Does prayer work?

[dall-assblows]

i dont know if they do or not, but lets say some for that TE for the BILLS who is now in emergency surgery for a serious spinal injury.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by dall-assblows

i dont know if they do or not, but lets say some for that TE for the BILLS who is now in emergency surgery for a serious spinal injury.

Absolutely

Everett Spine Injury, Other Bills Out - Buffalo Bills

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Absolutely

Everett Spine Injury, Other Bills Out - Buffalo Bills

I saw it says he's in surgery...does anyone know if he is able to move yet?
That is just horrible, and I will pray for him.

[saden1]

A few years ago I was at a gas station filling up my tank when a woman on the next pump came to me and asked me if I could give her 3 dollars so she could put some gas in her car because she didn't have any money and her tank was on empty. She had a kid with her so instead of giving her a few bucks I filled up her tank.

I guess if you are a person of faith you would think this woman's prayers were answered, me, not so much. When you are struggling people tend to help. That is human nature. It's not god, it's not prayers being answered, it is just people being generous or random events.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by saden1

A few years ago I was at a gas station filling up my tank when a woman on the next pump came to me and asked me if I could give her 3 dollars so she could put some gas in her car because she didn't have any money and her tank was on empty. She had a kid with her so instead of giving her a few bucks I filled up her tank.

I guess if you are a person of faith you would think this woman's prayers were answered, me, not so much. When you are struggling people tend to help. That is human nature. It's not god, it's not prayers being answered, it is just people being generous or random events.

At this point, I am tending to agree with you.

So what prayers does everyone have that they know for certain were answered by God? (sorry LB, your mother didn't read it right, that's just a mistake IMO.)

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by jsarno

So what prayers does everyone have that they know for certain were answered by God?

There are none. People BELIEVE they were answered by God. And THAT is the power of prayer.

If there is someone on here who says they have scientific proof that God answered a prayer, then they're literally crazy. They can have faith, they can believe, they can "know" it in the heart, but they cannot prove it.

After all, that's the very definition of faith.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by jsarno

At this point, I am tending to agree with you.

So what prayers does everyone have that they know for certain were answered by God? (sorry LB, your mother didn't read it right, that's just a mistake IMO.)

I don't think there's any way to know for certain.

[Lady Brave]

Originally Posted by jsarno

At this point, I am tending to agree with you.

So what prayers does everyone have that they know for certain were answered by God? (sorry LB, your mother didn't read it right, that's just a mistake IMO.)

My mother did read it right. I was there. You've all but called me a liar. So thanks for that. Funny thing is there is a story in the bible about God providing oil for a widow and her son when there was none left. If He did it for her, there's no reason why He wouldn't do it for us.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by Lady Brave

My mother did read it right. I was there. You've all but called me a liar. So thanks for that. Funny thing is there is a story in the bible about God providing oil for a widow and her son when there was none left. If He did it for her, there's no reason why He wouldn't do it for us.

I don't think anyone is calling you a liar per say, just that people are skeptical. Also you're assuming that the story in the bible is true and if you do assume it is true then you have to assume every story in the bible is true (a very frighting proposition).

[Lady Brave]

Originally Posted by saden1

I don't think anyone is calling you a liar per say, just that people are skeptical. Also you're assuming that the story in the bible is true and if you do assume it is true then you have to assume every story in the bible is true (a very frighting proposition).

It's not a frightening proposition at all. I've seen God work in people's lives more times than I can count. I believe in God's word and I believe He's in control of my life. I've been healed of a disease myself. Be skeptical if you like. It won't change my opinion, because I've lived it.

I had hoped this thread would be one of encouragement, but I don't think that's possible. Ultimately, it has to turn into the typical "does God exist debate."

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by Lady Brave

My mother did read it right. I was there. You've all but called me a liar. So thanks for that. Funny thing is there is a story in the bible about God providing oil for a widow and her son when there was none left. If He did it for her, there's no reason why He wouldn't do it for us.

I guess people have a right to skeptical, and he did say IMO. But still I believe your story, and I have had many things like that happen for me. The skeptic can say its a random event, and a believer will feel it is an act of God. Either view is ok, and they cannot be proven wrong.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Lady Brave

My mother did read it right. I was there. You've all but called me a liar. So thanks for that. Funny thing is there is a story in the bible about God providing oil for a widow and her son when there was none left. If He did it for her, there's no reason why He wouldn't do it for us.

Well here's the thing, you don't know how the oil got there. You didn't put it there, you didn't call a company before your mom did, your mom didn't put it there. You just know that the oil was there when the oil guy came to fill it up. You're filling in the rest with your beliefs.

Which is fine, it was probably a real tough time for you and faith got you guys through it.

That said, with the absence of proof that it was God, all you have is a POSSIBILITY. There's no proof. There are far more likely possibilities that could explain it.

But if God is the explanation you settled on, and it gave you comfort in a tough time, then your faith served you well.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by Lady Brave

My mother did read it right. I was there. You've all but called me a liar. So thanks for that. Funny thing is there is a story in the bible about God providing oil for a widow and her son when there was none left. If He did it for her, there's no reason why He wouldn't do it for us.

Well, you are basically saying the oil magically appeared out of the blue. We already know that is impossible, even the bible says he doesn't do things like that, so unless you can provide me with another possible reason other than it was a misread (or a bad meter...which my mother has on her oil tank) I find no reason to rescind my comment. God will only work with "your hands", He is not a magician. I'm not calling you a liar, you believe it was prayer, prayer has never worked like that before though. (other than in biblical times)

Yes, there is reason he wouldn't do that. He said he wouldn't in the bible. He also said he won't talk to us directly anymore, or let himself be seen, and He hasn't.

ps- what parable are you talking about in terms of a woman needing oil?

[Lady Brave]

Originally Posted by jsarno

Well, you are basically saying the oil magically appeared out of the blue. We already know that is impossible, even the bible says he doesn't do things like that, so unless you can provide me with another possible reason other than it was a misread (or a bad meter...which my mother has on her oil tank) I find no reason to rescind my comment. God will only work with "your hands", He is not a magician. I'm not calling you a liar, you believe it was prayer, prayer has never worked like that before though. (other than in biblical times)

Yes, there is reason he wouldn't do that. He said he wouldn't in the bible. He also said he won't talk to us directly anymore, or let himself be seen, and He hasn't.

ps- what parable are you talking about in terms of a woman needing oil?

Where in the bible does it say God doesn't perform miracles like that? The bible is full of them. The feeding of the five thousand comes to mind. Also, I don't remember God ever saying He would stop performing miracles. As one who considers himself a christian, do you think Jesus was a magician?

Ok... to clarify how my mom knew the tank was almost empty, she took a very long wooden pole and stuck it in our underground tank. We didn't have a meter and this is how she measured how much oil she had. She had it down to a science on how long it would last. When she pulled it out there was only two inches showing at the bottom of the pole.

The Widow of Zarephath

Verse 8

BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: 1 Kings 17 ;;

[Schneed10]

No, prayer does not "work."

It does nothing to change the world around you. It only alters your perception of it. If it can bring you peace, or fool you into finding comfort where there normally be none, then knock yourself out.

But no. It doesn't work.