How god helps us?

[cessnawag]

When we ask god for help does he solve the problem or give us the tools to do it ourselves? Example : a man prays for a stronger marriage - does god make things better or god provides access to marriage books and counselors?

 

[Veronica97]

I honestly think BOTH. God does expect us to use our intellect and the resources available to us. So He would expect a married couple having problems to seek counseling and perhaps go to a Reutroavaille weekend. At the same time, by our prayers, God sends His graces to help us. For instance, maybe one day the husband or wife might wake up and say, “You know, I see your point. Maybe we should do such and such as you’ve suggested.” Or perhaps there is a dark force that has been causing one of the spouses to be addicted to porn or alcohol. A prayer of exorcism could help such as, “In the name of Jesus, I bind you any spirit that is not of the Holy Spirit and send you to the foot of the cross to be judged by our Lord.” If the couple is having financial difficulties perhaps God might give the husband (or wife) a better job or the couple might get a sudden windfall (probably not the lottery but perhaps just the right amount to pay a bill) and thus the couple’s financial disagreements would be lessened. At the same time, God expects that the husband (or wife) would be cooperating by looking diligently for a job, not just sitting back and waiting for help. So, IMO it is a combination of prayer and taking action. But the actions that we take must follow God’s will; that is, we can never go against His commandments or the teachings of the Church.

 

[bscastro]

When we ask god for help does he solve the problem or give us the tools to do it ourselves? Example : a man prays for a stronger marriage - does god make things better or god provides access to marriage books and counselors?

In a word - Yes. It is probably beyond the reasoning of us mere humans to understand God’s plans and actions in our lives to the fullest, but I think it can come in a variety of ways which I believe can be attributed to God’s work in our lives. From your example:

1. Giving the man the grace to treat his wife in a way that helps strengthen the marriage.
2. The Holy Spirit guiding the man in the right words to say.
3. Placing the right people - friends, acquaintances - in the man’s life who may contribute to the marriage.
4. The Holy Spirit guiding the wife to accept the man’s intention to strengthen his marriage.
5. The fact that the man realizes his marriage needs strengthening is a gift from God.

Just a few examples brainstorming. I am no expert as you can tell but I believe that God hears our prayers and I trust that he answers them as the Bible tells us that if we pray with faith, our prayers will be answered. It may not be in the way we expect, but God’s answers to our prayers are there.

In Christ,
Bryan

 

[JRKH]

When we ask god for help does he solve the problem or give us the tools to do it ourselves? Example : a man prays for a stronger marriage - does god make things better or god provides access to marriage books and counselors?

Good answers already…

I would say that primarily God “gives us the tools”. This is most in accord with the idea of “free will”.

Consider - A young man has just purchased a used car. It’s not in great shape and it keeps breaking down. He goes to his dad who know s a lot about cars and says, “Dad help me have a better car”. His dad can do two things. He can fix the car for him OR he can give him a repair manual and a nice set of tools.
Both responses will get the young man a better car, but which will make the young man a better person? Which gives the most respect to the young man’s free will and potential for growth?

Peace
James