Does God really care?

[eagle_eye222001]

I try very hard to be a faithful Catholic. Having said that, I ALWAYS struggle with the question: Does God really care about XYZ?

Does God really care if I go to confession? Does God really care if I pray the Rosary? Doesn’t God already know what I want and need? Doesn’t he already know if I am grateful and appreciative?

This world is so complex and beautiful. Science has come so far. Does the God that created all the wonderful, complicated, miraculous things on this planet REALLY care if I attend a Catholic church or a Protestant one? He seems a bit above all the pomp and circumstance.

Does God really care if I use birth control instead of NFP? Both are 98% effective when used properly, and both have the same result. It seems a little arcane to think that God cares about such things, although I still adhere to Church Law while I am trying to figure this out. It just doesn’t make sense that a God who stands by while children die of diahreah and starvation in sub-Saharan Africa is really concerned about how many kids I have or whether or not I’ve committed the sin of lust. Seems like there are more pressing issues.

I always wonder, too, when people say, “God is so good - our loan came through and we’re going to buy the house we want!” or “God answered our prayers and made our car last another year!” or “I prayed for reconciliation with my dad and it was achieved!” Does that mean all the women praying for the lives of their suffering children in third-world countries aren’t listened to by God? Why is God concerned about some actor winning an Academy Award, but not a 13-year-old mother who is giving birth to a stillborn in a grass hut? Does God only answer certain prayers? Does he really care about the minutia of my life when so many are suffering beyond my comprehension???

“He that hears you hears me: and he that despises you despises me: and he that despises me despises him that sent me.”
Luke 10:16

If Christ’s Church cares about certain teachings, It is safe to understand that God cares about it as well. We may not fully understand why, but His ways are mysterious to us, and we can only apply a human mind to the works of an Infinite Being.

17 And when he had gone forth into the way, a certain man, running up and kneeling before him, asked him: Good Master, what shall I do that I may receive life everlasting? 18 And Jesus said to him: Why do you call me good? None is good but one, that is God. 19 You know the commandments…But he answering, said to him: Master, all these things I have observed from my youth. 21 And Jesus, looking on him, loved him and said to him: One thing is wanting unto you. Go, sell whatsoever you have and give to the poor: and you shall have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.
Mark 10:17-21

Jesus cares that we follow the commandments. Entrusting His Church with an infallible guidance in faith and morals, I again believe God cares that we follow His Church…for the Teachings of His Church reflect on how to properly live out our love for God.

However following such teachings with a listless heart, we are still missing the faith part of it…for when we follow the teachings of His Church, we should do so with faith and love for Christ.

Not that this easy…and sometimes it’s hard to feel that God cares…I guess we just have to pray to God for grace to understand that we are following Him.

 

[razredge]

I agree with Soldier of God and robertanthony - i dont think God looks at the heart and isn’t as concerned with the detail.

And there is a lot of suffering in the world and it certainly can’t be entirely explained away due to God wanting us to grow spiritually.

I think God is quite non-interventionist actually, I certainly don’t believe attributing everything God that happens to you as God answering prayers as some people do.

 

[razredge]

Oops, I meant to say “I think God looks at the heart and isn’t as concerned with the detail”

And:
“I think God is quite non-interventionist actually, I certainly don’t believe attributing everything good that happens to you as God answering prayers as some people do.”

(This is what happens when you type posts on your phone)

 

[Robertanthony]

I agree with Soldier of God and robertanthony - i dont think God looks at the heart and isn’t as concerned with the detail.

Oops, I meant to say “I think God looks at the heart and isn’t as concerned with the detail”

My 1st response was: Did I really say that? and Am I so bad at writing a post that people understand the exact opposite of what I meant to say?:p

And razredge, next time be sure to capitalize the 1st letter in my username
The way I was brought up and due to my personality type I think I've had a tendency to see God everywhere and wondering why somehow I (along with a number of people) had been left behind so to speak. Your point about non-interventionism makes perfect sense and is not contradicted by reality, as some other views seem to be.

