Top Scientist Reveals Truth About Prayer - ACTUALLY WORKS?! (Francis S. Collins)

Please comment a little bit on the Please comment a little bit on the importance of prayer in your life. importance of prayer in your life. importance of prayer in your life. >> Yes, I think that's a good question. You >> Yes, I think that's a good question. You >> Yes, I think that's a good question. You know, when I first became a believer, I know, when I first became a believer, I know, when I first became a believer, I thought prayer was the way in which I thought prayer was the way in which I thought prayer was the way in which I could get God to do what I wanted. could get God to do what I wanted. could get God to do what I wanted. And you hear that perspective preached And you hear that perspective preached And you hear that perspective preached from the pulpit sometimes. Hopefully not from the pulpit sometimes. Hopefully not from the pulpit sometimes. Hopefully not in any of your churches. Uh and then I in any of your churches. Uh and then I in any of your churches. Uh and then I began to realize no that that that is began to realize no that that that is began to realize no that that that is really not the point. Uh the point of really not the point. Uh the point of really not the point. Uh the point of prayer is to try to open up a channel of prayer is to try to open up a channel of prayer is to try to open up a channel of communication to try to develop a communication to try to develop a communication to try to develop a relationship. relationship. relationship. >> So that's interesting what he speaks >> So that's interesting what he speaks >> So that's interesting what he speaks about there. how people in churches about there. how people in churches about there. how people in churches often speak about pray for what you often speak about pray for what you often speak about pray for what you want. And I think we've all kind of seen want. And I think we've all kind of seen want. And I think we've all kind of seen this, heard this, you know, often you this, heard this, you know, often you this, heard this, you know, often you hear priests say, "Seek and you will hear priests say, "Seek and you will hear priests say, "Seek and you will find." And I think there is a lot of find." And I think there is a lot of find." And I think there is a lot of truth in that. And obviously our Lord, truth in that. And obviously our Lord, truth in that. And obviously our Lord, I'm pretty sure did say that. My I'm pretty sure did say that. My I'm pretty sure did say that. My apologies for not remembering off the apologies for not remembering off the apologies for not remembering off the top of my head. Um but it's it's like top of my head. Um but it's it's like top of my head. Um but it's it's like the classic one. You know, I prayed for the classic one. You know, I prayed for the classic one. You know, I prayed for um wisdom and God gave me the um wisdom and God gave me the um wisdom and God gave me the opportunity to be wise. I prayed to not opportunity to be wise. I prayed to not opportunity to be wise. I prayed to not be angry and God gave me the opportunity be angry and God gave me the opportunity be angry and God gave me the opportunity to not rage at a person. You know, I I to not rage at a person. You know, I I to not rage at a person. You know, I I prayed that I'd be a kinder person and prayed that I'd be a kinder person and prayed that I'd be a kinder person and God gave me the opportunity to be kind.

