Prayer and Immigration

[mmarlo 1]

Weigh in on this surely contentious topic. For my money, I'd have to say that God has nothing to do with the immigration process. If He does, it doesn't bode well for after-life processing. There must surely be millions just waiting outside the pearly gates, some accidentally stuck in pergatory (can we say Administrative Review?), and most others not really having any clear idea where they're going or why, with their good or bad deeds on Earth either being misunderstood or inadequately documented.

[JenT 0]

I peronally believe that God always answers prayers. Just not always in the manner we like or expect...

[GabachaYucateca 0]

I am DEFINITELY not religious but my fellow and my future SIL are very much so, and I did ask her to light a candle to the Virgin of Guadalupe for us!

[wendya 0]

I defintely believe in the power of prayer. There have been many miracles in my life and I am hoping for another one (because sometimes this process seems like it will take a miracle to complete)

I also agree with Jen, God always answers prayers, it just might not always be a "yes" answer.

[mmarlo 1]

I know what you mean. If I'm going to ask my congressmen for help, it seems foolish at least not to make a request to God himself. But I tried to get my priorities straight. I asked for an end to war, poverty, environmental destruction, nuclear proliferation, famine and malnutricion, and injustice first. And if He has time to help my case, that would be great! I figure I might as well give it a shot. My favorite baseball and football teams won their national championships this year, and there was definitely a lot of God-thanking. Did anyone hear Tony Dungy and Jim Irsay after the Super Bowl?! You wonder if the God-hating Detroit and Chicago coaches, owners, players, and fans will learn their lesson for next season.

[~Chad~ 0]

My fiancee and I are both believers in the power of prayer.

[mmarlo 1]

My fiancee and I are both believers in the power of prayer.

That's great. I know a lot of other believers. My sisters are both missionaries. One thing I don't really understand though is what that power actually is. Is it a therapeutic help? Like, it's comfortating believing that someone else is on your side? Sort of like, how VJ is a help to a lot of us just to make connections with other people who can sympathize with our situation? I can totally understand that idea. But is there more? Like for this whole immigration process specifically, we know that the "system" is a jumbled nightmere where we're relying on many humans under lots of strain from work to do their jobs more efficiently than they possibly can. It seems like it is this system alone that randomly creates problems for some people while others get through it more smoothly. What role does God have? When one praises Him for them getting their NOA2 (or whatever), does the same person feel that God let him down when they get an RFE or their case goes into Administrative Review? It just seems like there are some inconsistencies in people's behavior with respect to their relationship with God that just don't make any sense. I can understand maybe asking for help staying calm or patient while going through the whole ordeal, but can you really ask for more?!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Yes, no, no.

Anyway, it DOES help the petitioner or beneficiary COPE with the process.

[Cassie 8]

My fiancee and I are both believers in the power of prayer.

That's great. I know a lot of other believers. My sisters are both missionaries. One thing I don't really understand though is what that power actually is. Is it a therapeutic help? Like, it's comfortating believing that someone else is on your side? Sort of like, how VJ is a help to a lot of us just to make connections with other people who can sympathize with our situation? I can totally understand that idea. But is there more? Like for this whole immigration process specifically, we know that the "system" is a jumbled nightmere where we're relying on many humans under lots of strain from work to do their jobs more efficiently than they possibly can. It seems like it is this system alone that randomly creates problems for some people while others get through it more smoothly. What role does God have? When one praises Him for them getting their NOA2 (or whatever), does the same person feel that God let him down when they get an RFE or their case goes into Administrative Review? It just seems like there are some inconsistencies in people's behavior with respect to their relationship with God that just don't make any sense. I can understand maybe asking for help staying calm or patient while going through the whole ordeal, but can you really ask for more?!

Sure you can. I did during the immigration process and continue to do so on a daily basis. And I know He has answered.

[Nessa 23]

no

no

no

but hey, whatever makes you feel better, right?

[Melyssa 0]

Does prayer help the immigration process?

No.

Does prayer falsly raise expectations of faster processing?

Yes. Not all prayers are accepted by God. "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Matthew 6:7

Does God love petitioners whose petitions are processed in Vermont more than others?

No, but His hand is in the process if someone involved in it is truly one of His children, and in which service center He allows them to go through. He doesn't support all relationships so to say that He loves petitioners who's petitions are processed in Vermont is ridiculous. Faster doesn't necessarily mean better or stronger, and God does not show this kind of favouritism...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

n,y,y

[Jenn! 918]

n,y,y

[Queen Jenn 0]

I am a firm believer in the power of prayer. Both my SO and I are very religious. We even pray together on the phone sometimes.

However, God does not always give you what you want RIGHT when you want it. Some of us have to learn patience . . . . . . . .

[Mags 112]

no

no

no

but hey, whatever makes you feel better, right?

What Nessa said.