Prayers answered vs free will

[Opti]

Much is said of free will.
God isn't pulling all our strings, that would never do, we have free will, that is the only way it could work.

So how do people ever think that their prayers are answered? Surely asking something of God and Him delivering it would oppose free will?

 

[ebia]

Much is said of free will.
God isn't pulling all our strings, that would never do, we have free will, that is the only way it could work.

So how do people ever think that their prayers are answered? Surely asking something of God and Him delivering it would oppose free will?

I'm not a big fan of talking about free-will because I tend to think it's a useful concept that's very often pressed too far.

But I'm not sure what you are getting at here. (Not that prayer is primarily asking God to deliver a wish-list.)

 

[drich0150]

So how do people ever think that their prayers are answered?

Because sometimes, that answer is a No.

Despite what some doctrines say, we don't always get what we want.

 

[BobW188]

I don't see how asking for something and getting it negates free will. Could you clarify?

 

[Opti]

I don't see how asking for something and getting it negates free will. Could you clarify?

Bad things happen, people suffer, prayers are ignored, this is said to be because we have free will.*

So why does God ever answer a prayer?

*I guess this question only applies to those who push the idea of free will as to why half the world is suffering.

I posted this question as I asked it in another thread which has since been deleted. I asked it in response to somebody who said he knows God exists because of the number of times he asks God a question and then opens his bible on the appropriate page. If I understand correctly many Christians do not believe that God would operate in this way.

 

[salida]

God answers according to his divine purpose and not according to our selfish wants. Thus, he isn't our butler.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Much is said of free will.
God isn't pulling all our strings, that would never do, we have free will, that is the only way it could work.

So how do people ever think that their prayers are answered? Surely asking something of God and Him delivering it would oppose free will?

God has free will in regard to prayer. He only answers if he wants to. He has answered me in the past very clearly. But at other times he is silent, or does not want to divulge secrets. An example of him answering is show below.

Once I was thinking about suing some one but felt bad about it. I was unsure what to do so I prayed and asked God what I should do. Latter on that day I asked God for a verse from the bible to use in witnessing to Muslums. I opened the bible at random, stuck my finger on a verse and it opened to a verse in the bible about not suing. i.e. "it is wrong for you to have law suits one against another why not rather allow your selves to be defrauded" - so I knew God was answering my prayer from earlier that day, it also gave me a testimony that I could share with unbelievers, so both prayers were answered.

This has happened on numerous occasions, sticking my finger on a verse to get guidence or encouragement. However it does not always have results, but when it does it is a clear answer. At one point nearly ever verse I opened to had a meaning.