Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Progressive Christian
Is the action of God in the universe responsible for much? Part 8 of Why Pray?

Is the action of God in the universe responsible for much? Part 8 of Why Pray?

Last updated on: September 14, 2022 at 4:02 pm by Dorian Scott Cole

Is the action of God in the universe responsible for much? Part 8 of Why Pray? 2022-09-14T16:02:25-06:00 Dorian Scott Cole

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Needs or wants?

Can you pray for pockets full of money and get rich? Will God give you that? Be careful what you ask for. Money corrupts, and it requires a great deal of attention that could go to other things. Maybe that answer should be no for most of us.

Give us this day our daily bread

Give us this day our daily bread
Image by Peter Trimming on Wikipedia

Jesus gave us this example: Consider the birds of the field. They don’t lack. And he gave us the example of the Lord’s Prayer, which simply says, “Give us this day, our daily bread.” Most of us have never starved or lacked shelter.

Never lacking what we need doesn’t always live up to expectations for all people. People around the world die of starvation, exposure, and disease, because even though we have the wealth, either we don’t act or there is military conflict, ethnic cleansing, corruption, or money becomes a problem.

We have 1.5 times the amount of food needed to feed the entire world, according to an Alumni Portal article. So when we look at problems like this and say, “Why doesn’t God do something?” The real question is, “Why don’t we do something?” God already has. Why are we selfishly holding onto everything, denying others? (This statement is not meant to deny the charity of nations and individuals who are very benevolent.)

The means exist to solve and eliminate most problems. God has acted in the universe. Now it’s our turn.

Examples of miracles

Pureflix Insider gives several examples, including the story of an 18-month old child in a wrecked car, in an icy reiver. Rescuers heard an adult yelling “Help me!” Inside they found the baby. The woman was dead, and the child could not talk.

Researcher in molecular biology, Dr. Dakota, relates the story in Thought Magazine of the recovery of a brain-dead patient. The fifty-eight-year-old grandfather had a heart attack and crashed into a tree. His brain was without oxygen for 25 minutes. He was declared brain dead at the hospital and remained unresponsive, but they waited for relatives to arrive.

Brain dead doesn’t mean in a coma or anything similar. It means that brain function has completely ceased, the body is no longer able to perform activities that are crucial for our survival, such as breathing, regulation of heartbeat, and swallowing. There is a complete absence of brain functions, such as pupillary (eye pupil) responses. Recovery or reversing brain death isn’t possible. (Some exceptions might be when in very cold water.)

A few hours later the grandfather was able to move, then able to write, and made a full recovery.

We all have weaknesses. Keep in mind the words of James, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. – James 5:16 (NASB)

Our weaknesses and downfalls, even though not a physical illness, can be helped by a community of believers. We’re not alone. We have God and an entire community of fellow people of faith.

Take Home Points

Our weaknesses and downfalls, even though not a physical illness, can be helped by a community of believers. We’re not alone. We have God and an entire community of fellow people of faith.

Pray and keep communicating with God. It works.

Series Links

Why Pray? Series Part 1

Who does prayer work for?

Expectations of prayer

Some think they deserve to suffer and die

Consider our own attitude

Does God intervene in nature?

Is prayer a conveyor belt of miracles?

Is the action of God in the universe responsible for much?

Criticism of studies on prayer, and of science

Science and philosophy have their own standard: 100%

Prayer works

Our answer is God. God’s answer is us. Together we make the world a better place.

– Dorian

Other Patheos writers on prayer

Uncategorized

About Dorian Scott Cole

Information about the author is on the About tab. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

December 14, 2021

Is prayer a conveyor belt of miracles? Part 7 of Why Pray?

Next Post

December 21, 2021 Criticism of studies on prayer, and of science – Part 9 of Why Pray?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz