Could the reason God says no to a lot of prayers be that he doesn’t exist?

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Struggling1

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I know that some people argue that he does only what’s best for us and in his plan but could the reason for the 99 percent of the time the answer is no be simply he doesn’t exist and we are coming up with reasons as to why he does so we attribute it to his will instead of his non existance? What if the 1% when the answer is yes simply be what would normally naturally occur?
 
If you mean a being who is much like our own egos and makes decisions about what prayers to answer and what not then I would say such a conception of God may very well be inaccurate.
 
99%?! Is your yes to no ratio really that low? Do you keep records or is that just how it “feels”?
 
For me it’s what I perceive. I know what I have done to allow things to happen. Work I have put in to get things and I can’t see easily how God provided anything above what I myself am capable of causing. For an instance why is everything we experience explainable by chance. I’m sorry it’s a weakness of mine and I’m struggling so much with this.
 
Can you cause your body to function? Can you will for all the biochemical reactions to occur at the right place at the right time? Are you conscious of your cells replicating DNA, dividing, your immune cells patrolling for pathogens, etc?

We cannot claim that we are the cause even of our own bodily existence. We cannot perceive the ways of God, but they are there.

God’s ways are far beyond us. He is past, present, and future, here, there, and everywhere.
 
But how do we know that in 1000 years we may find out why these things happen like some scientific reason? I.e they used to think that blood letting or the earth being the center of the solar system made sense. How do know it’s not just an undiscovered phenomena.
 
@Struggling1: Book of Job, chapter 40-41.

In this book, Job asks of God: “Why did You let this happen? Why don’t you answer my prayers?”
These two chapters contain God’s reply.

And please note once Job accepts the reply God favors him greatly.
 
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Well, from what you’ve said, quite a few things have happened that seemed to be signs, yet you are worried they may be coincidence.

Here’s my answer: God works through nature very often. Are you courageous? That is the work of God to nurture the virtue. Hardworking? Are you loving?
If you think about how utterly lucky so many things in your life are, perhaps you’ll realize why it is not just ourselves. Many have worked hard, perhaps many have worked harder, yet have not succeeded. To want to say we are ourselves enough to yadda yadda is a form of pride.

But your main question: chance is like a non-answer. If something defies chance, then perhaps it was “just a matter of time”. The only thing that can’t be explained by chance in the way you mean is the impossible, which rarely happens, but even that is enough to say there is a chance: it’s happened at least once.
So in this way, we can see how chance can be a non-answer.
 
God and science are not mutually exclusive. God created everything we see.

What I meant was, just because we cannot perceive something doesn’t mean it’s absent. That’s why I mentioned the cells in your body. You’re not aware of them or what they’re doing, but there they are keeping you alive.

God’s mysterious providence is there, despite our lack of awareness, lack of belief, lack of trust, and lack of faith.

Our natural inclination is to doubt what we cannot prove, but we have to start by having a desire to believe.
 
I agree about chance, for example: the 100 years war between England and France. England has the upper hand France is weak all the odds are in favor of England. Enter Joan of Arc, a peasant girl who singlehandedly changes history. If not for her, the Catholic Church would not have the same reach, Christianity in the West would be much closer to Protestant. Sure to nonbelievers it was chance. But to me, it was the hand of God.
 
Joan of Arc is a popular response on CA Forum. No doubt the genius of woman is set free within a Catholic context. That may speak volumes not only about state power in relationship to the nature of The Church and The Magesterium but on the nature of communication from a male or female origin more generally.
Yes, we need to reflect and hear the Word in our lives, in every aspect of our lives. Still living as if God does not exist in action, taking on every task as if we are wholly responsible is rational. If, that is, we pray about each matter, we speak with God knowing His Providence is complete. Praying as if our actions were completely ineffective which in relation to Holiness, to faith and ardent obedience, in what our efforts have nil effect.
Perhaps ponder why God answered our prayer in such a way as we perceive it. Consider your perception as the possible flaw in understanding. Rely upon the saints, thereto acting as if they had no effect for our actions, while praying for them to intercede with Christ whole heartedly, they will.
Consider what call to service God may be presenting with the answer to prayer that seems unfair or unreconcilable with a God of pure love. Consider that some even believe such horrific acts as abortion to be consistent with God’s plan. Surely our ways are not His ways. Is there a false understanding God wants to remove for you to come closer to Him?
God is getting nearer. Open your hand, let go of what holds you back. He is the true King who should be crowned with glory. Let Him love you and let go, let God.
 
The fact that you doubt, well, what is doing the doubting if not you?
 
Every answer is an answer. It might not be the answer you want
Maybe what you want is not the best thing for you.
Trust God.
 
Struggling1 said:
could the reason for the 99 percent of the time the answer is no be simply he doesn’t exist
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No.
Because if he doesn’t exist then there is nobody to even say “no”.
There would just be a wall of silence.

But seriously, the solution to your constant anxieties on CAF is not going to be intellectual answers or conviction.

Try and find yourself a Christian support group, I believe your answers need to be emotional not intellectual. An impersonal forum cannot solve these sorts of needs any more than one night stands are a substitute for a relationship.
 
Maybe it’s not me?! 😱 Maybe I think it’s me but I’m not actually thinking…
 
Why is it not possible that G-d works THROUGH us by giving us the capability to go above and beyond ourselves and thereby accomplish our goals? If you expect daily overt miracles by G-d, you may be disappointed; however, if you look closer at your own changes in attitude which see you through difficult situations, this may reflect G-d’s way of affording you the wisdom to understand and act in a more positive and constructive way, sometimes saying yes and other times no to your thoughts and actions.
 
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