WHY does GOD not ANSWER our PRAYERS? (our way?)

[Umfundize]

I have recently read up on Dr. Bart Ehrman, New Testament scholar at Capitol Hill. He stated that he is no longer a Christian, but an agnostic. He cites his main reason: disappointed that God does not do much about our SUFFERING.

Atheism is on the rise. Ever seen anyone HEALED or receive a new limb?

[Gail]

You mean physically, don't you? Because I just the other day saw someone, someone I know, wanting to make available to me her testimony of being healed of demonic harassment.

If you talk to someone of faith who also suffers, I think you may find a different perspective than the "why, Lord?" train of thought. I've heard Joni Erickson Tada's talk on suffering. There's someone that could use a physical healing- yet she is radiant with thankfulness of her walk with God.

[JoeMo]

Yes. Rather than regurgitate, please see my post #570308 in the "How has your God proved himself to you?" thread in the "Theological Townhall" forum. Seems to be lots of interest in this topic suddenly!

[Gibs]

"our Way?" Our suffering is because of sin. We may be afflicted worse than a criminal and a blastphemer of God. We know those who are fully with the wicked one, Satan of course is able to keep well to a great extent as he is the inflictor in many cases and can remove them.

Our Way of wanting it done may be that we are asking amiss. Then again it may be that we are to live with it as Paul.,

2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Whatever the case hold to your faith in Him and know in your heart if you have fallen and been broken on Him and surrendered all that befalls you He sees and will allow for our own good though like in Paul's case it is rough and may end our life of the here and now, but remain faithful and be raised perfect and no disease and suffering.

We must be "malleable", easily bent to do all His Way as He knows best for us. Nothing is our way but His Way as it is the righteous way and the only way for salvation. Fully, fully we trust in Him for this is where our only hope lies.

From Paul, - - Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

I'm sure it is fine to ask our Lord to remove the curse of the evil one and He may just do it for you.

Ex 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

Yes we will have suffering no matter how faithful a Christian we are.

Satan will be first in performing great wonders of healing etc. but then God will work for His dedicated ones in marvelous ways too before it is over.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Robert]

I'm sure it is fine to ask our Lord to remove the curse of the evil one and He may just do it for you.

Ex 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

So if we obey then God will not curse us with disease? That's what your quote seems to imply.

[Gibs]

Robert, The verse implies a promise as far as that goes and what do you have against obeying the one we love with all our heart and soul? To obey only comes naturally if we do.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Robert]

Robert, The verse implies a promise as far as that goes....

My grandfather was an SDA for over 50 years. He was a good man, comparatively speaking, yet he died of cancer. Liver cancer finally took him down, but before that he had colon cancer & prostate cancer. Apparently he didn't obey....And BTW, he was a vegetarian.

[JoeMo]

Robert,

I don't know if you are making a point to Gibs about your grandfather; or reaching out. Just in case you are reaching out, please don't consider his cancer a punishment from God! I'm not necessarily one that believes God doesn't kill; but I DO believe He doesn't kill His children! If your grandfather was a Christian (SDA or other), he was killed by satan or the Sin that is inherent in this world; and will be until Jesus returns. IMO, God killing Him would be tantamount to child abuse! satan was just claiming another victim in the war before he himself becomes one of the final victims when he is cast into the lake of fire!

God may not kill His own, but He certainly has the legal right to kill His sworn enemies.

Many people likely prayed for your grandfather to be cured. God may not have answered their prayers the way those people wanted them answered. But if God is who He says He is, your grandpa will be cured with an indestructible and immortal body, to live forever in the Kingdom to come!

God's Blessings to you,

JoeMo

[Gibs]

Robert, I'm 81 and there is many things wrong in this old body and I may go by one or the other, His will be done in me as He knows best and I trust in Him. I've not had good health since a baby.

Total raw food vegetarian is the best way for us but few know how to get full nutrition by eating the right things. It is now very hard to be a total raw food vegetarian.

We must look for and do and follow "His Way" as much as humanly posible.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Umfundize]

The problem is that ordinary people ask questions. Typically human questions. And the intellectual atheists ask the most difficult questions. Are they wrong to enquire?

If the Bible promises healing and there IS NO HEALING, then why must we spin it and come up with all kinds of excuses? Who was it that caused the Tsunami that killed 300,000 people? God or Satan? If Satan, why did God not stop him?

In the past few hundred years, is there ONE evidence of ANYONE who grew a new arm or leg, eyes, or other body-part? The TV scam-artists only promise the unseen, new kidneys, etc.

With all the confusion in the world, all the different churches and cults screaming "we are right"! is it not time that some or other heavenly representative appear somewhere in the world just to confirm , "yes, God IS THERE, keep your faith!" The onus is, after all, on God to reveal Himself when mass-confusion has set in. Why must we try and put the big jigsaw-puzzle together ourselves?

