Did God answer my prayers?

[Trailblazer]

I don’t usually like sharing things that are this personal but I felt a need to share it and usually I have these feelings for a reason.
Sorry in advance that this is so lengthy.

I hardly ever say prayers asking God for anything, but a few days ago I was so worried about my cat that when I was on my nightly walk I broke down and cried out to God for help. What I have been worried about is my cat going under anesthesia for a dental procedure because the vet told me that she really needs the dental work since she has grade four dental disease and she is in pain. The vet checked her blood work two months ago and it was completely normal so the vet told me that there would be no issues with anesthesia. There were no appointments available for two months so the appointment was scheduled for today.

I asked the vet to recheck her blood work today even though she had thought it was not necessary to check it again so soon, and I am glad I paid extra for that because her kidney values were slightly elevated, unlike two months ago. But the vet said she was still safe for the anesthesia. After a few hours I got a call from the vet that she had irregularities in her heart rhythm while under anesthesia so the vet decided not to continue with the dental work, so all she got done today was the full mouth x-rays. My vet cannot be too careful and she knows how much my cats mean to me. We don’t know if she had any heart issues but she was not asking any chances, and I was glad. Although I had hoped to get her teeth done today, I had a feeling something might go wrong, I just did not know what it would be. I asked her to schedule an echocardiogram with the cardiologist so we can determine if she has any heart disease, as this could have just been an anomaly and her heart is okay. She won’t be going under anesthesia again unless we know that her heart is okay. Her brother had kidney and heart disease and died about 1 ½ years ago at age 12. Most of our cats have had kidney and heart disease before they were very old because they are all related and it is in the genetic lines.

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Back to the prayer: The only thing I prayed for was that Silky would live through the anesthesia because I always worry if a cat has to go under anesthesia. I had no idea she had any heart issues and the vet never suspected that either.

So were my prayers answered? Also, about the time the vet brought Silky out of the anesthesia I was praying again that she would not die so maybe that prayer had an effect? Who knows if prayers are ever answered? Quite honestly, it is really difficult for me to have faith that God ever does anything, besides sending Messengers. Nobody can ever prove that God hears or answers prayers. I guess that is why I do not pray much and don’t pray for anything specific; usually I only say my daily Obligatory Prayer and a Baha’i prayer called the remover of difficulties.

I am not happy now that I know that Silky could have a heart condition and she might have to live with dental pain, but the vet is sending her home with some pain medication for her teeth and the dental pain has not stopped her from eating as she is about the same weight as she was in 2017. I just cannot stand the thought if any creature being I pain and that includes humans.

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
As a Baha’i I believe that I have to accept what God has willed, whatever that is, so I try to do that, but it is difficult. I also believe that there are two kinds of fate, an irrevocable fate and an impending fate, and that we can alter an impending fate by praying. So I consider it rather foolish not to pray, because what do I have to lose? The worst that can happen is the prayer goes unanswered.

If Silky had died under anesthesia that would have been an unanswered prayer, but if I had not even bothered to pray then how would I feel if she had died? I have had the feeling she was not going to die ever since I said that first prayer and maybe that was God reassuring me? The good thing is that she did not die and she doesn’t have anything life-threatening at the moment. If she had died I would have been devastated not only because I love her so much but because she would have been the seventh cat that had died since January 2020. Why we have lost so many cats in spite of the best vet care available is because they all had genetic defects, as most of them were not very old. I could ask why so many have died and I have asked that because God is responsible for fate, but that will have to be a subject for another thread.

 

[Moonjuice]

After a few hours I got a call from the vet that she had irregularities in her heart rhythm while under anesthesia so the vet decided not to continue with the dental work

It looks like you already know the answer to your question. You have a doctor that is trained, knows when vital signs are signaling a problem, and evidently took her off the anesthesia. There is no evidence of a supernatural intervention here.

 

[Jeremiah Ames]

I don’t usually like sharing things that are this personal but I felt a need to share it and usually I have these feelings for a reason.
Sorry in advance that this is so lengthy.

I hardly ever say prayers asking God for anything, but a few days ago I was so worried about my cat that when I was on my nightly walk I broke down and cried out to God for help. What I have been worried about is my cat going under anesthesia for a dental procedure because the vet told me that she really needs the dental work since she has grade four dental disease and she is in pain. The vet checked her blood work two months ago and it was completely normal so the vet told me that there would be no issues with anesthesia. There were no appointments available for two months so the appointment was scheduled for today.

