Heathen Prayers

[SempirVeritas]

True story:

I have a aquaintance, who is devoutly pagan, is very vocal for his hatred of christianity, Jesus, the bible, etc. Yet for some reason, his prayers get answered, and im not talking about “dear molech let it rain” im talking about incantations to get a job, to get even a car… suffice it to say that I know enough about him to know he dont have money, his parents dont have money, and he aint doing anything illegal, yet somehow his prayers of that calliber get answered.

meanwhile, me, who tries to live out the catholic faith, cant seemingly even get help from God falling asleep at night sometimes.

why would/does God answer the prayers of someone who is both by clear catholic teaching, and by his own confession not bound for heaven.? im not actually angry or jealous, this is meant to be a philosophical question versus a well, david in the psalms sometimes recounts his enemies being succesful type of thing…

 

[gmcbroom]

Well, I have 2 answers to this. The first is this. To follow Jesus Christ is to suffer. Sorry, its true though, he even said it. The second, Well, some may be successful now in the end though Jesus may never know them and if he doesn’t then all the success, wealth, power, won’t grant them entrance into his kingdom. Where we have to becareful is jealousy.

 

[sabriner]

Poor guy. He has a job and a new car, but he doesn’t have Jesus.

 

[DihydrogenOxide]

Who says God is answering his prayers?

1 Corinthians 10:

20 But the things which the heathens sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God. And I would not that you should be made partakers with devils.

 

[SempirVeritas]

/agree with above sentiments, but im afraid thats not really what im asking…

perhaps another way to rephrase would be, if you had the ability to answer prayers, why would you answer the prayers of the wicked/heathen/pagan yet decline answers to prayers from your followers/obedient servents, etc…

 

[LilyM]

/agree with above sentiments, but im afraid thats not really what im asking…

perhaps another way to rephrase would be, if you had the ability to answer prayers, why would you answer the prayers of the wicked/heathen/pagan yet decline answers to prayers from your followers/obedient servents, etc…

I’m sure if the Devil could arrange for Job’s children to be killed, crops to be destroyed etc etc etc, not to mention for Jesus to gain power over all the kingdoms of the Earth (and it wouldn’t be a temptation if it weren’t possible for Satan to do so - Jesus would’ve known it, and dismissed him easily by simply saying he didn’t have the power), he surely can arrange for people to get jobs, cars etc etc.

So, as the other poster said, who says it’s GOD answering this person’s prayers?

 

[DihydrogenOxide]

/agree with above sentiments, but im afraid thats not really what im asking…

perhaps another way to rephrase would be, if you had the ability to answer prayers, why would you answer the prayers of the wicked/heathen/pagan yet decline answers to prayers from your followers/obedient servents, etc…

Demons can use their powers for thus. Ever hear about someone selling their soul to the devil? Angels are powerful beings. God’s not answering his prayers, I’m willing to bet…

The devil doesn’t have to worry about him, because he is already on his side. He does have to worry about you however. God’s working on him. Pray for his conversion, because he’s in a bad position.

 

[sabriner]

Possibly it’s the devil answering his prayers, yes… but another possibility.

God provides for all His creation. The sun sets on both the good and the bad. Perhaps one day your friend will realize the Truth of Jesus and look back on his life and be amazed at how God provided for him even when he denied Him… and will help secure him in his conversion.


yes? no?

 

[Stjudeprayforus]

Poor guy. He has a job and a new car, but he doesn’t have Jesus.

 

[Nominefili]

Satan is the king of the flesh. That is why he was able to tempt our dear Lord in the desert and ‘offer’ kingdoms to Him that were already His.

That said, what good is a car and a job apart from the forgiveness of sins and eternal life that are only found in that one name, that upon hearing, “every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” the name of our dear Lord Jesus Christ?

 

[AnAtheist]

Perhaps he’s simply working on his success. Praying alone (to whom whosoever) doesn’t do or change anything except inside oneself. The gods help those who help themselves, you know.

 

[cheese_sdc]

Perhaps he’s simply working on his success. Praying alone (to whom whosoever) doesn’t do or change anything except inside oneself. The gods help those who help themselves, you know.

Almost right. Pagan prayers are about focusing intent. They will pray, but then do a number of things to work toward their goal.

Christians tend to pray and expect their God to do everything.

 

[Reuben_J]

True story:

I have a aquaintance, who is devoutly pagan, is very vocal for his hatred of christianity, Jesus, the bible, etc. Yet for some reason, his prayers get answered, and im not talking about “dear molech let it rain” im talking about incantations to get a job, to get even a car… suffice it to say that I know enough about him to know he dont have money, his parents dont have money, and he aint doing anything illegal, yet somehow his prayers of that calliber get answered.

meanwhile, me, who tries to live out the catholic faith, cant seemingly even get help from God falling asleep at night sometimes.

why would/does God answer the prayers of someone who is both by clear catholic teaching, and by his own confession not bound for heaven.? im not actually angry or jealous, this is meant to be a philosophical question versus a well, david in the psalms sometimes recounts his enemies being succesful type of thing…

God answers prayer. He answers yours. His answer may perhaps not to your liking. Perhaps what you are really saying is: why does God disagree with what I ask of Him? He answers our prayer even if He says ‘no’. We can only count on his word that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who has been called according to his purpose. We know that God has a plan for those who love Him and those who do not know Him. Sometimes His plan does not work out for us because we cannot see it or we are disobedient.

As mere humans more often than not we measure prayer answered as material blessing – getting a job, a profitable contract, good family relationship, and good health and so on. If we look at the world, God seems to be very unfair to his own children, those who believe in him. Why do good people die young or poor?

But then again we only have to look back at the early Christians. They had nothing; they sold everything in order to live a life devoted to the Gospels. That is because they understood that this world is not our home; we are just passing through. We are made for eternal life and while on earth we have to make full use of it to live according to the calling of God for each and everyone of us. Our investment is for the after life, the spiritual thing instead of worldly comfort and riches. Jesus told a parable of a man who accumulated his grain in his barn only for him to be taken to the Lord and that he could not bring all his wealth with him.

A call to simplicity and poverty is never easy to take but then again that is what Jesus is all about. Therefore, let the other be rich and fortunate but let us be blessed internally and receive the peace of the Lord, peace that the world cannot give.

Sometimes our enemies are our own greed and human desire and shortcoming. God can help us to overcome them if we pray sincerely and fervently.

God bless.

 

[Publisher]

“The rain falls on the good as well as the bad.”

God alone knows the heart…God alone knows the reasons for the persons distaste for Christian belief…as Catholics have so often said by quoting Fulton Sheen, “It’s not Christianity people have a problem with…it’s what they think Christianity is.”…and one of my favorite bumper stickers that give pause to think…“God save me from your followers.”