Unanswered Prayer and Ferguson

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Faith1960

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I lived in St. Louis where all the riots have been, though thankfully we’re safe and don’t live near the unrest.
Shortly after the shooting happened and the riots began, I attended a Mass at the Basilica for peace. Things calmed down briefly, then the riots and violence continued.
Does God not answer prayer? Why didn’t He answer prayers for peace?
 
Faith1960 said:
I lived in St. Louis where all the riots have been, though thankfully we’re safe and don’t live near the unrest.
Shortly after the shooting happened and the riots began, I attended a Mass at the Basilica for peace. Things calmed down briefly, then the riots and violence continued.
Does God not answer prayer? Why didn’t He answer prayers for peace?
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*I live in st louis, not lived.
 
God answers prayers in His own time according to His own Will. Ours is not to question why. We should always trust in Him. In doing so we will eventually understand how He answered our prayer. Have faith in He who knows all.

:gopray2:

Lord, my faith feels weak. I sometimes doubt You and do things
I wish I hadn’t done. But in weakness there is strength, and I
thank You for the wonderful truth of what You do for human
lives. You give us life; vibrant, exciting, unending life with an
enthusiasm that never runs down. Help me to believe that with
all my heart. For this I thank You.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen
 
I believe God works through the hands of good men who submit to His will in their actions. There are far too few such hands in Ferguson I doubt very much there will be some miraculous peace without good men and women intervening in the progress of hate. If I am wrong I will be the first to admit it, but I don’t hold my breath.
 
Faith1960 said:
Thanks for the replies. Anyone else?
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Yes, one more thing. God never ever causes evil. He gave us all free will. He can inspire people to do what is right, such as the peaceful protestors in Ferguson. Some will do the right thing, some will not. He won’t MAKE us do the right thing.The evil one will come in the back door and tempt those who are already against God to come and destroy. Most of the rioting in Ferguson was occurring by people who came from other cities and states. Hence good, evil, final judgement. Petaro has it right.
:gopray2:
 
Petaro said:
I believe God works through the hands of good men who submit to His will in their actions. There are far too few such hands in Ferguson I doubt very much there will be some miraculous peace without good men and women intervening in the progress of hate. If I am wrong I will be the first to admit it, but I don’t hold my breath.
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Some of them have been throwing brick or rocks,stethoscope and destroyed police cars. Some of the rioting is going on in another neighborhood where there was another officer involved shooting. It’s even worse because it’s near a really neat, beautiful place, the Missouri Botanical Garden. Guess we won’t be going there anytime soon. 😦
 
Faith1960 said:
Some of them have been throwing brick or rocks,stethoscope and destroyed police cars. Some of the rioting is going on in another neighborhood where there was another officer involved shooting. It’s even worse because it’s near a really neat, beautiful place, the Missouri Botanical Garden. Guess we won’t be going there anytime soon. 😦
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What the heck? My auto-correct wrote that about a stethoscope. Lol
 
First, isn’t the Basilica one of the most beautiful places you’ve ever been? I could spend hours there, and might have to make the trip to the 'Lou just for Mass (ohhh, or also to watch KC beat y’all in the series if you guys make it…and if we do). I was struck so hard by the beautiful black marble Pieta, and the Divine Mercy I prayed in front of it was very moving. I also met the sweetest little old lady (around 90!) who attends daily Mass, coming in through the side door. Y’all are so blessed with the beauty dedicated to God through your Basilica.

I do have some concern for the events going on downtown, from the baseball games to the football games, to daily regular events/work.

Men still have free will. God can guide someone to the right door, but if someone chooses not to open it, He won’t force them through it.

I’m so glad you’re safe, and am so dismayed watching what is going on just a few hours away; similar unrest has happened in the past here in KC, and it was very bad from what I understand.
 
ccmcmg said:
First, isn’t the Basilica one of the most beautiful places you’ve ever been? I could spend hours there, and might have to make the trip to the 'Lou just for Mass (ohhh, or also to watch KC beat y’all in the series if you guys make it…and if we do). I was struck so hard by the beautiful black marble Pieta, and the Divine Mercy I prayed in front of it was very moving. I also met the sweetest little old lady (around 90!) who attends daily Mass, coming in through the side door. Y’all are so blessed with the beauty dedicated to God through your Basilica.

