Why do people insist that their 'God' should help them do small things when there is so much suffering?

Question

Why ask with help to pass a test, or so that your cat doesn't die from a tick when there are people in other places praying to exactly the same 'God', the same sect of your same religion for their community not be killed, suffer AIDS, tsunamis, government oppression...

If 'God' is really listening to your prayers about your elderly granparent's heart bypass, why does 'God' allow so many fellow believers to be in so much pain?

How do you reconcile this with your belief?

Do you feel selfish?

Answer 1

I always chuckle when I see football or baseball players thank god after making a touchdown or hitting a home run -- apparently they prayed that they would win, and they think god answered their prayers. Do they really think god cares who wins a football game? What about the players on the other team that also prayed to win, why didn't he answer their prayers?



I had a relative once send me an e-mail after a school bus carrying her kids was in a pretty bad accident. In the e-mail, she said she rushed to the scene, found her children were ok, and said "our prayers were answered, god took care of them, and they were safe. Unfortunately, three children died in the accident." So, what, god answered her prayers and not the prayers of the parents of the children that died? They were all from a religions school, btw, and all belonged to the same church and were very religious...



The obvious resolution to all of these questions: god doesn't answer anybody's prayers. We're all on our own. That doesn't prove that god doesn't exist, but if he does he sure doesn't do anything that affects anybody here on earth...so why bother to pray, worship, follow all the silly rules and rituals that religions impose when they have no effect whatsoever?

Answer 2

It's not a bad thing to pray for yourself, although I agree with you to an extent. It's important to be mindful of everyone who's much worse of than we are, and pray for them also. But God's got time for everyone. He cares about all of us, not just the ones who live in poverty or under oppression.



And sometimes God doesn't answer prayers the way we think He should. He does what He knows is best in the long run. He knows better than we do, wouldn't you think?

Answer 3

1) GOD likes for us to pray to Him asking for the small things, too.

2) GOD hears all our prayers, so the more people praying intercessory prayers for the "big" requests, the better.

3) GOD listens to every prayer, but does not necessarily answer the way we would like.

4) If the prayer is backed up by Scripture, it is GOD's will.

5) Yes, and I pray that GOD will change me and make me less selfish.

Answer 4

Firstly, read the revelations. Secondly read Ecclesiastes 3, read John and James. Surely you are smart and know how to read and understand English so to speak. Answers are in the Bible sweety.



Don't sharve your bible in the closet during the wk and take it out on sundays, coz God is always with you 24/7. He is always on call.



Thank you woman of faith.



when God don't do what you asked from Him, it doesn't necessary mean that He don't love you, Will you still love Him and praise Him when things go wrong?



If your parents don't buy you or get you what you asked, do you hate them for that?



This is a prayer I say now and then....



Lord, whatever I may desire in life, if YOU don't want me to have it, I don't want it. If YOU do want me to have it, I ask You for it and believe You will give it to me in YOUR own time,in YOUr way, according to YOUr divine plan.

Answer 5

If you believe you have a personal relationship with God,then asking for personal needs is part of that relationship.Remember,the first,and greatest commandment is unstated,but is in the definition of the Judeo-Christian God-Thou shalt not limit God.God is by definition:infinite,omnipotent,omnipresent,and personal.Also,when we were taught to pray,one of the phrases is "Thy will be done". I don't understand why there is suffering,and ignorance,and pain,and death,but then again,I'm not all-knowing-God is.

As for all that Satan stuff,isn't it easier to blame some supernatural boogy-man than man's inhumanity to man?

Answer 6

What does it matter? He doesn't answer anyway. And apparently he doesn't care about all the suffering. Yeah, we are supposed to make our own way, but what of the innocent children that suffer? If there is a god, why would he let it happen. And yes, we are a selfish nation.

Answer 7

God does nothing, because he does not exist. You shouldn't just pray for help for the poor people that suffer and die. You shouldn't waste your time praying a non-existant thing. Instead, do something! Help the dying and suffering yourself! What's keeping you from it?

Answer 8

God has the ability to take care of the prayers of all. He knows that the little problems of today, if they are not resolved, can add up to big problems tomorrow. So do not feel guilty about bothering God with your "little" problems. He is concerned and does want to help.

Answer 9

God isnt the author of pain ,he leaves that to satan ,as satan inherited the earth from adam when he lost the garden ,thats when pain and suffering began, and childbirth and disease ,and all that ,,its not of or from God ,,he allows satan to test us ,but only so far, and how we react ,determines our fate ,look up JOB, he had it rough and we see satan asking gods permission to do that. and soooo ,,also satans names are the prince of the power of the air, we had the control of the earth ,and lost that to satan ,so hurricanes are not ,an act of god, but the Prince of the Power of the Air ,,,Satan

Answer 10

If God would exist, the line for the indulgences will be much shorter.

Answer 11

Because people are selfish. It's our number one redeeming characteristic.

Answer 12

Why can't one pray for both? I know i do.