When you see your sister off on a plane home, you pray she lands safely, but if the plane crashes, and she is hurt, you thank God she didn't die, but if she dies, you thank God she died quickly and say it all happens for a reason. Why bother praying for a safe plane trip to begin with? Que sera, sera, no? And whatever does happen, we thank God no matter what, even though we asked Him for a safe flight... I'm not doing a good job wording this question well, but hopefully the gist gets across.
2006-06-16 15:50:07 · 29 answers · asked by sundrizzler 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think Binary Code is mocking me.. LOL.. you gave me a good laugh, thank you.
2006-06-16 15:58:27 · update #1
Many good answers brought up many good points. I will leave the best answer to the voters.
2006-06-18 15:21:41 · update #2
Good question. Personally, I don't think God exists at all. Or if He does, it's all just aliens messing with our heads. Think about it. All these supposed "alien abductions" has a bright, white light taking them up to a space ship above. Remember the painting of Jesus resurrecting 3 days after he was crucified? Bright, white light taking him up again. No offense to anyone; just food for thought.
2006-06-16 15:55:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think God controls everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, the way some people think. Yes, He does have influence on our lives, but He's not up there controlling each of our actions. Think about it - we all have free will, don't we? We can choose this or that...does God make you do anything? Do you think God makes planes crash? What He does do, though, is help those who pray for his help. But He's not some puppeteer and we're the puppets just being controlled by Him. Sometimes God doesn't give us help unless we ask for it. I've heard of so many stories where people miraculously lived, or whatever, despite the circumstances saying that it should've been impossible. But He doesn't do that for everyone anytime. He does it for those who are living right and trying to obey Him, and yes, praying to Him.
2006-06-16 15:59:00 · answer #2 · answered by someguy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm an agnostic, but I do pray...well, maybe "pray" is a bit of a strong word...I think thoughts to myself, with the idea that somebody, someTHING, might be out there listening.
I've thought and thought and thought about it, and after all that thinking I can't justify "asking prayers"...that is, prayers in which you ask God to give you something. As if you know better than God what His plans for His creation are.
Hm...I think I'm doing a lousy job of wording my answer too, but I know what you mean. It seems that a lot of people pray to ask for things, but if you're a good Christian you mustn't be upset if it seems that God doesn't answer your prayers, so why bother to ask in the first place (my question exactly).
Right...I'll stop babbling now...
2006-06-16 19:25:42 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It makes people feel like they have some measure of control over uncontrollable circumstances. It's like intermittent reinforcement in psychology. If you have a rat pull a lever, and randomly reward it with food, it will continue to constantly pull the lever for far longer than the rats which were consistently rewarded for doing so, even though the rat pulling the lever had nothing whatsoever to do with it being given food. Similarly, humans continue to pray because their prayers are sometimes "answered", i.e., the events which they prayed for just happened to come true, and so they continue to do so because of a psychological tendency, and a perceived correlation between the two events.
2016-05-19 22:07:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God plans what is best, based on all the factors involved, and one of the things He takes into account when He makes decisions are the prayers you make. But your prayer can't be considered at all, if you never make it. He specifically told us to ask Him for the things we want, and that fact by itself would be a good reason to do it. So yes, it really does make a difference whether you pray or not.
2006-06-16 16:14:51 · answer #5 · answered by Billy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, we live in a "free-will" Universe. God does not control anything or anyone. As you say, those who pray for specific results always have an "out" no matter what happens.
As I see reality, prayer is not about beseeching God. The purpose of prayer is to change my attitudes and align them with divine purpose and mankind's highest good.
2006-06-16 15:57:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prayer is more than just putting in an order at a drive through. It is conversation, guidance, and inspiration. By faith we believe that God will act on some of our wants and some of our needs. Though He will gives us so much people mostly focus on the times when we don't get what we asked for.
2006-06-16 16:01:56 · answer #7 · answered by mark b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You see, GOD does not interfere with the daily lives of people. HE has HIS own plan which does not necessarily co-inside with the will of man. One of the most beautifull things about GOD's plan is something called ' free will,' this means that individuals choose for themselves which path they follow, good or evil. Prayer is a way of communicating with GOD for people. People benefit from prayer. Also, prayer is a way of keeping a balance between good and evil. With all of the evil in the world, pray as much as you can, especially for peace. Though GOD is all knowing, HE would sincerely like to feel that you care enough to talk to HIM. Additionally, prayer is a way for you to gain grace, which is necessary for cleansing the soul. Perhaps, ask GOD for guidance. If you are patient, one day, you will feel GOD also.
PRAY without reservation. I assure you, prayer will also strengthen your mind in addition to your soul.
2006-06-16 16:14:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Everything happens for a reason" is Calvinism... which sucks and makes no sense. Though there can be good reason for many things, not everything was planned and a "done deal" The Bible shows us several examples of prayer changing God's mind. Not that it will always but it certainly can sometimes.
2006-06-16 16:01:47 · answer #9 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our Lord always want to be apart of what you do. When you say a prayer to Him wheather it makes a difference or not He hears you. Angels exists for a reason, there to protect you. You just have to under stand Gods reasons for what He does, sometimes I know it can be hard, but its your faith in that prayer that makes a difference. The stronger your prayer, the stronger your faith. It shows Jesus, Himself, that through prayer that person means alot to you. Just trust in Him, He is the Son of God after all.
2006-06-16 15:58:17 · answer #10 · answered by sicilygal2581 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