Answers to Prayers

Don’t be worried about God not listening to you, or not giving you what you need.

I have believed in the power of prayer, but now I’m feeling I should not expect my prayers to be answered because I am an ex-member of the Church.

That is one possible way to process what Elder Scott said in his talk. There are lots of possibilities. I suggest another — his premise is wrong. We *can* disagree with the opinions of leaders. We can also question them. Does God only give people what the “need” if they are completely “worthy?” My first question about that premise is: worthy of what? Worthy of love and attention from God? As far as I know, we are all worthy of that. Does God only listen to the perfected? That would make the job of listening to and answering prayers pretty low-volume .

What do we need? Do we know what we need? I believe that God gives us exactly what we need, at all times, and even if we don’t pray for it. So what is Elder Scott’s point? He is speaking to a particular audience. He may not have even thought that much about someone with your concerns (and many of us share that). Could it have been insensitive? If we had him in a room and challenged him on that point, would he really stick to that premise? He might not, realizing what he had implied. I think he is mistaken, on that point.

I disagree with the implications he makes regarding worthiness and needs. I agree with his premise that we don’t always (or often) get what we want. Aligning our wants with the will of God is an life long (if not eternal) quest.

I started reading a book by Chaim Potok recently called “The Chosen.” It kind of got me on to a Jewish religion kick. One thing that strikes me is our lack of open disagreement in the LDS Church today, compared to the well-established traditions of arguing “the law” in Judaism. Many people in the LDS world could use a good dose of comfort arguing points of interpretation and belief with their “rabbis” (aka Church leaders). I see a healthy and faith-promoting skepticism in that Jewish tradition.

I guess I read that phrase a little differently. To me it seems redundant in stating ‘worthy’ and ‘needs’ together. To me these words seem to define the same thing. I would compare the intent to the statement “if you ask the proper questions then you will receive meaningful answers.” The worthiness applies to what you are asking for – if it is something that you are meant to have then you shall receive. If your desires are “unrighteous” or “unworthy” then you are ‘not meant to have it.’ I put that in quotes because obviously Hitler and hosts of wicked people have obtained their “wants” “unworthily”, but for the purpose of our learning life’s lessons I think the phrase makes a good point.

Maybe he just said “if worthy” to hedge his bets for those who don’t get an answer. But it seems unnecessary to me. I suppose the exception might be that some are seeking for a sign in prayers or asking for something totally inappropriate. Might that qualify it as an “unworthy” prayer not meriting a response?

The aspect of the church leaders being perfect is something I think many beleive to some degree. I think that as members in good standing – its something we assume. I certainly did when I came to the church. And the hit of reality put me where I am now.

I am slowly becoming more comfortable with the idea that maybe some of the prophets may have been wrong on some things

Maybe not totally wonrg but certainly may have mis-interpreted things.

I think that is something that really needs to be brought up with people coming to the church to stop the fallout happening later down the line

just my opinion – what does everyone else think?