 

[razredge]

My 1st response was: Did I really say that? and Am I so bad at writing a post that people understand the exact opposite of what I meant to say?

And razredge, next time be sure to capitalize the 1st letter in my username

The way I was brought up and due to my personality type I think I've had a tendency to see God everywhere and wondering why somehow I (along with a number of people) had been left behind so to speak. Your point about non-interventionism makes perfect sense and is not contradicted by reality, as some other views seem to be.

Nice to see someone who agrees.

I definitely think it’s very difficult if not impossible to reconcile the idea of a God who is always intervening in the life of believers and granting their prayers with the evidential problem of evil.

And have seen firsthand how some very devout people have had their faith shattered and have left the Church due to unexpected crisis or loss in their life.

I was watching this interview between Richard Dawkins and Alister McGrath and at one point Dawkins makes an excellent observation.
He proposes a scenario where a single child survives a natural disaster of some sort and how seemingly strange it is if the parents of that child attribute its survival to a miracle.

However McGrath affirms that God did indeed save the one child, which of course led to Dawkins asking why God didn’t save the other children.
video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6474278760369344626#

 

[Cinette]

I try very hard to be a faithful Catholic. Having said that, I ALWAYS struggle with the question: Does God really care about XYZ?

Does God really care if I go to confession? Does God really care if I pray the Rosary? Doesn’t God already know what I want and need? Doesn’t he already know if I am grateful and appreciative?

This world is so complex and beautiful. Science has come so far. Does the God that created all the wonderful, complicated, miraculous things on this planet REALLY care if I attend a Catholic church or a Protestant one? He seems a bit above all the pomp and circumstance.

Does God really care if I use birth control instead of NFP? Both are 98% effective when used properly, and both have the same result. It seems a little arcane to think that God cares about such things, although I still adhere to Church Law while I am trying to figure this out. It just doesn’t make sense that a God who stands by while children die of diahreah and starvation in sub-Saharan Africa is really concerned about how many kids I have or whether or not I’ve committed the sin of lust. Seems like there are more pressing issues.

I always wonder, too, when people say, “God is so good - our loan came through and we’re going to buy the house we want!” or “God answered our prayers and made our car last another year!” or “I prayed for reconciliation with my dad and it was achieved!” Does that mean all the women praying for the lives of their suffering children in third-world countries aren’t listened to by God? Why is God concerned about some actor winning an Academy Award, but not a 13-year-old mother who is giving birth to a stillborn in a grass hut? Does God only answer certain prayers? Does he really care about the minutia of my life when so many are suffering beyond my comprehension???

*I am on my way out but wanted to get this in. I am past the age of childbirth and never used the pill. Didn’t use NFP either. However I learned recently that the pill actually puts a lot of hormones in your body which is certainly not good for you. I have been so ignorant in these matters. anyway I have 4 children and a host of grandchildren. Actually I want to advise my youngest daughter who has four children and feels she could not cope with more. I need to learn more about NFP.

God bless
Cinette*

 

[Abu]

Cinette
I need to learn more about NFP.

You might care to visit:
catholicism.about.com/u/sty/catholicliving/Why-I-Decided-To-Use-Natural-Family-Planning-Nfp/

 

[kath85]

I try very hard to be a faithful Catholic. Having said that, I ALWAYS struggle with the question: Does God really care about XYZ?

Does God really care if I go to confession? Does God really care if I pray the Rosary? Doesn’t God already know what I want and need? Doesn’t he already know if I am grateful and appreciative?

This world is so complex and beautiful. Science has come so far. Does the God that created all the wonderful, complicated, miraculous things on this planet REALLY care if I attend a Catholic church or a Protestant one? He seems a bit above all the pomp and circumstance.

Does God really care if I use birth control instead of NFP? Both are 98% effective when used properly, and both have the same result. It seems a little arcane to think that God cares about such things, although I still adhere to Church Law while I am trying to figure this out. It just doesn’t make sense that a God who stands by while children die of diahreah and starvation in sub-Saharan Africa is really concerned about how many kids I have or whether or not I’ve committed the sin of lust. Seems like there are more pressing issues.