Is this a game? God cannot be seen, neither can the Devil be seen! May neither confirm their real existance? Why HIDE? God is ALL-POWERFUL, why not HELP US? NOW?

[Gail]

I would say, No- it's not wrong to ask questions and wonder about things.

But spirituality is a heart matter more than an intellectual one. Since people have not been restored in the same way as when Jesus was on earth it doesn't mean that restoration hasn't been going on. Ask a believer who has been healed of a disease or an addiction if their healing was real or not.

With Christianity it is more of a "come and see" experience. What made the martyrs of the Middle Ages wear their best clothing to their burning at the stake? And then SING hymns while the fire raged? What fills a person's heart with peace, and takes away the sting/fear of death? What makes a person desire meaning in life?

I have no burden to try to explain these things to someone who is not seeking in his or her heart, but to the one who asks I simply say, "Come, take of the water of life...It is promised that once you drink of it you will never thirst again," and, "Taste and see that the Lord is good."

[Umfundize]

You are correct to offer a gospel-invitation.

However, the problem is still that "people" want to see the EVIDENCE. Even in Jesus' time, people believed because of the MIRACLES they have seen. Typically human.

The same today. We are dealing with a metaphysical issue, but the Sun-worshippers can point to the SUN and say "see, THERE is our god, WHERE is yours?"

Do you think it would be good if we COULD get some "hard evidence" from heaven? Do you think it would HELP people believe? Do we NEED evidence in support of the metaphysical?

[Umfundize]

I am basically referring to the UNCHURCHED SEEKERS.

Personally, my faith is secure in Christ alone. The MYSTERY of the gospel is that every one of us received "a measure of faith" that was ACTIVATED at some time by the Holy Spirit so that we KNOW THAT WE KNOW THAT WE KNOW.

But the QUESTIONS are still lingering and I sometimes wonder if the questions are unreasonable. Perhaps not, just innocently sincere.

[Gail]

Umfundize, I don't have all the answers for you. But I like what you have written about a measure of faith. Sometimes faith is what provides the answers (strange, but again it's a heart thing, not intellect).

John 12:37 says that even though Jesus did many miracles, there were those who STILL did not believe. They were the ones that had the "hard evidence". What CAN you say to people like that? I guess we gotta wait until they begin to listen to their heart and the Holy Spirit yearnings.

Herod wanted to see, too, but Jesus wouldn't give him a sign. He refused.

If Jesus wouldn't go so far as to prove the existance of God for a scoffer, should we feel obligated to do it?

The promise is that those who seek will find, when we shall search for God with all the heart. Other than that, who are we to approach God on our terms?

God might know what He's doing...

But those are just ramblings. I don't ponder the same as you, but I have no objection to your questions myself.

[Gibs]

What I am sure must be watched for is miracles by the who knows how many are going to be displayed to deceive if possible the very elect, Satan's miracle working power is soon to be making a debut and that will be "hard" evidence of it being possible but we must discern who it is of.

Really all healing is a miracle and we had a man in the neighborhood who drank it is said about a gallon of fresh made carrot juice a day that doctors told him was nothing could be done of his cancer and he was healed.

Yes he was healed, you decide whose way but I think it was God's way.

It was not the "cut", "burn" and "poison" way of the profession.

I Truly believe this, when we have surrendered all and are truly His and nothing withheld, you need not worry as He is true and faithful and will take care of His own. Perhaps not as we would expect but be assured the best for our own good.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Robert]

I don't know if you are making a point to Gibs about your grandfather; or reaching out.

Making a point.

I was in the my grandfather's room the night before he died. He was running a high temp and was incoherent. I felt terrible for him and so I prayed to God to let him die. A few hours later he was gone. Now he is napping...No worries.

[Woody]

Haven't read this thread. But I do know that God answers our prayers. But usually the answer that is needed as far as the Great Controversy goes - is a loud NO.

Shoot - we are so sinful - we don't even know how to pray and what to ask for.

[Robert]

Shoot - we are so sinful - we don't even know how to pray and what to ask for.

James 4:2 You want things, but you cannot have them, so you are ready to kill; you strongly desire things, but you cannot get them, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have what you want because you do not ask God for it. 3 And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad; you ask for things to use for your own pleasures. 4 Unfaithful people!

