It has been said many times before, but it bears repeating, God is not like a vending machine, automatically dispensing whatever we ask for.In 2006 a study came out that showed no improvement in heart patients being prayed for and one group actually did worse.
Does God answer intercessiory prayer despite the findings and if so, why we’re the results shown otherwise?
How would a study on prayer coming out to prove it works, in anyway be fooling God? IS God really THAT secretive he doesnt want to take ANY chances of anyone even getting close to prove he does exist? LOL That seems silly, especially when we know for a fact when Jesus walked the earth, he did not try to hide any of his abilities, he healed people in public, even made the dead walk again, all in front of large crowds of people.This is a fun one. Hey. I think it’s like this. I think God’s a bit smarter than we give Him credit for. I sorta think He knew that study was going on. So I guess I imagine God, being all mysterious. And really liking His privacy. I imagine that God just sort of sat down. Pulled out His pipe. And watched the study happen along with everyone else.
I mean did we really think we could fool God? Catch Him in the act? Corner Him somehow? Beat Him at His own game?
Nah. God saw this coming from a mile away. He thought it would be good publicity. Let the white-coat types get all excited. Write papers. Do interviews. Run in circles a bit with their hands in the air.
Then He’d follow each of these guys through the rest of their lives and give each of them an answered prayer. Right when they weren’t ready for it. Lab coats off. So that they’d have to go back to guessing. Because God’s an ace.
And He doesn’t need us to prove to Him that He exists. He already knows. This is His show that He’s watching. Not the other way around.
Peace Faith.
-Trident
But wouldn’t the prayers increase the numbers of those getting well? Unless, of course, as I also read, 98% or so of the participant had family and friends praying for them.It has been said many times before, but it bears repeating, God is not like a vending machine, automatically dispensing whatever we ask for.
God always answers prayer, but not always in the way we desire or think is best. Our ultimate end is union with God in heaven. We might think the most important thing is a few more years on earth, preferably in good health and comfort, but God in his wisdom might see otherwise. It is very possible that the prayers offered for those heart patients who did not recover actually helped them very much in preparing for their death, an eventuality that none of us will avoid.
Well, that’s a morbid thought to start my day! But it must be remembered, I think, when we consider God and intercessory prayer.
Trent Horn wrote a great article about exactly this:In 2006 a study came out that showed no improvement in heart patients being prayed for and one group actually did worse.
Does God answer intercessiory prayer despite the findings and if so, why we’re the results shown otherwise?
Because God said not to put Him to the test. So why would He then let us get away with doing that?How would a study on prayer coming out to prove it works, in anyway be fooling God? IS God really THAT secretive he doesnt want to take ANY chances of anyone even getting close to prove he does exist? LOL That seems silly, especially when we know for a fact when Jesus walked the earth, he did not try to hide any of his abilities, he healed people in public, even made the dead walk again, all in front of large crowds of people.
It also says God doesnt want to encourage people to test him. It even says in the Bible not to put Him to the test.Trent Horn wrote a great article about exactly this:
catholic.com/blog/trent-horn/prayer-science-and-the-existence-of-god
Greg
Would this above and the fact others were praying for them explain why the study showed little difference?It also says God doesnt want to encourage people to test him. It even says in the Bible not to put Him to the test.
I mean with all that praying being done shouldn’t there have been more better outcomes?Or not?Would this above and the fact others were praying for them explain why the study showed little difference?
If so many people were being prayed for by relatives, clergy and even themselves wouldn’t that have made the number of those getting we’ll be higher or not?
According to whose rules?I mean with all that praying being done shouldn’t there have been more better outcomes?Or not?
Not according to anyone’s rules, it’s just that I would think that with all that praying more people would’ve gotten well. No?According to whose rules?
Anyone?Not according to anyone’s rules, it’s just that I would think that with all that praying more people would’ve gotten well. No?
Um. Well maybe. But you see. Everyone was praying alright. While guys in white coats were sitting close by. Pencils up. Ready to document the results.Not according to anyone’s rules, it’s just that I would think that with all that praying more people would’ve gotten well. No?
That’s an unsatisfactory answer, with all due respect. It would still seem that with all that praying, not just those in the study but family, friends, chaplains, churches, etc. More people would’ve gotten well if prayer works.Um. Well maybe. But you see. Everyone was praying alright. While guys in white coats were sitting close by. Pencils up. Ready to document the results.
So if God can become predictable. If God can be shunted into doing our will. Based on quantitative proof. Then don’t we become the master here? Don’t we become God’s boss?
So no. I think the very fact that a study was struck made it highly unlikely that God would play. He’s got bigger priorities than helping people who enrolled in a study. Enrolled in a plan to catch His measure. Because God knew what would happen if the mysterious became the mundane. If the unknown became the expected.
Peace.
-Trident
Why?That’s an unsatisfactory answer, with all due respect. It would still seem that with all that praying, not just those in the study but family, friends, chaplains, churches, etc. More people would’ve gotten well if prayer works.
Because so many people were praying and it would seem to me, that more people would be healed. I mean like 96% of people reported they were being prayed for…shouldn’t the number of people healed have been higher?Why?
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Are you still thinking of prayer as a magical imperative? That it somehow prods God into action in some way? Against His will?Because so many people were praying and it would seem to me, that more people would be healed. I mean like 96% of people reported they were being prayed for…shouldn’t the number of people healed have been higher?
Anyone else want to jump in here?