---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The claim that God answers prayer is…"
description: "\"“The claim that God answers prayer is contrary to reality.”\" — Al Stefanelli"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/10b/al-stefanelli-10033_prayer_the-claim-that-god-answers-prayer-is-con_2182083.jpg"
---

#  The claim that God answers prayer is contrary to reality.

![“The claim that God answers prayer is contrary to reality.” quote by Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/10b/al-stefanelli-10033_prayer_the-claim-that-god-answers-prayer-is-con_2182083.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/10b/al-stefanelli-10033_prayer_the-claim-that-god-answers-prayer-is-con_2182083.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/10b/al-stefanelli-10033_prayer_the-claim-that-god-answers-prayer-is-con_2182083.jpg)

> ““The claim that God answers prayer is contrary to reality.””

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He claims that the belief that God answers prayer contradicts reality.

**In simple terms:** The claim that God answers prayer is contrary to reality.

Key Takeaway

Question faith claims.

Themes

skepticism theology reality

Mood

critical thoughtful

Type

philosophical controversial

When to use this quote

- debate
- personal belief
- philosophical inquiry

Key Concepts

faith vs evidence prayer efficacy

Questions to Reflect On

- What evidence supports or refutes prayer?
- How do you reconcile doubt with belief?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Answers Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/answers-prayer/) [Claim God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/claim-god-605837/) [Contrary Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrary-reality-4718727/) [God Answers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-answers/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Prayer Contrary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer-contrary-4718726/)

## Related quotes

> [“There are many souls who think they do not have prayer, yet they have much; and, on the contrary, others who think they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-philippe/there-are-many-souls-who-think-they-do-not-have-prayer-yet-they-have/)

[Jacques Philippe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-philippe/)

> [God answers prayer in three ways: yes, no, and wait awhile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/god-answers-prayer-in-three-ways-yes-no-and-wait-awhile/)

[Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/)

> [God answers prayer on the ground of Redemption and on no other ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/god-answers-prayer-on-the-ground-of-redemption-and-on-no-other-ground/)

[Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/)

> [God answers prayer in 3 ways: He says Yes and gives you what you want. He says no and gives you better. He says…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-answers-prayer-in-3-ways-he-says-yes-and-gives-you-what-you-want/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [God always answers prayer, sometimes with a yes, sometimes with a no and sometimes with a 'You've got to be kidding!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/god-always-answers-prayer-sometimes-with-a-yes-sometimes-with-a-no/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [I do not believe that God answers the prayer of any unredeemed Gentile or Jew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-falwell/i-do-not-believe-that-god-answers-the-prayer-of-any-unredeemed/)

[Jerry Falwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-falwell/)

> [My life is one long daily, hourly record of answered prayer. For physical health, for mental overstrain, for guidance given marvelously, for errors and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-slessor/my-life-is-one-long-daily-hourly-record-of-answered-prayer-for/)

[Mary Slessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-slessor/)

> [“I know not by what method rare But this I know, God answers prayer. I know that he has given his Word Which tells…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliza-m-hickok/i-know-not-by-what-method-rare-but-this-i-know-god-answers-prayer-i/)

[Eliza M. Hickok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliza-m-hickok/)

> [“The God-always-answers-prayer sophistry leaves the praying man without discipline. By the exercise of this bit of smooth casuistry he ignores the necessity to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/the-god-always-answers-prayer-sophistry-leaves-the-praying-man/)

[A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/)

> [If God Answers Our Prayer, He Is Increasing Our Faith. If He Delays, He Is Increasing Our Patience If He Doesn't Answer, He Knows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/if-god-answers-our-prayer-he-is-increasing-our-faith-if-he-delays-he/)

[Pacifiersucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pacifiersucker/)

> [God answers prayer in His own way, not ours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/god-answers-prayer-in-his-own-way-not-ours/)

[Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/)

> [God answers the prayer we ought to have made rather than the prayer we did make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/god-answers-the-prayer-we-ought-to-have-made-rather-than-the-prayer/)

[J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/)

> [Nobody ever got anything from God on the grounds that he deserved it. Haven fallen, man deserves only punishment and death. So if God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/nobody-ever-got-anything-from-god-on-the-grounds-that-he-deserved-it/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [If we pray only because we want answers, we will become irritated and angry with God. We receive an answer every time we pray,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/if-we-pray-only-because-we-want-answers-we-will-become-irritated-and/)

[Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/)

> [GOD ALWAYS ANSWERS PRAYER Sometimes we think God does not answer our prayers, but He does. Here are the four ways that He answers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-kreger/god-always-answers-prayer-sometimes-we-think-god-does-not-answer-our/)

[David Kreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-kreger/)

## More by Al Stefanelli

> [“. The understanding that what is good supports basic human rights and anything that threatens it is bad. We do not need a supernatural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/the-understanding-that-what-is-good-supports-basic-human-rights-and/)

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

> [“Somewhere during the process of intellectual development there was a disconnect in the believer’s ability to discern fantasy from reality and the outlandish, scientifically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/somewhere-during-the-process-of-intellectual-development-there-was-a/)

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

> [“Fundamental Christianity and Islam are diseases. They are viruses that have infected our species, and I see no reason to cease my broad-brushed punditry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/fundamental-christianity-and-islam-are-diseases-they-are-viruses-that/)

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

> [“. Christianity is marketed as a religion of love and tolerance, but inwardly it is a destructive virus that causes division, promotes willful ignorance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/christianity-is-marketed-as-a-religion-of-love-and-tolerance-but/)

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

> [“When mystical elements are introduced into morality, the whole system ends up being corrupted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/when-mystical-elements-are-introduced-into-morality-the-whole-system/)

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

> [“Prayer – The Art Of Talking To Yourself”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/prayer-the-art-of-talking-to-yourself/)

