nature, then He will turn back away from us and will not look when disaster come upon us.
Vtech incident is nothing but manmade and part of the abused freedom of one man against his fellowmen. Just as the holocaust is not His plan but the doings of a man who succumb to the temptation of evil when he thought he was doing a great legacy for himself.

Answer 4

Think of it this way - humanity's ultimate destiny has already been decided, but individual decisions along the way are not.

You might compare it to being on board a train with a single final destination. Everyone aboard is headed ultimately for the same disembarking point - it is predetermined for them. In the meantime, though the train is bound by the tracks and is "predestined" those aboard are free to roam about and do as they please enroute. In fact, they can even break the law. Upon arrival at the other end, those who violated the law will have to answer for it.

This answer is, admittedly, brief and leaves much unaddressed. Do consider emailing me.

Tom

Answer 5

Prayer is not to get our will be done, but His in our life.

God warned that if you drop your dependence on Him in your society, that you will be opening yourself up to disaster. This happened to Israel, it is now happening to the U.S. We, as a nation, have been quick to abandon God. Yet, when disaster strikes, we are also quick to blame Him.

God saw the decline, He sees all of the world history in one shot. But we are still on the timeline, and prayer changes things. What things are changed, He has already seen take place. Perhaps it can change the time continuum.

Answer 6

God's plan is salvation.

God cannot create true love.
True love will only manifest in a being of freewill.

In like manner God cannot create evil or righteousness, but will only manifest in beings of freewill.

Answer 7

Then...Isn't God worthy of our respect! Give the Lord a mighty praise for making the impossible, possible!

Answer 8

They don't. If you have free will then there can not be predestination because if your actions are all known ahead of time then where are your decisions your own. I think people are confused when they say deities 'give us' free will and then in the same breath that "the deity has a plan"...

Answer 9

so you're saying it's wrong to want things to work out the best way they can?

God has rules to follow. One of them is He cannot manipulate people's minds. If a person chooses to kill, that's their choice. Also, sin hinders God's legality in our world, so if there wasn't any faith, He's not allowed.

+, God often gives preminitions and feelings of "don't go there" to His children. some just don't listen.

Answer 10

Prayer can do nothing at all... Ambrose was right on!

Pray: To ask the laws of the universe to be annulled on behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy. -- Ambrose Bierce