If your God answers prayers, why are the parents of missing Madeleine McCann getting a busy signal?

Question

They are Catholic, they have been to see the Pope. What more does your God want????????

needanew...sounds like there is alot of strings attached to prayer. I think I will stick with my own personal belief in myself that I can do anything I set my mind to do.

Mark 1010 - so praying for Madeleine's safety is a waste of time?

knotaknight - so God knows where Madeleine is and he's just not telling us? That's not very loving, is it?

missingo - so this is how your loving god punishes people for making a bad decision, he takes their child? Why didn't he take the twins too then? Why doesn't he take crack babies away from abusing parents?

Feisty - You are very wrong. I am very concerned with Finding Maddie. What I am sick of is religious people coming up with excuses as to why she is still missing and why evil happens in the first place.

brdgg - Finally! Someone who understands my point! THANK YOU!

Allan C your answer is typical of a christian. You speak in circles and never give a direct answer.

Answer 1

Cheesy - this is a REALLY tough question.

I was raised a Christain and have in the last few years questioned my beliefs a LOT. So I do not know what my beliefs are.

However, I DO believe in prayer in my personal life. I believe when I pray - my prayers are answered - it all works out!!! Maybe not the way I wanted it to!

I have read the book The Secret and they describe wishes/desires/requests as an energy that goes out into the universe. This might be true, but because of my religious upbringing - I call it prayer.

When it comes to situations like Madeleine - I will not pretend I have any answers. I don't! I wish I did!!!!

It is so sad and I hope (and pray) that nothing ever happens to my daughter!!!!!

EXCELLENT QUESTION!!!!!

Answer 2

The McCann's made a very poor decision by leaving little children alone while they went out. God gave us free will; their actions caused the problem. There are always consequences but it's not God's fault. It's the parents who messed up badly and now their little girl has had to suffer for what they did. God isn't the maintenance man; He doesn't come along and clean up. They can move in with the pope but it's too late. What has been done, has been done.

Answer 3

And here it is...."it's not God's will to answer THAT prayer at THIS time." (even though he gives his promise to answer ANY prayer). This is the standard cop out answer that you get from Christians. Then they will turn around in the next breath and tell you that evil exists in the world not because God allows it but because people have been given "free will". Sorry guys and gals but you have no free will if everything is part of God's "master plan" for your life.

Answer 4

Does God Answer Prayers?

The answer is yes, no, and wait. If God answered every prayer from everyone who asked, God would become our own personal genie. Basically we would just have to tell God our wish and he would grant it to us. This is not biblical to think all prayers will be answered. If God answered every prayer the world would turn in to a big mess. God knows what is best for us.

Here are some conditions that God has for our prayers:
1) We are to ask in God’s name. This means we need to ask in God’s will. God’s will is what ever glorifies God. The bible says, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:13,14)
2) God cannot hear us if there is sin in our hearts. If we are living a life that we are being convicted of and do not repent of our sins, God will not hear our prayers. Our prayers will only be heard when we repent to God and turn from our sins. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. (Psalm 66:18)
3) God will not answer us if we do not have faith that God will hear and answer our prayers. We need to also have faith that God knows best for our lives and will not answer the prayers that will hurt us. There is always a reason for answered and unanswered prayers. We will not always understand this but God does. Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
4) We need to ask in God’s will. If we ask in prayer for the wrong motives our prayer will not be answered. When you ask, you do not receive; because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4:3)
5) Sometimes we need to wait and know God will answer when the time is right. When we ask God in prayer, our prayers will not always be instant. Now days everyone wants things instant. This is not how God works. The Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. (Luke 18:6-8)

Answer 5

You said "your God" not once, but twice in your smug question. Obviously you have some issues and could care less about Madeline, but more about insulting God. For this reason alone, you don't deserve the respect of an honest answer.

Answer 6

What he doesn't want is for you to pray to the pope. He is the only God. As far as why hasn't God helped find her? You would have to ask him that. Maybe it's not the right time or maybe she can't be found because she has already gone to be with the Lord. GOD ONLY KNOWS!

Answer 7

Christ wants us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. God wants our obedience. The rewards are in Heaven. When you pray, ask for insight, better understanding, forgiveness. God knows what the McCann family needs, trust that God is all knowing. And will do what he does.

Answer 8

Prayers.... are NOT Answered.... for this Reason...!

(Psalms 66:18) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

REPEAT.....

(Psalms 66:18)

..... If

..... I

regard iniquity

in my heart,

the Lord

will not

hear me:

Thanks for Asking ! RR

Answer 9

He dosent answer them all, right away. Mabey it is in his plans, to do something different. We never know what will happen.

Answer 10

Well he either doesn't give a crap or he doesn't exist. There is nothing more he could want, unless he is bi and wants a threesome, yeah, that might be it.