Atheists Upset

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Foreigner

New Member
Apr 14, 2010
2,583
123
0
Apparently atheists are rather upset that Christians are offering up prayers for devout atheist Christopher Hitchens.

My question is, if they think Christianity is a farce and there is no God to pray to, why should they care?

Most likely they think that if Hitchens gets better, Christians will claim divine influence and will become even more intolerable.

We as Christians do need to pray for this man. He is no more evil than we were before we became Christians. He needs our prayer for either healing or an acceptance of Christ before his death.



Atheists reject prayers for Hitchens, believers doubt he's a child of God
c1main.hitchens.danner.jpg
Christopher Hitchens (right) with author Mark Danner in 2004.

Hordes of atheists are commenting on yesterday's post from a Catholic priest who says Christians should pray for the cancer-stricken Christopher Hitchens, even if he is an enemy of religion. Far from being touched by the priest's gesture, the atheists are mostly offended:

As an atheist, I find it objectionable that anyone should feel the right to pray for me because I don't believe as they do. That's as bad as that idiot church who thinks its a good idea to baptize dead Jews or protest at military funerals. It's the worst kind of pandering.

Here's another:

There have been multiple scientific studies that show that prayer does not have any impact on whether someone is cured of a serious illness. It's time Christians just stopped worrying about people that don't believe in their sky god. Atheists don't care if you pray for them, your god does not exist.

A fair number of believers, meanwhile, challenge the author - a priest and a seminary professor - on his description of Hitchens as a "child of God":

Rev. Barron's main point is right on target. As Christians, we should, indeed, pray for and love those who oppose, ridicule and even persecute us. However, Rev. Barron states and uses as his basis for praying for Mr. Hitchens that Hitchens is "a child of God." For a reverend, a ministry founder, a host of a religious program and a religion professor, I am astounded at Rev. Barron's ignorance of the Bible. According to the Bible, as an atheist, Mr. Hitchens is NOT a "child of God." That description is reserved for only those who receive and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (John 1:12).

Any atheists out there who appreciate prayers for Hitchens' health? Any believers who think he's a child of God?
 

WhiteKnuckle

New Member
Mar 29, 2009
866
42
0
47
Maybe I'm just odd,,,,,,,, And this isn't quite the same.

I for one appreciate when people from other religions say they'll pray for me. There's something to be admired by human compassion even if it is from a false religion.
 

Selene

New Member
Apr 12, 2010
2,073
94
0
In my house
Maybe I'm just odd,,,,,,,, And this isn't quite the same.

I for one appreciate when people from other religions say they'll pray for me. There's something to be admired by human compassion even if it is from a false religion.

Hello Whiteknuckle,

I am a Catholic. For a Catholic priest to come out and tell us to pray for someone like Christopher Hitchens shows that we are not a false religion. We follow Christ when He says to "love the enemy." To love your friends and relatives is very easy. To love the enemy would take the Holy Spirit in us to do. In 2005, Mehmet Ali Agca tried to assasinate Pope John Paul II. The Pope was shot four times, twice in the stomach, once on his right hand and and once on his left hand. After the Pope recovered from his injuries, he visited Agca in jail and told him that he forgave him. Not many people can forgive someone who tried to kill them. You may not agree with Catholic doctrine, but that does not make it a false religion. If you don't understand something about Catholic doctrine, all you need to do is ask a Catholic who is knowledgeable in the Catechism. God bless.

In Christ,
Selene
 

Templar81

New Member
Apr 14, 2010
854
17
0
UK
They get very upset when Christian nursesand Doctors say they will pray for them when they are in hospital. This happens all the time in the UK.
 

Selene

New Member
Apr 12, 2010
2,073
94
0
In my house
They get very upset when Christian nursesand Doctors say they will pray for them when they are in hospital. This happens all the time in the UK.

Hi Templar,

It's good to see you here. :) It would upset people like Hitchens because they're the ones trying to disprove religion through Christian behavior. In his book, Hitchens attacked Mother Teresa by making a lot of unfounded allegations against her.

