Prayers

The_Hurricane

heartbreak_star wrote: »

No, it's the truth. Also it's rather dismissive of the people who have studied and practiced long years, often at varying personal expense, to credit their successes to a non-proven deity.

HBS x

It's the truth that there is no God? Many people who practice health medicine thank God for their knowledge or pray to God before performing a major operation etc.

lushlifesaver

securityguy wrote: »

"My son was born fifteen years ago, with four major abnormalities,"

I note the way your God damages children, so that he can then show how merciful he is by answering your prayers. Some might call that cruel.

I would hate for a very dear friend of mine and her son, who also has Down Syndrome, to read you post. They are both, as am I, a firm believer in God and the power of prayer through the works of Christ and I have to say your attitude is foul.

A child with Down Syndrome is not damaged, by God or otherwise, nor are they substandard to a 'healthy' child. Every child is a blessing and a gift. Through adopting a child with Down Syndrome my friend's life has been transformed and her son is a blessing to all he meets. He has had a positive impact on many lives and is one of the happiest people I have ever had the honour of meeting.

And before you make some comment about our beliefs and experiences my partner has severe cerebal palsy and again I challenge you to tell me or his mother, in fact any of our relative, he is in any way damaged.

It may not be true that they can not do everything you can do but you can be damn sure they can do a lot you can't.

And to answer the OP's question yes I believe in prayer but as other's have said sometimes God's answer is 'no' or 'not yet' and I am quite happy with that. And before someone comes along to say faith is the blind leading the blind or fools being lead by something which doesn't exist maybe take a moment to consider the harm and mental anguish that could cause someone experiencing personal troubles.

Even if I develop skills or means to achieve that for which I pray how can you not accept that maybe it was destined that way, or that I was lead in such a direction or gifted such opportunities/skills?

tea_lover

Before Christmas I was having a nightmare at work (awful commute, awful boss, bullying, etc). Was at the end of my tether, in tears all the time but couldn't afford to just jack in in. Prayed about it (as did my friends) and decided the best thing to do was take a big leap of faith, hand my notice in and trust that God would show me what to do next.

The day after I resigned, someone from a different part of the business offered me a new job. Commute was cut from 2+ hrs (each way) to 10 mins, it's paid more, and my boss is now lovely (my last one was v much not!)

Obviously people will have different interpretations of things and fair enough, each to their own, but I strongly feel that the way the situation has turned out was a clear answer to prayer.

Filey

While I appreciate the original poster asked about the results of prayers, I do think that most questions that touch on religious beliefs might be better elsewhere.

Inevitably by the very nature of 'faith', there will sooner or later be disagreements. Each to his/her own. No one is going to change their mind because of what is posted here.

I am very tempted to reply with my own point of view, but then I think, in the interests of harmony, best not.

The_Hurricane

Filey wrote: »

While I appreciate the original poster asked about the results of prayers, I do think that most questions that touch on religious beliefs might be better elsewhere.

Inevitably by the very nature of 'faith', there will sooner or later be disagreements. Each to his/her own. No one is going to change their mind because of what is posted here.

I am very tempted to reply with my own point of view, but then I think, in the interests of harmony, best not.

Go ahead - we may disagree but the debate has been fairly sensible and besides this is one of the best and most interesting topics on MSE (well I believe so anyway )

peachyprice

The_Hurricane wrote: »

Go ahead - we may disagree but the debate has been fairly sensible and besides this is one of the best and most interesting topics on MSE (well I believe so anyway )

It won't stay like that if people express their true views, it'll all end in tears.

I'm with Filey on this one, I have never expressed my views on here other than to confirm that I'm an atheist, it's just not worth the abuse that erupts.

I save that for people who know on my door and won't take 'no thank you' for an answer

heartbreak_star

The_Hurricane wrote: »

It's the truth that there is no God? Many people who practice health medicine thank God for their knowledge or pray to God before performing a major operation etc.

None do that I know.

And note - I said "non-proven" deity.

HBS x

EDIT: I'm an atheist, and some of you will throw your hands up in horror when I say this...but I've often amused myself with the thought of what would happen if the existence of a deity was, scientifically, completely and irrefutably disproven.

Filey

shaz77 wrote: »

Hi; has anyone said prayers that came true that were perhaps more than a coincidence?[/QUOTE
______________________________________________________

The original question.

But how do you know? How can you be certain.?

Mankysteve

Torry_Quine wrote: »

In my opinion you will always get an answer but it may not be the one you want. I presume by come true you mean that what you prayed for happened?

:rotfl:I love that logic so no matter what happens it a message from god.

Tropez

lushlifesaver wrote: »

I would hate for a very dear friend of mine and her son, who also has Down Syndrome, to read you post. They are both, as am I, a firm believer in God and the power of prayer through the works of Christ and I have to say your attitude is foul.

A child with Down Syndrome is not damaged, by God or otherwise, nor are they substandard to a 'healthy' child. Every child is a blessing and a gift. Through adopting a child with Down Syndrome my friend's life has been transformed and her son is a blessing to all he meets. He has had a positive impact on many lives and is one of the happiest people I have ever had the honour of meeting.

In all fairness, there's no evidence that securityguy was even referring to children with Down Syndrome with his comments. Kingfisherblue had said that their child had "four major abnormalities", all of which would "kill [the child] without surgery". I'm not aware of Down Syndrome usually being fatal to a newborn without immediate surgery.