Did you watch Larry King last night? About This Page:

[Kruggie]

I did, and of course the Smart story was the topic. What moved me most and caused me to think was the first comment made by one of Mr. Kings guests. I dont remember the guys name, all I know is that he also has lost a child, his unfortunatly was found dead. His first comments just derailed me and could have been a show topic unto itself.

He began his speaking, by saying that he wished that others wouldnt credit the power of prayer for the return of little Elizabeth. For it makes people like himself and John Walsh feel as though they didnt pray hard enough or correctly because their child didn't return to them. He said this sincerly, but I didnt get the feeling that he had lost faith.

I suppose we are to just credit this as a miracle and not to the power of prayer? When you think about it you have to know that the prayers of a parent looking for their child have got to be the loudest and strongest.

I am wondering what you all think about this mans comments.

[greystone98]

Difficult question.

I'm a firm believer in the power of prayer. I'm also a firm believer in God's will. And that sometimes God's will conflicts with what we ask for in prayer.

Having not been through such a horrendous ordeal as ever losing a child, I fully realize how easy it is for me to comment that you have to put your faith in God's ultimate plan for your life. That said, I cannot even imagine a life without my DS and pray I never have to.

Debbi

[2Princesses]

I watched this, too. The man was Mark Klaas, the father of Polly Klaas. I know exactly what you mean about his comment, Kruggie. As spiritual as I feel I am, I empathized with what he said. How challenging it must be to one's faith, when there is no happy ending of finding a missing child alive.

[AKLRULZ]

I'm disheartened to hear Mr. Klaas' comments about prayer. There is no greater power than the power of prayer - it's the single greatest tool God has given us! However, God's will comes first, and often that is hard to understand or accept. God does answer EVERY prayer - however, we may not like the answer He gives us. Often His answer is "yes", but sometimes it is "not now" and many times, He says "no". What is difficult is to accept that the will of God always come first. We cannot question His plan as it is perfect. I know that I would be in extreme an utter grief if I was Mr. Klaas, but we must also realize that His grace, goodness, comfort and love is there for us 24/7. His healing power in terms of giving us a peace that passes all understanding and restoring us in unquestionably magnificent.

[ 03-13-2003, 10:44 AM: Message edited by: Dad2jbj ]

[*Pixie*Dust*]

And that sometimes God's will conflicts with what we ask for in prayer.

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">This may be true, Greystone. But to imply that a parent lost his child because he didn't pray hard enough is horrendous.
If I had a child who was kidnapped and murdered and someone told me that it was God's Will or her time to go, I would spit in their face.
I believe in a merciful God who would not make my child suffer.
Perhaps we should focus on the evil forces in the world instead of assuming such atrocities are the doing of a loving God.

[patty c.]

That is a tough one, isn't it? I didn't watch the show but know exactly what you mean. I wholeheartedly agree with Debbie in that I am a firm believer in the power of prayer, and also a firm believer in God's will. It is unfortunate that Mr. Klaas took personal offense to the comments about prayer and that he feels his prayers weren't answered because he didn't see God answer them in the way he thought best. It doesn't make a lot of sense, but we just have to believe that His ways are higher than our ways, and someday it WILL make sense.

I don't believe the Smarts are implying that the other families didn't pray hard enough, they are simply giving credit where they feel credit is due. And shouldn't they? They also are praising their young daughter for remembering and sticking to her story, which eventually brought about the capture. This family has been through hell, let's not criticize how they handle it on national television.

I agree, Margo, that God did not initiate the suffering of either child, but rather it was a result of evil. I also know that God can take what Satan intends for evil and use it for good. Let's remember too, that God watched his own son suffer, for the common good and is therefore able to comfort all that will turn to Him.

[ 03-13-2003, 11:47 AM: Message edited by: patty c. ]