In Christ,
Selene
 

Adstar

New Member
Sep 17, 2009
286
6
0
Apparently atheists are rather upset that Christians are offering up prayers for devout atheist Christopher Hitchens.

My question is, if they think Christianity is a farce and there is no God to pray to, why should they care?

Most likely they think that if Hitchens gets better, Christians will claim divine influence and will become even more intolerable.

We as Christians do need to pray for this man. He is no more evil than we were before we became Christians. He needs our prayer for either healing or an acceptance of Christ before his death.



Atheists reject prayers for Hitchens, believers doubt he's a child of God
c1main.hitchens.danner.jpg
Christopher Hitchens (right) with author Mark Danner in 2004.

Hordes of atheists are commenting on yesterday's post from a Catholic priest who says Christians should pray for the cancer-stricken Christopher Hitchens, even if he is an enemy of religion. Far from being touched by the priest's gesture, the atheists are mostly offended:

As an atheist, I find it objectionable that anyone should feel the right to pray for me because I don't believe as they do. That's as bad as that idiot church who thinks its a good idea to baptize dead Jews or protest at military funerals. It's the worst kind of pandering.

Here's another:

There have been multiple scientific studies that show that prayer does not have any impact on whether someone is cured of a serious illness. It's time Christians just stopped worrying about people that don't believe in their sky god. Atheists don't care if you pray for them, your god does not exist.

A fair number of believers, meanwhile, challenge the author - a priest and a seminary professor - on his description of Hitchens as a "child of God":

Rev. Barron's main point is right on target. As Christians, we should, indeed, pray for and love those who oppose, ridicule and even persecute us. However, Rev. Barron states and uses as his basis for praying for Mr. Hitchens that Hitchens is "a child of God." For a reverend, a ministry founder, a host of a religious program and a religion professor, I am astounded at Rev. Barron's ignorance of the Bible. According to the Bible, as an atheist, Mr. Hitchens is NOT a "child of God." That description is reserved for only those who receive and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (John 1:12).

Any atheists out there who appreciate prayers for Hitchens' health? Any believers who think he's a child of God?


I believe we should pray for people like him. But i must stress that i am stating this because i believe Jesus. I would not like people to think i am a catholic or have any brotherhood with catholicism which to me is false to the word of Jesus.

It does not matter if the one being prayed for wants it or not, or even if they are offended by it or not. Jesus said we should not trumpet the fact we are praying, trying to gain the admiration of other men through a pompous show of religiosity. The one we are praying for need never know that we prayed for them. So when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.


All Praise The Ancient of Days
 

Selene

New Member
Apr 12, 2010
2,073
94
0
In my house
I believe we should pray for people like him. But i must stress that i am stating this because i believe Jesus. I would not like people to think i am a catholic or have any brotherhood with catholicism which to me is false to the word of Jesus.

Hello Adstar,

I agree with the Catholic priest who started this whole thing that we as Christians should pray for Christopher Hitchens because God taught us to love our enemies. Our enemies are those who are like Hitchens who judged us and persecuted us and say that we are false and that everything we believe in is false.. Christ also taught us to love our neighbors. And ALL Christians (regardless of what denomination) who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ are my brothers and sisters. And I say this because I am a Catholic whom Christ has taught me to bless those who judged us. We are not called to judge but to love God and our neighbors including our enemies.

That Catholic priest was correct when he called Hitchens a child of God because it was God who created him and all of mankind in His image. And God loves all sinners including Hitchens. As a matter of fact, even St. Paul called the pagans in Athens "childen of God" (See Acts 17:22-30) because St. Paul understood that God created all of mankind in His image and Christ Jesus loved us all. We are not called to judge but to love God and our neighbors including our enemies. God bless.

2 Corinthians 4:4-6 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.


In Christ,
Selene
 

Foreigner

New Member
Apr 14, 2010
2,583
123
0
I agree that we should not 'trumpet' the fact that we are praying for someone. But I think the priest's 'announcement' was to make people aware of the fact that Hitchen has this affliction and to reminded us that we as Christians are called by God to pray for our enemies.

