Why does it help people to pray to God when theyre in trouble?

Canada
July 25, 2007 7:17pm CST
I was thinking about this today after reading of the busload of polish catholics who died when their travel tour bus rode off a mountain in the Alps. Some of them burned alive. It was very upsetting. People die in terrible ways, so what good does it do to pray to God. I'm sure these catholics were praying and were all good people who didn't deserve to die that way. I'm not asking this because I want to challenge anyone, but I'm asking because I want to feel safe in the world, and I need to understand why some people feel safe when they pray. God doesn't help or protect everyone so why do you pray?
6 people like this
6 responses
@sbeauty (5865)
• United States
26 Jul 07
Oh, but God always helps us when we pray. It's just that too many people always expect Him to say "yes" to everything we pray for. In the case of the people dying in the accident, I'm sure they were also asking for strength to deal with whatever happened, comfort for their loved ones, and for God to be in control of their lives until the end. Obviously, for reasons unknown to us, it was their time to go. I like to spend time talking with God and knowing that he is in control of my life. I know that everything He does has my best interests at heart, even if it isn't what I would choose to have happen. It's called faith, and I can't imagine anyone surviving in this world without it. You need to start going to church and learning about the ways God works. You need this knowledge before you can begin to understand why prayer is such a comfort.
2 people like this
• United States
26 Jul 07
Amen sbeauty.
1 person likes this
@bearfan (63)
• United States
26 Jul 07
I pray because I believe in a God that knew my future and loved me before I was even born. A God that longs for a relationship we me and that he loved me so much that he sent his son to die for me. I thank him daily for my FREE salvation that costs me nothing. I may not understand why things happen that are bad. God says "that my ways are not your ways" and who am I to question the almighty God. There have been terrible things that have happened to me and my family like a murder and disease but I stay faithful and remember the times that he healed my daughter and kept us safe in certain circimstances
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
26 Jul 07
It is not for us to question God, Anakata. We pray in times of trouble because we hope that God will save us from harm or grant our wishes. It really doesn't work that way though. Prayer is only a tool to be used to communicate with our Heavenly Father. That doesn't mean that He will automatically grant our every wish. Our days are numbered as the hairs on our heads are numbered. We will not go before our time. I pray every night that God will keep me safe from harm, but I also understand that a Thief or murderer could enter my home during the night and take my life. It would not be God's fault. It would just be that my time is up.
@oldiebut (859)
• Canada
26 Jul 07
Well I suppose it comes down to whatever you want to do in those last few seconds. Screaming obscenities at the top of my lungs (I'm an agnostic so that's what I'd likely do) will help no more than prayer but it may help me relieve some of that horrible stress. I don't think analyzing such a situation really gives any insight into the nature of faith.
• India
26 Jul 07
Hi!Today, no doubt MAN has reached great Heights in Discoveries,Inventions, Achievements etc, but one must never forget that there is a 'FORCE' 'POWER' above MAN..the CREATOR of MAN---'GOD'.Hence ,when any issue cannot be resolved by MAN, he turns to the FORCE above him...GOD & surrenders believing that God will do something to help him or whatever GOD does...it would be for his good & accepts the same.GOD BLESS!! Thanks, ww.creatingcolourfulfuture.com
1 person likes this
@tbatenga (104)
• Philippines
26 Jul 07
God may not physically protect or help us in times of distress but he is always there. I am a Catholic and I have experienced the power of prayer a lot of times (and I mean a lot). When we pray, we don't just tell Him what we need, what we want and desire, but we also must listen with our heart. We try as much as possible to listen to what he wants us to do, by giving meaning to what's happening in our lives. Prayer is communicating with God, not just rambling senseless thoughts. People like me pray because of faith. We don't only pray when we need strength but we pray everyday for gratitude.
2 people like this