Your Questions, My Responses (S13 Episode7)

I mentioned in Week 1 of our prayer series that I would do a final Sunday where I answered any questions people have on prayer. I received five questions. They are these:

1. Why pray if I’m totally willing to accept whatever God sends my way? When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer I did not pray for healing. I prayed that God would help me deal with whatever resulted in a God honouring way. Was that a demonstration of submissive faith? Or was it a cop out; afraid a prayer for healing would not be answered?
2. Some Christians believe that if many are praying for something the more likely it will be answered. Wouldn’t that mean a famous preacher is more likely to be healed than an usher?
3. Do you think that substances that alter our state of mind (alcohol, cannabis, or psychedelics) could be a tool for prayer?
4. You have talked a lot about how prayer is about our own formation…what is God’s role in all of this? What is God doing while we pray? Does God answer prayer?
5. Sending "thoughts and prayers" has become a ubiquitous phrase people offer up in the face of tragedy. But it seems to be a cheap platitude for doing nothing. Does prayer make a difference in the face of suffering? 

Well…this ought to be interesting.