Prayers Answered

[Intoxication]

Well, some of you may have heard me talk about a person I used to be friends with, something happened, and now we're not anymore. Haven't been for a long time.
I saw him for the first time in six months back in February at his high school (he's a freshman and I'm in 8th grade) and we both tried to say hi to each other. Neither one of us heard each other, so we never spoke.
Well, yesterday (4/14) I saw him at the high school. I said hi to him, and he turned to me, looked at me, and said, "Hi," and waved back.


I had prayed to God, "Please don't let it be another six months before I see him again..."
Also, "I just want things to get better between us..."

2 of my prayers were answered: It wasn't six months this time, it was only 2!
And, we actually spoke to each other and responded to each other, which was monumental, because we have not spoken since October of 2009. Makes me believe, reminds me: There is a God. And He does hear your prayers.

[Cosmo]

Originally Posted by misslonely

Well, some of you may have heard me talk about a person I used to be friends with, something happened, and now we're not anymore. Haven't been for a long time.
I saw him for the first time in six months back in February at his high school (he's a freshman and I'm in 8th grade) and we both tried to say hi to each other. Neither one of us heard each other, so we never spoke.
Well, yesterday (4/14) I saw him at the high school. I said hi to him, and he turned to me, looked at me, and said, "Hi," and waved back.


I had prayed to God, "Please don't let it be another six months before I see him again..."
Also, "I just want things to get better between us..."

2 of my prayers were answered: It wasn't six months this time, it was only 2!
And, we actually spoke to each other and responded to each other, which was monumental, because we have not spoken since October of 2009. Makes me believe, reminds me: There is a God. And He does hear your prayers.

Or, more likely, certain circumstances made this happen.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Someone you used to be friends with says "hi" and you think god has now smiled on you? Saying "hi" doesn't mean anything got better or worse, it's like an innate social response. As for seeing him in 6 months, well, he goes to your school, wouldn't you see him at least once a week somewhere?

You can say these prayers are answered but it's more the result of circumstances and basic social responses.

I cant wait to know how you celebrate when you pass a course you're failing in because you prayed to god AND studied your ass off.

[Kitty.]

Hey,

I just wanted to step in here and say a few things.

1. It's so wonderful that God answered your prayers. I'm really happy for you! I know it feels great that you got an answer to your prayers.

2. Don't be discouraged by people who say it was just 'circumstance.' You know what you believe and you know what happened.

3. I did not create this post for people to debate me on it. I am simply responding to the OP.

[Cosmo]

Originally Posted by Fierce

Hey,

I just wanted to step in here and say a few things.

1. It's so wonderful that God answered your prayers. I'm really happy for you! I know it feels great that you got an answer to your prayers.

2. Don't be discouraged by people who say it was just 'circumstance.' You know what you believe and you know what happened.

3. I did not create this post for people to debate me on it. I am simply responding to the OP.

Okay I know you said that third point, and I'm sorry if I come across as a bit of a dick, but I feel it's important that we discuss this, especially for OP's sake.

First, we need to make the distinction between "believe" and "happened", as there's actually a rather important difference. If you believe something has happened, it may not have. If it has "happened" then it has. The difference here is that she believes God answered her prayers, it did not necessarily happen.

So the situation is this:

1. She sees a person she knew a while ago at their school.
2. They both say hi, but don't talk for 6 months.
3. 6 months later, they see each other again and they both recognise/greet each other
4. Therefore God manipulated everything in the world specially for you so you could meet him

That... doesn't seem to quite work in my books. Cause and Effect. They seem to go to the same school, and, unbelievably, in 6 months they do in fact see each other once/twice. If you go to the same school, you will probably, at some point in six months time, see each other.

This may be because of God, but (and I don't mean this in a rude way)... what makes you so special? That he'd manipulate it so you could see a friend in the same school as you, when he could just as easily manipulate it so that every person in Africa is no longer starving, has food, shelter and fresh water, but doesn't? Why would any God do that just for you, but not for people like that? I'm not saying that in a mean way, I just feel it's important to get it out there. If he chooses to help you, why does he choose not to help those people in Africa? Such a God is not worth worshipping. I think that you have to either admit that God didn't manipulate this situation, but exists without interfering, or you retain your belief that he manipulated this situation, but decided it wasn't worth his time helping people like those in Africa.

