Will God answer prayers apart from faith?

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know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
3,071
166
63
#1
Let's say someone you love is not doing so well, and you want God to heal that person, because the doctors can't help them any further.
What would it take to get God to answer your sincere heart felt prayer?
Would it even matter if you did have the faith for their healing?
What if you didn't know what the will of God was concerning the person or thing you prayed for?
Would that matter?
I just gave a scenario of a loved one in need of healing, but the question can be for anything you pray for.
Is faith all we need, or are there other variables that factor into the equation?
Is there a formula or is it simply whatever the will of God is?
What do you think?
 

Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
83
#2
You have nothing to lose by praying and having faith that God will heal the person unless he has a different plan. Sometimes God allows a sickness to linger for a time for reasons we can only guess, and sometimes there is a time to die.

You can always pray that God will use this sickness for his glory. There are many outcomes to that sort of prayer.

But by praying, you are releasing a blessing upon the person in some way.
 

Sac49

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2016
582
30
0
#3
This is one area we have to be very careful with. We also dont totally undetstand it. We cannot answer this as we dont know why "God allows". We know why it is....sin. We must be very careful not to say things like "not enough faith" in one person or the other. My mom was one of the most faithful Godly women i have ever met and she died in 2011 of a stroke. This was after a lung transplant 5 years prior and serious arthritis. I had to trust God and know that He had a reason. I dont know why but i have complete faith in God as per His reason. If there was no sin this wouldnt happen but because of sin it does. No it isnt easy and no i cannot explain it or make it any better. I just know that my faith in God gave me complete peace when she died in this world. Trust in God, have faith in God and He will see you though.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
3,071
166
63
#4
You have nothing to lose by praying and having faith that God will heal the person unless he has a different plan. Sometimes God allows a sickness to linger for a time for reasons we can only guess, and sometimes there is a time to die.

You can always pray that God will use this sickness for his glory. There are many outcomes to that sort of prayer.

But by praying, you are releasing a blessing upon the person in some way.
So you are saying that it doesn't matter if one has the faith, it's whatever the will of God is. Do I understand you correctly?
I just used sickness as an example, but I was wondering about a prayer for anything, like a job, or to buy a house for family...etc.
Do you just pray and hope for the best?
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
3,071
166
63
#5
This is one area we have to be very careful with. We also dont totally undetstand it. We cannot answer this as we dont know why "God allows". We know why it is....sin. We must be very careful not to say things like "not enough faith" in one person or the other. My mom was one of the most faithful Godly women i have ever met and she died in 2011 of a stroke. This was after a lung transplant 5 years prior and serious arthritis. I had to trust God and know that He had a reason. I dont know why but i have complete faith in God as per His reason. If there was no sin this wouldnt happen but because of sin it does. No it isnt easy and no i cannot explain it or make it any better. I just know that my faith in God gave me complete peace when she died in this world. Trust in God, have faith in God and He will see you though.
If you know that sin is the reason why sickness comes on a person, then don't you know why He allows it? Didn't you answer your own question?
I believe it's not as simple as having enough faith like many faith preacher teach, but I do believe it is required for God to at least hear you when you pray.
 

Sac49

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2016
582
30
0
#6
If you know that sin is the reason why sickness comes on a person, then don't you know why He allows it? Didn't you answer your own question?
I believe it's not as simple as having enough faith like many faith preacher teach, but I do believe it is required for God to at least hear you when you pray.
Reread what i wrote.

And God hears everything. In fact God knows everything before it happens.
 
T

thepsalmist

Guest
#7
So you are saying that it doesn't matter if one has the faith, it's whatever the will of God is. Do I understand you correctly?
I just used sickness as an example, but I was wondering about a prayer for anything, like a job, or to buy a house for family...etc.
Do you just pray and hope for the best?
I think it's important to keep in mind that prayer is communion with God. It's a dialogue, not a monologue. So once we have prayed we should expect a reply ... we should have faith that there will be a reply. Even ask God to give you a reply! :)

Ask and it shall be given.

Sometimes prayers are answered instantly - then we have our reply.

Sometimes it is not in His will - if we listen for His reply - He might just tell us why it's not in His will and this will bring comfort.

Sometimes it's in His will but will require a wait. If we listen for His reply - He might give us an idea how long we might have to wait.
 