[Gerr]

He who blessed the nobleman at Capernaum is just as desirous of blessing us. But like the afflicted father, we are often led to seek Jesus by the desire for some earthly good; and upon the granting of our request we rest our confidence in His love. The Saviour longs to give us a greater blessing than we ask; and He delays the answer to our request that He may show us the evil of our own hearts, and our deep need of His grace. He desires us to renounce the selfishness that leads us to seek Him. Confessing our helplessness and bitter need, we are to trust ourselves wholly to His love. {DA 200.3}

The nobleman wanted to see the fulfillment of his prayer before he should believe; but he had to accept the word of Jesus that his request was heard and the blessing granted. This lesson we also have to learn.[/b] Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust in His promises. When we come to Him in faith, every petition enters the heart of God. When we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have received it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured that the blessing will be realized when we need it most. When we have learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered. God will do for us "exceeding abundantly," "according to the riches of His glory," and "the working of His mighty power." Ephesians 3:20, 16; 1:19. {DA 200.4}

(Emphasis mine.)

[Gibs]

I do believe we should consider the following verses very carefully as there is a tremendous promise to us here,

Joh 14:12 ¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Joh 14:15 ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

The words above "he that believeth on me" have a much deeper meaning than we have normally come to understand. It comes out to me that we must truly love Him with ALL our hearts and soul to please Him and nothing held back. Look again at the 15'th verse.

This is a promise to us that is without any doubt for His very own.

Let us examine our dedication and how much we do really love Him as this seems to be the crux of the matter.

Da 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

I am sure the time is near at hand when that verse of Dans will be seen in His beloved.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Umfundize]

We are reminded to "trust His promises".John 14:13,14 makes a powerful PROMISE. But when we put it to the TEST and ask for healing, NOTHING happens.

And then the preacher must explain the REASON WHY the prayer "DID NOT WORK" . From a very human perspective. Even CHILDREN are disappointed when their prayers are not answered.

[JoeMo]

Umfundize,

You may not have read my post on the other thread, so I will re-post here. God DOES heal! Below is my prevous post (pardon the length of it):

"Two years ago, I was laid off in a company reorg. I was 60 years old at the time. I work in a very specialized field (energy risk management); and there were no openings in Denver. My HS/College aged kids refused to move. I was on a walk one day feeling sorry for myself and stressing about my situation; so I prayed for a sign from YHVH. Within a couple minutes, a sparrow landed inches from my foot and "walked" about 2 or 3 blocks with me; just looking at me with his beak open. When I turned up my driveway, he walked with me. I figured the bird was sick, so I reached down to pick it up. It stepped back, flew up on top of my head,sang it's little heart out for about 2 minutes, and flew away. My daughter even got a picture of it posted on our church's website. I immediately thought of Luke 12:6-8 - "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Around the same time, a woman in our church suffered a terrible injury during childbirth that rendered her incapable of intimacy or child-bearing without major surgery. She was miserable and in constant pain. A couple days before her scheduled surgery, she had the women of the church pray for her; and she said that a soothing warmth had covered her "down there"; and she felt much better. On the day of her surgery, the the injury was gone; so the surgeon had nothing to repair.

A couple months ago, I was diagnosed with stage 1 bladder cancer - probably from being a heavy smoker for many years. Before I went in for a follow-up and to schedule a biopsy, the church prayed for me. Part of the prayer was that "elephants stomp out the cancer cells". It was a little weird; but immediately I had to pee. When I went in for the follow up, there was no evidence of cancer.

These may not sound like big deals like raising the dead or making amputated limbs grow; but they were big deals to me. I relay these stories to you not in an attempt to convert you; but simply because you were curious about people's personal experiences. That being said, these and other experiences are real reinforcements to my faith." <END OF QOUTE>

Just last night, I met with some friends who had just returned from 2 weeks in Tanzania on a medical/evangelistic mission trip. They claim to gave seen many healing miracles - blind eyes and deaf ears opened;witherd limbbs restored, tumors just "falling off" of bodies. I didn't witness these things personally; but this was a small gathering of friends; not some church meeting. They had no reason or motivation for lying.

Was everyone they prayed for healed? No. Why not? I don't know. If you are interested, go to a charismatic church a few times (not a Benny Hinn extravaganza or giant "miracle meeting in a stadium). I almost guarantee that you will see miracles. Why? Because charismatics have come to "expect" miracles - a little more concrete than just giving intellectual assent to the possibility of miracles. Don't lose faith, look for what God is doing rather than what He is not doing. Find what God is blessing and do that rather than finding something to do and asking God to bless it. I promise, by doing these things, you will find the signs and wonders that your heart yearns for!

Take care, bud!

[Gibs]

Consider what many would term a hard saying but one that ought be considered.

Isa 59:1 ¶ Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Are we asking amiss? Are we freely practicing sin? We know He expects us to cease in committing sin and He has set the way we can overcome any and all.

Make sure we ask aright and not in rebellion or disobedience.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Robert]

Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Sorry, but in Christ we have been reconciled. Gibs, you give a very legalistic view of salvation. I wish you would stop depressing the saints....

[Woody]

Quote:

I wish you would stop depressing the saints....

If it wasn't so true -

I would