Again, I hope I don't sound too rude. I recognise that I do tend to when I get heavily into a debate, but I feel very strongly in this topic, and I think it's important that we don't tiptoe around the elephant in the room (namely, my last paragraph).
I think it's great that you met each other again, and I hope you do become friends, but I do hope you understand that God did not choose this destiny for you: circumstances simply came together.

- Best, Matt.

[John 6:29]

I don't necessarily believe this was an answer to prayer, as it was in accordance to circumstances. Don't get me wrong, I know prayers that have been answered (because the circumstances didn't even warrant the answer to the prayer, they were rather out of the ordinary). But God only answers prayers when prayed with the right motive, and in regards to relationships, well, normally they are selfish motives. That's why Paul says it is better to be single so that all your love goes to God, because if you're married, you're love is split between God and your spouse, you're double-minded. It could have been an answer to prayer, but it doesn't sound like it really was to me.

People, to me, just take every little thing as an act of God (which granted they are all acts of decreed by God). However, a lot of people are like, "God, if I get 5 green lights the next 5 lights in a row, I'll take this as a sign from you." Well, God has answered prayers like that in the Old Testament, but I don't believe these are "signs" from God, at least for the most part. I just find people who are younger "Christians," or at least professing Christians, tend to base little things as always being a direct answer from God. As if everything is happy, go-lucky, feeling-based religion. Like, "Well God makes me feel good, so, I know He's real," or "God is love, and He makes me happy, and answers my simple prayers." He does answer prayer, but normally these prayers are selfish. In fact, I would say 99% of prayers are selfish. Not based on anything know, but based off the people I've heard talk about prayer, and based on my own prayer life. But then as soon as they are let down, "Oh, well, God doesn't exist anymore." Please... Or they act like something strange is happening when they're having a tough time with school or friends, etc. because they're "saved." I mean, granted, it's hard to be rejected for your faith by people who once "loved" you. However, it seems we've become so self-absorbed that we forget what the earlier Christians went through, yet find our dealings worse than theirs... ha.

Anyways, I'm ranting, so, congrats. Hope everything works out.

[Sythan]

It's not uncommon for someone you know or have known to respond to you like that.

[Intoxication]

First of all, we don't go to the same school. We used to. He moved on to high school, and I am still in the elementary school he graduated from last year. I mentioned earlier ^ that he is a FRESHMAN- which would probably mean he's in high school- and that I am an 8TH GRADER- which would mean I'm NOT in high school.
Second of all, the only reason I even put this thread on here was to get support for it. That's what this place is about, correct? Not people saying "it wasn't a real prayer answered". Pardon my language, but that's bullshit. If you were in the situation I was in, you would be praising whoever your higher power is because it was monumental.
Third, if you don't believe what I said, this is simple- DON'T COMMENT ON IT. Don't waste your time, and DON'T waste mine.

[Intoxication]

Just because I say it was an answer to prayer doesn't make me any more special then shit. No one is more special, or better, or more liked by a higher existence then any other person. I'm not saying I'm special, or that God smiled on me. And for your information, I have been praying that this situation between me and my former friend would change, improve, whatever... for how long? ALMOST A YEAR AND A HALF. No shit, for 17 months. So, when that happened, I was HAPPY. Happier, in fact, then I had been for a long time. DON'T down that by saying it wasn't something special.
It wasn't just a basic social innate response, or whatever the fuck you called it. He wouldn't even look at me at one point. He hated my guts with a passion, and I quote. So, the fact that he actually responded to me for the first time in a year and a half was quite monumental. Why don't you use a little bit more manners and make sure you set the info straight before you start raining shit on someone's parade?

