Why bother praying?

Question

Why pray? If it changes God's mind then he is not sovereign. If it does not change God's mind then it is superfluous.

Answer 1

There is scientific evidence that prayers don't work. They actually cause more anxiety and patients who knew that they had been prayed for ended up worse.

(see Long-Awaited Medical Study Questions the Power of Prayer http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/health/31pray.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5070&en=c899c1efb9069f38&ex=1148875200)

Answer 2

I love this question. Prayer is inherently silly. People of faith love to tell you that "God has a plan". So basically, within this plan, things are either going to happen or not going to happen. Some of the stuff will be good. Some will be bad. But since the plan is created by a perfect, omnipotent being, the plan is by definition perfect.

It then follows that God is not going to hear a prayer and say, "Oh, Billy is praying for a raise. I guess I should change my perfect plan (where he doesn't get a raise), and grant his wish."

But, since we've already agreed that in this plan good stuff and bad stuff will happen, people of faith get to pretend they have sway over an omnipotent being. If they pray and something good happens, they get to say "Look, prayer works, and this proves there is a God.". But when bad stuff happens, they get to say either "God works in mysterious ways" or "Oh, your family was killed in a car wreck? How wonderful that they are with God now."

The whole thing is an exercise in inanity.(or perhaps insanity).

Answer 3

It is a form of communication.

Just as we communicate with our wives. We don't just talk about the price in the market, about the school result of our children, and the demand of our office. We also talk about love.

To pray, it is the same. We communicate with God, not neccessary to ask for things like a check list.

If a son come to father having nothing to say, but just a list of things the son wants to buy, something must have really gone wrong in the relationship.

In the same manner, if coming to God only for request.

However, in a healthy relation between father and son, besides fun chat, there might be times where a child may ask his dad for some things. However, the dad may not may not get it for him. Depending on the benefit of the thing, and if it is harmful.

In the same manner, we too can have request. But it is for his sovereignty to decide. He may, out of love and mercy grant us our request, or he may not. But he is still God.

And I still pray.

Answer 4

I suppose when you are praying, then it brings about the feeling of hope. It is hope that keeps us going. I don't think praying is going to change the event, as I don't think there is a God deciding the fate of your prayer, but the prayer perhaps helps you get through what you are praying about, even if the outcome is not the one you wanted.

When all is lost and hope is gone, say a prayer to carry on.

Answer 5

A human king can be sovereign in his own land. There were methods for petitioning the king for some favor, and it was possible for him to do it for you, but he would never do anything for you without you asking.

The same thing goes with God. He waits for you to bring your request to Him. If you don't He will never answer. Also, bear in mind that "No" and "Wait" are answers to prayer just as much as "Yes" and we have to accept the fact that God knows what's best for us.

Answer 6

God knows what I need before I even kneel down.

He already has a plan for me.

So why pray? Because I need it. I need to praise Him, need to talk to Him, need to bring my own mindset to His will, so that He can work through me.

Just like my own Dad. When I was away from home at school, I'd call, just to chat. Sure, my Dad already had a plan for me, he was paying for my education, he was providing for my room and board, etc., and could see the broad picture on where I was going, even if I couldn't. Talking with my Dad made me feel better, reminded me that someone was behind me, cheering me on; he'd give me advice on how to act or react to whatever was going on in my life, etc.

Just like God.

Answer 7

Perhaps prayer simply helps people to draw on their own innate resources, much like meditation and other forms of introspection. If someone believes that he or she was created in God's image, it is not unreasonable for that person to consider praying to be a way of calling upon that which is godly in oneself.

(Disclaimer: I am not a religionist, but I was nominally Christian for a number of years and developed my own set of philosophical justifications for my beliefs.)

Answer 8

Praying is not about changing Gods mind. Prayer is simply a conversation with God. And have you not read: Joh 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

Answer 9

People pray because they want something from God.

Instead, People need to learn how to meditate rather than pray and LISTEN to God (or "the source" the "great spirit" or whatever name you know this spiritual energy by).

Answer 10

Praying should be a way of giving God thanks for your life and for what you have in your life. It should not be about getting something. Personally I pray in the privacy of my home. I'm thankful for my life even if it isn't quite what I would like it to be. This is a touchy subject.