Here are a few of my thoughts on this week’s challenge:
Challenge Response: Prayer Doesn’t Work
Posted: September 9, 2010 by Brett Kunkle in God is Real, Weekly ChallengeComments
STR Place Podcasts
Truth and the Real World
Apologetics for a New Generation
Amb. Guide to Islam
STR Place Blog 
Brett, I would agree with you if you said something like, “It doesn’t follow that NO gods exist just because no gods answer prayers.” But in the case of the Christian God, we have a reasonable expectation that if God exists, then he would answer prayers. And we could form this syllogism:
1. If the Christian God exists, then he would answer prayers.
2. The Christian God does not answer prayers.
3. Therefore, the Christian God does not exist.
The first premise can be supported by numerous passages in the Old and New Testaments. So in the case of the Christian God, it DOES follow that if God doesn’t answer prayers, then he doesn’t exist.
So I really think the best tactic is to question that second premise.
Sam,
I don’t think you fully understand the Christian God. He doesn’t always listen to every request:
Jer 7:16 “So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you.”
God isn’t a “Genie in a Bible”. He doesn’t “grant wishes”.
He wants us to ask things according to His will. I don’t think prayer-experiments are according to his will.. so why would he answer them (affirmatively) ?
JT, nothing in my syllogism requires that the Christian God ALWAYS answers every prayer. It would just take one answered prayer to refute the second premise.
Well i would actually contend that God answers EVERY prayer…he just doesn’t always answer yes.
Jim Wallace at Pleaseconvinceme.com also has a good video on unanswered prayer.