I asked the vet to recheck her blood work today even though she had thought it was not necessary to check it again so soon, and I am glad I paid extra for that because her kidney values were slightly elevated, unlike two months ago. But the vet said she was still safe for the anesthesia. After a few hours I got a call from the vet that she had irregularities in her heart rhythm while under anesthesia so the vet decided not to continue with the dental work, so all she got done today was the full mouth x-rays. My vet cannot be too careful and she knows how much my cats mean to me. We don’t know if she had any heart issues but she was not asking any chances, and I was glad. Although I had hoped to get her teeth done today, I had a feeling something might go wrong, I just did not know what it would be. I asked her to schedule an echocardiogram with the cardiologist so we can determine if she has any heart disease, as this could have just been an anomaly and her heart is okay. She won’t be going under anesthesia again unless we know that her heart is okay. Her brother had kidney and heart disease and died about 1 ½ years ago at age 12. Most of our cats have had kidney and heart disease before they were very old because they are all related and it is in the genetic lines.

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Back to the prayer: The only thing I prayed for was that Silky would live through the anesthesia because I always worry if a cat has to go under anesthesia. I had no idea she had any heart issues and the vet never suspected that either.

So were my prayers answered? Also, about the time the vet brought Silky out of the anesthesia I was praying again that she would not die so maybe that prayer had an effect? Who knows if prayers are ever answered? Quite honestly, it is really difficult for me to have faith that God ever does anything, besides sending Messengers. Nobody can ever prove that God hears or answers prayers. I guess that is why I do not pray much and don’t pray for anything specific; usually I only say my daily Obligatory Prayer and a Baha’i prayer called the remover of difficulties.

I am not happy now that I know that Silky could have a heart condition and she might have to live with dental pain, but the vet is sending her home with some pain medication for her teeth and the dental pain has not stopped her from eating as she is about the same weight as she was in 2017. I just cannot stand the thought if any creature being I pain and that includes humans.

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
As a Baha’i I believe that I have to accept what God has willed, whatever that is, so I try to do that, but it is difficult. I also believe that there are two kinds of fate, an irrevocable fate and an impending fate, and that we can alter an impending fate by praying. So I consider it rather foolish not to pray, because what do I have to lose? The worst that can happen is the prayer goes unanswered.

If Silky had died under anesthesia that would have been an unanswered prayer, but if I had not even bothered to pray then how would I feel if she had died? I have had the feeling she was not going to die ever since I said that first prayer and maybe that was God reassuring me? The good thing is that she did not die and she doesn’t have anything life-threatening at the moment. If she had died I would have been devastated not only because I love her so much but because she would have been the seventh cat that had died since January 2020. Why we have lost so many cats in spite of the best vet care available is because they all had genetic defects, as most of them were not very old. I could ask why so many have died and I have asked that because God is responsible for fate, but that will have to be a subject for another thread.

i can definitely feel your anguish regarding your cat

as a cat owner for the past 49 years, I understand the closeness we get to our pets (family members)

i have beliefs in God that are probably very different from the mainstream

I believe God cannot directly benefit us, but we can only benefit each other in this world. that being said, if another person has God within, and that person benefits you, then God is indirectly benefiting you. For instance, your vet was sympathetic and kind to your feelings, and did everything possible to help Silky and comfort you. This is God answering your prayer and working through your vet.

on another note, I have stopped asking God for material things, since I came to believe that God’s interest is the best outcome possible for my spiritual/eternal life, but nevertheless I am aware that God can work through others to benefit me in this earthly life. And I believe that God knows my desires before I do, and works for that best outcome both earthly and eternal, so my prayer usually ends up being simple. “May your will be done”

just my thoughts

i sure hope all goes well for Silky

 

[sun rise]

Personally I think it most likely that what Saint Teresa of Avila said applies. When we care about our actions and try our very best then we can become God's hands on Earth. She wrote in terms of Christ, but to me "God" works perfectly as well.

“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”

 

[Trailblazer]

i can definitely feel your anguish regarding your cat

as a cat owner for the past 49 years, I understand the closeness we get to our pets (family members)

i have beliefs in God that are probably very different from the mainstream

I believe God cannot directly benefit us, but we can only benefit each other in this world. that being said, if another person has God within, and that person benefits you, then God is indirectly benefiting you. For instance, your vet was sympathetic and kind to your feelings, and did everything possible to help Silky and comfort you. This is God answering your prayer and working through your vet.

on another note, I have stopped asking God for material things, since I came to believe that God’s interest is the best outcome possible for my spiritual/eternal life, but nevertheless I am aware that God can work through others to benefit me in this earthly life. And I believe that God knows my desires before I do, and works for that best outcome both earthly and eternal, so my prayer usually ends up being simple. “May your will be done”

just my thoughts

i sure hope all goes well for Silky

I also believe God cannot directly benefit us and I also believe that we can benefit each other in this world. I cannot say exactly what will happen in the next world, nobody can, but according to my beliefs what will benefit is us are the prayers of others and God's mercy.

