By praying to God, are you trying to Cheat????
By bird123
@bird123 (10632)
United States
March 5, 2010 9:28pm CST
Life is about learning and growing as people. We learn through the parameters of our life and the people we meet. When times are good, we sit back and enjoy the ride. When adversity hits, we have to think, plan, study, analyze and grow in so many ways along the journey.
Yet, we all strive for the easy life. We want all the problems to go away. When challenges arise, we are quickly praying to God for help. Help me, God!! Save me from all the problems!! MAKE IT GO AWAY!!!
Isn't this cheating???? Are we just trying to defeat the real purpose of life?? Hmmm?? Still wonder why so many prayers don't get answered??? Sometimes we don't get our way for good reason. God won't let us cheat!!
On the other hand, God's children are pretty smart. We know Who can solve all our problems. I guess it never hurts to ask for help.
5 people like this
13 responses
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
6 Mar 10
When I pray to God, I ask for help. But I don't ask him to save me from all my problems, I ask for the "Wizard of Oz" -- heart (to help me understand, empathize, sympathize, etc.), courage (to follow through with whatever has to be done) and wisdom (a brain) (to help me think through what has to be done). I've been asking God for the Wizard of Oz since my 20s. I'm now 60, and he hasn't let me down yet. (PS, I also thank him.)
@scja16 (322)
• Philippines
7 Mar 10
Only God knows the reason and we can ask everything while we are praying but only God know what we deserve to have. Im guilty as well with this, i sometimes or may i say often pray for my own good. I know that we need to pray to show our faith and love to God. I thank (bird123) on posting this coz this might be one way of getting to someones heart to GOD. Questioning oureself is another way of reflection, know whats wrong and why are we praying for this?
It really never hurts to ask for help but rather asking for help why not ask for guidance from being lost, to where we should be found by GOD and will be walkthrough to his kingdom.
Have faith. God bless everyone
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
7 Mar 10
Every life will be touched by God regardless of beliefs or actions. God loves His children unconditionally. No child will be left behind. So many religions try to tell people just how to pray. God hears it all. Praying can be as easy as speaking or thinking.You are right. I have found that thinking and reflection helps in all aspects of life. Thanks for all your comments!!!
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
6 Mar 10
When the going gets tough, the tough get praying? Well, to some extent that's true, but the Bible tells us to "pray without ceasing" and to give thanks in all things. Communication with God should be daily, always, in all things, good and bad. Of course we turn to Him when we are in trouble that we can't solve, but we should also talk to God about the good things, the important things, the trivial things and it's also good to listen.
God isn't necessarily saying No when He doesn't grant us an immediate Yes to every prayer. Sometimes He's saying "Wait, be at peace, trust me, I know where this is going".
1 person likes this
@sjvenden27 (1840)
• United States
8 Mar 10
This is a good question that you brought up... I do not think it is cheating though.. It is no different then talking to our parents about problems.. granted somethings they can help you out with and then there are other things in life that we just have to learn on our own... There is nothing wrong with asking for help, but expecting help every time, would be wrong.. Not all of our problems can have a quick fix, and others may have an easy way out, but sometimes the hard way, teaches us a life long lesson that we will keep in mind for years to come... For the most part, the only time it would be "cheating life" is when you dont ask your question, or ask for help...
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
9 Mar 10
I guess it's human nature not to want any problems at all.Without the challenges in life, we wouldn't learn much. Of course, I don't really know anyone who asks themselves if their request is cheating. We just want the problem gone and back to Easy! Thanks for your comments!!
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
11 Mar 10
Since God is already guiding us through our lessons in life, the parameters and the people we meet, is seems redundant to ask for guidance that is already there. I can see where asking would help emotional security when we aren't always sure of our choices. Thanks for you comments!
@sjvenden27 (1840)
• United States
9 Mar 10
I hope you don't take offensive for this, but if you have a reoccurring problem may be ask for guidance to solve the problem versus to have it just go away... Granted new ones appear, that's life
@achilles2010 (3051)
• India
7 Mar 10
It is true we never seem to pray while the going is good but we begin to pray whenever we are in trouble. Of course, the people who do so are cheating themselves. God never answer their prayers. We must pray all the time. We must pray to express thankfulness for the things we have received and ask God to give the same things to others as well. We have Lord's Prayer to guide us as to how we must pray.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
7 Mar 10
When, if or how one prays will never determine whether a request is granted. God is beyond being hurt by someone neglecting prayers.The granting of requests is based on how it changes the lessons we learn and those learning around us. With God, it's all about what is best for His children regardless of their actions.Thanks for your comments!!