God gave me the opportunity to be kind. God gave me the opportunity to be kind. When we really understand what free will When we really understand what free will When we really understand what free will looks like, we have to understand that looks like, we have to understand that looks like, we have to understand that we're not forced to do anything and we we're not forced to do anything and we we're not forced to do anything and we all have the opportunity to do something all have the opportunity to do something all have the opportunity to do something and maybe we don't see that opportunity, and maybe we don't see that opportunity, and maybe we don't see that opportunity, but that does present itself to us. Now, but that does present itself to us. Now, but that does present itself to us. Now, there is an issue of predestination there is an issue of predestination there is an issue of predestination and what does that mean? And I'll be and what does that mean? And I'll be and what does that mean? And I'll be completely honest, I don't even I I completely honest, I don't even I I completely honest, I don't even I I cannot kind of grapple with that and cannot kind of grapple with that and cannot kind of grapple with that and really understand that. But let's hear really understand that. But let's hear really understand that. But let's hear more from the ex director of the NIH, more from the ex director of the NIH, more from the ex director of the NIH, head of the NIH, National Institute of head of the NIH, National Institute of head of the NIH, National Institute of Health in America, Dr. Francis Collins, Health in America, Dr. Francis Collins, Health in America, Dr. Francis Collins, one of the most incredible scientists of one of the most incredible scientists of one of the most incredible scientists of our day, who did become a Christian. our day, who did become a Christian. our day, who did become a Christian. Let's hear more from him on prayer. And Let's hear more from him on prayer. And Let's hear more from him on prayer. And prayer for me is that time of getting prayer for me is that time of getting prayer for me is that time of getting silent, quiet, getting those silent, quiet, getting those silent, quiet, getting those distractions out of your way and trying distractions out of your way and trying distractions out of your way and trying to get into a mode of listening. And to get into a mode of listening. And to get into a mode of listening. And that listening is not something I have that listening is not something I have that listening is not something I have never heard God speak out loud. I maybe never heard God speak out loud. I maybe never heard God speak out loud. I maybe someday I will, but that's not been my someday I will, but that's not been my someday I will, but that's not been my experience. But I do have occasions experience. But I do have occasions experience. But I do have occasions where in prayer one gets a sense that where in prayer one gets a sense that where in prayer one gets a sense that you are learning something. And that you are learning something. And that you are learning something. And that really seems to be what it's about. really seems to be what it's about. really seems to be what it's about. You're getting an insight into yourself You're getting an insight into yourself You're getting an insight into yourself that seems to be more than you could that seems to be more than you could that seems to be more than you could have managed on your own. And that I have managed on your own. And that I have managed on your own. And that I perceive as part of that divine perceive as part of that divine perceive as part of that divine connection that we get to tap into connection that we get to tap into connection that we get to tap into through prayer. I realize that all through prayer. I realize that all through prayer. I realize that all sounds a little mystical. Well, that's sounds a little mystical. Well, that's sounds a little mystical. Well, that's because it is.

because it is. because it is. >> I love that. It all sounds a little >> I love that. It all sounds a little >> I love that. It all sounds a little mystical because it is. And this is from mystical because it is. And this is from mystical because it is. And this is from a man who is his his knowledge is like, a man who is his his knowledge is like, a man who is his his knowledge is like, you know, I didn't even pass my science you know, I didn't even pass my science you know, I didn't even pass my science GCSE. The knowledge this guy has as a GCSE. The knowledge this guy has as a GCSE. The knowledge this guy has as a scientist is absolutely phenomenal. And scientist is absolutely phenomenal. And scientist is absolutely phenomenal. And this isn't just like your average this isn't just like your average this isn't just like your average scientist. This is a top scientist, scientist. This is a top scientist, scientist. This is a top scientist, Francis Collins. Do check him out. And I Francis Collins. Do check him out. And I Francis Collins. Do check him out. And I will link the full lecture below. to do will link the full lecture below. to do will link the full lecture below. to do give it a listen. But let's actually give it a listen. But let's actually give it a listen. But let's actually understand what he's saying a bit more understand what he's saying a bit more understand what he's saying a bit more about prayer because it's something that about prayer because it's something that about prayer because it's something that I struggle with. You know, I I will pray I struggle with. You know, I I will pray I struggle with. You know, I I will pray all the time and feel nothing. I will all the time and feel nothing. I will all the time and feel nothing. I will feel like I'm speaking into dead air. feel like I'm speaking into dead air. feel like I'm speaking into dead air. However, as I think CS Lewis eloquently However, as I think CS Lewis eloquently However, as I think CS Lewis eloquently puts it, this is what CS Lewis says. He puts it, this is what CS Lewis says. He puts it, this is what CS Lewis says. He says, "I pray because I can't help says, "I pray because I can't help says, "I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me. pray because the need flows out of me. pray because the need flows out of me. all of the time waking and sleeping. It all of the time waking and sleeping. It all of the time waking and sleeping. It does not change God, but it changes me. does not change God, but it changes me. does not change God, but it changes me. And I think this is so And I think this is so And I think this is so just an incredible way to to look at just an incredible way to to look at just an incredible way to to look at actually what does it mean to pray? What actually what does it mean to pray? What actually what does it mean to pray? What does it mean to really connect with God?

