on the subject of praying, i once heard that god always answers all our prayers, just sometimes his answer is no. so my question is this. what's the point in praying? if god does exists, he (or she) is going to do what he wants anyway. does praying really make a difference? i believe you'd have the same luck getting your prayers answered from a rock. sometimes the rock says no, too.
2007-09-05 07:39:17 · 23 answers · asked by just curious (A.A.A.A.) 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sometimes God is too busy doing The Humpty Dance, and doesn't have time to deal with wack prayers.
2007-09-05 07:42:42 · answer #1 · answered by Deke 5 · 4⤊ 9⤋
Prayer isn't about asking God to give you what you want, it is about talking to him. I sure hope my son doesn't start thinking that the only reason he should talk to me is to ask me to buy/give him something!
Yes, God says no...a LOT...just as I have to say no, a LOT, to my own son. Just as children have the tendency to ask (beg) for things that adults know aren't good for them, so we have a tendency to ask God for things that aren't good for us! By the same token, just because I say no to so many of the things my son asks, doesn't mean that he should stop asking for anything. How else could he ever come to learn what things ARE good for him?
I remember catching my son "sneaking" a banana in the pantry. When I asked him why he was hiding he said he was afraid I would say no if he asked. This gave me the chance to tell him that I would never say no to him eating a banana unless I had a good reason (such as the time he wanted to eat an entire bunch right before dinner).
A rock can't answer your prayers...it can't say yes OR no because it has nothing to give you. On the other hand, God CAN say yes to you...but only when the thing you want is something that's in your best interests. When he says no, that's an opportunity for you to learn that what you think you want may not be good for you!
In short, prayer is the way you communicate with God. Through it you gain access to his wisdom about your feelings and choices. Praying is for you...not so you can beg for what you want but so you can learn what it is that you should (and should not) be wanting!
2007-09-05 08:07:27 · answer #2 · answered by KAL 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well I view God as my Loving Father in Heaven. If you look at it from this perspective, then that helps.
Earthly parents will tell their children No sometimes because they know what is best. Just because they say no, the child still has agency and can disobey that and do what they want in most cases. Child: can I play in the Road- Father: No Child goes and plays in the street anyway and then has to deal with the consequence of that choice.
Sometimes, the answer is No and we have no power to change that. Like if someone dies. I can again relate this to an earthly family- I know this is simplistic- but here is an instance where the child is powerless to change things- Child "Can we go to DisneyLand" Father " No not at this time" The child is powerless to go unless they live next door.
Sometimes, the answer is that we need to do as much as we can to make it happen- Child " Can I have a new Bike?" Parent " Yes, as long as you earn the money for it." Then the child is required to use works to get what he wants- this is usually how the Lord works, he requires us to work it out for ourselves and do as much as we can to get what we want. Sometimes when that child did all he could to earn the money for the bike, the parent will chip in the rest- this is the same with the Lord, we do all we can and then he will help us along the way.
I hope this Makes sense to you.
I just know that at times in my life when I have asked for a particular blessing and not received it, I realize later that I was blessed by not getting it. I can look back and see how what I wanted was not the best thing for me. Usually what comes is better. But At other times he has told me no and I chose to ignore that and did what I wanted anyway and I had to suffer the natural consequences of my choice. Yet other times, when I listen and follow him and I choose the right way and He confirms to me that it is the right path, then I am richly rewarded.
2007-09-05 08:04:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone is entitled to their religious beliefs and opinions. With that said, I believe that God hears and answers all prayers. I believe He decides what is best for me and I trust that He knows better than I do. Therefore, I have faith that my life is guided and blessed by a God whom I trust and I know is always on my side. I can ask for his help and guidance and even request that things turn out the way I want them too. But if I am disappointed with the results, I know there is a good reason and I don't question what that reason may be. I know it's what's best for me.
2007-09-05 07:57:16 · answer #4 · answered by Pisces 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because not all prayer is asking for something, prayer is communication. Also, even though God says no, sometimes he says yes as well whereas the rock will never say yes.
2007-09-05 07:51:55 · answer #5 · answered by mrglass08 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Bible says that we are to pray without ceasing. That doesn't mean to constantly go around uttering words to God, but to have a relationship with God that is close enough for you to be "in tune" with what He would have you do at any particular time. God is not there to grant our every wish, but to guide us as we seek to do His will and grow closer to Him. "Just as a father would not give a serpent to his son" ,God wants what is best for us. Many times we do not understand why we what we desire is not what is best for us, but if we are trying to live Godly lives faith will help us to trust Him even when we don't understand. This is such a deep subject, I hope that this answer helps in some way. May God bless you as you seek Him!
2007-09-05 07:52:41 · answer #6 · answered by G c T 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Prayer is the best thing we can do in our lives. Prayer changes us and makes us grow. Prayer helps us know more about God.
He answers all the prayers which agrees with His will.
Good luck!
2007-09-05 07:47:20 · answer #7 · answered by cleopatra 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, there are three possible answers to prayers...
* Yes
* No
* Maybe... later
This brief video explains it in a way that anybody can understand it.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BH0rFZIqo8A
.
2007-09-05 07:52:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
God says nothing. God is interpreted by our thoughts of him. And depending on who you ask, God says a lot of things (or so they think). But you'll never hear him say it. If we did, we'd all believe in him.
2007-09-05 07:47:09 · answer #9 · answered by Ryan P 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Prayer changes the person praying. The person grows in faith and dependence on our Heavenly Father.
2007-09-05 07:43:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 4⤋
But does the rock ever say yes?
2007-09-05 07:45:45 · answer #11 · answered by Cheese Fairy - Mummified 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