Does praying work?

Question

If it does, then answer these 2 questions:

1. Why is it that all these people (most of them are young people) die of starvation and diseases everyday when so many people are pray for them? Is it that that god doesn't like them or maybe they did something wrong?

2. There was a survey with 100 people all diagnosed with the same disease. They prayed for 50 of them to get cured and did nothing about the others but the death rate was nearly the same for both groups. How do we explain that?

Please don't give me any story of when praying worked because there will always be a time when some prayer worked by coincidence. Think about the fact that it does not work in many cases.

More information on this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH0rFZIqo8A&mode=user&search=

to "Simple":
Its not like praying for others to not die of starvation and diseases is a selfish pray, so why is it that they still die?

To Epitome_inc:
If god says no to an unselfish prayer like curing all the diseases, then doesn't it mean that he wants innocent people to suffer and that he doesn't love people as he says in the bible?

Answer 1

If it worked, no one would die, natural disasters would be stopped in their tracks, there would be no sick people, there would always be justice, no innocent people would go to jail, and ignorant politicians wouldn't stand a chance.

I prefer to use my time for more productive things, like walking in the woods and communing with nature.

Answer 2

Yes, I do believe that prayer works, but since you don't believe in personal stories, I won't bore you with my history.

But as far as why some people get prayers answered and others don't...consider these facts.

Are these people only praying when they want something from God or do they worship him as their personal lord and savior. Would you be wanting to answer requests for people when they demand, plead and beg, or would you be more likely to answer if it was someone you communicated with regularly. You see, God is not our servant and if we treat him with so little respect as to expect him to be there only when we want him to be, then is it fair to expect answers? Besides, Jesus himself said that the rain would fall on the just and on the unjust. Why certain people don't get answers, I cannot explain, other than, how do we know that keeping a person alive would be the best thing possible?

Question #2. How do you know that no one was praying for the 50 people in the survey that supposedly had no prayers said. All that survey shows is that there were 50 official people praying for the other group of people. What was the spiritual heart condition of the people that were praying. If these people did not have a personal relationship with God, they may not have had the faith. God knows the hearts and that is more important than the prayers said. The Pharisees prayed in the street corners in the Bible, but that didn't make them holy in God's eyes.

Answer 3

Now your going to get me started,There are a lot of times that prayer is not the answer.The answer is always, as an individual, to have a mind set, that if you see your brother have need and have it by you to give to give.This is called charity.
Most anybody can agree with this as long as they don't have to be the one being charitable,that's why we have the poor and that's why Jesus said...for you have the poor always with you..Mathew 26:11,he knew what man would do to man and gave us the wisdom of how not to have starvation's and disease and any other catastrophe,the only thing is that the way he set it up is the way it is and he isn't going to change,we have to change.You and I cannot change the world by ourselves but we can be vigilant to show charity.The word of God says it is the greatest gift. To me if a person asks about this I personally take great care to be right because it is something we all think even if we won't speak it.
God gave us what it takes to have life,liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all.When I have seen prayer work with miracles is when I have seen a pure heart,either in me or in another person humbling to God.This makes some people upset but it is still the truth.I'm telling you we are failing each other,God isn't failing us. I didn't watch the youtube thing,it don't matter.

Answer 4

There is a right way to pray and a wrong way and it's spelled out in the Bible. Most people pray the wrong way. I used to before I found out I was doing it wrong. Now, I know what to do and I can honestly say all of my prayers get answered. The key to doing it right is belief. Without belief that your prayer is justified, been heard and answered, you're just rolling the dice. It's one of those things that is a lot easier said than done, but with practice, it's get a lot easier until it's automatic. A lot of people think they believe when they pray, but they don't. I can't tell you how many times I've heard people pray for something and then say, "It probably won't happen anyway." And a lot of people pray only as a last resort when their belief that their prayer will be answered is practically non-existent. They just want to be able to say they tried everything. You have to believe it with your mind, your spirit, your emotions -- everything. Like I said, it's a lot easier said than done, but it always works for me.

Think about this ... in every instance where Jesus healed someone, He never took credit for it. He always told the person it was their BELIEF that made it happen ... not their prayers, not their observance of holy traditions, not their sacrifices. BELIEF. And there is a huge difference between believing something will happen and hoping it will.

Answer 5

That is an excellent question! What I believe is that there are instances when God allows suffering because of the greater plan. He doesn't want anyone to suffer, but just like anything else, sometimes it must be done, especially when the people are not faithful to him. I do believe in prayer. Without it, I can't imagine all the horrible things that could of occured in our lives. We are always able to find an excuse not to believe, or pray, it isn't hard. Satan makes it extremely easy... We humans like easy. It's well, easy. God never promises us that we will have it easy here on earth. So, we pray, and read God's word, and we believe. I would rather live my life as if there was a God, then to live as if there wasn't, and find out I was wrong! Good luck on your journey!

