I Believe In the Power of Prayer

I've got like an internal dilemma about sharing serious stuff on this site in public, because this site has so much silly content on it. Nevertheless, I'm sharing it anyway.

My dad was speaking to someone overseas, I think from Australia perhaps--it sounded like a friend, maybe someone he knew from his past--and he found out that this guy's wife had cancer.

So he said something like: "In the name of Jesus, your wife will be healed of cancer." And then shortly afterwards, his wife was miraculously healed of cancer! By the sounds of it, he's coming down to South Africa and he's going to meet my dad and speak with him about it.

The mainstream world would scoff at this kind of thing, but I'm not making it up. [i]This is really happening.[/i]

Just recently also, as I mentioned in a previous post on this site, my mother prayed, I think with someone on a video on her phone, concerning her tendinitis she's been in a lot of pain with, and she too was miraculously healed. The pain's gone and she has mobility to her wrist restored. And it 'sounds' about right to say that before it was cripplingly severe.

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NewBecky · 51-55, F

The prayer itself is not a magic wand. If we look at prayer as a tool to get what we want then it is like witchcraft and God will not honor it. When our desire is aligned with God's desire and when we are seeking His will by reading the Bible... then prayer is effective and for more than physical needs. "The prayers of a righteous man availeth much."

suzie1960 · 61-69, F

@NewBecky If witchcraft works and prayer doesn't, why waste time with prayer?

NewBecky · 51-55, F

@suzie1960 Witchcraft is seeking our will to be accomplished. Prayer is seeking God's will for our life and trusting in Him. When we trust God then He will bless us. But we cannot trust Him in order to receive the blessing because He knows if we have selfish reasons,

suzie1960 · 61-69, F

@NewBecky I don't believe in the christian god so praying to it wouldn't make sense and, in any case, would be ineffective. However, if witchcraft works, as it appears to in Lynda70's post, it's worth trying.

Lynda70 · F

@suzie1960 @NewBecky The lady I wrote about tried praying but that didn't work so god must have wanted her to suffer. Luckily the Wiccan gods and goddesses aren't as cruel.

NewBecky · 51-55, F

@Lynda70 Suffering is caused by separation from God, which is obviously the choice people make. Scripturally, death is defined as final separation from God... and the absence of God is Hell. But people choose to go there because they choose not to repent of sin and turn back to being with God. Sin is pleasant for a short time but the pleasure is not eternal.

suzie1960 · 61-69, F

@Lynda70 The christians make all these fantastic claims for their god but none of them ever come to fruition. I'm pleased the Wiccans were able to help that lady.

@NewBecky I used to be a christian so I'm familiar with all the lies and deceit it peddles. The bible is no more than a collection of myths and superstitions cobbled together from older beliefs to enslave the gullible.

NewBecky · 51-55, F

@suzie1960 It only takes a second to lie while it would require many hours to talk about the proofs of scripture and the historical evidence supporting it. But, if you were a Christian and you fell away then the Bible says that it is impossible for you to return to repentence. So, I understand you now. Pity.

suzie1960 · 61-69, F

@NewBecky I've seen countless so-called "proofs" of the bible but not one has stood up to scrutiny. I've also wasted a lot of time listening to propaganda purporting to be evidence.

I didn't "fall away" from christianity, I escaped from it. It wasn't easy but I got there in the end and my life changed dramatically for the better when I did. Don't pity me, I'm sorry for those who are still enslaved by it.

NewBecky · 51-55, F

I understood you and I know what is happening. It is a pity. Hebrews 6:4-6

suzie1960 · 61-69, F

@NewBecky I don't think you do understand but I understand why you think it's a pity I'm free and happy now.

Lynda70 · F

@suzie1960 That lady was a christian too but her prayers went unanswered. The evidence is that christianity doesn't work but witchcraft does.

NewBecky · 51-55, F

@Lynda70 Hello Lynda. When you say "work" then you are talking about gaining the outcomes that you hope for in this short life. As a Christian I see God moving with eternal perspective. This life is only a vapour. We are here today and gone tomorrow. All that matters is our eternity.

I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I testify that not only is He real but He died to pay for sin for those who will put their trust in Him. I know you will scoff and say He is either powerless or nonexistant... You might say the same about my husband.... but I know that they both exist because I have a personal relationship with both of them.

But I do not care to prove anything. Proof rarely changes anyone's beliefs. If proof were all that is needed to change someone's beliefs, then there would not be anyone on this earth that smokes. All of the evidence proves that smoking is not healthy... but people choose not to believe or not to care.

So, I will take my leave of this dialogue and wish everyone a good morning! No matter what you believe, I hope you will enjoy a good cup of coffee and a scone. :) Temporary joys.

Lynda70 · F

@NewBecky Given a choice of remaining in pain while praying in vain to a christian god or accepting a Wiccan's offer of help and being pain free, I would choose the latter. Others, such as you, are free to chose to remain in constant pain.