If Christian prayers to convert unbelievers fail, do they start doubting their beliefs?

Question

I have had Christians praying for me all my life. Praying that I should see the the "light" or put my "worldly knowledge" aside and listen to them. The prayers to "save" the "unbelievers" variety.

Or we all know that famous line "I will pray for you" when Christians do not agree with you or what you believe.

But what gets me is that they have never succeeded in doing anything or even remotely changing my mind. The fact is that their response actually drives people including me further away.

When these prayers fail time and time again do they start doubting themselves or wondering what could be wrong. Do they than finally start thinking and examining themselves.

Please before claiming I am generalizing I do not think all Christians will do this, I know a lot of Christians I dearly love and we all have come to accept each other despite our differences. I think prayers to try and change someones mind is arrogant and wrong.

I can see many really nice people cared to respond to this question. But you see the problem is I have my own beliefs. That is why I find it arrogant when people tell me "they are absolutely right" And I am wrong and still to see the "light"

Answer 1

I agree, it's just friggin irritating!! i don't think many of the ones who say they'll 'pray for (whoever)' will ever find a reason to examine themselves...~

Answer 2

Christians can pray for you all they want but in the end it is your choice to follow Jesus or not, they cannot make you. If they are a smart christian then they know that God has a plan for everyone and his timing is perfect, so he will wait until you are ready. It's not a one time offer, it is always there. If Christians loose faith because a prayer is not answered that day then they are not trusting God and they are limiting him.
I think you are missunderstanding how people are praying for you, they (well they shouldn't be) aren't praying that you magically change your mind, they are praying that God puts someone or some situation in your life where you will see that you need him. They are praying that you have a revelation and see that you cannot do everything on your own.
Not every prayer is answered (if that were the case i'd be a millionair) however if it is Gods will he will see it through, and it is always Gods will for someone to be saved...but he gave us free will so that we would realize that we need him, not so that we would just doing it because we are told.
I hope that kind of answered your question...

Answer 3

I am a Christian and I don't try and cram it down people's throats. And if I pray for anybody, I do it with Christ's command that it be private and not shared. Matthew 6:5-6 Those were Christ's own words so I don't know why everybody has to share their prayer concerns with you. If they are concerned, they need to pray and let it be between them and the Father as commanded. It is bad to tell people they will convert you and cause you to see the light. I share anything with seekers and leave everyone else alone as I am supposed to do. When Christ touches a heart, the seeking begins so I wish everyone would leave you alone. Maybe you should quote to them Matthew 6:5-6 and see what they say about that!

Answer 4

I think anyone who cares enough to pray for or bless me must love me dearly. Although I AM a Christian, I certainly appreciate the blessings and prayers of my wiccan sister-in-law. I also would appreciate well-wishes on my behalf from any atheists...although none have yet to offer them. I find it a little strange that you find that arrogant and wrong, particularly if you feel they are wrong thinking and that God is a myth. You should just appreciate the spirit of love in which these prayers are offered. Life doesn't have to be about suspicion and hate.

I've seen the power of prayer but I'm also very aware of free will. When someone exercises their own free will, it doesn't make me doubt God at all.

Answer 5

God answers all prayers, some times the answer is no. Someone saying they will pray for you shows that they care about you. If you cannot execpt Gods love, I imagine it's really hard to accept the unconditional love of others-even those that you do not know or understand. Believe is a choice, as is prayer. And, besides, your life is not over yet-so I too shall pray for you, perhaps one day my prayers too will be answered.

Answer 6

A true Christian would not doubt themselves or GOD in any of the above situations. The obvious answer to me is that in order for a pray to be effective in saving or changing someone else - that someone has to have a receiving heart.

Answer 7

Hello and the point of prayer is not always to change someone, In Heb.13:8, John 8:58, John 1 we understand Jesus is/was God in flesh, and He prayed sometimes all night however one of His deciples sold Him out for 30 pieces of silver and another denyed knowing Him, prayer is to bring the one praying into oneness with The Mind of God, it changes others sometimes but mostly it changes the one praying for the better i may add.Free bible lessons www.amazingfacts.org email me also [e-mail] God bless

Answer 8

christians pray for others, it is not the ones preaying that can change one to live for god. It is the person who we are praying for who must make the choice as God has given each of us "freewill" to choose his path. God does not force his life on us, he lets us choose, but christians pray so that God will help the unbeliver see the truth of his ways and maybe use someone or some happening in thier lives to reach them. many find Jesus this way if they open their eyes and cry out to the Lord when things are so bad. Jesus wants us to seek him before it is too late, and we have to wait for God to answer in HIS timing and in HIS ways. Philippian 4:6

Answer 9

It is not up to me or any other christian to "save" you. Only God can remove your spiritual blinders and help you see the Truth. We are commanded to "go and tell" but your soul is strictly and only your responsibility. Be thankful that you have people still sharing Jesus with you. That proves that God hasn't "let you go." For it is when we christians stop sharing that the person needs to be reallllll scared. You're toast when the Lord says "good riddance."

Answer 10

It does work, whether you believe it or not. Just because YOU weren't converted doesn't mean that that person's prayers didn't help anyone. Their prayers may have helped someone who was struggling to see God in their lives. Prayers for others aren't limited to one person!! You've got to understand that. Hope that this helps....(And I'll pray not just for you, but for all non-believers) And praying for people, just because they don't want your prayers, or w/e, is far from arrogant. I'm sure terrorists in jail don't want my prayers, but they are gonna get them anyway.

Answer 11

Oh, no way...Christians have several convenient cop outs to protect their fragile beliefs:
1) God helps those who help themselves...well, if I help myself, why do I need a god along for the ride?
2) Thank God for unanswered Prayers...seems with this logic, you would do nothing but thank your god for everything..what you pray for and get, what you pray for and don't get
3) Only Prayer will give you success: ... when you work your *** off, you are supposed to fall down on your knees and thank your god for all that he has "given" you. Tell that to a bum on the street!
4) IF you fail at what you do, you are a sinner...so you pray to god to forgive your failings..hmmmmm...seems we can't thank ourselves for our successes, and we blame ourselves for our failures...a loose loose situation in my book
5) Follow our teachings and you will have life everlasting: Along the way, don't forget to tithe 10% or more of your money. ... With this one, Christian' ministers prey on man's worst fear, of dying...so we can 'buy' eternal life now. Wouldn't it be interesting to actually see a minister working as hard as you do to make the money you give him? Very interesting indeed.
I am not an atheist, believe it or not. But I am not a fool, either.