I do have some concern for the events going on downtown, from the baseball games to the football games, to daily regular events/work.

Men still have free will. God can guide someone to the right door, but if someone chooses not to open it, He won’t force them through it.

I’m so glad you’re safe, and am so dismayed watching what is going on just a few hours away; similar unrest has happened in the past here in KC, and it was very bad from what I understand.
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Hi neighbor! Yes, the Basilica is absolutely gorgeous! I guess I have to keep reminding myself that God gave us all free will.
 
Faith1960 said:
What the heck? My auto-correct wrote that about a stethoscope. Lol
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I thought there were mad and bad doctors in white coats lining the streets. Then I realised, do you know the cost of a stethoscope? 😃
 
Faith1960 said:
I lived in St. Louis where all the riots have been, though thankfully we’re safe and don’t live near the unrest.
Shortly after the shooting happened and the riots began, I attended a Mass at the Basilica for peace. Things calmed down briefly, then the riots and violence continued.
Does God not answer prayer? Why didn’t He answer prayers for peace?
Click to expand...
God does answer prayers but He will not violate the gift of Free Will He has given to anyone, including the rioters.

It’s the same as with any situation where there is war or suffering. God does not will suffering but good will for all. It is up to us (mankind) to cooperate with His Will to initiate and maintain peace and to alleviate hunger and suffering.
 
Mary_Ellen said:
God does answer prayers but He will not violate the gift of Free Will He has given to anyone, including the rioters.

It’s the same as with any situation where there is war or suffering. God does not will suffering but good will for all. It is up to us (mankind) to cooperate with His Will to initiate and maintain peace and to alleviate hunger and suffering.
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Then what was the purpose of the Mass for peace? If the rioters aren’t going to stop what’s the point of praying for peace?
 
Faith1960 said:
Then what was the purpose of the Mass for peace? If the rioters aren’t going to stop what’s the point of praying for peace?
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Perhaps the rioting would have been worse without those prayers and Mass…how would we know?
 
Mary_Ellen said:
God does answer prayers but He will not violate the gift of Free Will He has given to anyone, including the rioters.

It’s the same as with any situation where there is war or suffering. God does not will suffering but good will for all. It is up to us (mankind) to cooperate with His Will to initiate and maintain peace and to alleviate hunger and suffering.
Click to expand...
Then what was the purpose of the Mass for peace? If the rioters aren’t going to stop what’s the point of praying for peace?
 
Perhaps God did answer the OP’s prayer by sending those people additional grace to enable them to choose peace more easily, and they rejected it and instead chose to riot. The original poster (OP) must realize that is prayer ultimately concerned the actions of other people. Since God (in His infinite wisdom) gives us free will, we must not ask Him to revoke it (which would be contrary to His wisdom).

This explains why riots occurred after you had prayed for peace. But take heart that God may have answered your prayers by giving them more grace, or by preventing a worse outcome. That’s something else worth keeping mind: It can always be worse.
 
ethereality said:
Perhaps God did answer the OP’s prayer by sending those people additional grace to enable them to choose peace more easily, and they rejected it and instead chose to riot. The original poster (OP) must realize that is prayer ultimately concerned the actions of other people. Since God (in His infinite wisdom) gives us free will, we must not ask Him to revoke it (which would be contrary to His wisdom).

This explains why riots occurred after you had prayed for peace. But take heart that God may have answered your prayers by giving theThatm more grace, or by preventing a worse outcome. That’s something else worth keeping mind: It can always be worse.
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That’s true. Thanks.
 
Faith1960 said:
I’m scared about what will happen if the cop isn’t indicted.
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First and foremost, justice should be served, which could be the officer not being indicted, of doing nothing wrong, as per the standards and teachings given to him and being in the situation.

Just remember that it isn’t the law and courts causing the riots. It’s people of their own free will choosing to do either right or wrong. And even the absence of good people doing good things, is filled by ‘wrong’.

Pray. Do what you can personally to keep the peace. And then pray some more.
 
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