I also believe that other people who are close to God benefit me, and that is God indirectly benefiting me. I believe that God works through my vet, but I believe she deserves the credit because she is such a good person, so patient, kind and sympathetic as well as highly skilled. Once, right after we had lost one of our cats we were talking about whether cats have an afterlife and she said she is sure they do, even though that is not congruent with her Catholic faith. I knew she meant that and was not just placating me. I also knew she had strong faith on God.

Like I said in the OP, I rarely ask God for anything and I never pray for any material things. I believe God knows what is best for me so whatever happens is for the best. On the other hand my religion teaches that we should pray, so I think it is a good practice. We have prayer books with prayers for all occasions but they are not asking for specific things. Like you I believe that God's will is in my best interest.

I also I believe that God knows our desires before we do because God knows us better than we know ourselves.
Along those lines, I have another passage I think you will like.

“That the heart is the throne, in which the Revelation of God the All-Merciful is centered, is attested by the holy utterances which We have formerly revealed.

Among them is this saying: “Earth and heaven cannot contain Me; what can alone contain Me is the heart of him that believeth in Me, and is faithful to My Cause.” How often hath the human heart, which is the recipient of the light of God and the seat of the revelation of the All-Merciful, erred from Him Who is the Source of that light and the Well Spring of that revelation. It is the waywardness of the heart that removeth it far from God, and condemneth it to remoteness from Him. Those hearts, however, that are aware of His Presence, are close to Him, and are to be regarded as having drawn nigh unto His throne.

Consider, moreover, how frequently doth man become forgetful of his own self, whilst God remaineth, through His all-encompassing knowledge, aware of His creature, and continueth to shed upon him the manifest radiance of His glory. It is evident, therefore, that, in such circumstances, He is closer to him than his own self. He will, indeed, so remain for ever, for, whereas the one true God knoweth all things, perceiveth all things, and comprehendeth all things, mortal man is prone to err, and is ignorant of the mysteries that lie enfolded within him…” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 186

 

[Trailblazer]

It looks like you already know the answer to your question. You have a doctor that is trained, knows when vital signs are signaling a problem, and evidently took her off the anesthesia. There is no evidence of a supernatural intervention here.

No, there is no evidence of such even though there could be intervention. I like to ask these questions to see the responses I will get.

I learned something from this experience and I will not be as afraid of anesthesia from now on because the vet did exactly as she had promised to do, monitored closely and took her off the anesthesia as soon as she noticed anything irregular. Not all vets are this competent and careful. Trust is very important.

 

[Jeremiah Ames]

I also believe God cannot directly benefit us and I also believe that we can benefit each other in this world. I cannot say exactly what will happen in the next world, nobody can, but according to my beliefs what will benefit is us are the prayers of others and God's mercy.

I also believe that other people who are close to God benefit me, and that is God indirectly benefiting me. I believe that God works through my vet, but I believe she deserves the credit because she is such a good person, so patient, kind and sympathetic as well as highly skilled. Once, right after we had lost one of our cats we were talking about whether cats have an afterlife and she said she is sure they do, even though that is not congruent with her Catholic faith. I knew she meant that and was not just placating me. I also knew she had strong faith on God.

Like I said in the OP, I rarely ask God for anything and I never pray for any material things. I believe God knows what is best for me so whatever happens is for the best. On the other hand my religion teaches that we should pray, so I think it is a good practice. We have prayer books with prayers for all occasions but they are not asking for specific things. Like you I believe that God's will is in my best interest.

I also I believe that God knows our desires before we do because God knows us better than we know ourselves.
Along those lines, I have another passage I think you will like.

“That the heart is the throne, in which the Revelation of God the All-Merciful is centered, is attested by the holy utterances which We have formerly revealed.

Among them is this saying: “Earth and heaven cannot contain Me; what can alone contain Me is the heart of him that believeth in Me, and is faithful to My Cause.” How often hath the human heart, which is the recipient of the light of God and the seat of the revelation of the All-Merciful, erred from Him Who is the Source of that light and the Well Spring of that revelation. It is the waywardness of the heart that removeth it far from God, and condemneth it to remoteness from Him. Those hearts, however, that are aware of His Presence, are close to Him, and are to be regarded as having drawn nigh unto His throne.

Consider, moreover, how frequently doth man become forgetful of his own self, whilst God remaineth, through His all-encompassing knowledge, aware of His creature, and continueth to shed upon him the manifest radiance of His glory. It is evident, therefore, that, in such circumstances, He is closer to him than his own self. He will, indeed, so remain for ever, for, whereas the one true God knoweth all things, perceiveth all things, and comprehendeth all things, mortal man is prone to err, and is ignorant of the mysteries that lie enfolded within him…” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 186

i like how we seem to have a meeting of the minds on such matters

also, that verse was quite incredible

i just read it to my wife, and she smiled all the way through with her head nodding

thank you so much

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I don’t usually like sharing things that are this personal but I felt a need to share it and usually I have these feelings for a reason.
Sorry in advance that this is so lengthy.

