Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 8/21/2005

Question
A young Christian man was just killed, and his father is wondering why his prayers for his son's safety were not answered. My own personal belief is that bad things just happen to good people all the time. Prayers are not magic incantations that can make God do something. We don't always get what we want. But I'm not a Biblical scholar. How can you scripturally reconcile Jesus' words about prayer (ask and you shall receive) with the random evils that happen to good people? Why do we bother praying?

Answer
                   Peace

Dear JC
  I would agree what you stated: My own personal belief is that bad things just happen to good people all the time. Prayers are not magic incantations that can make God do something.
 In Matthew 6:33 says:
Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.
 In Luke 12:4 read similar words:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.

He prayed for his son's safety, perhaps that son recieved that graces need to preserve his soul unto eternal life in the last moments of this present state of life.

Colossian 3:1 states--

Therefore, if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above; where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God

recalling the words our Savior taught us:
Thus therefore shall you pray:Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.Thy  kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10)

One verse early we read:  

 Be not you therefore like to them, for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him.(verse 8). In the context, the them is non believers.

                   Your servant in Christ
                         george