L

Leonor

Guest
#8
mmmm i believe God will answer our prayers no matter what... even if our faith is as small as a mustard seed... or sometimes even if we are faithless God is faithful.
i also often times ask the same thing... we might pray for someone but why the person never gets well. Well, the person i think should also have a revelation that God wants them well and strong. That God is a good good God and a loving Father. I don't think sickness is from God.
There are also times when i pray for myself... and ask why God delays... sometimes our small minds cannot comprehend God's way... One time my Pastor shared the story of Lazarus... He shared that delays don't spell the end of your dreams.... Waiting time is not a waisted time when you're with the Lord. Our God is the God of Restoration (And I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, and the consuming locust, and the cutting locust, my great army which I sent among you.)
God loves it when we pray to Him... He loves to have an intimate relationship with us... Talk to Him and enjoy every blessings He has for you and be blessed :eek:


[FONT=&quot]11 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again....[/FONT]
 
T

TemporaryCircumstances

Guest
#9
So, when my dearest friend Zara had cancer I prayed that she would be healed. She passed away. When my step mother had cancer I prayed for her healing. She is believed to be okay.
The thing is, God answers our prayers, but in the way He KNOWS is best not the way we think is best. Losing someone and seeing someone sick is so so so so hard but we must trust that the King of kings knows better than us.
When Zara passed away I went up to my pastor crying and he took my hands and told me that some might think of it as a short life. But there is something we need to do in this life. For some that takes 90 years for others it takes 13. But she accomplished what the Father wanted her too and it was her time to return home.
When you pray for someone who is sick and they become better, many say "Our prayers have been answered!" But the truth is that even if they aren't healed and they pass your prayers were still answered in the way God knows is best.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
3,071
166
63
#10
Reread what i wrote.

And God hears everything. In fact God knows everything before it happens.
Correct me if I wrong, but from what I gathered, you were not saying that your mother's sins had anything to do with the stroke or arthritis, but sin in general that is in the world?
Did I understand you correctly this time?
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#11
[h=2]Will God answer prayers apart from faith?[/h]
Not apart form his faith that does the work in us that he appoints to us. Its a matter of what direction the faith comes from.

His towards us or us towards Him.

If the faith is not interpreted as to who it belongs to it remains a mystery and up for grabs.
 

Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
83
#12
So you are saying that it doesn't matter if one has the faith, it's whatever the will of God is. Do I understand you correctly?
I just used sickness as an example, but I was wondering about a prayer for anything, like a job, or to buy a house for family...etc.
Do you just pray and hope for the best?

What we are to have faith in is God's goodness and perfect dealings with people. But, yes, I ask for things I need, knows that he hears, and trust that he will respond in the way that is right for me.

Once in awhile, I know deep inside what his will is and when I pray it for another person, it does come to happen. But, I am really just agreeing with him in my intercession. There have been times when I KNEW he wanted to bring healing to a person, and when I prayed, they recovered. Then there have been times when my spirit discerned that he was not going to heal a person and I was not sure why. Yet, I still prayed for them to be able to go through their sickness with his grace. And learn to find his comfort.

I worked in hospice as a chaplain for years, and learned to appreciate the "time to die" in new ways. And also learned that that is a ministry in itself when the person realizes it. It is at those times that those who abide in Christ never seem to lose their deep peace. And that is one of the most strongest sermons ever preached. Others see that the sickness has not reached their spirit. Wonderful testimony. And I saw one of the reasons why some are not healed.
 
H

HisHolly

Guest
#13
Psalm 66
Job 22:23-30
Have some keys to why prayers are not always answered. They aren't always heard.. Prerequisites
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
3,071
166
63
#14
I think it's important to keep in mind that prayer is communion with God. It's a dialogue, not a monologue. So once we have prayed we should expect a reply ... we should have faith that there will be a reply. Even ask God to give you a reply! :)

Ask and it shall be given.

Sometimes prayers are answered instantly - then we have our reply.

Sometimes it is not in His will - if we listen for His reply - He might just tell us why it's not in His will and this will bring comfort.

Sometimes it's in His will but will require a wait. If we listen for His reply - He might give us an idea how long we might have to wait.
I think the scripture you brought up raises some questions.

Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Mat 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Mat 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

To me, this scripture is saying that if we as parents not only know how to give good gifts to our children, but we would certainly not give them something that is evil or that would do or cause them harm. And God, who is so much more loving than we, as parents, could be to our children, would certainly make sure He gives good things to His children that ask Him. And if He commands us to do to others as we would have others do to us, then would He do any different to His children than what He would want His children to do to Him.
To put it another way, would God want you to put sickness on Him? Is sickness a "GOOD THING"?
Then why would God break His own commandment and put sickness on one of His children?
It's just something that begs to be asked about this scripture.
 
