Prayers answered?

[Adamant]

Just wondering if anyone here reckons God has answered their prayers.I know lots of peopel will say God can't exist because he hasn't answered prayers and others will say its all a load off rubbish and coincidence and why would God answer one person when millions of starving people are all praying for food.....

But still going to ask it and hope people won't immediately argue against anyone who says yes as this isn't what the thread asks.

I have had some weird "coincidences" lately. I know some people are praying for me and twice I prayed and things worked out in a good way. The second might have done anyay but the first was just out of the blue.
Weird thing is I don't go toc hurch or have big faith and don't deserve any favours from God but I kind of hope they were answered prayers.

[lliam]

I think that God or deities in general exist on a metaphysical level in thinking and experiencing of all human beings, it's a cultural heritage grown in tenthousand years or more. And oddly enough, it happens even to those who don't believe in anything divine, but don't entirely deny spiritual experiences.

Therefore it is quite possible that prayers are "answered" - in what form ever they may materialize. It's just a question of faith and interpretion.

Personally, I meditate a lot and that often clears my head and feelings. And this often enables me to develop a new perspective on problems and/or solving them, or even seeing things no longer as a problem ... etc etc

Believers may interpret such experiences as a divine response to their prayers, for me it is merely a result of balancing thought and feeling.

Because praying is just kind of meditation, the effect or result of it remains the same no matter how or why you do it, as long you invest some effort to do it properply.

[ska8er]

As long as u believe and pray-God
answers prayers. U don't need to go
to church if it matters but u can pray
on ur own to Him.

[Adamant]

Personally, I meditate a lot and that often clears my head and feelings. And this often enables me to develop a new perspective on problems and/or solving them, or even seeing things no longer as a problem ... etc etc
Believers may interpret such experiences as a divine response to their prayers, for me it is merely a result of balancing thought and feeling.

Don't fully undertand everything you said but this makes sense.:)

As long as u believe and pray-God
answers prayers. U don't need to go
to church if it matters but u can pray
on ur own to Him.
Thats what I did but kind of got this nagging feeling if God ie real and "our Father" shouldn't I be doing something about it/for him or something.
Might go to church with my mum and neighbours on Sunday.

[ska8er]

Adam when u go to church this Sunday
u will b doing something for Him just by
being there.

[hayley2003]

Karma yes.

I don't don't believe there is a single all knowing guy that grants wishes, but I think its OK to believe in such things if that is what a person wants to believe in.

[ska8er]

God is not a genie.

[lliam]

Right. And that's a good thing. Because we superstitious folks all know making a wish to a genie is very tricky, particularly if the genie grants the wish.

[Falcons_11]

If God doesn't answer your prayer, it's kind of a answer in itself. He is telling you no.

[ska8er]

If God doesn't answer your prayer, it's kind of a answer in itself. He is telling you no.

Not necessarily. He justs wants u to pray more
to humble urself.

Ive prayed a lot-more so the lasts couple
of weeks but my prayers weren't answered.
Doesn't mean im going to stop. Things happen
for a reason. U always have to have faith that
sometime u will get an answer.

[HeyCameron]

If God doesn't answer your prayer, it's kind of a answer in itself. He is telling you no.

In that sense, it's impossible to not receive an answer. I remember hearing once that an answer to a prayer is always "yes", "no", or "wait", which implies that you are always receiving an answer of some sort.

That said, I think there is a difference between praying for mental strength or clarity and praying to say, win a football game. If someone is going to hinge their judgment of whether God exists on answers to prayer for real-world gain, I think they're misguided.

Prayer isn't just about asking for things either. It's also thanking and praising God or simply communicating with God. To me, prayer is a way of not feeling alone, of reminding yourself that there's something out there. (I say this as someone who doesn't follow a specific religion but does believe in a higher power).

[ska8er]

In that sense, it's impossible to not receive an answer. I remember hearing once that an answer to a prayer is always "yes", "no", or "wait", which implies that you are always receiving an answer of some sort.

That said, I think there is a difference between praying for mental strength or clarity and praying to say, win a football game. If someone is going to hinge their judgment of whether God exists on answers to prayer for real-world gain, I think they're misguided.

Prayer isn't just about asking for things either. It's also thanking and praising God or simply communicating with God. To me, prayer is a way of not feeling alone, of reminding yourself that there's something out there. (I say this as someone who doesn't follow a specific religion but does believe in a higher power).

Awesome response Cameron-Ur a smart Bro.:)

[Adamant]

Thanks for all the good comments.
Lots to think about.
I know Gods not like a machine you can just use for what you want.
Its just that some things have been happening and just wondering if "someone" is trying to tell me something.E.g last week in the street i got given a leaflet.I didn't know what it was about and dont usually take them but it just had some Bible verses on that said things which meant something to me.
Just a few things happening which are probably coincidences but......

[Ashley2004]

The lord works in mysterious ways. I'm not super religious but think having some kind of faith is a good thing and can help you be a more morale person.

[Pultost]

Could be. Some times I've been lucky enough to suspect that he pulled a few strings.

[pauly]

I can't be sure about this very complex question. But my instinct is that there is some kind of higher "being" to whom I can appeal when times are hard. And that being is also here to share the pleasures I have in life.

As to whether prayers are answered, once again it's a difficult question, and I think we might be better placed to look at the subject in retrospect when we're older. We might have a more balanced and rounded view then.

[Karalectric]

If God doesn't answer your prayer, it's kind of a answer in itself. He is telling you no.

Or perhaps not yet. :)

[Falcons_11]

Or perhaps not yet. :)

For sure. In a lot of cases. :)

[MasonBA]

i think God gave us the bible so we can find answers to a lot of prayers in there.

[Adamant]

My church...and it still feels a bit weird calling it my church as not been going that long....definitely sees the Bible as giving guidance but also reckons prayers can change things.