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Original poster

Why does God answer some prayers and not others?

566 replies

locationforna · 30/12/2022 20:59

Just this really.

If you are a Christian, please can you tell me why God answers some peoples prayers and not others?

For example, one woman could be praying her baby survives. Baby dies. Another woman with the exact same situation of an unwell baby - Baby lives. Both prayed, they prayed a lot

Why is it you say 'God is good' and 'God does answer, this is a miracle' and 'we are praying for you'

Do you really think that if the first person prayed hard enough, her baby would've survived? Or if not, and it's just chance, why pray?

I believe in God by the way. I have been studying for a while and seem to lean towards Judaism but notice a lot of 'God is good, he answered my prayers. It's a miracle'

Why some prayers and not others? Why do people think He's helped you get a job offer you really wanted but not answered a woman across the road's prayer not to be raped?

There is suffering throughout the Bible. Jesus himself suffered according to the Bible. That's not what I mean - I mean specially, why some prayers can be answered and not others that are equally in need?

OP posts:
Hedjwitch · 30/12/2022 21:02

Because God doesnt exist. If he did,and he was all merciful, the situations given above wouldn't arise.
I was raised Christian,and raised my children as churchgoing Christians until I realised what a con it all is.

PopUpMoon · 30/12/2022 21:03

They do seriously weird mental gymnastics, a lot of cognitive dissonance and a lack of critical thinking skills. All religious people.

Soproudoflionesses · 30/12/2022 21:05

I stopped believing after the Dunblane massacre so am sorry but l can't help.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Philosophy & religion
Original poster
locationforna · 30/12/2022 21:05

Hedjwitch · 30/12/2022 21:02

Because God doesnt exist. If he did,and he was all merciful, the situations given above wouldn't arise.
I was raised Christian,and raised my children as churchgoing Christians until I realised what a con it all is.

I would have thought it would make more sense for God not to answer prayers because he knows the bigger picture? So even though he may sympathise, he won't give you what you want because of prayer as that's not what was planned (and if it is what's planned, it isn't the prayer that's got you it. It was his plan anyway)

OP posts:
Timeforachangeisitnot · 30/12/2022 21:06

OP , there is a philosophy/ religion thread. If you repost there, some others who believe may respond in a way that helps you.
I am a non believer, so I would have to say that God is not answering the prayers, it’s just dumb luck - good or bad.

Whowhatwherewhenwhynow · 30/12/2022 21:06

Following, because I’d really like to see the thought process too.

recently saw A friend post about god being good because her son survived cancer. I couldn’t help thinking, so what about the kids that didn’t.

I think it’s fine for people to have their beliefs, but linking someone surviving/being saved etc to god rather suggests that others aren’t becUse god chose not to save them. That make me uncomfortable

Original poster
locationforna · 30/12/2022 21:07

Whowhatwherewhenwhynow · 30/12/2022 21:06

Following, because I’d really like to see the thought process too.

recently saw A friend post about god being good because her son survived cancer. I couldn’t help thinking, so what about the kids that didn’t.

I think it’s fine for people to have their beliefs, but linking someone surviving/being saved etc to god rather suggests that others aren’t becUse god chose not to save them. That make me uncomfortable

Yes I agree with all of this. I find it very confusing that people will thank God when they get what they wanted but if they don't, it's obviously not what he had planned

Surely in this scenario, it's what he had planned anyway because he can see the bigger picture... so what good is prayer? God has already decided your fate

OP posts:
Letitrainletitrainletitrain · 30/12/2022 21:08

locationforna · 30/12/2022 21:05

I would have thought it would make more sense for God not to answer prayers because he knows the bigger picture? So even though he may sympathise, he won't give you what you want because of prayer as that's not what was planned (and if it is what's planned, it isn't the prayer that's got you it. It was his plan anyway)

Show quote history

But that implies babies dying is part of his plan.

So his plan is to let parents go through pregnancy, childbirth, and then take the babu anyway? How does that plan work? What could possibly be the end goal?

Original poster
locationforna · 30/12/2022 21:08

Timeforachangeisitnot · 30/12/2022 21:06

OP , there is a philosophy/ religion thread. If you repost there, some others who believe may respond in a way that helps you.
I am a non believer, so I would have to say that God is not answering the prayers, it’s just dumb luck - good or bad.

