When God answers prayer, he tends to do it in the South.
At least, so say Americans who participated in a new poll from LifeWay Research sponsored by popular pastor and author Max Lucado. Southerners (31 percent) are twice as likely as Northeasterners (15 percent) to say all of their prayers have been answered. African Americans (38 percent) also have a greater propensity to say this than whites (22 percent) and Asian Americans (19 percent).
Overall, one in four Americans report that God answers all their prayers, while eight in 10 say at least some of their prayers are answered. Protestants are just a tad more likely to sense a response: 30 percent said God answers all of their prayers, and 87 percent said God answers at least some. Only 3 percent of Protestants said their prayers are never answered.
[apologies if much of my comment is a bit tangential to the article… ]
Perhaps I missed the details in only skimming the article, but one question I had as I read it last night was what constitutes an “answer to prayer”? Is it only a “YES” from God to our desire or request? What about when God clearly answers but the answer is NO or WAIT or TRUST ME?
I’ve been struck in recent days by the need to lift our eyes and truly try to keep an eternal perspective in mind as we pray. A recent article at Desiring God was a good reminder of this:
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/pray-for-the-strength-that-god-supplies
But also, I’ve been thinking of the situation with Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol and their contracting Ebola. Many would ask “How could a loving God allow His servants to suffer so?” Surely many were praying for their protection and viewed their becoming ill as a “failed prayer” of some kind… God letting them down. Not caring.
But I think not. Theodicy (theology of suffering) is obviously a HUGE, deep and hard topic. Won’t truly understand God’s ways until eternity with Him when we see face to face… same with God’s “answers” to our prayers.
But just think of this: Kent & Nancy’s illness helped prepare the US for this case of Ebola here in Dallas now. Hopefully the reality of Ebola in the US is a bit less terrifying now since they caught the disease and survived and the disease did not spread while they were treated. Many systems have been tested. It allowed for close study of the disease up close and personal by US researchers, helping promote the development of medicines and vaccines.
Perhaps above all, their being the first American victims of Ebola, and their survival has given them an incredibly powerful voice and platform (The White House, Congress, national television…) to give glory to God, testify to His faithfulness and speak with first hand knowledge of this epidemic. They can offer hope even in the midst of such profound suffering and anxiety. Praise God that He spared them. Praise God the fact that they were willing to serve, and Praise God that He has used their illness for good in ways we could not have asked or imagined. I know the suffering must have been great, but they have been faithful to glorify God in the midst of it. I consider THAT true answered prayer!
One other comment. I saw this article linked on Twitter last night and so skimmed it before Kendall posted it. This was my commentary on Twitter:
Interesting survey on prayer in the US. I’m concerned we pray so little for others or gov’t