does it mean to really connect with God? does it mean to really connect with God? You know, what does it mean to feel God? You know, what does it mean to feel God? You know, what does it mean to feel God? Because often we we view it as like we Because often we we view it as like we Because often we we view it as like we need to hear God. We need to feel God. need to hear God. We need to feel God. need to hear God. We need to feel God. when actually if we trust God, if we when actually if we trust God, if we when actually if we trust God, if we really know the God that Jesus our Lord really know the God that Jesus our Lord really know the God that Jesus our Lord speaks about, we will know that it's not speaks about, we will know that it's not speaks about, we will know that it's not about feelings and it's also if we trust about feelings and it's also if we trust about feelings and it's also if we trust God, we know that what we experience is God, we know that what we experience is God, we know that what we experience is in itself correct. It is in itself in itself correct. It is in itself in itself correct. It is in itself right. Therefore, if God appears to us, right. Therefore, if God appears to us, right. Therefore, if God appears to us, then it's God's will. If he doesn't then it's God's will. If he doesn't then it's God's will. If he doesn't appear to us, it's not God's will. And I appear to us, it's not God's will. And I appear to us, it's not God's will. And I think the big issue we we run into is think the big issue we we run into is think the big issue we we run into is when we think we deserve it or we want when we think we deserve it or we want when we think we deserve it or we want that. Now you there are sometimes that. Now you there are sometimes that. Now you there are sometimes obviously where people do want these obviously where people do want these obviously where people do want these divine revelations. You know, you hear divine revelations. You know, you hear divine revelations. You know, you hear about people having visions of Jesus. about people having visions of Jesus. about people having visions of Jesus. You hear about people getting healed and You hear about people getting healed and You hear about people getting healed and you're like, well, why why didn't I get you're like, well, why why didn't I get you're like, well, why why didn't I get healed? Why didn't I feel that? healed? Why didn't I feel that? healed? Why didn't I feel that? But the work of prayer is not the work But the work of prayer is not the work But the work of prayer is not the work of God to change God. It's to change us. of God to change God. It's to change us. of God to change God. It's to change us. And like Ron Williams, the exarcherian And like Ron Williams, the exarcherian And like Ron Williams, the exarcherian of Ksbury eloquently puts, you know, he of Ksbury eloquently puts, you know, he of Ksbury eloquently puts, you know, he he says thing. He said, "God can't help he says thing. He said, "God can't help he says thing. He said, "God can't help being God, so he kills the fantasies being God, so he kills the fantasies being God, so he kills the fantasies that we have of him." And often our that we have of him." And often our that we have of him." And often our fantasies can be a certain God that fantasies can be a certain God that fantasies can be a certain God that tells us a certain thing, makes us feel tells us a certain thing, makes us feel tells us a certain thing, makes us feel a certain way. But God can't help being a certain way. But God can't help being a certain way. But God can't help being God. So he's not going to force that God. So he's not going to force that God. So he's not going to force that upon us. And if it's not true, he's not upon us. And if it's not true, he's not upon us. And if it's not true, he's not going to impart that on us. He will going to impart that on us. He will going to impart that on us. He will destroy our fantasies. He'll destroy destroy our fantasies. He'll destroy destroy our fantasies. He'll destroy what we want to be true but actually what we want to be true but actually what we want to be true but actually show us what is true. Now there's

show us what is true. Now there's show us what is true. Now there's there's loads of questions because you there's loads of questions because you there's loads of questions because you could say well the like Alex Okconor could say well the like Alex Okconor could say well the like Alex Okconor speaks about the silence of God you know speaks about the silence of God you know speaks about the silence of God you know so many people screaming out for a so many people screaming out for a so many people screaming out for a prayer to be heard to be seen you know prayer to be heard to be seen you know prayer to be heard to be seen you know if you think about people who take their if you think about people who take their if you think about people who take their lives every year how devastating that is lives every year how devastating that is lives every year how devastating that is you know where where was God in that you know where where was God in that you know where where was God in that when they were in the depths of their when they were in the depths of their when they were in the depths of their hell where was God to be seen and they hell where was God to be seen and they hell where was God to be seen and they ended up actually going and how ended up actually going and how ended up actually going and how unbelievably sad that is you know I unbelievably sad that is you know I unbelievably sad that is you know I think it should break everyone's heart think it should break everyone's heart think it