I hardly ever say prayers asking God for anything, but a few days ago I was so worried about my cat that when I was on my nightly walk I broke down and cried out to God for help. What I have been worried about is my cat going under anesthesia for a dental procedure because the vet told me that she really needs the dental work since she has grade four dental disease and she is in pain. The vet checked her blood work two months ago and it was completely normal so the vet told me that there would be no issues with anesthesia. There were no appointments available for two months so the appointment was scheduled for today.

I asked the vet to recheck her blood work today even though she had thought it was not necessary to check it again so soon, and I am glad I paid extra for that because her kidney values were slightly elevated, unlike two months ago. But the vet said she was still safe for the anesthesia. After a few hours I got a call from the vet that she had irregularities in her heart rhythm while under anesthesia so the vet decided not to continue with the dental work, so all she got done today was the full mouth x-rays. My vet cannot be too careful and she knows how much my cats mean to me. We don’t know if she had any heart issues but she was not asking any chances, and I was glad. Although I had hoped to get her teeth done today, I had a feeling something might go wrong, I just did not know what it would be. I asked her to schedule an echocardiogram with the cardiologist so we can determine if she has any heart disease, as this could have just been an anomaly and her heart is okay. She won’t be going under anesthesia again unless we know that her heart is okay. Her brother had kidney and heart disease and died about 1 ½ years ago at age 12. Most of our cats have had kidney and heart disease before they were very old because they are all related and it is in the genetic lines.

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Back to the prayer: The only thing I prayed for was that Silky would live through the anesthesia because I always worry if a cat has to go under anesthesia. I had no idea she had any heart issues and the vet never suspected that either.

So were my prayers answered? Also, about the time the vet brought Silky out of the anesthesia I was praying again that she would not die so maybe that prayer had an effect? Who knows if prayers are ever answered? Quite honestly, it is really difficult for me to have faith that God ever does anything, besides sending Messengers. Nobody can ever prove that God hears or answers prayers. I guess that is why I do not pray much and don’t pray for anything specific; usually I only say my daily Obligatory Prayer and a Baha’i prayer called the remover of difficulties.

I am not happy now that I know that Silky could have a heart condition and she might have to live with dental pain, but the vet is sending her home with some pain medication for her teeth and the dental pain has not stopped her from eating as she is about the same weight as she was in 2017. I just cannot stand the thought if any creature being I pain and that includes humans.

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
As a Baha’i I believe that I have to accept what God has willed, whatever that is, so I try to do that, but it is difficult. I also believe that there are two kinds of fate, an irrevocable fate and an impending fate, and that we can alter an impending fate by praying. So I consider it rather foolish not to pray, because what do I have to lose? The worst that can happen is the prayer goes unanswered.

If Silky had died under anesthesia that would have been an unanswered prayer, but if I had not even bothered to pray then how would I feel if she had died? I have had the feeling she was not going to die ever since I said that first prayer and maybe that was God reassuring me? The good thing is that she did not die and she doesn’t have anything life-threatening at the moment. If she had died I would have been devastated not only because I love her so much but because she would have been the seventh cat that had died since January 2020. Why we have lost so many cats in spite of the best vet care available is because they all had genetic defects, as most of them were not very old. I could ask why so many have died and I have asked that because God is responsible for fate, but that will have to be a subject for another thread.

We have to have faith in more than God in our daily life.
Yesterday I put my faith in my veterinarian and she came through.
Faith is trust.

This made me think this thread. I believe our actions are like pebbles (rather) thrown into the river to where they and all of our actions interconnect with each other as one big body of water. They're inseparable.

Maybe your care for your cat, what you did for her, and even your prayers are pebbles. Try not to find which ripple is yours.

I'd say to use the word prayer, it's a gesture of good will and actions along with that manifest themselves.

It's up to us how we interpret the waves coming in at us...I think your prayers were answered. Depends on how you see.

 

[1213]

...
So were my prayers answered? Also, about the time the vet brought Silky out of the anesthesia I was praying again that she would not die so maybe that prayer had an effect? ....

Nice that the cat didn’t die. I believe God always answers, sometimes the answer may just be no.

But, I don’t think it can be proven, because person can always claim that it was something else.

 

[Trailblazer]

Nice that the cat didn’t die. I believe God always answers, sometimes the answer may just be no.

But, I don’t think it can be proven, because person can always claim that it was something else.

I think the answer was no, the cat cannot have the dental work done today, but maybe she can have it done later if we determine that her heart is okay.

Of course it cannot be proven that God answered my prayers, but it can be believed, and that is good enough for me..