I dont know how to answer this

  • Thread starter Thread starter Asiacamie
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Asiacamie

Guest
With all the disasters happening in the world today like flooding and school shootings whenever someone says prayers go out to them another says prayers are ineffective action is I know action is effective but how do I explain to them that prayers are too people just seem to be losing faith in prayer and I don’t know how to explain to them that it is important. and why when people pray for things like for school shootings to stop happening they still do
I’m just confused on how to answer that I’m not judging cause I’m catholic but I’m curious is it cause people have free will and can make their own decisions and God can influence them not to do bad but overall we have the choice. I know why natural disasters happen which made sense to me when someone explained it but can you help me to understand this one.
 
I guess people feel helpless as to what to do, except they know that the victims have been hurt. “prayers go out to them” is a consolation to all, and especially their families.
But then you hear, “oh something’s got to be done about gun laws”, and nothing happens. “Something’s go to be done” is one of the most meaningless phases I’ve ever heard.
 
The person who tells you that prayer is ineffective already has this mindset. Such a person does not have enough faith. My experience is that when people have their minds made up, no amount of evidence is going to convince them. You, however, do not neglect praying, for prayer works miracles.
 
Prayers for the most parts, change the hearts, not the planet’s atmosphere or its composition.
 
Our world is a Fallen World.

It fell in both the human and the created material order.

Adam and Eve caused this through Original Sin.

Christ has redeemed the world from sin but as far as natural defects persist that seems to be the current position.

I would not worry too much about it since we are all going to die anyway.
 
Last edited:
“Thoughts and prayers” have become a joke on social media because people think that others send a prayer instead of actually helping. Of course, those of us who are believers see a prayer, or even a thought, as a positive action that does help, but you can’t expect some agnostic to understand that.

If someone wishes to think prayers are ineffective, you should not be concerned with answering them as they are likely not going to understand it. Many people judge the “effectiveness” of prayer by whether you get what you asked for, like prayer is a “gumball machine” and you put in a prayer and get out your “gumball”. This is obviously not why we pray; we pray to build our relationship with God, to get grace, and to ask for God’s help which may be help to withstand some terrible tragedy, not necessarily keep it from happening.

You should just smile and pray for people who don’t understand prayer…it’s pointless to try to explain to them when they are not open to the idea. And give thanks to God for your own faith and understanding of praying.
 
1 in 5 today suffer from some form of anxiety. That is 64 million in the US alone. Why? Loss of faith certainly has something to do with it. No one seems to know what to believe anymore. No belief, no foundation. Psychologically, our house is built on sand.

On cancer forums, for example, the most anxious (“terrified” “freaked out”) are occasionally the newly diagnosed, but more often those who do not even have cancer. They are worried about cancer, forgetting that human mortality is running steady at 100%.

Those who dismiss prayer are being spiritually lazy. I advise them that, if they want to help, to pray. “But, I don’t believe in God.” or “I’m not sure what I believe.” I reply “You don’t have to believe in God. He will still hear you.”
 
I think that in some people’s minds, there is a false dichotomy between praying and taking physical action - that you do one, or the other, but not both. I also think that sometimes people extend “thoughts and prayers” in the place of doing something, especially something that might cause personal discomfort, such as re-examining gun laws, donating money, taking the time to gather food items for disaster relief, etc. Just saying a quick prayer and then going sanctimoniously on your way is a cop-out. I think that as Catholics we’re called to do all of it.

I change minds by breaking the dichotomy. When I hear about a tornado or flood I say, “Oh no, I’ll be praying for the victims. I should donate too. What charity do you think is best? Red Cross?” Or when someone is sick I say, “I’ll be praying for you and your family. I’d like to bring you some food too. Is lasagna okay?” I like to show people that praying and doing physical acts aren’t mutually exclusive.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top