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Originally Posted by misslonely

First of all, we don't go to the same school. We used to. He moved on to high school, and I am still in the elementary school he graduated from last year. I mentioned earlier ^ that he is a FRESHMAN- which would probably mean he's in high school- and that I am an 8TH GRADER- which would mean I'm NOT in high school.
Second of all, the only reason I even put this thread on here was to get support for it. That's what this place is about, correct? Not people saying "it wasn't a real prayer answered". Pardon my language, but that's bullshit. If you were in the situation I was in, you would be praising whoever your higher power is because it was monumental.
Third, if you don't believe what I said, this is simple- DON'T COMMENT ON IT. Don't waste your time, and DON'T waste mine.

Calm down. If you post something, you're facing the chance people will comment negatively. If you don't want that to happen, don't post.

Your post had some confusion because you said you saw him at the high-school, yet you don't attend high-school. That suggests you went to the high-school intentionally and saw him, he saw you and he acknowledged seeing you.

Originally Posted by misslonely

Just because I say it was an answer to prayer doesn't make me any more special then shit. No one is more special, or better, or more liked by a higher existence then any other person. I'm not saying I'm special, or that God smiled on me. And for your information, I have been praying that this situation between me and my former friend would change, improve, whatever... for how long? ALMOST A YEAR AND A HALF. No shit, for 17 months. So, when that happened, I was HAPPY. Happier, in fact, then I had been for a long time. DON'T down that by saying it wasn't something special.

Again, don't post if you don't want to face people potentially saying something negative. I have the right to post whatever I damn well want, you have no right to tell me what not to post because it hurts your feelings.

Originally Posted by misslonely

It wasn't just a basic social innate response, or whatever the fuck you called it. He wouldn't even look at me at one point. He hated my guts with a passion, and I quote. So, the fact that he actually responded to me for the first time in a year and a half was quite monumental. Why don't you use a little bit more manners and make sure you set the info straight before you start raining shit on someone's parade?

Manners? Everyone was polite, you are the one who has been swearing, acting rude and telling people not to post because you don't like what they posted. We gave our reasoning and debating is allowed in this forum.

[Intoxication]

Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lose my temper, and I realize it was uncalled for, but... this means a lot to me. I mean, A LOT. And I just don't understand why people would post on here if all they had to say was, "It wasn't real,". If this sounds rude, I apologize, but I'm sitting here going... "Wait... How about you experience what you consider an answer to prayer, and let me have mine?" We all have different views on everything. But I just found it unnecessary for people to just post negative comments and have that be it. You know what I mean? I'm a bit sensitive to people saying it wasn't special, because it means so much to me. And, well, I'd like for people to just move on to something else if ALL they're gonna do is put my experience down. And I am sorry.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Originally Posted by misslonely

Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lose my temper, and I realize it was uncalled for, but... this means a lot to me. I mean, A LOT. And I just don't understand why people would post on here if all they had to say was, "It wasn't real,". If this sounds rude, I apologize, but I'm sitting here going... "Wait... How about you experience what you consider an answer to prayer, and let me have mine?" We all have different views on everything. But I just found it unnecessary for people to just post negative comments and have that be it. You know what I mean? I'm a bit sensitive to people saying it wasn't special, because it means so much to me. And, well, I'd like for people to just move on to something else if ALL they're gonna do is put my experience down. And I am sorry.

Apologies accepted.

Reason people comment negatively or positively on here is because it's a forum for examining various beliefs from various views. For example, aspects of Christianity are viewed from various angles because people hold different beliefs and this forum encourages sharing all these different angles. With regards to prayers, different people have their experiences and some support prayers while others don't support prayers (i.e. look down on them). Myself, I find all prayers ridiculous and a waste of time and energy. Unfortunately for you, this includes yours not because I have any view solely toward yours, but because it gets lumped in with prayers.

Some may support your experience, in fact Fierce was supporting your experiences in a positive manner. Perhaps you two have had similar experiences, I cant say for sure because I'm not sure of all the experiences Fierce has had, you'll have to ask her.

[losing touch.]

i'm happy for you that you got to see him again! maybe you should add him on facebook or something so you can stay in contact?