should break everyone's heart Um, and there's a question where was God Um, and there's a question where was God Um, and there's a question where was God in that? And I don't know. But what I do in that? And I don't know. But what I do in that? And I don't know. But what I do know is, and the way I square that is, know is, and the way I square that is, know is, and the way I square that is, if God was to if God was to if God was to not allow that to happen, that would not not allow that to happen, that would not not allow that to happen, that would not affirm my belief in God. So, it cannot affirm my belief in God. So, it cannot affirm my belief in God. So, it cannot be the thing that means I do not be the thing that means I do not be the thing that means I do not believe. You know, I I' I've spoken believe. You know, I I' I've spoken believe. You know, I I' I've spoken about this in a video before, but about this in a video before, but about this in a video before, but suffering, you know, we look at suffering, you know, we look at suffering, you know, we look at suffering in the world and we're like, suffering in the world and we're like, suffering in the world and we're like, this is dreadful. Um, as John Lennox this is dreadful. Um, as John Lennox this is dreadful. Um, as John Lennox famously put, beauty and bonds. You famously put, beauty and bonds. You famously put, beauty and bonds. You know, you see the worst things ever in know, you see the worst things ever in know, you see the worst things ever in the world. you see the best things ever the world. you see the best things ever the world. you see the best things ever in the world and we have to somehow in the world and we have to somehow in the world and we have to somehow grapple with the reality of God being in grapple with the reality of God being in grapple with the reality of God being in all of that you know and you know Christ all of that you know and you know Christ all of that you know and you know Christ came a you know Nazarene um peasant and came a you know Nazarene um peasant and came a you know Nazarene um peasant and was on the cross naked in the most was on the cross naked in the most was on the cross naked in the most humiliating death and you could say if humiliating death and you could say if humiliating death and you could say if there's one example of God caring about there's one example of God caring about there's one example of God caring about suffering that's it and there's a fair suffering that's it and there's a fair suffering that's it and there's a fair point there um there also is the point point there um there also is the point point there um there also is the point about what about all the people who die about what about all the people who die about what about all the people who die in agony and suffering and how could a in agony and suffering and how could a in agony and suffering and how could a loving God just watch that happen my my loving God just watch that happen my my loving God just watch that happen my my the way I swear and I've spoken about

the way I swear and I've spoken about the way I swear and I've spoken about this in the video before is the notion this in the video before is the notion this in the video before is the notion that if that wasn't the case, if there that if that wasn't the case, if there that if that wasn't the case, if there weren't millions of people screaming out weren't millions of people screaming out weren't millions of people screaming out in agony and dying of cancer and all in agony and dying of cancer and all in agony and dying of cancer and all this, that wouldn't affirm my belief in this, that wouldn't affirm my belief in this, that wouldn't affirm my belief in God either. So, it cannot be the thing, God either. So, it cannot be the thing, God either. So, it cannot be the thing, as I said, to to mean that I don't as I said, to to mean that I don't as I said, to to mean that I don't believe. And that's that's the way I believe. And that's that's the way I believe. And that's that's the way I deal with I don't know, ladies and deal with I don't know, ladies and deal with I don't know, ladies and gentlemen, and I think be wary of the gentlemen, and I think be wary of the gentlemen, and I think be wary of the person who does. But also another person who does. But also another person who does. But also another brilliant quote I think from CS Lewis brilliant quote I think from CS Lewis brilliant quote I think from CS Lewis about kind of doubt is we are not about kind of doubt is we are not about kind of doubt is we are not necessarily doubting that God will do necessarily doubting that God will do necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us but we are wondering how the best for us but we are wondering how the best for us but we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be. I painful the best will turn out to be. I painful the best will turn out to be. I mean how true is this? It's it's like mean how true is this? It's it's like mean how true is this? It's it's like when somebody tells you a truth about when somebody tells you a truth about when somebody tells you a truth about something you don't want to be true and something you don't want to be true and something you don't want to be true and you're almost angry at them for telling you're almost angry at them for telling you're almost angry at them for telling you because now it's in your brain and you because now it's in your brain and you because now it's in your brain and you got almost anger that they've told you got almost anger that they've told you got almost anger that they've told you that and you that and you that and part of us doesn't actually want that to part of