I'm confused about praying for someone's recovery after a tragedy. Why do we do

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   RBJ33posted 11 years ago

   I'm confused about praying for someone's recovery after a tragedy.  Why do we do that?
   
   If God has a plan for each of us, is his plan for that 17 year old girl to get shot in the head, point blank with a shot gun?  Then what is the purpose for praying to that same God for her recovery?
   
   The shooter is evil, controlled by the devil.  Is evil, and satan stronger than God?  Will they always win out, like at Columbine, and Newton, and the theater in Aurora?  Was that God's plan for all those people killed and injured?

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   Old Poolmanposted 11 years ago

   I guess for the same reason that following any tragedy many will claim "it is gods will."  I have a difficult time following this reasoning myself.  Why would god choose to punish so many innocent people all at one time?

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      RBJ33posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      OP - hope you are well.  I just cannot accept the whole "god's will," "mysterious ways," etc excuses.  They are cop outs.

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      Old Poolmanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      RBJ - Me neither.  In my world we sum this up as "s**t happens."  There are just some things we will never understand but not all of us need an answer.

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      RBJ33posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Amen brother

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   rayasaposted 11 years ago

   Bhagavad Gita says, God does not create anyone's activities in the worldly sphere, nor does he induce people to act, nor does he create the fruits of action (good or bad). We are stuck in a cycle of birth and death by our own choice. Good or bad results come our way corresponding to our past actions (actions in past lives included). The goal of human life, which is rare, is to get out of this cycle by turning towards God. 
   
   If God is goodness then absence of God is Evil, just as absence of light is darkness. Evil or darkness by itself has no existence. But, when we forget God we tend to get selfish - my-self, my family, my city, my state, country, etc - and fight for a selfish cause.
   
   I don't think praying for another's wellbeing is going to save them from their own past actions. However, if it is in our capacity we may help them as a gesture of goodwill.

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      RBJ33posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks rayasa - most all of our bible thumping Christians disagree with Bhagavad Gita.  They say God has a plan for all of us, that our lives are in his hands.  It's this Christian belief I challenge with my question.

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