Answer 6

1. God needs human partners. He has provided for us enough of food. This is mainly a distribution problem. People are so corrupted. What have you done personally to help? I have a sponsored child I support every month. I am planning to have more through Children International. : )

2. God allows a lot of pain and suffering here, but there in heaven everything is perfect. That is why we cannot feel totally happy here because this is not our final destination. God answers to our prayers, but sometimes the answer is NO. Many people prayed for Jesus so that He did not have to die. But that was Jesus' job to die. So we should not pray for the wrong reasons and wrong things. We should always pray God's will be done. : )

One of our pastors relative was diagnosed with cancer, young girl. But when they needed to have a meeting with parents and tell more about it, the cancer was GONE. Why God heals some people but does not heal others, I do not know. But one thing I know, in heaven everything is going to be perfect. : )

Answer 7

Did you ever hear of suffering souls who suffer for others. Prayers may work, But who truly knows God's will?

Since I do not know God's will, and I do pray I leave it up to God. Death never takes a holiday, some will die and some will live.

In Addition when you pray:

1. It must be sincere and righteous prayer.
2. You pray in Jesus' name.
3. You have no mortal sins on your soul, so confession is suggested.
4. You go to Church and respect the Sacraments, and the Lord.
5. Thank God constantly for all the gifts you have: Life, intelligence, health, family, home. Thank him all ways in all days.

If NONE of these are done and your pray, good luck, but it does help to Keep the Lord in mind in daily life.

Answer 8

1. Then do something and be the answer to a prayer. You don't have to know who asked it, but if you feel the call to help, do so. You will be blessed for it. Jesus told us we would always have the poor with us even until the end. There is plenty of food in the world, but if they just gave it away, it wouldn't let them earn a profit and such. It's economics. Blame man.

2. They may have no prayed to the right God. I have a medical problem myself. I've had it for about 2.5 years now, there is no diagnoses for my symptoms, only symptoms that can't be explained. I prayed, my wife, my daughter, my inlaws, etc. I still have it. Does this mean He didn't answer? Nope, it means the answer is "No.". How do I know this? Because He has answered several others for me. I've been given strength when I need it (sometimes physical, sometimes emotional), patience when it's called for, He has helped me to be merciful, but most of all I've been given the love and open eyes to see the truth.

Answer 9

Yes, prayer works. Through prayer we can accept the gift of salvation-- the greatest miracle of all. For if thou confess with thine mouth, the Lord Jesus and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shall be saved.
Romans 10:9
Salvation is only a prayer away. Now, the people that you mention, the humans that are all around us suffering-- if these people pray to God, then God will help them. I really believe this. The adversary/ the evil one is the one that rejoices at the sight of these people. He would that all of us share their horrible plight or more. When we know Jesus Christ, our salvation is assured, we have God's protection, but it doesn't mean we are 100% immune to "bad things" happening to us. Afterall, we live in this many times disgusting world. There are generational curses that only Christ can break. That is why Christians must share their faith and provide help to others.
Like I said, if the adversary could have his way, he would that all of us would be starving in some dark corner of this world, hopeless and distraught. Yet, we are not. Use the strength, wealth, gifts that God has bestowed upon you to help others, not doubt Him. God is love. He is no respector of persons. He can help anyone and His ear is always inclined. Yet, we must seek Him.
Also, you can't pray to a false God and then get upset when Jesus Christ doesn't answer. This brings to mind the AIDS crisis in Africa. There are actually humanitarian groups that don't qualify for U.S. funding because they refuse to teach abstinence. They say the U.S. is trying to impose its religious ideology on foreign people. Yet, young people are dying because they are not taught that abstinence is the only way to stop the epidemic. Obviously things are so far gone in Africa that "safe sex" is not working or they are not willing to practice it. Do these people deserve this horrible death-- NO! Is this a punishment for sin? -NO! It is a consequence of sin and a promiscuous culture that is embedded so deeply within the people. nThe only one happy about this is the devil himself.
The only answer to this plight is Jesus Christ. His love can transform these people and heal their land. He is willing. He is always willing to save!

Answer 10

Honestly...the prayer works if the right person in heart prays. You can't just pray when your sick and never to just thank him for breath and life. He doesn't work that way. He wants you to do work too because he knows he could heal a person instantly but what's the point if no one does anything. It's a relationship played both ways.

Answer 11

Mankind and it's continual search to prove itself. ITSELF, because what does it matter whether God answers some and not others. You can roll the dice and won't always come up seven either. Why? FAITH is an instrument left to CHANCE, just as the gambler rolls the dice and hopes it comes up seven. There's someTHING which "explains" BOTH. "Effort." The gambler makes the "EFFORT" to roll the dice, just as the one of faith puts out "prayer." What comes, comes. The one of faith loses nothing, where the gambler won't be so lucky, OR..... People of faith must get something for their EFFORTS or else there wouldn't be so many having done it or still doing ever since recorded history which goes back 5500 years.......What "you" or any non-believers "think" through all your logical assumptions throughout the ages hasn't done anything to stop it, now has it??? It won't stop me from doing it, for at least I have those dice rolling for me in hopes they come up SEVEN...........which is more than I can say for the non-believer.....