us doesn't actually want that to part of us doesn't actually want that to be true even though we know it's best be true even though we know it's best be true even though we know it's best for us. It's like exercise. You know, we for us. It's like exercise. You know, we for us. It's like exercise. You know, we know that exercise is going to do us know that exercise is going to do us know that exercise is going to do us good in so many different ways. May that good in so many different ways. May that good in so many different ways. May that be mental, physical, it's going to make be mental, physical, it's going to make be mental, physical, it's going to make us feel better. It's going to give us us feel better. It's going to give us us feel better. It's going to give us better self-esteem. Maybe it's going to better self-esteem. Maybe it's going to better self-esteem. Maybe it's going to make us look better. Now, you I guess make us look better. Now, you I guess make us look better. Now, you I guess you could argue your weight and worth you could argue your weight and worth you could argue your weight and worth should not be tied in with how you look.

should not be tied in with how you look. should not be tied in with how you look. And there could be problematic things And there could be problematic things And there could be problematic things there, but you know, it could help your there, but you know, it could help your there, but you know, it could help your self-esteem and help you in many ways. self-esteem and help you in many ways. self-esteem and help you in many ways. Maybe that be financially, dating, Maybe that be financially, dating, Maybe that be financially, dating, whatever. whatever. whatever. But we don't do it. And why don't we do But we don't do it. And why don't we do But we don't do it. And why don't we do that? Because of the pain. We're so risk that? Because of the pain. We're so risk that? Because of the pain. We're so risk averse. We don't want things to be averse. We don't want things to be averse. We don't want things to be painful. And if they are painful, we are painful. And if they are painful, we are painful. And if they are painful, we are running to the hills. We want the quick running to the hills. We want the quick running to the hills. We want the quick option. We want the easy option. you option. We want the easy option. you option. We want the easy option. you know, why is it that you type in how to know, why is it that you type in how to know, why is it that you type in how to do something, I don't know, how to date, do something, I don't know, how to date, do something, I don't know, how to date, how to be this, how to run a marathon, how to be this, how to run a marathon, how to be this, how to run a marathon, how and the the thing that appeals how and the the thing that appeals how and the the thing that appeals always the most beyond a realm of doubt always the most beyond a realm of doubt always the most beyond a realm of doubt is quick hacks um easy uh whatever it is quick hacks um easy uh whatever it is quick hacks um easy uh whatever it is, you always see that is the thing is, you always see that is the thing is, you always see that is the thing that we just we want so bad. And I think that we just we want so bad. And I think that we just we want so bad. And I think what he speaks about here is not what he speaks about here is not what he speaks about here is not doubting that God wants the best for us. doubting that God wants the best for us. doubting that God wants the best for us. It's not doubting that God truly does It's not doubting that God truly does It's not doubting that God truly does want to us to be happy or this or that. want to us to be happy or this or that. want to us to be happy or this or that. It's how difficult and how painful that It's how difficult and how painful that It's how difficult and how painful that will be to experience and to get to that will be to experience and to get to that will be to experience and to get to that place because we don't want it place because we don't want it place because we don't want it difficult. We want it easy. We want, you difficult. We want it easy. We want, you difficult. We want it easy. We want, you know, we got fast food, we got social know, we got fast food, we got social know, we got fast food, we got social media, we got Tik Tok, everything we media, we got Tik Tok, everything we media, we got Tik Tok, everything we want is easy. Um, and I think this is want is easy. Um, and I think this is want is easy. Um, and I think this is one of the difficult things of faith one of the difficult things of faith one of the difficult things of faith that I I find very interesting because that I I find very interesting because that I I find very interesting because it's like if someone doesn't believe in it's like if someone doesn't believe in it's like if someone doesn't believe in God, I I I I remember hearing an atheist God, I I I I remember hearing an atheist God, I I I I remember hearing an atheist speak about before he became a speak about before he became a speak about before he became a Christian. Someone asked him, you know, Christian. Someone asked him, you know, Christian. Someone asked him, you know, do you believe God? He was like blah do you believe God? He was like blah do you believe God? He was like blah blah blah. And then someone asked him blah blah. And then someone asked him blah blah. And then someone asked him just a very simple question and he was just a very simple question and he was just a very simple question and he was like, "Do you want God to be true?" And like, "Do you want God to be true?" And like, "Do you want God to be true?" And he said, "No."

