Prayers Flashcards
What are four points for unanswered prayers?
God replies to some people but not others
Some people pray for suffering to end
God used to answer prayers but no longer does
God does not know we are praying to him
God replies to some people but not others
This shows God acts on favouritism
If two people with cancer pray for good health but only one receives good health, the unanswered person may become an atheist
The Classical Theist’s God is omni-benevolent but if he has favourites, and only answers some people, then he must not be omni-benevolent or he must not exist
Some people pray for suffering to end
e.g. world hunger
Suffering still exists
The Inconsistent Triad proves that God cannot exist because as there is suffering
This is because if he was omni-potent he would be able to stop world hunger and if he was omni-benevolent then he would want to stop world hunger
God is either ignoring people’s prayers, thus not being omni-benevolent which can lead to a disbelief in God, or he cannot answer people’s prayers, thus not being omni-potent which can lead to a disbelief in God
God used to answer prayers but no longer does
To Nietzsche, the concept of God only exists in the minds of his followers
God used to be active in history, when people were committed to the traditional Christian beliefs, but as people started going against these beliefs, God has metaphorically ‘died’
He no longer helps us or answers prayers
This can lead to a disbelief in God
CHECK THIS POINT
God does not know we are praying to him
If you pray for a toy when you are a child but you do not receive this toy then you may believe that God did not hear your prayer
The Classical Theistic Interpretation of God is that God is omniscient
If God does not know you are praying then he cannot meet this criteria
Thus, God must either not be the Classical Theist’s God or he must not exist
How would Christians respond to this?
Christians say that unanswered prayer may be down to our motives or what we asking for
e.g. to win the lottery
If God’s answer to prayer is ‘No’ it’s
still an answer
Sometimes God allows the world, nature and people to run its natural course
Prayer is a test of faith not a test of God
God has a plan and knows what is best for us - his actions may not be abvious
What five types of prayer are there?
Adoration and worship Confession and penitence Intercession Thanksgiving Petition
Adoration and worship
When Christians pray about God’s greatness, praising God
Confession and penitence
When Christians say sorry for all they have done wrong and ask for forgiveness and promising not to do them again
Intercession
When Christians pray for the needs of the people, ask God for help and guidance
Thanksgiving
Christians say thank you to God for all that he has given
Petition
When Christians pray for their own needs and ask for God’s help
What did Jesus say about prayers?
“For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)