He wasn't calling for people to make the fact known that they are praying.
 

skyangel

Realist
Jul 12, 2010
406
24
48
70
Australia
Faith
Other Faith
Country
Australia
Apparently atheists are rather upset that Christians are offering up prayers for devout atheist Christopher Hitchens.

My question is, if they think Christianity is a farce and there is no God to pray to, why should they care?

Put yourself in their place or "try the shoe on the other foot" as it were. Those of you who consider yourselves to be Christians, how would you feel if some devil worshipper decided to tell you they were praying for you? Would that upset you ? Would you care about that? Would you be wondering who they were praying to and whether their prayers would be answered or not and if they were would you feel obligated to join their religion or follow their god ?

Hello Adstar,

I agree with the Catholic priest who started this whole thing that we as Christians should pray for Christopher Hitchens because God taught us to love our enemies. Our enemies are those who are like Hitchens who judged us and persecuted us and say that we are false and that everything we believe in is false.. Christ also taught us to love our neighbors.

Jesus never healed anyone who had no faith in Him. He could have but He did not.. Why didn't He ?
 

Selene

New Member
Apr 12, 2010
2,073
94
0
In my house
Put yourself in their place or "try the shoe on the other foot" as it were. Those of you who consider yourselves to be Christians, how would you feel if some devil worshipper decided to tell you they were praying for you? Would that upset you ? Would you care about that? Would you be wondering who they were praying to and whether their prayers would be answered or not and if they were would you feel obligated to join their religion or follow their god ?



Jesus never healed anyone who had no faith in Him. He could have but He did not.. Why didn't He ?

Hello Skyangel,

The one true God hears all prayers. We are all sinners. I hope that you are not branding and judging Christopher Hitchens as a devil worshipper. The truth is that Hitchens is an atheist. An atheist does not worship the devil nor do they worship God. And yes, God hears the prayers of all sinners. Surely, you don't believe that He hears only the prayers of those who are righteous? After all, which one of us here is righteous when we all sin? To love our enemies and pray for them is what Christ taught us. And this we do as Christians because this is who we are and this is what we stand for. The atheists who feel insulted by our prayers are only showing themselves for who they are and for what they stand for and then they will see that the things they accuse Christians of are the very things that they are actually guilty of.

Actually, Jesus did heal even those who did not have any faith in Him. He healed those who had faith and He also healed those who came to HIm ONLY because they heard that He was a healer. In the Scripture below, Jesus healed a leper not because the leper had faith but because our Lord had compassion on him. In the Scripture below, the leper was begging and asking Jesus to heal him. Our Lord was moved to compassion and healed him. God will have mercy on whomever He wants (Romans 9:15).

Mark 1:38-40 And he saith to them: Let us go into the neighbouring towns and cities, that I may preach there also; for to this purpose am I come. And he was preaching in their synagogues, and in all Galilee, and casting out devils. And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down said to him: If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus having compassion on him, stretched forth his hand; and touching him, saith to him: I will. Be thou made clean.

In John 9, Jesus also healed a blind man not because of faith, but to reveal God's work (See John 9:3). After the blind man was healed, then the blind man came to believe in the Son of God.

John 9:26-37 They said then to him: What did he to thee? How did he open thy eyes? He answered them: I have told you already, and you have heard: why would you hear it again? will you also become his disciples? They reviled him therefore, and said: Be thou his disciple; but we are the disciples of Moses. We know that God spoke to Moses: but as to this man, we know not from whence he is. The man answered, and said to them: Why, herein is a wonderful thing, that you know not from whence he is, and he hath opened my eyes. Now we know that God doth not hear sinners: but if a man be a server of God, and doth his will, him he heareth. From the beginning of the world it hath not been heard, that any man hath opened the eyes of one born blind. Unless this man were of God, he could not do any thing. They answered, and said to him: Thou wast wholly born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out: and when he had found him, he said to him: Dost thou believe in the Son of God?
He answered, and said: Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him? And Jesus said to him: Thou hast both seen him; and it is he that talketh with thee.

