My prayers aren't working, am I doing something wrong?

Question

I was reading my Bible and like I do every day and found a passage that said:

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and it will be yours"
-Mark 11:22, 24

I decided to pray for a better paycheck and a new car, my old car is really old. I prayed for these things like 15 minutes ago and they still aren't here. I even asked God for a speedy delivery. What should I do, I know the Bible is the word of God and therefore everything is true, so it must be something on my end right? Please answer quickly, I'm going to the movies in a few minutes and want to show off my new wheels, so please help, its an emergency.

Answer 1

This literature will help you if you are sincere in your relationship with the God the Father. Here are the 12 keys to answered prayer....... http://www.lcg.org/cgi-bin/tw/booklets/print-bk.cgi?action=print_item&category=Booklets1&item=1104095186&print=yes

Answer 2

Imagine how those kids in Iraq feel when American bombs rain down on them, killing, burning and maiming everyone they see. Imagine the sincere heartfelt fervor in a child's innocent prayer; for relief from the pain, to have his missing limbs back, to see his mother alive and well again. They pray too. But alas, prayer does not work... never has, never will.

You can draw your own conclusions, as I'm sure you probably already have. Unfortunately, the people who believe in prayer won't get the message. It is often this way; Those who most need to see the facts, are the one most unable to accept them. We will just have to keep plugging away using logic, facts and the power of reason.

In the meantime, I like your question because it points out a fundamental flaw in deistic belief: Prayer does not work.

I also like the way you picked such a shallow materialistic prayer... Some people actually DO pray for for things that fantastic and vain, even when they know there is real starvation, social injustice, political crimes and religious fraud here in their own country.

The best thing about this question is that it shows the fallacy of belief, and at the same time, shows how some believers actually think. Some of them might remark about such an unanswered prayer that "God works in mysterious ways." Or perhaps other might comment that "You have to meet God halfway by doing something to deserve the new car!"

Well, ...those of us with functioning minds can aptly reply; "Stopping genocide, disease, war, social injustice, hunger, kidnapping (rendition), torture and confronting the lying politicians who allow all these atrocities, ALSO requires that WE WORK to achieve our desires.

You can pray if you want to, but accurate information, unfettered communication, sound reasoning, ethics and truth are some things that will really get the job done. It's just like buying a car. You have to be willing to pay the price.

Although it would rankle the founding fathers to see it, our money bears the inscription, "In God We Trust." They knew that any God that wants adulation through prayer is no deity at all. He cannot or will not answer prayers. Either he doesn't exist or he is so incompetent and weak that he might as well not exist.

There is no prayer that will get you a new car before your movie. There is no prayer that restores missing limbs, skin or eyesight.

If god was real, it is indeed mysterious that so many could pray so fervently, yet not a single miracle has ever occurred. I hope others get that message so that we can focus on doing the real things that actually bring good things to life and stop all the stupidity and greed that causes so much unnecessary suffering.

Stop praying and start working. That's the best way to get a new car, or improve the world.

Answer 3

That passage is about faith:

Mark 11:20-26

20 The Power of Faith

The next morning as Jesus was passing by with his followers, they saw the fig tree dry and dead, even to the roots. 21 Peter remembered the tree and said to Jesus, "Teacher, look! The fig tree you cursed is dry and dead!"

22 Jesus answered, "Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'Go, fall into the sea.' And if you have no doubts in your mind and believe that what you say will happen, God will do it for you. 24 So I tell you to believe that you have received the things you ask for in prayer, and God will give them to you. 25 When you are praying, if you are angry with someone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven will also forgive your sins." NCV

Prayer is not a blank check waiting to be written. Prayer is meant to draw us nearer to the Lord and His Will.

Hope that helps!

Answer 4

God says "no".

Besides, it says "believe", kiddo. I got the sense from your question that you don't , exactly. Sarcasm is amusing, though.

But yeah, God often says no. Same thing you'd say to a kid who asked for a toy he doesn't need, that might hurt him badly in the end. God is not a magical miracle slot machine. Treating Him as one is disrespectful and irreverent, which is why Prosperity Gospel ministers drive me up the wall.

However, given that born-again Christians cannot get it through their head that God isn't Santa, I think your question is one that a lot of people should have to encounter SERIOUSLY. Yes. God says no. You will not always get your way. And I believe it says so elsewhere in the bible as well.

Answer 5

Jesus said go sell all that you have and give to the poor then you will have riches in heaven. Ask for faith and wisdom and understanding and it will be yours. If you want riches and wheels you must turn to Judaism or make a deal with the devil.

A word of caution, though - Under Judaism you are obligated to keep the whole law and will suffer greatly for disobedience. If you don't believe me, just ask any Jew what their people have suffered as a result of their disobedience. Considering the rebellious state of Eretz Israel you can probably just watch and see for yourself.

As for making deals with the devil.....he claims to be able to give you all the wealth your heart desires, but what will it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Jesus said that, too.

Answer 6

You are really young, naive, or a smart mouth. God gives these things according to His will. What have you done to help make your paycheck bigger? Have you gone to school? You know if you wanted to be a lawyer and you hadn't gone to Law School, God wouldn't honor that prayer. You are being unrealistic at best. God looks on the heart as well. I'm guessing you are a fraud and God is on to you.

Answer 7

Another atheist attempting to disprove the existence of a God.

If you read the Bible, which you have obviously neglected to do, you also find that there are plenty of commands to ask for things in accordance to God's will, as well as asking with the right motives, neither of which you have reason to be doing as you're being controlled by money.

Answer 8

Maybe you have unforgiveness in your heart, and anyway it sounds as though you are asking for a prayer that is selfish.
How would you know if you had recieved the car anyway, do you expect God to give you the keys?, you have to work for it mate, and save . Try asking God to help you save for that car.
I prayed for a 4x4, and a ute(pick-up), then 1 year later I had a 4x4 ute, but I also asked God to get me enough work to buy the car. And be sure to ask it in Jesus' name.

Answer 9

He didn't say pray for things of the flesh..That is what work contributes to not always God... He said pray these things

Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven so on and so on......LOL

You must go to a nondenominational church of materialism...

Answer 10

God does not answer the prayers of the insincere and unbelieving. From reading many of your previous questions, you are not a Christian, do not believe in our God, and probably haven't prayed sincerely in your life. Why should God honor your prayers?