Does God really listen to us?
By taurus54
@taurus54 (317)
Philippines
October 22, 2008 7:28am CST
The religious belief known as deism holds that God makes himself known to human beings through nature and reason, rather than through revelation and miracles. A common corollary of deist belief is that God does not interfere in the day-to-day workings of the universe, that he does not concern himself with humans and our affairs. There would be little point in praying to the deist god, but most other religions have some method for human beings to communicate with the divine, and a belief that such communications can potentially influence the workings of the universe. Indeed, prayer is a centerpiece of today's major religions. Prayer networks and prayer requests can be found in multitudes across the World Wide Web. bservant Muslims have to say five daily prayers,and devout Jews have even more. However, out of all the major world religions, the Christian Bible makes what are undoubtedly the most spectacular and extravagant claims about the efficacy of prayer:
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." --Matthew 21:22 (NIV)
"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." --Matthew 17:20 (NIV)
"Ask and it will be given to you.... For everyone who asks receives." --Luke 11:9-10 (NIV)
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven ." --Matthew 18:19 (NIV)
These promises are, obviously, false. No Christian I know of would claim that they can accomplish literally anything, up to and including moving mountains[1],through prayer (and if there are any who do claim that, James Randi has a million dollars for you). Instead, most Christian apologists defend these verses by claiming that the only prayers that are answered are those that are in line with the will of God. Of course, since no one can know what the will of God is, this gives them license to explain away any failed prayers.
3 responses
@awapak (1275)
• Pakistan
23 Oct 08
No doubt one God Almighty listens to all our prayers,even if made by animals.But it is all upto Him to accept,reject or delay those prayers.And we will be rewarded on the Day of Judgement for all our unanswered/unaccepted prays and supplications.Islam also supports this view being realistic.We are required to accept it and should not make unnecessary arguments against it...........Thanks for starting this discussion
@awapak (1275)
• Pakistan
23 Oct 08
Thanks for your reply.I have seen miracles in accepting some of my prayers.In a desert we were facing a drought b/c there was no rain for two years.Animals were dying.I led a congregational prayer for rain.The same day we got a heavy rain from just a single cloud.Who did it? certainly it was done by one God Almighty.So I do believe in Him........My Allah or God Almighty !!
@okwusman1 (2247)
• Abuja, Nigeria
22 Oct 08
God does listen to us especially His children, Jesus Christ said the He knows His sheep voice and they know His. The prayer of a sinner is an abomination unto God, it is sin that seperates us from God, Adam sinned and he seperated from God. God still listens and answers prayers of just and righteous people even till now.
@piffster12 (177)
• Ghana
22 Oct 08
Many people have this question when they pray and they expect there prayers to be answered right away. You need to have patience when you pray. God really does listen to us you just need to have faith. You should not doubt him as I said before you need faith that He will answer your prayers.
