Answers to prayer?

[Gentle Panther]

This is an age old question. Why does God not answer so many prayers? I've seen good people suffer, remain sick, get sicker, and die. All were devout Christians. All were sure God would heal them as they believed the scriptures on healing and had the faith for it. Why did they keep suffering and die?

Why does God not do something to prevent children from being molested, raped, and kidnapped? What sort of parent allows this?

I'm sorry, but this confounds me and I cannot find answer.

 

[Serapha]

This is an age old question. Why does God not answer so many prayers? (

First of all, God only hears the prayers of repentant sinners. Second, God answers all prayers... either yes, no, or wait.

I've seen good people suffer, remain sick, get sicker, and die. All were devout Christians. All were sure God would heal them as they believed the scriptures on healing and had the faith for it. Why did they keep suffering and die?

(

Because it was God's will to heal them through death. Many times the trial isn't "ours" to learn from, but is a lesson to be learned by those watching us go through the trials.

Why does God not do something to prevent children from being molested, raped, and kidnapped? What sort of parent allows this?

(

God has allowed satan to be the ruler of this world. While God is in control of all things and eternity, he has given satan the power to control this world. Bad things happen because God allows it and because satan demands it.


1Jo 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.


Satan hasn't come up with a new thought in 6,000 years.


~malaka~

 

[Achichem]

This is an age old question. Why does God not answer so many prayers? I've seen good people suffer, remain sick, get sicker, and die. All were devout Christians. All were sure God would heal them as they believed the scriptures on healing and had the faith for it. Why did they keep suffering and die?

Why does God not do something to prevent children from being molested, raped, and kidnapped? What sort of parent allows this?

I'm sorry, but this confounds me and I cannot find answer.

malaka said it well though I tend to disagree on the

God only hears the prayers of repentant sinners

First I would ask did they ask for their will or for the will of our Father most holy?For it is his power to heal or to save, and let him have mercy on who he will.

second:
Did not jesus suffer on the cross?not that one drop of blood on the face taht is so offten depicted, he most likley lost half of his face drips were the least of it? Why would you be any diffrent?Do not we suffer on the cross with christ our lord?

All I ever tell people on this subject is look to Job he says it the best.

God Bless,
DaTsar

 

[Blessed-one]

God has allowed satan to be the ruler of this world. While God is in control of all things and eternity, he has given satan the power to control this world. Bad things happen because God allows it and because satan demands it.

can't really blame it all on God, after all, we are sinners, and humans have a tendency to sin, so we also bear responsibility. God has the solution, but we refuse to listen.

 

[Gentle Panther]

First of all, God only hears the prayers of repentant sinners. Second, God answers all prayers... either yes, no, or wait.

How do you tell when he is saying "yes", "no" or "wait"?

"Because it was God's will to heal them through death."

That is a unique and rather bizarre way to look at it. Is there scripture that explains this? Not that there has to be, but just curious.

" Many times the trial isn't "ours" to learn from, but is a lesson to be learned by those watching us go through the trials."

Even when it causes pain and rejection and break-ups of marriages? Why should one person be made to suffer so much in order for someone else to learn a lesson. There should be an easier way to teach a person something.

God has allowed satan to be the ruler of this world. While God is in control of all things and eternity, he has given satan the power to control this world. Bad things happen because God allows it and because satan demands it.

Which basically means that God is responsible for all the evil in the world. He gave the power to Satan. He created Satan/Lucifer. It is a confusing matter. God is scary to me under these sort of descriptions.

 

[Gentle Panther]

malaka said it well though I tend to disagree on the


First I would ask did they ask for their will or for the will of our Father most holy?For it is his power to heal or to save, and let him have mercy on who he will.

So, God wants to heal some and let other suffer? Does he favor and love some more than others?

second:
Did not jesus suffer on the cross?not that one drop of blood on the face taht is so offten depicted, he most likley lost half of his face drips were the least of it? Why would you be any diffrent?Do not we suffer on the cross with christ our lord?

So you believe we should all share in the suffering that Jesus went through? I thought Jesus died and suffered to free us from pain and suffering?

