5 of 25

Write now Article Tools

Having spent over thirty five years in a religious environment from my impressionable years in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and attending various churches such as Calvary Chapel and the Southern Baptist church I feel that I can offer a distinct perspective on the matter of does prayer work. Although technically I am still an ordained minister I now embrace deism.

The question of do prayers work largely depend on personal experiences, spiritual beliefs based on religious texts (revealed religion) and ones view of a supreme beings character traits towards his created. I cannot speak for any spiritual belief other than Christianity and a deist perspective.

As a child I was taught that I could pray to God and ask him for anything without reservation, and that God would answer my prayers. But as I got older I realized that this was not the case. When I prayed "God bless mom and dad" and I saw the debilitating affects of cancer on my father, and the heart problems my mother suffered, I wondered why God would allow this to happen even when his child prayed otherwise.

Attaining to an older and somewhat wiser age I realized by studying the bible and listening to pastors, preachers and priests from the pulpits to the television that this cosmic conversation called prayer was much more complicated and frustrating. More frustrating were the answers I received from theological experts when I asked why God didn't answer prayers when Jesus himself taught "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it." John 14:12-14. Other scriptures require we have faith (Matthew 17:20; 21:21), believe (Mark 11:24) and agree with another on the request (Matthew 18:19)

The theological calisthenics' used to explain away why God doesn't answer prayers can be broken down into the following:

1. God Knows best.
2. So that God can be magnified.
3. It wasn't God's will.
4. Lack of faith.
5. Lack of belief.
6. Un-confessed sin.
7. You need to ask.

Those who have children can you imagine one day if one of them came up to you and asked for something to eat and you gave them one of the excuses above? Such actions would be considered criminal in today's society and most of us would want such a person ran out of town on a rail. We would never consider telling a terminally ill friend or loved one that the reason why they are not being healed is because they lack faith, belief, or that it is God's will that they suffer excruciating

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Do prayers work?
We want to hear your view. Write now!