I always wonder, too, when people say, “God is so good - our loan came through and we’re going to buy the house we want!” or “God answered our prayers and made our car last another year!” or “I prayed for reconciliation with my dad and it was achieved!” Does that mean all the women praying for the lives of their suffering children in third-world countries aren’t listened to by God? Why is God concerned about some actor winning an Academy Award, but not a 13-year-old mother who is giving birth to a stillborn in a grass hut? Does God only answer certain prayers? Does he really care about the minutia of my life when so many are suffering beyond my comprehension???

Hi MaryAnne. If you only believe in God, but without faith, It is useless, but if you believe in God with faith, trust, dependence, and love for him, your sins are forgiven. Then go and do not commit sin again, but if you commit a sin that you didn’t plan it, like for example; you step on the foot of an old women but you didn’t mean it, it means, it is just accidental, then just say sorry to the old women and help her, and remember follow gods teaching with your heart, mind. and spirit and always pray to him, you do it because you love him, and God will be please for our God is a merciful God to those who are his slaves who suffer.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

Yes, God really does care.

One example: He allows miracles to be performed.

The problem that we humans have is that we think a lot of our intellectual abilities. In fact, our intellects are puny. We understand very little.

By comparison, God is INFINITE and God is the CREATOR and, God is MYSTERIOUS … at least to us.

We think we are such hot stuff. We are, in reality, sinful, prideful and pretentious.

“I think, therefore I am.”

Yeah, right.

And that is why we don’t understand Him.

Except once in a very rare while, when he grants some favor … as He has with St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Jerome and St. Ambrose and a few others such as the Doctors of the Church.

And some humble people from time to time … St. Bernadette and the children at Fatima … and Sister Faustina.

Fr. Solanus Casey.

St. Luke.

The Centurion whose servant was ill. Matt 8:8ff

And a few others who come to mind.

Look them up.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

I CONFESS … that sometimes I say an incomplete rosary …

I start off strong …

… "I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth … "

… and then at that point … I stop, not willingly, but my mind just gets distracted with the five words … … “Creator of Heaven and Earth …”

 

[Bussi]

I agree with Soldier of God and robertanthony - i dont think God looks at the heart and isn’t as concerned with the detail.

And there is a lot of suffering in the world and it certainly can’t be entirely explained away due to God wanting us to grow spiritually.

I think God is quite non-interventionist actually, I certainly don’t believe attributing everything God that happens to you as God answering prayers as some people do.

I believe without a doubt that God indeed is an interventionist, a personal belief based on His interventions in my whole life (in a few years I will be an octogenarian). Every breath we take is because He will us to have it. Our very life/existence/being is His gift. If He were to simply stop thinking about us we would just cease to exist. An unlikely situation

We have to understand that He is prepared to supply all our needs but when it come down to what we “want” it can be a different story. He will only satisfy any of our wants if he decides it is a “good” for us.

When I look back over my life it’s very apparent when God has at times directly intervened in my life. He has done it in a wide variety of ways I just am not aware of a decision on my part to do what I have done or what happened to me other than just chalk them up to a moment of grace He chose to bestow on me. Sometimes those moments and the results have just literally “come out of the blue.” A complete surprise to me when I wind up where He wants me to be. (Physically. emotionally and especially on the supernatural level do His will for me.)

 

[Bussi]

If anybody cares…

In Scripture (thanks to Hebrew vocabulary), “know” is never just a factual knowledge. It’s an experiential, personal, intimate knowledge. (Which is why Mary used the expression that she had never “known man”, and why the “heart” being the seat of feeling in Hebrew includes it also being the seat of the mind and thought.) To a speaker of Hebrew or Aramaic, if you don’t love (say) snow, you don’t know snow; you just recognize it and are familiar with it.

