Does prayer have any value?

Question

since it states in the book of Matthew, chapter VI verse 8, that god knows what you need before you ask him? Even in the case of praying for the recovery of a sick friend or the soul of a dieing loved one hasn't god already made his decision as to their needs, and if so isn't prayer an exercise in futility and done only for the feel good factor, or should we believe that Gods decisions and actions can be manipulated?

To Felix Q.
You are bitter, and oh so wrong about my intentions in asking this question.

Answer 1

Prayer has been shown to help bring peace of mind to the person praying, but it has no value in changing anything substantive.

Even if you believe in God, if you define God as all knowing, then what you're doing is asking God to change his mind. How is that supposed to make logical sense?

In addition, is God going to interrupt the laws of nature and create a special case scenario just so that you can get your wish? An all knowing God is unlikely to shift the laws of physics just to get you a parking place, a new microwave, or a boyfriend.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 2

Eve heard of "God helps those who help themselves?" If you sit back and say "doesn't help to pray, God's gonna do whatever He feels like doing", then it deminishes the relationship between yourself and God. Yes, He knows what you want, but actually asking for it creates that interaction. Who knows exactly how God works? We only have ideas and concepts, so we can't say He is or isn't influenced by prayer- but that 'feel good factor'- as you put it- is the most tangible value, even if that's not what you meant. If it makes someone feel better, more at ease or anything at all that lifts them, it has value.

But I can tell the question wasn't really asked for answers, you were trying to prove a point and have probably left no room for someone else's opinions. Your mind is made up, so it was probably an 'exercise in futility' for anyone to answer.

Answer 3

Does the urgent pleading of a small child have any effect on a loving father? If a child can ask and receive, why would you doubt that our Loving Father would grant what we ask? Even if He knows what we need, He wants us to ask, so that we will know that it was God that answered our prayer, that it wasn't just happenstance or circumstance. There are many instances in the Bible of God changing things because of the prayer of the faithful. Our prayers can change the course of history.

Answer 4

prayers plays many roles always coming back to the benefit of man himself. When Lot and his family was spared as a result from the prayers on their behalf, it shows Gods willingness to listen. When Samuel's mother prayed her womb was open. These all appeared to be done deals that resulted differently as a direct results of prayers. The foreknowledge of these things were no surprise to God, only to the person praying. However, the lack of this being implemented is an act against the very gift God gave to His people. This lack of usage results in man not seeing the power and ability of God to move mountains. An outline has been given to us and what to expect from God using the tools and promises He gave. If you bypass the rules laid out then you bypass the promises God has given us to implement and receive

Answer 5

From a Buddhist perspective, prayer has great value. Prayer can be used as a tool to focus the mind to becoming more of that which we are praying for, that is as long as you're not using prayer to obtain "stuff" all the time. We use prayer as a means to cultivate those qualities within ourselves which we wish to improve and those we'd like to subdue. An outward verbalization that keeps the mind focused on the object of meditation.

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Answer 6

You can determine that for yourself with a little experiment. For the next 100 situations when you can pray to god for a desired outcome, randomly determine by a roll of the dice whether you will pray. Then compare results for those prayed for outcomes, versus the non-prayed for outcomes. See if there is a significant difference.

Answer 7

Yes, it's useful when you want to pretend that you are concerned but that in reality you dont want to act. All you have to do is say :"I'll pray for you."
If you want to get things done then forget the praying and act !

Answer 8

meditation on God is more potent than prayer as your are uniting your soul with Gods soul (yoga=union)whereas in prayer you are asking for something.self reliance is one of God favorite virtues as we develop our spirituality as God intended us to

Answer 9

You can petition the Lord with prayer

Answer 10

IN DEEP PRAYERS YOU HAVE A FEELING THAT EVERY THING IS GOOD AND ALL OUR NEGATIVE THOUGHT IS DESTROYED.YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF SILENCE THAT IS SELF.