And as He died on the cross, Jesus also forgave His persecutors and His killers. He forgave even the pagan soldiers who nailed Him to the cross.


In Christ,
Selene


 

skyangel

Realist
Jul 12, 2010
406
24
48
70
Australia
Faith
Other Faith
Country
Australia
Hello Skyangel,

First of all, those who actually worship the devil will not be praying for you. Let's be realistic. We know that devil worshippers cast curses and spells. They don't pray.

Don't be deceived. Many who pray and teach and preach a false Christ are actually worshipping the devil and don't even realize it.. They are deceived by wolves in sheeps clothing and they do indeed pray to their false Christ who is really the devil.
Jesus said the hypocrites of Jesus days were of the devil, did he not? ( John 8:44) Who do you think is the father of all todays religious hypocrites? They all pray to their father the devil and think they are praying to God.


Selene said:
Secondly, the one true God hears all prayers. We are all sinners. I hope that you are not branding and judging Christopher Hitchens as a devil worshipper. The truth is that Hitchens is an atheist. An atheist does not worship the devil nor do they worship God. And yes, God hears the prayers of all sinners. Surely, you don't believe that He hears only the prayers of those who are righteous? After all, which one of us here is righteous when we all sin?

The Lord does not hear all prayers at all. According the Word itself, He refuses to hear sinners and those who have iniquity in their heart.

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.

Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]

Isaiah 1:15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Prov 15:29 The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

The only sinners prayer that the Lord hears is the sincere prayer of repentance.
 

Selene

New Member
Apr 12, 2010
2,073
94
0
In my house
Don't be deceived. Many who pray and teach and preach a false Christ are actually worshipping the devil and don't even realize it.. They are deceived by wolves in sheeps clothing and they do indeed pray to their false Christ who is really the devil.
Jesus said the hypocrites of Jesus days were of the devil, did he not? ( John 8:44) Who do you think is the father of all todays religious hypocrites? They all pray to their father the devil and think they are praying to God.

I have not yet met anyone who prays to the devil. And as for Christopher Hitchens, he is certainly not a devil worshipper. An atheist doesn't worship anything, not God and not even the devil. If there are people who worship the devil, we will know them by their fruits as Christ said.

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

You took this verse out of context. This verse has nothing to do with prayer. The person that this scripture is referring to is Jesus. The Pharisees is saying that Jesus is not from God. This is what the Pharisees said: but we are the disciples of Moses. We know that God spoke to Moses: but as to this man, we know not from whence he is. In here, "this man" is referring to Jesus.

And this is how the blind man answered the Pharisees: Why, herein is a wonderful thing, that you know not from whence he is, and he hath opened my eyes. Now we know that God doth not hear sinners: but if a man be a server of God, and doth his will, him he heareth. From the beginning of the world it hath not been heard, that any man hath opened the eyes of one born blind. Unless this man were of God, he could not do any thing.

In here, the blind man is saying that God hears "this man" (Jesus) because He does God's will. Therefore, Jesus was able to perform a miracle and make him see.

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.

Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]

Isaiah 1:15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Prov 15:29 The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

The only sinners prayer that the Lord hears is the sincere prayer of repentance.

You say that "only sinners prayer that the Lord hears is the sincere prayer of repentence?" My sister, God hears all prayers because He is an all-knowing God. He even knows what is in our hearts before we ask Him. He hears both good and bad prayers. There is nothing that man can hide from God because He hears and sees all things. He also hears the cries of justice and vengence and other bad prayers. God hears everything because there is nothing that man can hide from Him, but that does not mean that God is going to grant His consent to everything we ask for. This is what those scriptures is interpreted to mean. God hears all prayers, not just a sinner's prayer of repentence. God will also hear the prayer of a sinful man who prays for someone else rather than for himself. So, for example, if I pray for Christopher Hitchens to get well, God will hear my prayer despite the fact that I am a sinner and imperfect. Now, whether God will grant what I pray for is a whole different story. God bless.

