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Can God be persuaded to change his mind?
Topic Started: Monday, 29. October 2012, 18:38 (561 Views)
Rose of York
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When a young person is diagnosed terminally ill we pray they will recover. That person might survive, or could die.
Another person goes missing. We pray they will be found safe and well. Some are found alive, some are found dead.

Miracles do happen, I have no doubt of that because I honestly believe one happened, when a baby closely related to me inexplicably recovered and a paediatrician said he could not take the credit, he had been privileged to see the hand of God at work.

When there is a miracle, would it have happened anyway? God knows everything that is going to happen in the future. Say, for example, that in the natural course of events a sick person's health will gradually deteriorate and medics anticipate they will be totally helpless within five years. People pray for recovery and that person's health suddenly improves and soon he or she is so fit they are walking, driving, and working in the home or paid employment. God knew what he was going to do, so would the miracle have happened irrespective of the number, strength and sincerity of prayers? Another group pray for the recovery of a person in a similar condition and that person gets weaker, and dies.

Jesus promised that whatever we ask of the Father will be given. He did not specify a condition that it will be given if God decides it is good for us. or that even if it is good for us we won't get it without prayer. An atheist can receive great benefits, without praying once in a lifetime.

To sum up:

God knows what he's doing. He has his plans for each and every one of us. Will he change his mind because I ask him to?
Keep the Faith!

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paul

I think there are examples in the OT of God" changing his mind" We do not know if God has a mind, so it is impossible to ask such questions. Perhaps he will change a statement previously made to enable the recipient to reap the rewards or learn not to question God.

The question itself is full of ambiguities and is impossible to answer.
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Emee
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Yes, God was willing to change His decision if 10 righteous people could be found (Genesis)...

Unfortunately, there weren't; 10 that is.

But yes I firmly believe that God can be persuaded to change a hitherto decision He has made.
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Rose of York
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People pray that disasters will be averted, or (for example) that their son or daugher on active military service will come back home safe. I can only assume that sometimes God changes his mind and sometimes does not.

The only answer I can come up with is

Who has known the mind of God? Who has been his counsellor?
Keep the Faith!

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Clare
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Putting the "Fun Dame" into Fundamentalist
Perhaps God wants to be asked.
S.A.G.

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draig
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Rose of York
Tuesday, 30. October 2012, 23:45
People pray that disasters will be averted, or (for example) that their son or daugher on active military service will come back home safe. I can only assume that sometimes God changes his mind and sometimes does not.

The only answer I can come up with is

Who has known the mind of God? Who has been his counsellor?
God can change HIS mind - it is only women that won't :wh: :wink: :laughing: :rofl: :tc:
Gripe. Moan. Snipe. Ignore any inconvenient truth. Don't provide specific data. Don't, whatever you do, provide links to hard evidence. The Traditional Way To Maintain A Discussion.
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OsullivanB

Jesus changed his mind e.g. healing the Canaanite woman's daughter (Matthew 15:22-28). Was that as a man or as God or in the expression of both His natures.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Clare
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Putting the "Fun Dame" into Fundamentalist
OsullivanB
Wednesday, 31. October 2012, 15:39
Jesus changed his mind e.g. healing the Canaanite woman's daughter (Matthew 15:22-28). Was that as a man or as God or in the expression of both His natures.
I don't think He was necessarily changing His mind, but rather drawing her out so she would demonstrate her faith.
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OsullivanB

I prefer the idea that He changed his mind, or perhaps reached a deeper understanding of His mission. I don't like the idea of what seems to me to be a devious Jesus.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Mairtin
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Rose of York
Monday, 29. October 2012, 18:38
He has his plans for each and every one of us.
I don't think He has such a plan for us - He knows where he wants us to end up but it's down to us if and how we get there.
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Emee
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Nevertheless the Bible tells us He does have a Plan for human beings - and this is not just for our final outcome at the end of our lives, but "plans for welfare and peace" along the way even before we reach our destination:

"For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

Jeremiah 29:11"
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Gerard

I am on plan K now.

Gerry
"The institutional and charismatic aspects are quasi coessential to the Church's constitution" (Pope John Paul II, 1998).
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Emee
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Plan Q for me Gerry. I tell you; I've messed up so many opportunities handed to me on a plate over the years...
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Rose of York
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Emee
Thursday, 1. November 2012, 14:50
Nevertheless the Bible tells us He does have a Plan for human beings - and this is not just for our final outcome at the end of our lives, but "plans for welfare and peace" along the way even before we reach our destination:

"For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

Jeremiah 29:11"
That still leaves the question whether we humans can persuade man to change his mind?

I do not ask if God ever changes his mind without having been asked by humans, I do ask whether when a person asks for some disaster not to befall self, another person, a small community or even a nation, he responds by changing his mind because of the sincerity or volume of prayers.

No doubt many people in USA prayed that Hurrican Sandy would not lead to death and destruction. It still happened. I did read of a village priest who led his people in prayer that molten lava from an erupted volcano would not reach them. It stopped just before short of the settlement. So, how come God interferes in the course of nature in response to one person's or community's prayer and not to the others?
Keep the Faith!

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Emee
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As I said Rose - all I have to go by is what I put in a previous post:

"Yes, God was willing to change His decision if 10 righteous people could be found (Genesis)...".
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