The bolded and underlined phrase triggered a memory of a remarkable event that happened to me about 30 years ago when I was reading about Original Sin in the book of Genesis. The Douay-Rheims scripture references follow:

Genesis 2:9 And the Lord God brought forth of the ground all manner of trees, fair to behold, and pleasant to eat of: the tree of life also in the midst of paradise: and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat. For in what day soever thou shalt eat of it, thou shalt die the death.

I read them both and then turned to the footnote that explained that Adam and Eve, by “partaking” (Jerusalem Bible) of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil had committed Original Sin. (See bolded & underlined phrase aboe) The usual story given to children is that they had just eaten an apple like they had just raided the cookie jar. The footnote explained that God had reserved sovereignty to Himself in determining what is Good and Evil, by giving them that particular admonition. It was then (almost 40 years old at the imethat I realized the enormity of the sin they had committed. They, in effect, had told God you don’t decide, we do. And it still goes on to this day, millennia later.

 

[fred_conty]

I try very hard to be a faithful Catholic. Having said that, I ALWAYS struggle with the question: Does God really care about XYZ?

Does God really care if I go to confession? Does God really care if I pray the Rosary? Doesn’t God already know what I want and need? Doesn’t he already know if I am grateful and appreciative?

Hi,
You have so many interesting thoughts in your search to understand yourself, the church, pain, and God’s relationship with us.
I thought it might be best if I take them a bit at a time, instead of writting one long,long,long, answer.

PRAYER (1)
Confession is part of cathoic liturgy to express our intentions to eliminate our obstructions with God, and at the same time to take away our sins. Of course He already knows what things we have done which go contrary to His will. And if He wanted to forgive us right then, He could do just that. But you and I both know that He left the power of forgiveness to all 12 of his apostles to carry on when He would leave this earth. It is just that easy to know His way by listening to the words He spoke before He left. Now why would He say those words to his apostles if He didn’t want them carried out in precisely that way? Besides, isn’t He our Creator? Wouldn’t He know how we are made and know the best way to apply the saving balm of forgiveness and strength to our souls that would best suit our needs? That is His love for us at work again applying the mending salve to our wounds. And we can see and hear His sign of that in the sign of the cross, “I forgive you your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. Isn’t it wonderful to experience His calming peace again. He is as personal and close with you and I as He can come. And we walk out shinning in his grace, looking at a beautiful world again knowing everything is as it should be.​

When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me. (hymn)

 

[fred_conty]

I try very hard to be a faithful Catholic. Having said that, I ALWAYS struggle with the question: Does God really care about XYZ?

Does God really care if I go to confession? Does God really care if I pray the Rosary? Doesn’t God already know what I want and need? Doesn’t he already know if I am grateful and appreciative?

Hi,
You have so many interesting thoughts in your search to understand yourself, the church, pain, and God’s relationship with us.
I thought it might be best if I take them a bit at a time, instead of writting one long,long,long, answer.

PRAYER (2)
Why do we say the rosary if God already knows what we are going to say before we say it?
The Rosary is a group of easy to say prayers while meditating(thinking with the heart) on the Bible scenes.
It is a prayer of praise to God, giving glory to God as the angels in the bible.
It is a prayer of faith acknowledging what God has revealed to us, which is pleasing to Him.
It is a prayer bringing peace to our spirit, quieting our troubled lives.​

When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me. (hymn)

 

[fred_conty]

I try very hard to be a faithful Catholic. Having said that, I ALWAYS struggle with the question: Does God really care about XYZ?

Doesn’t God already know what I want and need? Doesn’t he already know if I am grateful and appreciative?

Hi,
You have so many interesting thoughts in your search to understand yourself, the church, pain, and God’s relationship with us.
I thought it might be best if I take them a bit at a time, instead of writting one long,long,long, answer.

PRAYER (3)
Certainly God knows what we need so why do we need to pray?