In Christ,
Selene
 

skyangel

Realist
Jul 12, 2010
406
24
48
70
Australia
Faith
Other Faith
Country
Australia
Selene said:
You say that "only sinners prayer that the Lord hears is the sincere prayer of repentence?" My sister, God hears all prayers because He is an all-knowing God. He even knows what is in our hearts before we ask Him. He hears both good and bad prayers. There is nothing that man can hide from God because He hears and sees all things. He also hears the cries of justice and vengence and other bad prayers. God hears everything because there is nothing that man can hide from Him, but that does not mean that God is going to grant His consent to everything we ask for. This is what those scriptures is interpreted to mean. God hears all prayers, not just a sinner's prayer of repentence. God will also hear the prayer of a sinful man who prays for someone else rather than for himself. So, for example, if I pray for Christopher Hitchens to get well, God will hear my prayer despite the fact that I am a sinner and imperfect. Now, whether God will grant what I pray for is a whole different story. God bless.

In Christ,
Selene

Why do you deny the Word of God? Do you realize that by doing so you are calling the Truth of God a lie? You are fighting and arguing against scripture not against flesh and blood. The word specifically says God does not hear sinners in the following scriptures. There is no way to interpret those scriptures as God hears sinners. The Pharisees even knew that God does not hear sinners. Where do you think they got that idea from in the first place if not from the WORD of God itself?
If you pray for Christopher Hitchens to get well and God does not answer your prayers then how do you know He heard you in the first place?

God hears and answers the prayers of the righteous and they get what they believe they will get from God.


Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].

Matt 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.


Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.

Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]

Isaiah 1:15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Prov 15:29 The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
 

skyangel

Realist
Jul 12, 2010
406
24
48
70
Australia
Faith
Other Faith
Country
Australia
We get what God desires us to get, nothing more nothing less. And it is not always a yes.

Then what is the point of praying? The Lord gives all His children what we need before we even ask. He sends the sun and the rain on the just as well as on the unjust with no respect of persons.

Matt 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Phil 4:7 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 65: 24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
 

Selene

New Member
Apr 12, 2010
2,073
94
0
In my house
Then what is the point of praying? The Lord gives all His children what we need before we even ask. He sends the sun and the rain on the just as well as on the unjust with no respect of persons.

Matt 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Phil 4:7 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 65: 24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Hello Skyangel,

You are correct when you say that God sends the sun and rain on the JUST AND THE UNJUST. It is not only on the Just. I don't go against God's Word. God is omniscient. He is All-Knowing. He knows everything because He hears and sees everything. To say that He only hears the prayers of the righteous limits God's powers. It is right to pray for Christopher Hitchens because we are taught by Christ to love our enemies and to pray for them. Whether God will answer our prayers is up to God. ForgivenWretch is correct. God doesn't answer all prayers because it is according to God's will, not according to our will.

In Christ,
Selene
 
  • Like
Reactions: forgivenWretch

forgivenWretch

New Member
Feb 10, 2008
324
10
0
65
Tennessee
Then what is the point of praying?
Because that is what He tells us to do. And quite simply, we should pray that His will be done, not ours! Prayer is the key to the heart of God. Prayer is the only way to a real and personal relationship with God. We are told to pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks to Him!

God commands us to pray. “In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for Me in earnest, you will find Me when you seek Me” (Jeremiah 29:12,13, NLT).

God wants to be in relationship with us. And He knows we need what He can give. Through prayer, we experience life-transforming, life-renewing intimacy with the Creator of the universe.

But still, this does not mean that we will get what we pray for.
 

skyangel

Realist
Jul 12, 2010
406
24
48
70
Australia
Faith
Other Faith
Country
Australia
Because that is what He tells us to do. And quite simply, we should pray that His will be done, not ours! Prayer is the key to the heart of God. Prayer is the only way to a real and personal relationship with God. We are told to pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks to Him!

God commands us to pray. “In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for Me in earnest, you will find Me when you seek Me” (Jeremiah 29:12,13, NLT).

God wants to be in relationship with us. And He knows we need what He can give. Through prayer, we experience life-transforming, life-renewing intimacy with the Creator of the universe.

But still, this does not mean that we will get what we pray for.

