Prayers That Are Answered?

[goodlife]

Since praying takes many forms, will just any prayer be effective? Some feel that as long as the person praying is sincere and “believes,” it does not matter greatly which form of prayer is used. What do you think? In view of the divergence of opinion on this matter, it is necessary to go beyond the opinions of men and look for revealed information from a higher source.

[mikey4444]

Praying to who ? Prayers don't work, and the reason that they don't work is because nobody is there to listen !

[Peter Pedant]

cue for a misquote of the Bible

New England Journal had a trial of prayers - not much effect

and no Mikey you are neglecting the effect on the person who prays....

[Old_Geezer]

All my proclamations are revealed from a higher source.
But no one listens to my wisdom in my own land.

[Peter Pedant]

OG

no man is honoured in his own country (mt and luke)

and since it is quoted in Greek in almost the same language in two sources, one can sensibly asked why it has been preserved verbatim. it is almost certainly a quote from someone who actually said it.

But clearly it requires a bit of jump to say oh yeah JC....

[goodlife]

Mikey@ Just because you can’t see someone does not mean they are not there. Not everything is seen, but does exist. Do you stop breathing because you say you cannot see the air so it is not there?

[vulcan42]

When a prayer is seemingly answered, people say "God has answered my prayer". when it isn't answered people then say "It's Gods will". So in either case your God has "decided" the outcome and therefore any prayer was unnecessary. In my opinion a prayer is an emotional crutch, harmless and useless.

[vulcan42]

goodlfe, comparing a person with air is nonsense. If a person cant be seen then s/he isnt there, unless of course, the invisible man has been developed.

[goodlife]

Try saying that to a blind man. He can't see, but he knows whether or not something or someone is there. At the end of the day, it is not what I say, it is what scientists say!

[naomi24]

Goodlife, //Do you stop breathing because you say you cannot see the air so it is not there? //

That analogy doesn't work. We can demonstrate that the air we breathe exists.

[Khandro]

mikey; // Prayers don't work, and the reason that they don't work is because nobody is there to listen !//
This is a rather simplistic view of what prayer is. If you just want to send a message, I suggest you try email.

[vulcan42]

goodlife, you are not talking about blind people are you? you are talking about Jehovahs witness who cannot see god but "know" s/he is there.

[jomifl]

There is no revealed information from a higher source, get real goodlife.

[modeller]

No prayer that is capable of being proved, has ever been proved.
i.e It could have happened anyway .
That is not to say praying ( hoping ) has no value . It can bring comfort which can have a positive effect on all concerned. The placebo effect is well known , its all in the mind.

[Khandro]

"Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart."

Mahatma Gandhi

[beso]

goodlife //it is necessary to go beyond the opinions of men and look for revealed information from a higher source//

Of course the "higher source" will be the Bible because it was written by God. And how do we know about this God. The Bible tells us He exists.

Do you understand the meaning of circular logic?

[Khandro]

beso; //...... the Bible because it was written by God.//

//Do you understand the meaning of circular logic?//

and do YOU understand what the bible is ?

[naomi24]

Khandro, what do you understand the bible to be?

[goodlife]

Well Bible was meant to be understood. God offers to help us understand it. But we need to show a right attitude, and willing spirit. (Psalm 32:8, 9)

Does Jehovah listen to all prayers? Consider what he told rebellious Israelites in the days of the prophet Isaiah: Even though you make many prayers, I am not listening; with bloodshed your very hands have become filled. (Isaiah 1:15)

So certain actions can cause God not to listen to our prayers. You take Atheist to be favorably heard by God must meet some very very basic requirements.

[mikey4444]

To quote Woody Allen " If only God would give me a clear signal, like making a large deposit in my name in a Swiss bank "

[naomi24]

Goodlife, //Even though you make many prayers, I am not listening; with bloodshed your very hands have become filled.//

That really is the ultimate in selective reading. God’s a fine one to talk about bloodshed on hands!!