All I ever tell people on this subject is look to Job he says it the best.

God Bless,
DaTsar

Ah, yes, I love Job. I don't take it as a literal story. It seems very symbolic.

Thank you!

 

[Gentle Panther]

can't really blame it all on God, after all, we are sinners, and humans have a tendency to sin, so we also bear responsibility. God has the solution, but we refuse to listen.

Yes, I tend to believe that we as humans make our own hell in life and should bear responsiblility when we go wrong. Still, it's not our fault if we get sick.

 

[Blessed-one]

So you believe we should all share in the suffering that Jesus went through? I thought Jesus died and suffered to free us from pain and suffering?

"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."
- Philippians 3:10

suffering is necessary in order to refine an instrument and enables it to bear fruits. Some people are more responsive to one type of sufferings, while others are more sensitive to another. God knows all, and He knows what is best for us. Sufferings, if you read the NT, not only brings positive changes (if the person could accept it) to christians, but also benefits those around them.

Still, it's not our fault if we get sick.

i believe getting sick physically is inevitable so long as we remain in this body, we're subjected to the rules and influences of the world.

 

[Serapha]

How do you tell when he is saying "yes", "no" or "wait"?



Well, "yes" is obvious, sometimes "no" is obvious"... and when there doesn't appear to be an answer, then it is either "no" or "wait"... and time will tell





That is a unique and rather bizarre way to look at it. Is there scripture that explains this? Not that there has to be, but just curious.



When we are in our resurrected body in heaven, the book of Revelation tells us that there will be no sickness or pain.





Even when it causes pain and rejection and break-ups of marriages? Why should one person be made to suffer so much in order for someone else to learn a lesson. There should be an easier way to teach a person something.



God hates divorce, that doesn't change just because man's approach to divorce changes. I can think of many trials in my life where I have said to God... this is not my trial because it is already under the blood... and I find out later that the trial was someone else's and your Christian walk is a witness or encouragement to them... just happened to me today... and I just sent an email to a friend to encourage them.






Which basically means that God is responsible for all the evil in the world. He gave the power to Satan. He created Satan/Lucifer. It is a confusing matter. God is scary to me under these sort of descriptions.

Evil is not an attribute of God; and while He may judge evil, He didn't create it. (now I wait for someone to quote the passage in Isaiah where it says God created evil.... )


~malaka~

 

[Gentle Panther]

"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."
- Philippians 3:10

suffering is necessary in order to refine an instrument and enables it to bear fruits. Some people are more responsive to one type of sufferings, while others are more sensitive to another. God knows all, and He knows what is best for us. Sufferings, if you read the NT, not only brings positive changes (if the person could accept it) to christians, but also benefits those around them.

But what happens when pain and suffering only weakens one's faith causing them to abandon a belief in God?

 

[Gentle Panther]

Well, "yes" is obvious, sometimes "no" is obvious"... and when there doesn't appear to be an answer, then it is either "no" or "wait"... and time will tell

I have thought I heard yes, but nothing happened. I've seen others have this same experience.

God hates divorce, that doesn't change just because man's approach to divorce changes. I can think of many trials in my life where I have said to God... this is not my trial because it is already under the blood... and I find out later that the trial was someone else's and your Christian walk is a witness or encouragement to them... just happened to me today... and I just sent an email to a friend to encourage them.

I have yet to have this experience. I have suffered much in my life and it has done nothing but wear me down. For now, I cannot be of any encouragement to others...but would wish for nothing better.

Evil is not an attribute of God; and while He may judge evil, He didn't create it. (now I wait for someone to quote the passage in Isaiah where it says God created evil.... )

I would certainly like to see God as not being evil........I don' think I truly believe he is evil, but I do see where he allows evil. I don't understand the passage in Isaiah, and many other passages that allude to God allowing evil. They seem to contradict other scriptures that make it clear that God is not evil. That can make things quite confusing!

 

[Blindfaith]

Which basically means that God is responsible for all the evil in the world. He gave the power to Satan. He created Satan/Lucifer. It is a confusing matter. God is scary to me under these sort of descriptions.

