/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

We're the only creatures that use language, God created us so that we can be in communion with him through divination. Prayer is responding to our creator, it's what we're made for, to be in relationship to him. The entire history of humanity all the way back to Genesis was one of man responding to God, and God responding back. Ultimately we're destined for a higher complexity in communion with Christ and all the saints, but all the demons in hell will do whatever they can to make sure that it doesn't happen

>>707985

Ok, here’s the thing, anon. Many atheists say that when we pray God doesn’t listen, hence why good things happen to bad people. That’s where your wrong; God always listens, He just doesn’t always say yes. Let’s take that sick kid as an example. We pray for him, but he ends up dying. God hears your prayers, but for whatever reason, he said no. Who knows, maybe that kid would have grown up to be a serieal killer. But for whatever reason, God decided that it was his time to go. As Christians, we have to believe that what God did was in the right, even though we can’t see the whole picture.

That is an interesting point OP. There is no coincidences, because God already has everything decided. I don't think a Christian would carry a rabbits foot around for "luck", since there is no such thing as luck, everything happens for a reason. Now you can also say this about prayer.

Does the Bible specifically say to ask God for good fortune? Or do we just tell God to do whatever he needs to do and we will support him no matter what?

Well, Op, i don't know you or what you've been through, if you're truly undergoing a worldview change. Like i have been these past coming up 7 months, and also Did Pic related with one of his books. You're probably closer to home than you think. For, me, i was always close to home. But just never bothered to truly, Knock, and look around. I'd recommend some of C.S Lewis's work as i'm still learning. As, to the specific questions you're asking, i'm not saying they're bad questions. But personally. Where i am, in my worldview is that, i just don't know it all, and i'm still baby steps in Philosophy, and theology. So, Check out Mr. Lewis's work, and Others. Cause again, the answers are out there. People have literally been talking about this since ever. And, if the fall happened. Then, i think it really seems to make, all that much more sense of the positions the human race has found its self in. But, i think J.R.R Tolkien, and G.K Chesterton. Do it better. Where Christianity, is the true Myth, The archetype, that makes sense, of the other ones.

Tldr: Read, Read, You're not the only one who's ever asked these questions, and human beings have given an answer. Especially in the Christian worldview, That's very well thought out. Once you get out of, pop Culture, and what media is telling you. Also including a vid, from a philosopher, i've been watching on youtube, about Orthodoxy, and how they do their Philosophy, and Theology. Is very Distinct. And that's where i'm leaning in my worldview. But recommend his vids very good, Philosophy.

>>707985

Your concept of prayer seems very prosperity gospel like. We don't pray so God makes us rich and grants us our wishes, we pray so that it gives us strength in improving ourselves.

>>708076

The Lord's Prayer, a prayer made by Jesus as an example of how we ought to pray, has a single line about provisions, and it literally only mentions bread:

"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

> Praying doesn't increase the chances of something good or bad happening to you in any way. People in the worst situations imaginable pray every day for help; but again, God isn't listening.

>You can chalk up unanswered prayers as being part of some "larger plan", but if it is all part of some grand master plan, then that just further proves that praying is a complete waste of time.

>Why should you pray if the answer is already decided? And if its not already decided, then we're right back to "Why does God let bad things happen to good people?". If the "larger plan" can be changed, then why allow these horrible things to happen to people?

You are dangerously ignorant on prayer. Prayer is not about having God give us what we want like some sort of magic lamp, prayer is about giving our suffering, our problems and our cares to the Lord so that they become bearable and we receive peace and strenght.

When bad things happen it is because of God's plan and prayer makes us live throught these events in the way God intended. We pray to carry our cross in the best way, not to have the cross removed.

The inexistence of God is an obvious impossibility. What comes to evil then, is God making the depths of His glory, holiness, both just and merciful loving nature known.

Deuteronomy 32

“ ‘See now that I, even I, am he,

and there is no god beside me;

I kill and I make alive;

I wound and I heal;

and there is none that can deliver out of my hand

The unbelieving have no justification for complaining, they can not even justify their existence nor morals. To the believing, the omnipotence and omniscience of God is a comfort.