If you have a 50/50 shot at a prayer getting answered, then why pray? Think about this hypothetical situation. Some one you're close to is on their death bed. If you pray and they live then prayer worked, right? If you pray and they die, it was god's will. Well if it was god's will, and he's going to do whatever he wants to do anyway, regardless of your prayer, then weren't you just talking to yourself?
2006-07-15 11:58:59 · 39 answers · asked by downdrain 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Question is for believers, I already know the atheist view.
2006-07-15 12:00:55 · update #1
If praying is just conversation with your god then what is the point of a prayer vigil? What's the point of getting a church to keep someone in their prayers? It's a conversation with god in the hope that he will work his wonderous ways to help that person pull through and survive, or not have brain damage, etc. Prayer is used many times by believers to ask god for help and guidance in certain situations for yourself and others. Don't pretend it's not. So the question still stands, what's the point if he will do what he wants anyway?
2006-07-15 13:28:17 · update #2
I'm an Atheist but the believers feel that God sometimes listens to them unless he already has a "better" idea in mind. This would suppose that there are things he hasn't decided on and sometimes listens to his followers and takes requests. Based upon the disposition and piety of both the person praying and the person being prayed for, He may grant the requested action. His decision to or not do whatever is prayed for is thought of as up to "his infinate wisdom" and if He doesn't do what we wanted, it's thought of as His Will and His followers simply must accept it on "faith".
2006-07-15 12:33:27 · answer #1 · answered by Captain Obvious 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
For more than fifteen years of my life I was an agnostic with strong atheistic leanings. In my late 20s I rediscovered faith and began to pray.
One thing I quickly discovered is that it was impossible for me to pray a lie. Since I believed (and still do) that an omniscient God was receiving my prayer then I knew that He would know the truth and see through my lies. It forced me to be more honest with myself about everything that I prayed about.
I also find prayer to be centring and calming, in the way that meditation can be.
Even if one does not accept the possibility that there really is an all-powerful creator with whom we can communicate in some fashion, these benefits described above have had quite a positive impact in my life.
I know that I have been a better man, a better husband and a better father than I was before finding my faith, and than I would have been but for my faith. And I think I was an alright guy before that anyway.
As for asking for things in prayer, I am always very careful in that regard. I never ask for financial gain in prayer, as I think that would be not only selfish but really silly. When it comes to praying for the sick or dying, I usually just pray that they be given the strength to face the ordeals they have before them. I also try to always include in my prayers an acknowledgement that God know more than I do, that He is a better judge of what must be and what the big picture is than I am. So I defer to his judgement.
2006-07-15 12:15:58 · answer #2 · answered by Rory McRandall 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God's will for us is that we are obedient to His laws which were set up for us to live a good life and to be able to not be so quick to sin. But people today believe that God is a control freek. That's not true.
God wants us all to be happy, but we need to praise and worship Him first and put His needs before our own before one can expect an answer to a prayer. If you don't have an ongoing relationship with God, what right do you have to call upon Him just because a loved one is dying?
What have you ever done for God? I'll tell you what God has done for you.... He gave up His only begotten son Jesus to suffer and die on the cross for all of our sins, yours included, and paid the price with Jesus life so we can have eternal life in Heaven with Him and Jesus. So if all we are expected to do in return is follow some good clean rules, Accept Jesus as your savior, and ask for forgivenss for our daily sins, and praise the Lord and thank Him daily, what's so hard about that? All it costs you is a little time out of your day, each day. The closer you are to God, the more prayers of yours will get answered. Throw your pride away and invite Jesus into your life today. Because ready or not, Jesus is coming in our lifetime.
God knows best, and sometimes we dont' have to agree with His decisions, but they are always what is best for us.He made this beautiful world and universe, so why not invite Him to lead you in your life? You've got nothing to loose, and everything to gain.
And God does answer all prayers according t His will, and He is always on time!
2006-07-15 12:18:26 · answer #3 · answered by Carol M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prayer isn't a magic charm; it's not something that "worked" or "didn't work." It's just a way to keep in contact with God. And btw, God has three answers to a prayer request- "Yes," "No," and "Wait." He has a good reason for His answer, whatever it may be.
If you're just plain talking to yourself... then you ARE talking to yourself. If you direct a prayer to God, then you're praying. It depends on what your intent is.
2006-07-15 12:07:24 · answer #4 · answered by ATWolf 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Praying is different from sending out a wish. The difference in praying and talking to yourself is that after praying you should listen for the answer. You may not get what you want, but you may learn the lesson God put you here to learn through going through the experience. That's what life is all about--learning to rely on God with faith and returning with honor when we die.
2006-07-15 12:05:20 · answer #5 · answered by Helpful Kim 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you believe that the Bible is true and that it is God's Word? If so, it plainly says that a righteous person's prayers are availeth much. What makes us righteous? Accepting God's Word and believing that Jesus was His son and asking Him to be your Savior. When you do this the Holy Spirit comes into your spirit and you are God's child and your faith (belief) counts you as righteous in God's sight. He always answers your prayers. It may be yes, it may be no, and it may be wait; but He always answers His children's prayers. There are reasons for the answer to be no. It's not just talking to yourself if you know Him. It's really about relationship with Him, and if you want to, you can know Him.
2006-07-15 12:20:43 · answer #6 · answered by Granny M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see your logic... but be careful... that "logic" can bind your mind and eventually "close it" altogether! Actually, thereis a big difference between fervent prayer anf speaking for yourself, TO yourself: In actual prayer there is submission of one's will over to that of God... one can ask to be given consideration over a personal request, but it is in the fullest knowledge that God knows what is best for all those concerned. Moreover, when we pray to God it should not be only for selfish concerns - in fact that should rate as 'tertiary,' at best, in your supplications. Yes, God hears but sometimes "no" is indeed the answer. With your example,i.e., death of a friend or loved-one that is imminent, there is only the "binary responce" - yes or no. With other, more "fuzzy" circumstances, you many find that there is a "wait-'n'-see" answer in the making. Remember, that God's graces can be readily poured out on you but there will always be a "readiness" question looming in the background... one of 'motivation,' or of reception, or of desirability... or even of "desearvance." I hope this "gels" with you. Most important is that you see that nothing can happen without faith.
2006-07-15 12:20:56 · answer #7 · answered by cherodman4u 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
everything happens for a reason. If you trust, believe and have faith in God then he will do something for you. If you dont pray or anything and only pray when you need help then thats kinda rude...dont ya think? God is like your friend so when you pray your talking to God. the more you pray the more faith you have and trust me if you believe in god, your life will turn around in a good way
2006-07-15 12:23:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Someone dying is a pretty extreme circumstance to judge prayer by. But if you are mindful, one can be in prayer all day, and not be talking to oneself, but to God,dess; If the only reason you talk to God,dess is to try to affect some outcome, then maybe you aren't very connected... and that may be the problem with prayers not being "answered." I believe that there is a divine sliver of our Creator in all of us, whether we choose to accept that fact or deny it. So think of it this way- if you talk to yourself, then you are talking to God because YOU are part of HER- or ALL THAT IS, the Creator. Signed, a proud pagan.
2006-07-15 12:08:22 · answer #9 · answered by Lauralanthalasa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because I doubt there is a God (I believe man created God so he'd have a purpose for living), I do think it is talking to yourself when you pray. But it makes God Folk feel good to pray so why give them a bad time about it. As long as I don't have to pray with them, I'm good.
(Though I do "pray" with my mom at dinner time out of respect for her beliefs while I'm in her house.)
2006-07-15 12:01:38 · answer #10 · answered by Rogue Scrapbooker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