This bothered me a little bit, but I don't want to interrupt the flow of the thread.

God created a beautiful angel called Lucifer, but Lucifer sinned by wanting to be as good as, if not better than God and rebelled against Him. Since there cannot be a shred of sin or stain in heaven, or rebellion for that matter - God threw Lucifer outta the house and he took a 1/3 of the angels with him.

God didn't create a monster - the monster made his choice. God didn't hold the apple up to Adam and Eve and say, "let's have a snack kids" - He explicitly said "don't eat the fruit......". But, as we are wont to do, they did it anyway. All the blame goes back to our original couple, but we continue in the tradition on a daily basis.

Anyway - I've said enough, as I don't want to hijack this thread.

Take care!!

 

[ZiSunka]

This is an age old question. Why does God not answer so many prayers? I've seen good people suffer, remain sick, get sicker, and die. All were devout Christians. All were sure God would heal them as they believed the scriptures on healing and had the faith for it. Why did they keep suffering and die?

Why does God not do something to prevent children from being molested, raped, and kidnapped? What sort of parent allows this?

I'm sorry, but this confounds me and I cannot find answer.

God allows suffering for several reasons.

One is that suffering tests our faith and either brings us closer to God or makes us abandon our pretense of having faith in Him.

Another is that it tests all people's heart for others. You know suffering is out there, what are you personally doing to end or ease the pain for the people around you? It makes you decide to either get personally involved with others in their time of need, or to walk away and pretend it isn't happening.

Another is that God doesn't interfere with our freewill. If someone chooses to harm children out of selfishness or meanness, God allows it to happen because He won't take away the gift he gave--freewill. It's every person's duty to choose which he is going to do--good or evil. If you and other people choose evil, you do it out of freewill and cannot blame God for not keeping you back from your choice.

Finally, God allows suffering to unite us in the brotherhood of man. The only thing that every culture, every nation, every person has in common is that they will face loss, pain and sadness. It is what gets us outside ourselves and hooked into others. When God gives us prosperity and happiness, we keep it to ourselves, mostly. But when he gives us pain, we have to reach out to others to help us get through it. We have to seek comfort in our relationships, and that encourages to maintain our relationships and make strong commitments to each other. Pick any two friends. If they are true, bonded friends, they will tell you that they love each other more for standing together during times of suffering.

So, fingerpointing at God is okay, if you don't understand that God has a purpose for everything, even pain.

 

[Gentle Panther]

This bothered me a little bit, but I don't want to interrupt the flow of the thread.

God created a beautiful angel called Lucifer, but Lucifer sinned by wanting to be as good as, if not better than God and rebelled against Him. Since there cannot be a shred of sin or stain in heaven, or rebellion for that matter - God threw Lucifer outta the house and he took a 1/3 of the angels with him.

God didn't create a monster - the monster made his choice. God didn't hold the apple up to Adam and Eve and say, "let's have a snack kids" - He explicitly said "don't eat the fruit......". But, as we are wont to do, they did it anyway. All the blame goes back to our original couple, but we continue in the tradition on a daily basis.

Anyway - I've said enough, as I don't want to hijack this thread.

Take care!!

God created the angels, including Lucifer. If God is supposed to be omniscient, then he knew Lucifer would rebell against him. God knew he's have to throw him out of heaven. He created a tree that was off limits to Adam and Eve, but he knew they'd be tempted. God knew that Lucifer would mess with mankind. Why didn't God refrain from creating Lucifer? Why didn't he keep that tree out of the garden of Eden? God had it in his power to prevent evil from entering this world....but he created Lucifer knowing the end result. To me, this makes God responsible.

 

[ZiSunka]

God created the angels, including Lucifer. If God is supposed to be omniscient, then he knew Lucifer would rebell against him. God knew he's have to throw him out of heaven. He created a tree that was off limits to Adam and Eve, but he knew they'd be tempted. God knew that Lucifer would mess with mankind. Why didn't God refrain from creating Lucifer? Why didn't he keep that tree out of the garden of Eden? God had it in his power to prevent evil from entering this world....but he created Lucifer knowing the end result. To me, this makes God responsible.