[Cosmo]

Originally Posted by misslonely

Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lose my temper, and I realize it was uncalled for, but... this means a lot to me. I mean, A LOT. And I just don't understand why people would post on here if all they had to say was, "It wasn't real,". If this sounds rude, I apologize, but I'm sitting here going... "Wait... How about you experience what you consider an answer to prayer, and let me have mine?" We all have different views on everything. But I just found it unnecessary for people to just post negative comments and have that be it. You know what I mean? I'm a bit sensitive to people saying it wasn't special, because it means so much to me. And, well, I'd like for people to just move on to something else if ALL they're gonna do is put my experience down. And I am sorry.

I did apologise if I seemed rude, but again, sorry if I was. I was simply pointing out that God didn't do anything here. it was just circumstances coming together. And if you post something like this in this forum category, you ARE inviting people to discuss your post, not just one huge circlejerk on how good God is.

I'm not trying to put your experience down. I think it's great that it happened, and I hope you two become friends. I do think, however, that if you start to understand that God didn't make this happen, and that God will never deliberately interfere and make anything happen (I'm actually Agnostic, not Atheist), that you will actually value your current situation a whole lot more.

And on the whole "special" thing... I simply meant that if God decided to help you out seeing a friend/acquaintance, why doesn't he choose to help people in Africa? It just seems like he lacks any sort of moral code or list of priority. I'm not saying he doesn't exist, I'm simply saying that God does not interfere with our everyday lives. Most religious people would agree with me. For another thing, God (apparently) only answers unselfish prayers, and yours was. I don't mean that in a rude way either, but you prayed for it to happen because it would make you happy, so it was selfish (not particularly so) and so God, if you go by the Bible, would not answer it.

Again, sorry if I seemed rude. You did post it in the Religion/Philosophy section, so in all fairness, I had the right to respond and argue my side of the picture. I do think that if you accept that lots of different things came together to make this happen, that you will actually appreciate, enjoy and make use of this situation a lot more than you would otherwise, and you'll realise how lucky you are.

[Digilodger]

Originally Posted by misslonely

Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lose my temper, and I realize it was uncalled for, but... this means a lot to me. I mean, A LOT. And I just don't understand why people would post on here if all they had to say was, "It wasn't real,". If this sounds rude, I apologize, but I'm sitting here going... "Wait... How about you experience what you consider an answer to prayer, and let me have mine?" We all have different views on everything. But I just found it unnecessary for people to just post negative comments and have that be it. You know what I mean? I'm a bit sensitive to people saying it wasn't special, because it means so much to me. And, well, I'd like for people to just move on to something else if ALL they're gonna do is put my experience down. And I am sorry.

A piece of advice: If you dislike having people disagree with you, then I suggest next time, you should:

• post your good experiences in the Good Day section of the forum, and
  
• post your bad experiences in the Why Me section of the forum.

Those two sections are a lot more light-hearted compare to this one. You will find encouragement and sympathy there

On the other hand, you would find much disagreement here. And trust me, those who have posted here are being very polite and reasonable in their argument against you.



The philosophy section and the debate section are dubbed the "hyenas' den" for a reason. If you post here, it is expected that someone will definitely argue with you, especially if you are the OP (OP = Original Poster, the thread starter). Sometimes the arguments might become quite heated, too.


In fact, this is the first time I post in this the religion/philosophy section of TeenHelp Forum. Yay for me! Any welcome party?

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Originally Posted by VoidZN

In fact, this is the first time I post in this the religion/philosophy section of TeenHelp Forum. Yay for me! Any welcome party?

Welcome to the religion/philosophy/science section.

[dr2005]

Originally Posted by VoidZN

The philosophy section and the debate section are dubbed the "hyenas' den" for a reason.

I wish someone had told me that when I signed up.

Originally Posted by VoidZN

In fact, this is the first time I post in this the religion/philosophy section of TeenHelp Forum. Yay for me! Any welcome party?

Welcome to the hyenas' den I suppose.