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

> [“The vilification of atheists is becoming the anchor knot of religion. The more they resist us, the tighter it gets.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/the-vilification-of-atheists-is-becoming-the-anchor-knot-of-religion/)

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

> [“For unbelievers, evil can best be described as the abandonment of our minds to the minds of others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/for-unbelievers-evil-can-best-be-described-as-the-abandonment-of-our/)

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

> [“One competent scientist is worth more than a thousand evangelists.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/one-competent-scientist-is-worth-more-than-a-thousand-evangelists/)

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

> [“The belief in a god is irrational, and once this leap of faith is made it only takes short steps to abandon the standards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/the-belief-in-a-god-is-irrational-and-once-this-leap-of-faith-is-made/)

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

> [“Basically, the field of apologetics is an entire discipline built around the concept of getting people to believe the biggest bullshit stories to ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/basically-the-field-of-apologetics-is-an-entire-discipline-built/)

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

> [“When we could not explain the horizon, we simply calculated that the earth has an edge and if you go out too far, you’ll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/when-we-could-not-explain-the-horizon-we-simply-calculated-that-the/)

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

> [“Take Creationism. Please.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/take-creationism-please/)

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

> [“Equating abortion with murder is not only playing fast and furious with the truth, such a comparison is legally disingenuous.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/equating-abortion-with-murder-is-not-only-playing-fast-and-furious/)

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

> [“The scientific community thrives on probabilities, working theories and fact-based hypothesis that have resulted in the advances we have made in fields such as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/the-scientific-community-thrives-on-probabilities-working-theories/)

[Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

[Explore all 68 Al Stefanelli quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/)

## More Prayer quotes

> [Whatever meaning 'Annie's Song' had for me on a personal level, there was also a larger context. It could just as easily have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-denver/whatever-meaning-annie-s-song-had-for-me-on-a-personal-level-there/)

[John Denver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-denver/)

> [We talk to God--that is prayer; God talks to us--that is inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-emilie-cady/we-talk-to-god-that-is-prayer-god-talks-to-us-that-is-inspiration/)

[H. Emilie Cady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-emilie-cady/)

> [How could anybody confuse truth with beauty, I thought as I looked at him. Truth came with sunken eyes, bony or scarred, decayed. Its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-fitch/how-could-anybody-confuse-truth-with-beauty-i-thought-as-i-looked-at/)

[Janet Fitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-fitch/)

> [I'm a true believer in prayer, a big believer in prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-jackson/i-m-a-true-believer-in-prayer-a-big-believer-in-prayer/)

[Janet Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-jackson/)

> [“every church can treat each discipleship class and each worship service as an opportunity for continual rehearsal of what the words, stories, symbols, rituals,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/every-church-can-treat-each-discipleship-class-and-each-worship/)

[Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/)

> [No judge can stop us from praying for our country and I pray that on May 6, millions of Americans will join me in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-graham/no-judge-can-stop-us-from-praying-for-our-country-and-i-pray-that-on/)

[Franklin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-graham/)

> [“Worship Me Like the Goddess I Am or There Will Be Some Serious Smiting." Jubilee”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-r-green/worship-me-like-the-goddess-i-am-or-there-will-be-some-serious/)

[Simon R. Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-r-green/)

> [Pray, hope, don't worry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pio-of-pietrelcina/pray-hope-don-t-worry/)

[Pio of Pietrelcina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pio-of-pietrelcina/)

> [Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillips-brooks/do-not-pray-for-tasks-equal-to-your-powers-pray-for-powers-equal-to/)

[Phillips Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillips-brooks/)

> [“Dear Lord, thank You for answered prayers and humans who do Your work here on earth. Please send Your comfort to all the animals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guideposts/dear-lord-thank-you-for-answered-prayers-and-humans-who-do-your-work/)

[Guideposts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guideposts/)

> [Therefore, brethren, pray until God gives us revelation so that "knowing this" in our spirit we may truly confess "that our old man has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/therefore-brethren-pray-until-god-gives-us-revelation-so-that-knowing/)

[Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/)

> [“The aristocratic interiority is centered on the higher mind, the mens, the ajna chakra, the seat of intellect and intuition that commands the lower…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-evola/the-aristocratic-interiority-is-centered-on-the-higher-mind-the-mens/)

[Julius Evola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-evola/)

> [My father thrives on fear. You know that prayer If I should die before I wake? I had sheets that said that!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-titus/my-father-thrives-on-fear-you-know-that-prayer-if-i-should-die-before/)

[Christopher Titus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-titus/)

> [You should never stress and worry when you can always pray and have Faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-should-never-stress-and-worry-when-you-can-always-pray-and-have/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [God loves to glorify himself by suspending his gifts and blessings on our asking him for them. We should never presume to receive from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-storms/god-loves-to-glorify-himself-by-suspending-his-gifts-and-blessings-on/)

[Sam Storms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-storms/)

[Browse all 12,671 Prayer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The claim that God answers prayer is contrary to reality.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Al Stefanelli"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/the-claim-that-god-answers-prayer-is-contrary-to-reality/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Prayer"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/the-claim-that-god-answers-prayer-is-contrary-to-reality/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/10b/al-stefanelli-10033_prayer_the-claim-that-god-answers-prayer-is-con_2182083.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/10b/al-stefanelli-10033_prayer_the-claim-that-god-answers-prayer-is-con_2182083.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/10b/al-stefanelli-10033_prayer_the-claim-that-god-answers-prayer-is-con_2182083.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The claim that God answers prayer is contrary to reality.” — Al Stefanelli",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Al Stefanelli",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The claim that God answers prayer...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/the-claim-that-god-answers-prayer-is-contrary-to-reality/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/the-claim-that-god-answers-prayer-is-contrary-to-reality/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
