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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]So is it dishonorable to pray for a loved one not to die from a horrible disease? If that prayer is not granted, it was God’s will for that person to die?[/quote]

But God listens to all of our prayers, regardless of what we ask (Matthew 7:7). He does not ignore His children (Luke 18:1–8). When we talk to Him, He has promised to listen and respond (Matthew 6:6; Romans 8:26–27). His answer may be some variation of “yes” or “no” or “wait, not now.”

Praying for someone you love to survive, heal, suffer less, or have more time is one of the most common human prayers across cultures and religions.

The second part: if the person dies anyway, does that mean it was God’s will? Different people and traditions answer that differently. Even within Christianity there isn’t one universally agreed answer.

Most Christians would say that it is good and appropriate to pray for healing, protection, and life. They would say God hears prayers, but not every prayer is answered in the way the person hopes.

Death and suffering (in most denominations of Christianity) are understood as part of the fallen human condition, not something humans were originally meant for. God doesn’t kill people, people die because they are not meant to live forever on earth as a human. No one lives forever in their human form.

Christianity centers on resurrection and eternal life. So many Christians interpret unanswered prayers for physical healing through the lens that earthly death is tragic, but not ultimate defeat.

God gave humans a mortal physical world where disease, aging, and death exist. God can intervene miraculously, but does not always do so. [b]A person dying does not mean God desired their suffering or death.[/b]

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But if a person recovers (after prayer or not) God did desire that and intervene somehow? I mean if you don’t believe God is doing anything, what is even the point of prayer?[/quote]

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