Those who pray according to the WILL of God always get their prayers answered since they ask according to what God wants not according to what they want..
When you abide in the heart of God you know His will and pray accordingly in your heart 24 hours a day without ceasing.

Those who don't pray according to the will of God get nothing answered.

It is the will of God that all people reap what they sow.
 

Adstar

New Member
Sep 17, 2009
286
6
0
Hello Adstar,

I agree with the Catholic priest who started this whole thing that we as Christians should pray for Christopher Hitchens because God taught us to love our enemies. Our enemies are those who are like Hitchens who judged us and persecuted us and say that we are false and that everything we believe in is false.. Christ also taught us to love our neighbors. And ALL Christians (regardless of what denomination) who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ are my brothers and sisters. And I say this because I am a Catholic whom Christ has taught me to bless those who judged us. We are not called to judge but to love God and our neighbors including our enemies.

That Catholic priest was correct when he called Hitchens a child of God because it was God who created him and all of mankind in His image. And God loves all sinners including Hitchens. As a matter of fact, even St. Paul called the pagans in Athens "childen of God" (See Acts 17:22-30) because St. Paul understood that God created all of mankind in His image and Christ Jesus loved us all. We are not called to judge but to love God and our neighbors including our enemies. God bless.

2 Corinthians 4:4-6 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.


In Christ,
Selene

Selene to me it would be the greatest act of hatred towards you (a catholic) to call you a sister in Jesus ( i presume from your name that you are female) I was born into a catholic family and i praise God that through His Word He has freed me from that harlot church. I advise you very strongly to read the Word of God the message of the Gospel and to pray (in private and in normal words, your own) for the guidance of God in revealing to you His will for you the.

May you come to the knowledge of the salvation of the Messiah Jesus and may you embrace it and be forgiven.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days
 

Adstar

New Member
Sep 17, 2009
286
6
0
Put yourself in their place or "try the shoe on the other foot" as it were. Those of you who consider yourselves to be Christians, how would you feel if some devil worshipper decided to tell you they were praying for you?

I would feel sorrow for them, not only because they where praying to devil, but also because their prayers where in vain.


Would that upset you ?

Why would it cause upset/anger/fear to one who was confident in the love of God and the Atonement of the Messiah Jesus? Why should anything like that shake us?


Would you care about that?

I would care for the deceived.

Would you be wondering who they were praying to and whether their prayers would be answered or not and if they were would you feel obligated to join their religion or follow their god ?

No.

And why should an atheist (One who believes there is no such thing as a God, Any God) be offended by a prayer (that they believe has no effect good or bad) or feel obliged to join any religion because of it?

People chose to take the path of anger and hate and offence or they can chose to take the path of concern, sorrow and even sadness. Let each person take the path they like. The path people take reveals the person within.


Hello Adstar,

I agree with the Catholic priest who started this whole thing that we as Christians should pray for Christopher Hitchens because God taught us to love our enemies. Our enemies are those who are like Hitchens who judged us and persecuted us and say that we are false and that everything we believe in is false.. Christ also taught us to love our neighbors.

skyangel: Jesus never healed anyone who had no faith in Him. He could have but He did not.. Why didn't He ?

Who said that the only prayer that one could pray would be for healing for Hitchens?

What if one prayed for God to bring conviction through the Holy Spirit to Christopher Hitchens at this time of his troubles so that He may repent from his attacks on God and that he may come to accept the Messiah Jesus and be saved?

What granted prayer would be of more benefit to Christopher Hitchens? Life and death in our current state is as nothing compared to eternal life and death.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

We get what God desires us to get, nothing more nothing less. And it is not always a yes.

Truth.

His will is done.

All we need do is have faith that we are heard and in His perfect wisdom, the correct response follows.


All Praise The Ancient of Days

Those who pray according to the WILL of God always get their prayers answered since they ask according to what God wants not according to what they want..

This is equating ones judgement as to what is being prayed for, with the perfect Wisdom of God. We do not have total wisdom we do not have total situational awareness. It is enough to pray to God about all things leaving the response it His perfect hands, at peace with the knowledge that His will is done.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days