he said, "No." he said, "No." And and then he said, "If it was turns And and then he said, "If it was turns And and then he said, "If it was turns out that God was true, out that God was true, out that God was true, would you want to believe?" And he said, would you want to believe?" And he said, would you want to believe?" And he said, "No." And that just showed where his "No." And that just showed where his "No." And that just showed where his heart was at. And I mean, it's very heart was at. And I mean, it's very heart was at. And I mean, it's very interesting cuz like wanting things to interesting cuz like wanting things to interesting cuz like wanting things to be true is actually one of the reasons I be true is actually one of the reasons I be true is actually one of the reasons I doubt the most about God is because I doubt the most about God is because I doubt the most about God is because I want it to be true. So I I look at want it to be true. So I I look at want it to be true. So I I look at myself and I'm like, well, I want it to myself and I'm like, well, I want it to myself and I'm like, well, I want it to be true. So that means it might not, you be true. So that means it might not, you be true. So that means it might not, you know, there's a chance it's not true. know, there's a chance it's not true. know, there's a chance it's not true. Now, I'm a Christian. But CS Lewis, for Now, I'm a Christian. But CS Lewis, for Now, I'm a Christian. But CS Lewis, for instance, came to convert to instance, came to convert to instance, came to convert to Christianity. Partly he didn't want it Christianity. Partly he didn't want it Christianity. Partly he didn't want it to be true. He he did not want Jesus of to be true. He he did not want Jesus of to be true. He he did not want Jesus of Nazareth to be the son of God. And he Nazareth to be the son of God. And he Nazareth to be the son of God. And he turns out he he thought everything turns out he he thought everything turns out he he thought everything pointed to the fact he was the son of pointed to the fact he was the son of pointed to the fact he was the son of God and God had had divine revelation on God and God had had divine revelation on God and God had had divine revelation on the planet. Um but yeah, I thought this the planet. Um but yeah, I thought this the planet. Um but yeah, I thought this was very interesting. Dr. Francis was very interesting. Dr. Francis was very interesting. Dr. Francis Collins, a top scientist, speaking about Collins, a top scientist, speaking about Collins, a top scientist, speaking about prayer and how interesting that is and prayer and how interesting that is and prayer and how interesting that is and bringing Clive Staple Lewis as always to bringing Clive Staple Lewis as always to bringing Clive Staple Lewis as always to that. But I hope you did enjoy. Like, that. But I hope you did enjoy. Like, that. But I hope you did enjoy. Like, subscribe would mean a lot. Check out my subscribe would mean a lot. Check out my subscribe would mean a lot. Check out my Substack link below. And I love you all.

Substack link below. And I love you all. Substack link below. And I love you all. And I'll see you in the next one very, And I'll see you in the next one very, And I'll see you in the next one very, very soon. Peace.