Reader reflects on ‘Sight Unseen’ column and God’s existence outside of time and space in our lives

I recently read with interest the “Saving Judas” column by Brandon Evans in the April 18 issue of The Criterion. It mentioned in passing a thought which I feel is deserving of more attention:

"Since God exists outside of time and space, all things at all times that can be in play are in play."

Indeed, God created time along with everything else that is. He is not bound by it. Thus, I am able to pray for things that are in my past.

While he is certainly not going to un-crash a car I heard about, so long as I don’t know what has happened, (thereby bringing an event into my present) it is still good to offer prayers.

For example, if I am in a meeting and unable to pray while a friend is having surgery, I can still offer my prayers after the meeting and up until learning of the results. My prayer will be just as good then as it would have been previously.

Likewise, I could pray for a student to do well on a test that occurred earlier, for a safe journey for a neighbor who would have already arrived elsewhere, or for welcome news at a spouse’s earlier doctor visit.

I think of it something like this: At the time when something occurs, God knows that in the future I will be praying for this person and credits my love for that person to the time when it is needed. I can learn of the result later without hampering God’s hand.

- Michael Kovatch | New Albany