God DID know what lucifer would do and is doing, and it serves God's purposes. Lucifer's chief role in God's world is to test the freewill of people, to see whether or not they will choose good or bad, help or harm, love or hate.

 

[Gentle Panther]

God allows suffering for several reasons.

One is that suffering tests our faith and either brings us closer to God or makes us abandon our pretense of having faith in Him...

Another is that it tests all people's heart for others. You know suffering is out there, what are you personally doing to end or ease the pain for the people around you? It makes you decide to either get personally involved with others in their time of need, or to walk away and pretend it isn't happening.

If you are in pain and suffering it can be very hard to help anyone else.

Another is that God doesn't interfere with our freewill. If someone chooses to harm children out of selfishness or meanness, God allows it to happen because He won't take away the gift he gave--freewill.

I guess this is why I always struggled with seeing God as a loving parent. I knew that if I was omniscient and could see that my little girl was going to be kidnapped and molested in a few days, I would put an end to it right away. God does nothing.

It's every person's duty to choose which he is going to do--good or evil. If you and other people choose evil, you do it out of freewill and cannot blame God for not keeping you back from your choice.

I agree with that.

Finally, God allows suffering to unite us in the brotherhood of man. The only thing that every culture, every nation, every person has in common is that they will face loss, pain and sadness. It is what gets us outside ourselves and hooked into others. When God gives us prosperity and happiness, we keep it to ourselves, mostly. But when he gives us pain, we have to reach out to others to help us get through it. We have to seek comfort in our relationships, and that encourages to maintain our relationships and make strong commitments to each other. Pick any two friends. If they are true, bonded friends, they will tell you that they love each other more for standing together during times of suffering.

This I can accept as a possibility.

So, fingerpointing at God is okay, if you don't understand that God has a purpose for everything, even pain.

If I could find purpose in suffering that would help matters.

 

[Gentle Panther]

God DID know what lucifer would do and is doing, and it serves God's purposes. Lucifer's chief role in God's world is to test the freewill of people, to see whether or not they will choose good or bad, help or harm, love or hate.

So they are working together?

 

[BarbB]

I'm a new Christian so don't quote me but:

I think that God is using Satan and Satan is too prideful to know that. Instead he thinks that he rules the Earth.

Prayer must be for God's will. Even as we are praying for the healing of loved ones. As for crimes against innocent children, those children go straight to heaven! No questions asked!

Also, to me, dying is only the passage, the process to getting to Heaven. I love my life, but can't wait to be in Heaven! Not theological, but read Randy Alcorn fiction so as to get a picture of what Heaven might be like. I can't wait to give up this beat up old body and get my heavenly one! I can't wait to see the beauty of Jesus. The songs, the music, the prayers, ahhhhh! Remember that life here on earth is only temporary, never meant to be the be all and end all of our existance. Heaven is the goal; therefore, we must have death to get there.

 

[Reader Nilus]

I'm a new Christian so don't quote me but:

I think that God is using Satan and Satan is too prideful to know that. Instead he thinks that he rules the Earth.

Prayer must be for God's will. Even as we are praying for the healing of loved ones. As for crimes against innocent children, those children go straight to heaven! No questions asked!

Also, to me, dying is only the passage, the process to getting to Heaven. I love my life, but can't wait to be in Heaven! Not theological, but read Randy Alcorn fiction so as to get a picture of what Heaven might be like. I can't wait to give up this beat up old body and get my heavenly one! I can't wait to see the beauty of Jesus. The songs, the music, the prayers, ahhhhh! Remember that life here on earth is only temporary, never meant to be the be all and end all of our existance. Heaven is the goal; therefore, we must have death to get there.

In Orthodoxy, we call physical death reposing or falling asleep, being there is no death in Christ. You are also correct that Satan can do nothing without the blessing to do so from the Father.
Jeff the Finn

 

[HomeBound]

This subject would make sooo much more sense if you believed in reincarnation and perfection of souls.