Do you believe in the power of prayer? Has it worked for you?

[Ireneparalegal]

I certainly do. However, I also believe that God (i am catholic) will answer prayers as he sees fit. We can ask or plead but it's His decision to answer that prayer the way He knows is best.

I had a nephew who was 12 years old. When he was born he was born very very sick. He had a very rare condition. I won't go into details, but no other child had surivived this condition beyond the age of 3. So of course when he had his 3rd birthday party it was indeed a celebration. Each year after that was wonderful. We had prayed, we had taken him to several shrines and "miraculous" churches in Mexico where people have had "miracles" performed, prayers answered. There was one church where the place is covered with crutches and other items. One thing I found interesting was there were some "long female hair" braided hanging on the walls. I asked my sister what that was abt. She told me what was written on a piece of paper next to the braided hair, and it said "God, thank you for making my father well...as promised, I cut my long hair and will never grow it again." I was shocked at this. I wondered, could God really make deals? No of course not. But I feel he will answer prayers HIS way and if a person promised to do something, they will keep their promise.

Well, to get to the point, my nephew had his final surgery at the age of 12, he had had at least two major surgeries each year since he was born. His last surgery, the doctors told my sister and her husband that he was a miracle. He would no longer need surgery and he could live his life now surgery free, doctor free, he was healthy.

A year after that last surgery my nephew was in a car that crashed. He was severely injured; he had suffered a hematoma to the brain as well as numerous other injuries. He remained on life support for 3 days until his heart gave up.

The reason I am stating this is because as much as I would have wanted him to live then, I knew later that God answered our prayers by taking him home. God wouldn't have wanted this little boy to be in a vegetative state, He didn't bring him through all those surgeries to have him be confined to a hospital or machine. I thanked God for taking him home with him. That is why, I feel the power of prayer does work. We may not understand the things that happen, but we have to know, there is a reason for it.

Thanx for letting me say this.

[Mikado]

Nope

[James"Thunder"Early]

Yes I do, I've had prayers that seem to have been answered before. I heard a story in church a couple of weeks ago about a woman whose daughter had cancer since she was two years old. The child was in grave condition at 7 years old and the mother had been praying for years for the cancer to go away. So the mother decided to pray another way, she prayed to God to give her her daughter's cancer. A little while later, her daughter was declared cancer free and her mother was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer. Six months later the mother died from her cancer and her daughter has remained cancer free. So I believe prayer works and that story is proof of it.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by James"Thunder"Early

Yes I do, I've had prayers that seem to have been answered before. I heard a story in church a couple of weeks ago about a woman who's daughter had cancer since she was two years old. The child was in grave condition at 7 years old and the mother had been praying for years for the cancer to go away. So the mother decided to pray another way, she prayed to God to give her her daughter's cancer. A little while later, her daughter was declared cancer free and her mother was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer. Six months later the mother died from her cancer and her daughter has remained cancer free. So I believe prayer works and that story is proof of it.

Wow!!!!!

[Pitooey]

Not all prayers get answered.

I have had prayers answered. More prayers answered than not answered.

[retrochick9]

Yes!!! This will sound silly next to your stories, but I wanted Lasik surgery more than anything, but I am the biggest wuss, I can't even do the glaucoma test at the eye doctor!!! Anyway, walking to the room where I was gonna have it, I felt like there was no way I could do it, I was soooo scared. The doctor couldn't even put the drops in my eyes. He told me he would be right back, I didn't know this at the time, but he had gone to tell my mom and brother (who went before me) that I probably wouldn't be able to do it. My grandma had just died a few months earlier and I was sitting in the chair talking to her saying "Hi grandma, can you PLEASE help me, and ask God to help me? I know this is selfish, but I really want to do this more than anything and I feel like I can't, etc. etc. etc." All of the sudden the doctor came back and I was like "I'm ready!" I laid back in the chair like it was nothing and it didn't bother me in the least!!! The doctor couldn't believe it and neither could I, or my mom and brother!!! But as far as other things that are more serious, sometimes we just know God has a certain plan.

[Chain Gang Member]

SOmetimes my prayers are answered,but sometimes they're not.I asked for help so I can do good on a test,but didn't do well

On the other hand,I prayed that my friends would get into good colleges and they did

[*MIBabe03*]

So far in life I've been lucky (knocks on wood). I know for a fact that prayer has helped my boyfriend and his family members though.

[EmoJoe]

i believe in it

[rusyd]

I do. I pray everyday-try to-and I know there will be an answer from the Lord-Yes, No, or wait.

[snl 70s show fan]

yes i do and i pray every day its worked for me many times

[gilligan fanatic]

Yes I do, there is no reason why you shouldn't.

[Mr. Television]

I believe in it.

[Nighthawk76]

I do. And it has.

[seventies_sitcoms]

I can't get into prayer very much.