1. one person praying one time for enough money to buy a coat for winter
2. 10,000 people all praying continually for the [insert sports team here] to win
3. a minister praying several times for a sunny day for the church's ice cream social
What does this tell you about prayer?
2007-12-04 05:16:48 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It sounds more like requests than an unselfish prayer.
2007-12-04 05:23:52 · answer #1 · answered by †Evonne† 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All could be answered/granted, because only God truly knows the criteria & whether or not he will grant you/your request.
+One person praying for enough money to buy a coat, may be given a coat -- is their prayer answered? (I think so)
+10,000 people praying for a sports team victory may think their prayers were answered with a win, but I doubt God plays favoritism in sports contests. (so basically no it wouldn't be granted in my eyes)
+The minister's prayer for sunny weather would seem like a just prayer on the outside, but what is the minister really praying for ... favors from his parish, or just a good time to reward all their hard work? (so I think this depends on the motive of the minister & only God can see what really lies inside the minister's heart when he asks for a sunny day)
What does this tell me about Prayer? It tells me that some people pray for all the wrong reasons, or if they pray, & they don't receive an answer right away, they may get discouraged, or think that God doesn't listen to or even care about them. I think prayers will be answered if offered with a sincere heart and for a just cause. Have a great day!
2007-12-04 13:30:53 · answer #2 · answered by Andy K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God responds to faith. God will respond to the prayer of the person who believes that He is and that He rewards those that seek Him.
The problem with (2) is that if 10,000 are praying that the Yankees win, there are 10,000 praying that they won't.
With (3), the "social" is probably to raise money for some reason (maybe clothing the poor in winter). God would not be being frivelous in answering this prayer.
2007-12-12 03:44:36 · answer #3 · answered by jemhasb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's not enough information here to answer. If it were, there's no one on-line wise enough to answer. God grants needs like the winter coat. He grants preferences like the sunny day. If it brings Him glory or brings someone to His Son, I'd guess He would turn the wind so a player could make a game winning field goal (see Facing the Giants.) It's all about faith and purpose. And only God is wise enough to give us what we need.
2007-12-04 13:26:29 · answer #4 · answered by starfishltd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People never pray for such foolishness and if they do God would not pay attention cause He has better things to do.
2007-12-04 13:21:15 · answer #5 · answered by Paul Preston 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No 1.
The other two are non-essentials. Man proposes, God disposes. It's what He knows is best that He gives, not what we say we want
2007-12-04 13:23:04 · answer #6 · answered by SANCHA 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