A good tip on how to pray the prayer of PETITION:
keeping it simple for He already knows our needs
trusting in his mercy and Fatherhood
loveingly as his children
beliving in his power
hoping in his promise to provide
willingly to accept His decision

A good prayer of petition draws us ever closer, it is for our good.
That is why we need to pray it.

Dosen’t He know that I am grateful and appreciative?

Yes. But “there were 10 lepers who were cured. Where are the other nine?”.
Jesus at the Last Supper first of all gave thanks to his Father.
We thank everyone who honors us with a favor.
It is a prayer to acknowledge his goodness and pleases Him to give us more.​

When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me. (hymn)

 

[brb3]

1. Does God really care about XYZ?
2. Does God only answer certain prayers?
3. Does he really care about the minutia of my life when so many are suffering beyond my comprehension?

1. … He cares about A-Z. He cares about every hair on your head … every sparrow that falls. God created all … and see all. Nothing escapes God’s notice.
2. … God answers all sincere prayers, in ways best for our eternal interest. God sees the final state of man/woman … and its his desire that none should perish, but all obtain eternal life in his Paradise.
3. … Suffering is relative. Emotional suffering can be everybit as difficult as physical. One man’s minutia is another’s monumental objective.

---

Prayer is the key to finding God’s will for your life and experiencing his love / caring for you. Read John Chp. 14-17 and meditate upon the promises of Christ to us via Holy Spirit. Pray to Jesus to make his prayer/promises to the 12, all the disciples, & the church … become your daily reality. When we BELIEVE in Jesus and seek him in prayer, Christ prays the Father on our behalf.

John 17:20-23 is Christ’s testimony to God’s caring & sharing in our every matter, big or small.

“I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may ALL BE ONE; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be IN US, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. The GLORY WHICH THOU HAST GIVEN ME I HAVE GIVEN TO THEM, that they may be one even as we are one, I IN THEM AND THOU IN ME, THAT THEY MAY BECOME PERFECTLY ONE, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and HAST LOVED THEM EVEN AS THOU HAST LOVED ME.”

 

[fred_conty]

I try very hard to be a faithful Catholic. Having said that, I ALWAYS struggle with the question: Does God really care about XYZ?

This world is so complex and beautiful. Science has come so far. Does the God that created all the wonderful, complicated, miraculous things on this planet REALLY care if I attend a Catholic church or a Protestant one? He seems a bit above all the pomp and circumstance.

Hi,
You have so many interesting thoughts in your search to understand yourself, the church, pain, and God’s relationship with us.
I thought it might be best if I take them a bit at a time, instead of writting one long,long,long, answer.

CHURCHES (4)
Does God really care which church I attend, Protestant or Catholic, since He is above all of this?

Well, I’m sure there may be a few others who may think along those lines.
However being Catholic, I think you are just having a tiring moment, which would interfer with your clear thinking. You know that the vast majority of Christians proclaim Jesus as their Lord and saviour. And that in their good will, they want everyone else to be saved as they are saved, each in their own traditional way. Each, in their own way, are anxious that all christians enjoy one another in heaven. So far so good. In this we are one and the Lord must be pleased.

However, everyone has their individual way to get saved, which may be quite different than the Christian they are rubbing shoulders with. And they all claim to be right. Although they may acquess that others may partially be right, and there may be some hope. But then, they may think that is a stretch, although politeness refrains them from saying it. But supposing it is as bad as some think it is. And we are talking about heaven and
the other place, forever. Don’t you think you should do some hard thinking? And if Jesus came down and died for us, it really dosen’t look like He is above all of this. From His actions, He wants everyone to do some real hard thinking.​

When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me. (hymn)

 

[TheLordsSon]

I often find myself asking the same question…How could prayer work if he gives us free will? My mind hurts just thinking about it.

 

[brb3]

I often find myself asking the same question…How could prayer work if he gives us free will? My mind hurts just thinking about it.

Does love require ‘free will’ ? Can love truely exist … w/o free will & sacrifice ? Who is the author of love ?

Answer those, and your mind will be settled & at peace …