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20

Senior Member
Dec 15, 2015
351
9
18
#15
It's a sin to try to do something without faith.KJV.Romans14;23,And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith;for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. According to our faith we got everything in His Kingdom,when we don't know what's the next its not the faith, no faith no healing,The righteous Christian with the gift of healing is known Gods will for the healing sick person, He never pray it without His will.The course of the sickness is a sin.In some cases when its need it he asks the person to confess it KJV.James5;14-16,14.If any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;15.And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have commited sins, they shall be forgiven him.16.Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.The effectual fervent prayer of righteous man availeth much.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
3,071
166
63
#16
Psalm 66
Job 22:23-30
Have some keys to why prayers are not always answered. They aren't always heard.. Prerequisites
Thank you ma'am for using God's word to do your talking.
One reason why prayers are not answered is because God does not hear them.
That is true.

1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1Jn 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Doesn't God lift up those whose hearts are right before Him, and cast down those whose hearts are not?
Does God hear the prayer of a sinner?
The bible says, no.
Wouldn't it also be important to know what the will of God is, to have confidence that God would give us the petition we desire of Him?
If we don't know what the will of God is, is it possible to have faith?
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
3,071
166
63
#17
I think the scripture you brought up raises some questions.

Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Mat 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Mat 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

To me, this scripture is saying that if we as parents not only know how to give good gifts to our children, but we would certainly not give them something that is evil or that would do or cause them harm. And God, who is so much more loving than we, as parents, could be to our children, would certainly make sure He gives good things to His children that ask Him. And if He commands us to do to others as we would have others do to us, then would He do any different to His children than what He would want His children to do to Him.
To put it another way, would God want you to put sickness on Him? Is sickness a "GOOD THING"?
Then why would God break His own commandment and put sickness on one of His children?
It's just something that begs to be asked about this scripture.
Psa 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

I would ask this also.
If one is walking uprightly before God, would He withhold a good thing.
I have another question.
Is sickness a good thing or bad?
What about healing?
Is healing a good thing or bad?
It's just some questions I ask because of what is written in the bible.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#18
What we are to have faith in is God's goodness and perfect dealings with people. But, yes, I ask for things I need, knows that he hears, and trust that he will respond in the way that is right for me.

Once in awhile, I know deep inside what his will is and when I pray it for another person, it does come to happen. But, I am really just agreeing with him in my intercession. There have been times when I KNEW he wanted to bring healing to a person, and when I prayed, they recovered. Then there have been times when my spirit discerned that he was not going to heal a person and I was not sure why. Yet, I still prayed for them to be able to go through their sickness with his grace. And learn to find his comfort.

I worked in hospice as a chaplain for years, and learned to appreciate the "time to die" in new ways. And also learned that that is a ministry in itself when the person realizes it. It is at those times that those who abide in Christ never seem to lose their deep peace. And that is one of the most strongest sermons ever preached. Others see that the sickness has not reached their spirit. Wonderful testimony. And I saw one of the reasons why some are not healed.
Great blessing in your work .God bless you
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
3,071
166
63
#19
What we are to have faith in is God's goodness and perfect dealings with people. But, yes, I ask for things I need, knows that he hears, and trust that he will respond in the way that is right for me.

Once in awhile, I know deep inside what his will is and when I pray it for another person, it does come to happen. But, I am really just agreeing with him in my intercession. There have been times when I KNEW he wanted to bring healing to a person, and when I prayed, they recovered. Then there have been times when my spirit discerned that he was not going to heal a person and I was not sure why. Yet, I still prayed for them to be able to go through their sickness with his grace. And learn to find his comfort.

I worked in hospice as a chaplain for years, and learned to appreciate the "time to die" in new ways. And also learned that that is a ministry in itself when the person realizes it. It is at those times that those who abide in Christ never seem to lose their deep peace. And that is one of the most strongest sermons ever preached. Others see that the sickness has not reached their spirit. Wonderful testimony. And I saw one of the reasons why some are not healed.
Why is it, when you know God will do something, it is done, and when you don't know, sometimes it is done and sometimes it is not?
 
Jul 1, 2016
2,639
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#20
interesting side note. Proverbs says that the man who turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer will be an abomination. that sounds pretty serious.