Is The Action Of God In The Universe Responsible For Much? Part 8 Of Why Pray?

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
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.