Stump the Christian?

[Tonus]

I can't explain why God does not answer every prayer when people call out to Him. He doesn't answer me very often, either. That doesn't really bother me, though...I think Billy Graham and Pope Francis have that same experience. Some folks in this forum say that God NEVER answered them. Maybe that's true...how could I say otherwise?

If god's 'response ratio' is indistinguishable from coincidence or chance, then it is reasonable to assume that he never answers any prayer. If you are raised Christian you are likely to know well the mental conditioning that revolves around the efficacy of prayer. If things go as hoped, god answered the prayer. If they go well in a different way, god answered it as well. If it goes in a way you had hoped to avoid, either god did not answer it or he gave you the answer you needed but didn't want. The best way to guarantee that god will answer your prayer is to make a determined effort to answer it yourself, because the lord helps those who help themselves.

It's mental conditioning: interpret the outcome as part of god's plan no matter what, and you will convince yourself that everything that happens seems to miraculously fit into god's plan. It's a self-reinforcing delusion built on confirmation bias. And yes, we all do it every day in any number of areas of our lives because our brains seek a certain efficiency even if its at the expense of unbiased and critical thinking.