I'm
not sure how they work...haven't got a clue actually. I do believe prayer and faith truly capture the
power of God at work...Its not just
something random happening.
But I just can't explain
them....nor do I understand them...and I want to learn more.
I'm just guessing, but from what
I've seen, I think God uses prayer and faith more to reveal the condition of my
own heart, than the person or situation I'm praying for. Sometimes it
comes true - other times it doesn't. But I really don't think its the
situation that's the issue. God can handle anything without my
prayers. I think prayer and faith in any given situation are about
me...and whether or not I hang in there when things don't work as I had planned.
That's really a wild concept when
you think about it...but that's how it seems to work.
Why do atheists have miraculous
recoveries even without prayer...yet saints die slow and painful deaths despite
the anguished prayers of multitudes? Angry, violent people get well...the
gentle fade away.
Many questions, few answers. God's methods just blow me away sometimes.
Here's a collection of my general
wanderings through this topic - mostly internet searches on prayer, science,
medicine and faith. Its not anything authoritative - and I don't like to
debate theology because its sort of a pointless exercise. But if you
understand prayer or faith or just have some thoughts about it, send me an
e-mail. I'd like to hear from you.
And thanks for your prayers.
(this
table is a work in progress - got a link? send it to me and I'll
add it)
Prayer
Faith
Biblical
References (too many to list them all)
New Testament:
"Pray" is found 161 times
"Faith" is found 308 times
Old Testament
"Pray" is found 268 times
"Faith" is found 187 times
And whatever you ask in prayer, you
will receive, if you have faith." (Matt. 21:22)
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask
in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
(Mark 11:24)
Is any among you sick? 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...and the prayer of faith will
save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has
committed sins, he will be forgiven.
(James 5:14-15)
Have no anxiety about anything, but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known to God.
(Phil 4:6)
Rejoice in your hope, be patient in
tribulation, be constant in prayer.
(Romans 12:12)
Beloved, I pray that all may go well
with you and that you may be in health; I know that it is well with
your soul. (III John 1:2)
Now faith is the assurance of things
hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
(Heb 11:1)
And he said to her, "Daughter,
your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your
disease."
)