If you believe God has a great Plan - that everything that happens for good or bad, is in accordance with God's Plan, what good does it do to pray asking for God to grant you what you wish for? I mean, if God won't intervene on behalf of the millions of starving people in the world praying for food on a daily basis, why would He disrupt His grand Plan so your boyfriend will get back with you or whatever?
If you truly believe there is a Divine Plan, why do you think Hail Marys, light candles, or bended knees will make Him alter it?
2007-10-01 03:32:01 · 12 answers · asked by ZombieTrix 2012 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
weird Darryl, okay, so if I'm starving, and I accept that this is a part of God's plan for me, why should I bother praying that God will give me food? Wouldn't food be in opposition to God's plan for me? Shouldn't I just shut up and starve?
2007-10-01 03:38:39 · update #1
weird Darryl, okay, so if I'm starving, and I accept that this is a part of God's plan for me, why should I bother praying that God will give me food? Wouldn't food be in opposition to God's plan for me? Shouldn't I just shut up and starve?
2007-10-01 03:38:53 · update #2
Not all monotheists believe that God micromanages reality. Is He interested in what happens to us and does He care? I believe so, but I don't believe we are all being frogmarched through life with no say in what happens to us. There's a difference between a plan and an unalterable course of action.
This morning, I had a plan. I planned to drive to work along my usual route and arrive at the lab at 7:55 am as usual. However, about halfway to work, a semi tried to take a corner on two (six? nine?) wheels to beat a red light and got itself jacknifed in the intersection. So, although I planned to be at work at my usual time, I arrived late because the choices made by the driver of that truck affected the plan.
Does God specifically plan to have people starve? My gut response is "no, surely not" with the caveat that I have not had a direct consultation on the matter. God probably also doesn't specifically plan for families to be larger than the local resources can support, or for people who have a surplus to be selfish and lazy about sharing, or for governments to be corrupt and prevent help from getting to where it is needed the most. All of these problems are the result of choices people make -- choices we all have the freedom to make.
Free will is one of the greatest gifts we are given, but it is also one of our greatest burdens. To whom much is given, much is expected, and we often fail to measure up. Just as we must eventually let our biological children live their own lives by their own choices, so does God accord all of us the same freedom.
So, I don't think it's pointless to pray for help, if you happen to believe in God. You're not asking Him to change all His plans, really, just for other people to be inspired to make the right choices within the context of those plans.
2007-10-01 05:48:54 · answer #1 · answered by nardhelain 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe that it is a part of God's divine plan for us is to learn how to pray, and what to pray for. For instance, instead of praying for something stupid and selfish, like having your boyfriend (that you're probably better off without anyhow) back, wouldn't it be better to pray that all those starving people might have sufficient food? (If you pray, could be that God might use you, in some way, to help feed a hungry child? Cause and effect, perhaps?)
God has altered His plans before, because someone prayed...Jacob, Moses, etc.
However, I do have to agree with you about the Hail Marys (praying to a "middle-man", even Mary, won't help anyone), and the lighted candles (ambiance is great, but totally unnecessary, and God is not impressed).
And although being on one's knees doesn't hurt, I don't think God really is that concerned about what position your body is in when you pray. It is your intentions...a Christian would say, your heart...that He is concerned with.
2007-10-01 11:18:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God does intervene on behalf of starving people, He sends others to feed , house, clothe, and provide medicine to those less fortunate on a daily basis. I know for a fact that His church(the Catholic Church provides for millions of people each and everyday. God does not grant wishes, He answers prayers of things needed sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes no and sometimes wait.Doing the will of the Father God is what answers one's prayers
2007-10-01 10:40:33 · answer #3 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For sure, there is some sort of energy responsible for the existence and functioning of the Cosmos. The physical forces like gravity, electromagnetism, light, heat, gamma and x-rays and such like, are governing the Universe. The chances of whatever things, you wish to happen or not happen in your life are 50%. Nearly half of your wishes are fulfilled, whatever you do or not do.
2007-10-01 12:17:22 · answer #4 · answered by Gee Waman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Exactly, and if God has a great plan, why did he create Lucifer? Unless he wanted to create sin.
Free Will cannot exist if you have a creator that knows the future.
2007-10-01 10:38:31 · answer #5 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is no dichotomy.
dichotomy doesn't exist.
If there were a god he wouldn't continuously answer a starving child's prayer with no just because he lived in a certain country.
2007-10-01 10:35:52 · answer #6 · answered by NONAME 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
God is omniscient. "ALL knowing". He not only knows what will happen...He knows what COULD happen in an infinite number of possibilities or variable situations. He knows what will happen if you go straight, turn left, turn right, or hop on one foot in place for an hour. It's called free will.
I don't know where you get this "divine plan" idea.
2007-10-01 10:37:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Good question....
I don't think God has a grand design... I don't think he answers prayer... I don't think he created the universe... I don't think he waits for us in heaven... I don't think he is - in fact, I'm certain of it.
When we were children, we wanted everything to be nice and rosy and comfy and cozy... but we grew up to face our reality and to know that it isn't always so. ...Or did we?
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb62/Randall_Fleck/Paul_Kurtz_quoteGIF.gif
[][][] r u randy? [][][]
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2007-10-01 14:49:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't you realize that God has a plan for all those who are starving and to question this is to question God's wisdom and mercy??
BTW I'm an atheist.
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2007-10-01 10:36:13 · answer #9 · answered by Weird Darryl 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Simple. The purpose God has is for mankind as a whole. We as individuals must choose whether we will benefit from that future purpose or not. He doesn't force it on us. WE must choose.
2007-10-01 10:35:42 · answer #10 · answered by Q&A Queen 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