- Nov 5, 2017
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When hurricane Irma swept across the Carribean Islands and into Florida leaving behind a trail of death and destruction I am sure that many Christian people prayed that the approaching hurricane could be diverted. Sadly, that didn't happen and many people lost their homes and even more sadly, loved ones.
You will not be surprised that I as an atheist do not believe in the power of prayer. I don't believe that prayer can alter the force of nature and I believe how we cope with life's other hardships stand or falls on how we deal with those hardships ourselves.
Christians often say when a prayer appears to be unanswered that it was in fact answered and that the answer sometimes is no.
It that is what is believed, how do Christians make sense of the following verses from the bible. They seem to say quite clearly that if those praying do so in the way indicated in those verses, then their prayer request will be granted.
John 14:13-14New International Version (NIV)
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Matthew 18:19-20New International Version (NIV)
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
You will not be surprised that I as an atheist do not believe in the power of prayer. I don't believe that prayer can alter the force of nature and I believe how we cope with life's other hardships stand or falls on how we deal with those hardships ourselves.
Christians often say when a prayer appears to be unanswered that it was in fact answered and that the answer sometimes is no.
It that is what is believed, how do Christians make sense of the following verses from the bible. They seem to say quite clearly that if those praying do so in the way indicated in those verses, then their prayer request will be granted.
John 14:13-14New International Version (NIV)
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Matthew 18:19-20New International Version (NIV)
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”