@WillieSantos (21)
• Philippines
7 Mar 10
Hi bird123! I dont think that this is Cheating! I would rather say that "WE" are not just being "THANKFUL" that we forget Him whenever everything seems to good and easy. Praying to GOd is not cheating. We are jsut like little children, we enjoy playing and once we are hurt, we go to our parents crying...because they are the only one who can take care us. God is our Father, he takes care of us everytime we are hurt...Just be thankful for all his Help
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
7 Mar 10
It may be difficult for some of you to comprehend, but my prayers have all been answered. Its like this for me - I am here to experience, and to remember, because like all of you, I have lived many lives on this earth before. I strive to enjoy everything I do. I love Life, and my work! If it were otherwise, would I still be working at age 76? Although I Thank God continuously,every day. I never get down on my knees and Pray. God does not demand that of me. Perhaps that's why I've never had an unanswered prayer. Those of God's children who are truly smart, know that God helps those who help themselves!
@cecillecarmela (3818)
• Philippines
7 Mar 10
Hi bird :)
This discussion caught my attention and while reading, I'd say you have a very interesting thought. I am sometimes guilty of this one--cheating through prayers as you call it; remembering God only in times I'm faced with challenges. ;) Nevertheless those prayers still remind me of one thing-- I can do all things through God who strengthens me, and it just makes me realize that I am a weak person and that I need God in my life.
I think the reason why so many prayers are not answered because we fail to see things through God's purpose. We always want an easy life, something good for ourselves and we fail to see that challenges only makes us stronger. Most of us always seek for earthly things, a comfortable life here on earth rather than seeking the ETERNAL things God wants for us.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
Hi bird, Very interesting thought, I've never heard it put that way before. Most of us have heard the old saying,"God helps those who help themselves", maybe there is something to that. We are meant to face challenges in this life, it's how we grow. We learn most from the difficulties we encounter. Prayer may help us but it does not change God, the universal mind, or the all that is, does not play favorites. Blessings.
@homeshoppers (6166)
• Philippines
6 Mar 10
actually no, as sometimes people become so buys with their life and become pre occupied with so many things without thinking that what they have is actually given by god and so some failed to even thank god for that. they only remember if the problem hit them and if they feel so alone and no one to turn to but only god. sometimes i guess its also one way of god's test so we will come to him and talk to him thats why he give us those kinds of problems in life. besides god cant just answer prayers in just one snap of our fingers specially if were not doing anything to make it happened. theirs still the right moment for us.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
6 Mar 10
So when times are good, we do sit back and enjoy the ride. I had someone tell me: What good is God but to solve all our problems. It seems the focus of so many is only our own little worlds. That is until adversity shows up to bring us back to reality.When it really gets hard, children always run home.Thanks for all your comments!!
@snoopyfan (1312)
• United States
6 Mar 10
I wouldn't call it cheating. I ask for strength to get through the adversity cause I know I can't do it on my own. We have to have adversity it is never fun but that is how God gets our attention. When things are going great we take it for granted that God is taking care of us. We need to be more aware and thankful to Him in the great times we have and not just seek Him in times of need. We still have to do the work to get through the adversity. God is just leading us to the right direction but He wants us to figure it out ourselves. It helps us grow in our faith and have a better relationship with Him.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
7 Mar 10
I have found we are much more capable than we think in times of great adversity. If you absolutely need help,it will show up from somewhere. God does look out for everyone. You are right when times are good, all we do is sit back and enjoy. I guess it has always been easier to just think about ourselves.Thanks for stopping by with your comments!!
@AjaySinghBaghel (5506)
• India
6 Mar 10
I do not cheat GOD. My day starts with the prayer and its for everyday. I do prayer everyday irrespective of my happiness and sorrow. This life is gift of GOD and we should thank god for the life he has given. God knows all about us and he does best for all.
I do not cheat God and GOD also does not cheat me. Its mutual relation between me and GOD. I happy the way my life has been giving me experience of happiness and sorrow. Life is mixed of happiness and sorrow so, we should be thankful for happiness and for the sorrow as well to GOD.
Thank You GOD:)
@neppot143 (9)
• Philippines
7 Mar 10
Most people that are religious ask God for help, like me, like most of us, when facing a problem that we think we cannot handle it, then we pray to God and ask for help. But praying is not really just for asking for help but also for thanking God for taking care of us, giving us strength, giving us an easy life. But not all people that believe in God has an easy life, one thing i believe is that we have our own purpose in life, God wanted us to find that purpose to achieve a good life, but when we are weak, and we choose the wrong one, so some people fall in dilemma, it is not God reason why we have a bad life, but its our own choice, the choice that God give us, this where we depend our way of life, God want us to be strong, that what i believe in.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
7 Mar 10
I asked a friend what his goal was in life. His reply was to have the easiest life possible. Is this your goal??? God counts on us all making some bad choices. It is part of the learning process. No one understands without it. Thanks for all your comments