I am very interested in the views of those who don't believe. It's important. I would say similar and I do believe in God

Not luck, but just what was going to happen anyway and prayed had no power to change that

OP posts:
honeyfox · 30/12/2022 21:09

I was raised christian by lovely and religious parents. Myself and God parted ways when my 15 year old brother died of a brain tumour when I was 12 despite the prayers of hundreds of people over several years. I was done with him/her/it.

Swimswam · 30/12/2022 21:09

Hi @locationforna I’m Catholic. Maybe this article helps to answer your question
www.catholicdigest.com/amp/faith/200809-01why-doesnrsquot-god-answer-my-prayers/
I don’t think it’s about praying hard enough. I don’t know if I have the answer.
I have seen miraculous answer to prayer - the recovery of a relative for example. And I have seen examples where prayers are not answered- the death of the child. However some consolation does seem to come too in these tragic situations - it can take different forms.
God does exist - of course I cannot prove this in human terms. Look into Eucharistic miracles and also incorruptible bodies, the miracle of the sun at Fatima. All really interesting and unique to Catholicism.

Original poster
locationforna · 30/12/2022 21:10

@Letitrainletitrainletitrain as I understand it, the answer is we don't know because as I say in the OP, we are infinite beings so can't actually know his plan and the reasons behind it. We don't understand because we aren't capable of seeing the bigger picture in full

It's a shit answer but that seems to be a lot of different religion's answer to that question

OP posts:
Ifailed · 30/12/2022 21:11

There are (apparently) over 2000 gods worshipped by humanity. Which one are you referring to?

Spaghetti201 · 30/12/2022 21:11

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Hawkins001 · 30/12/2022 21:11

Basically no matter the religion, it's all mythology, their may have been some truth to it, but basically when reading any religious texts, it could be argued that as they are written, translated, improved and edited by humans, for humans, then make of that analysis, what you will.

Original poster
locationforna · 30/12/2022 21:12

Ifailed · 30/12/2022 21:11

There are (apparently) over 2000 gods worshipped by humanity. Which one are you referring to?

In this instance, I am referring to the God Christian's believe in, I suppose. I did say so in my original post that it was about Christianity

OP posts:
Hawkins001 · 30/12/2022 21:12

It's better to have our own human religion based on transhumanism, and what humans can achieve.

Lordofthebutterfloofs · 30/12/2022 21:13

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I am an atheist. I believe that if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all.

Original poster
locationforna · 30/12/2022 21:13

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Well, I'm not particularly bright so I'll accept it Grin

Although I am sure Einstein was a believer?

OP posts:
MrsSkylerWhite · 30/12/2022 21:13

God is a nonsense. Prayers are just wishes.

Letitrainletitrainletitrain · 30/12/2022 21:15

locationforna · 30/12/2022 21:10

@Letitrainletitrainletitrain as I understand it, the answer is we don't know because as I say in the OP, we are infinite beings so can't actually know his plan and the reasons behind it. We don't understand because we aren't capable of seeing the bigger picture in full

It's a shit answer but that seems to be a lot of different religion's answer to that question

Maybe, I just guess after 2000+ (for christianity) years there might be some glimmer of the point to the plan, instead of the same thing happening over and over again

Hawkins001 · 30/12/2022 21:16

locationforna · 30/12/2022 21:13

Well, I'm not particularly bright so I'll accept it Grin

Although I am sure Einstein was a believer?

Show quote history

Someone being intelligent and believing the e.g. Sky beings, does not make them true in that reguard, especially if at the time, it was considered better if they did believe in religion etc

America12 · 30/12/2022 21:16

Because he's a made up story ?

PermanentTemporary · 30/12/2022 21:18

@locationforna have you read Harold Kushner's book When Bad Things Happen to Good People? When I was more open to the idea of God I found it a comforting and helpful book, and it's by a rabbi so has a Jewish perspective.

I've also sometimes had benefit from some Quaker ideas of prayer, about focusing on the light in every person.

Now that I'm an atheist I don't have to struggle with this question, but I still find religious practice as a human activity interesting. I don't think mature sensible people really believe that God will fix things for you based on the number of prayer reps you pump out. Most seem to describe prayer as a personal discipline designed to improve their ability to follow God's will. But the Santa's letter version of prayer does sometimes pop up in their conversation nonetheless.

BlueKaftan · 30/12/2022 21:19

Sometimes you pray and the answer is yes, sometimes you pray and the answer is no. Better to pray for the will of God and your ability to accept it.