(Podcast 2.16.18) Are Thoughts and Prayers Enough?

Prayer 2

Unfortunately, we are again talking about another school shooting. What will it take to stop these shootings? Some have claimed that thoughts and prayers are unimportant. While for some, the notion indicates a desire for political action to be taken. However, for others, such a statement implies that prayer is worthless. Are thoughts and prayers important? On this episode, Brian describes how real change comes by fervent prayer leading one to actions of love through an examination of Romans 12:9-21. Are thoughts and prayers important? Find out today.

About the Host

Brian G. Chilton is the founder of BellatorChristi.com and is the host of The Bellator Christi Podcast. He received his Master of Divinity in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); and received certification in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. Brian is currently in the Ph.D. program in Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University. Brian is a full member of the International Society of Christian Apologetics and the Christian Apologetics Alliance. Brian has been in the ministry for over 15 years and serves as the pastor of Huntsville Baptist Church in Yadkinville, North Carolina.

About the Podcast

The Bellator Christi Podcast is a bi-weekly production of BellatorChristi.com and is protected under Creative Commons copyright. All rights reserved. The interview and commentary episode of The Bellator Christi Podcast is published each Sunday, with a weekly sermon published later in the week (normally on Thursdays). The theme song is “Crucified,” written by John and Michaela Lemonis, performed by Crosby Lane, and produced by Mansion Entertainment (https://crosbylane.com). The views expressed on this podcast may not represent those of Bellator Christi or its affiliates. Be sure to subscribe to BellatorChristi.com to receive all the articles and podcasts in your inbox for free. Also, be sure to check out The Bellator Christi Podcast on iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher and Google Play to subscribe for free.

 

© 2018. BellatorChristi.com.

bchilton77

Brian G. Chilton is the founder of Bellator Christi Ministries and the co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast. Dr. Chilton earned a Ph.D. in the Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University (with high distinction), a M.Div. in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his B.S. in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); earned a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, and completed Unit 1 of Clinical Pastoral Education at Wake Forest University's School of Medicine. Dr. Chilton is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, working out in his home gym, and watching football. He has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years and serves as a clinical chaplain.

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Bob Seidensticker
6 years ago

“Are Thoughts and Prayers Enough?”

You can’t be serious. They’re worse than nothing. At least if you do nothing, you’re a little anxious knowing that you’re not. When you give thoughts and prayers you do precisely the same amount of good, but you also drain away that anxiety. You can now go back to watching TV or whatever you were doing, having a clear conscience that you actually did something.

Action is enough–encourage policy or legal change. Donate money to a relevant cause. But don’t pretend that praying is contributing to the solution. It never has in the past.

Bob Seidensticker
6 years ago
Reply to  Brian Chilton

Brian: Thanks for the reply.

“if you believe in God, then yes, prayer is critical. Prayer calls upon help from God to comfort the afflicted and to move upon those who need help.”

The only benefit that I can see from prayer is the comfort it gives to the person who prays. I can see that value, but any meditative practice can be valuable to reduce anxiety or help clarify options. But you’re saying that prayer actually causes God to take action? That seems quite odd. Surely God already knows of the issue. And he knows the best course of action, but he’s going to change that based on your appeal? That seems odd.

But more to the point, is there good evidence that prayer actually works to make the requested result likelier? I mean, evidence that a non-Christian would accept? The large 2006 STEP (Templeton) study on prayer seemed to make clear that it doesn’t.

“you assume that prayer does nothing to move a person to action.”

I can see this. I can imagine someone who, after mulling the issue through prayer, decides to take a concrete action. I’m simply saying that the reverse is also true, that someone will be shocked by a news story, then spend 10 seconds in silent prayer, and then conclude that they’ve taken care of that and move on, with the shock dissipated. And why shouldn’t it be? What’s the point in my giving $20 to a charity when I can instead nudge the Creator of the Universe to take action? According to Christianity’s claims for prayer, my donation would be trivial, almost pathetic, by comparison.

Bob Seidensticker
6 years ago
Reply to  Brian Chilton

You mentioned Keener’s book on miracles. I’m completely unimpressed. Do miracles happen? Then why waste time writing a book about it to encourage the faith of people who are already Christian? Why not convince *science* that miracles happen?

“We need to work to find a solution together instead of tearing down a person’s faith in order to get something accomplished.”

I like your attitude about building bridges, but faith becomes the problem when it gets in the way of a solution.

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