Pray to change events or to understand them?

Question

From what I remember, if you pray for something that you want or want to happen, isn't that praying in vain? If a child prays for a moped or playstation 3, it's an abuse of prayer, isn't it?
So when churches collectively pray for something , is that in vain as well? Can praying for the health of someone actually help them or is it just to show them that they are being thought about? What about sick people who don't have anyone to pray for them, are they worse off?

The only thing is Swarr, I think I know the studies of which you speak. They found that people recovered faster when they were told that they were being prayed for, regardless of whether or not the prayers were actually made. The belief that someone cared about them helped them, but not the prayer itself.

Answer 1

Whatever faith we are, be it Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Pagan etc. Praying for a life totally free from troubles and obstacles is a Fool's Prayer. The Divine puts beings on earth for the purpose of becoming a better, stronger and more benevolent person. Life itself is a learning process to reach the Ultimate goal of Godliness/ Heaven/ Enlightenment. Each and every saint/prophet/avatar had to go through the darkest of moments before they saw the light. What would make us different?

If someone like Christ had to go through the worst of Tribulations, mortals like us would have to go through our own little set of trials also I believe.

Praying for a sick person, isnt always best to pray for what WE think is right ( ie. to live ) but of course, we dont pray for them to DIE... that would be morbid. I believe if we were to pray, the best prayer would be praying for the best possible result for the victim, that they would have the most minimal of sufferings and receive maximum of blessings. Imagine being ill and to live in a vegetated state, that would be total horror.

Going "New Age" in discussion: Thought is energy and power. It is first through thought, that inventions are made, art is produced and things are manifested. So the power of thought, coupled with the energy of action definitely can make things happen. Collective prayer does invoke energy of sorts, notice how mass hysteria happens? Or a bar room brawl? Or a food fight? ( all collective Pack hysteria or Hive mentality haha )

Psychologically, a person who knows there are caring people around them, has been proven to induce the limitless human brain to work "miracles".

At the end of the day, isn't it better to fill the air with prayerful thoughts that are encouraging, harmonious and caring than to fill it with thought powers of Aggression, Hatred and Vengence? Cause in the latter case, its not the thinker that gets totally hurt, its everyone else around them that will be seared and burnt by their negativity.

Answer 2

I believe God looks at it on a case by case scenario. The child praying for an Xbox is probably not committing some great sin. He or she might not know any better. I believe when a church prays collectively it can be a very powerful thing because if the people praying truely, are prating heartfelt prayers then God will here and often answer the prayers. And He might not make it completely apparent to anyone that He has answered. I also believe a lonely persons prayers might be heard even louder than an entire church.

Answer 3

I always hear people say "prayer changes things" These same people pray for a job and never seem to have one. I, in the other hand do not pray for a Job, I'll go and find a job. Prayer is simply a thought. Every religion prays and they all believe that they have the right answer. They all pray to there gods. The question is who is praying to the right god. If you ask them all, they will all say that there gods/god is the right god and the rest are phony. So next time dont pray for some one..... Show action. IF some one is poor, dont pray that god will give them a dollar. Put your money where you prayer is and make it happen. People always take the easy route. Prayer is an easy route. Action is not always easy and people do not like to do this. Dont pray for the homless, bring a homeless home and that would be much more that a prayer.

Answer 4

This is the fallacy of a prayer that requests something. Let's say you ask God to make your sick friend well again. Are you trying to convince God to do something he wasn't planning to do? This means that you feel that you can change God's course of action, which implies that he is not perfect, since his original plan wasn't what was best in the end.

If you don't feel that you can change God's mind, that he's going to do whatever he wants... then what's the point of praying in the first place? To make yourself feel better or to make yourself feel like you have some kind of control over uncontrollable events?

People ask things of God and then claim their prayers are always answered. But here's how they're answered: "Yes, No, or Not right now." If you go by that, then there's no way to prove that it's not a crazy space alien answering your prayer.

Go ahead and pray to Xeno the Conquerer right now. I guarantee you'll get one of those 3 responses.

Answer 5

Praying in vain means praying without hope, so no, it's not praying in vain. We are invoking a higher power (God) to intercede on behalf of the person(s) who need it. Kids pray for selfish things, it is the nature of the age. It's selfish, not vain. There are many studies which conclude that when prayed for, people actually heal faster and the treatment is more effective.
Sick people who have no one to pray for them can pray for themselves, ask the churches or their friends and family to pray for them. It is all directed to the same place. If you need help, ask.

Answer 6

No sincere prayer is a waste.

Prayer is communication with God. It's a conversation with your Father. You should always ask God for what you want. But you should also keep in mind that, just like a father, his decision is final. Repetitious prayers for things that God clearly doesn't want you to have will not change God's mind.

Answer 7

i think the comparable way approximately college. It scared me and that i became affraid of issues interior it and persons interior it. i became taunted all the way by way of easy college and that i had phobias of issues. Now i merely sense like i pick to be homestead being my own individual and living my life the way i pick to stay it. i might quite be writing and dealing on my life not some stupid place human beings call 'college.' i'm now at an option college, and that i like it a splash greater valuable then public college yet i visit not at all discover ways to like it. each and every now and returned i think depressed approximately it too via fact I unquestionably have some greater years left of school and that i shouldnt drop out as quickly as I turn sixteen. I dont pick to finally end up working at mc donalds. yet in any case, particular i visit want for you. merely stay solid and get for the time of the day. Then once you get homestead relax and pig out. Thats what i often do. do not enable all people deliver you down. it will end quickly sufficient.

Answer 8

authentic prayer is a mental and spiritual extention of compassion and empathy.

when put into a context of humility and reverence, prayer for personal gain doesn't enter into the equation.
mindful prayer for joy to all beings everywhere is most powerful and authentic.
better yet, mindful, reverant practice toward delivering that joy is exponetially more powerfully

Answer 9

God said that He would give us the desires of our heart if we first delight ourselves in Him.

Prayer changes things.

And there is never a person that does not have someone praying for them..Jesus prayes for us all.

Answer 10

I try to pray for God's will to be done. He knows what's best in everything - even when we don't think it's best.