Don't you think Praying God is begging him for favours?

Question

I just saw someone's question that when she remembers god even in a casual way, does it count as prayer. It just struck me that when we say a prayer, it is almost like begging him for his blessings or something which we desire (be it peace, wealth, health, etc). Does God really need begging to grant us favours? Why do we have to beg to get something?

I know prayer is a means to communicate with the God. But is it the only way? Moreover, when we thank God, even for the smallest thing, don't we in the back of minds expect that such small things will happen again? For example, if you thank him for providing you with food or making it possible for passing a day without any problem, don't we expect that he will provide food to us again the next day or hw will make the next day as good as the one which just pass? I know humans are selfish and will not do anything unless they are sure that they will endup getting some favour from God. If someone says that they do not pary to God for some favour, its a lie.

Answer 1

No, it can also just be prayers of thanks, or intercessory prayer for someone else (e.g. they may be sick, or you pray for them to come out of a addiction, etc.). Prayers are not always about self, but God does accept our prayers for ourselves and work on our behalf on His time and in His perfect will for us. That's what I believe.

Answer 2

Prayers are meant to thank god for all the little & big blessings in our lives. A mother's prayers also help the entire family. There is nothing wrong in thinking of God when we want a wish fulfilled - BTW that is not called begging - but what is more important is we thank him for the same.

Answer 3

It's not just all about begging for things. It's also about being grateful and acknowledging that you want and need God's help. I used to feel like I must be annoying God to take all of my problems to Him. I figured that my stuff was so small compared to the bigger problems in the world and to the needs of those around me. But a lady from my church showed it to me from a different perspective. She said to imagine that your best friend seems to be troubled by something. You notice that she's been upset lately and is acting really depressed. Finally she comes to you and says, "Hey, I need to talk to you about something." You think she's finally going to break down and let you know what's going on in her life. But then when she talks to you, she just starts mentioning the problems that her grandma is having and how sick her uncle is, etc. After she tells you about everyone else, she gets up and walks away. You're left still wondering what's going on with her and why in the world she just came to you and told you all of that. It's the same way with God. He has a genuine interest in us. He wants us to come to Him with authentic feelings and needs. So, really, it's not that we have to beg at all. The purpose of prayer is for us to spend time talking to God and feeling His presence. I hope that makes sense. I'm not the greatest at explaining these things, and I'm pretty much a beginner when it comes to spiritual matters.

Answer 4

It depends, I suppose, on the nature of the prayer. If one is praying for a particular outcome of a situation, then, yes, I would consider it begging for favors. But the only effect of prayer is on the person doing the praying -- it may be beneficial for having been done, but it will not otherwise influence the outcome of anything. In short, do it if it makes you feel better, bui otherwise it's a waste of time.

Answer 5

Prayer can be a prayer of petition but doesn't have to be. Certainly God wants us to come to Him for things just as a parent would. Doesn't mean we are begging Him. In prayers of petition for material things just throw in "if it be Your will" you are not begging but talking to God about what you want and coming to Him with faith (he likes this). However you can certainly be in prayer without ever asking anything of God. Talk to him about your day, thank Him, praise, and adore Him. You don't always have to ask something of Him.

Answer 6

God wants to share a fellowship that allows us to speak to Him through prayer. Our prayers are not always asking for something. Some are of thanks for each meal we eat, for the new day, for answered prayers of the past and so on.

When we depend on god for strength, wisdom, courage etc. it pleases Him to know that we love Him and need Him to help us become complete. We can depend on that, but if a prayer is not answered today, or the exact way that we wanted, we can expect God to answer it in another way that we never dreamed. His plan will be better and be carried out in His time, not ours.

Matthew 7:8
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Answer 7

I dont consider it begging him for stuff. I pray when i need God to help me thru hard times. I would never ask him to give me a mercedes or ask him to make me the strongest person in the world. Instead, I would ask him to help me do better at work or ask him to send his angels to watch over me. Everyone feels guilty praying to God because we always tend to pray only when we need something. Thats ok though, God isent going to judge you because you only come to him for help. All that matters is that you have faith in him and in all things that you do. No body is perfect and when you find that minute or two, thank him for all the things that he has done for you. Im not the best christian in life nor i am the best person. I make so many mistakes and til this day i continue to be my unperfect self. But God has always forgiven me and helped me tru all my hard times. Even though i always go to him only when i need stuff he has always listened to my prayers and helped me thru the way. Have faith and dont give up even if you think he's not listening to you because remember: God cannot do everything for you because then you will never learn, but he will ALWAYS help open the doors for you and after that its up to you to take that step. Hope this helped

Answer 8

Good point, and why should a god hold back until after you try to beg something from it? If a god is omnipotent, shouldn’t it know when you want something? Furthermore, if a god knows all things, why should it change its mind by first holding out and then caving in after you do some little song and dance?

Answer 9

Prayer is very important since it is the only way to communicate with God> when we pray we focus all our attention on God and seek him with our hearts> We need God, by thinking that we can do it w/out asking him for strength, guidance,etc. it would be Prideful and sinful> we must humbly acknowledge that we need god to guide us in life and this is through the power of prayer>

Answer 10

Often when I pray I notice that I do ask for a lot. Maybe it's my Catholic up-bringing I dunno. But then I started to think about it, and once I considered God to be like my "Dad" I realized that after a while...even I would be annoyed by me.

So I make an effort every now and again (especially around Christmas and Easter) to just take the time out to thank God and not ask for anything. Deep in my head I am saying" Hey, great job, please take a day off...cause if anyone deserves it....it's you"

Answer 11

god is some one , who is every ones precious property , own property , so it is not begging , when u ask something you really want from parents with out any hesitation just like that. but destiny is written already , which u cant change isnt it. dont think u cant ask or beg what ever you want from god . it is not that easy. you need to have such gud heart & should be passed with all his test. than ofcourse just one wish will defenetly fly into your plate.