If God has a plan, why pray?

Question

Now, I am an atheist, but I was brought up Catholic, and this was something I never had answered. Being completely respectful, here.

Now, I'm going to assume, for the purpose of arguement, that during this hypothetical God exists. I personally don't believe that's so, but I'm asking religious people about their religion.

Why do you pray? If God has a plan, a divine plan, if he knows more than mortals, if s/he's the Alpha, the Omega, the beginning and end, all of that jazz, why pray? Surely you can't change his/her mind? If s/he has a plan, why bother praying? And I don't mean prayers of thanksgiving or anything like that. I mean specific prayers for help/wanting something. Why bother, if it's going to happen anyway?

Yes, now, you say you pray when in trouble, but shouldn't God protect you anyway? Surely he knows his duty to you, he knows you're in trouble because he's all seeing and all knowing, so why bother him with prayer? Why be so presumptuous as to tell him what you want?

Cobra, I care, because I like to know, I am inquisitive by nature, and I was raised in Catholic schools where people refused to answer questions properly. I'm taking this opportunity to ask people that I can;t understand or relate to at all why they do the things they do.

And, see, I worded the question wrong. I am not talking about everyday prayer, or prayer of thanksgiving. I'm talking about prayer when you want something changed in your life, or you want God to do something for you.

I'm getting some interesting responses, I appreciate that.

However, to make it clear, I am not a Catholic. I was the victim of indoctrination at a young age and I have since broken out of that world. I am an athiest through and through.

Answer 1

God has given us Free will, freedom to choose.. You are free to make your decisions about being an atheist.

People pray to praise and thank God.

this is a great question.

Answer 2

As most atheist you think prayer is to ask for something special just for you. There are more important things than you.
First in prayer give thanks. Unless you think that all your blessings come from your own sweat.
Second ask for understanding. So you can see the real from the false.
Third for world salvation. It won't happen but at least a few more may be added because you remembered them in prayer.
Fourth pray for others well being. Yours will increase as well.
The most important prayer is to get the Holy Spirit to acknowledge an individual and start helping them to find salvation through Jesus.
None of this matters until you pray all these things for yourself first.
Yes God knows all He also answers prayers. He knew you would pray and His answer before it happened. Doesn't mean it shouldn't happen. Just means that it will.

Answer 3

I am Catholic and I do believe God has a plan for my life. I can still make my own choices and sometimes those choices can get me in a bit of trouble. Sometimes, troubles happen because I am supposed to learn something from them. I pray when I'm confused as to why something is taking place. I ask God that if it is not necessary for me to learn a lesson, then please take what troubles me away. I believe God allows tough times in our lives, so that we search him out more. By searching for him in our lives more, we become closer to him. He desires us to be closer to him, to know him, and to honor him by letting him take charge. Just as a parent may not give everything to a child, because in the long run, it is not what's best for the child even if the child thinks it is. You know that it bothers us believers that you are so certain there is no God. At least if you were an agnostic, who might still entertain the idea that God existing is a possibility. Us believers can be pretty obnoxious to the unbeliever, but we truly don't mean to be. We know what we have found to be real, and we are just sad that you might never come to know it as we do. I hope that you read as much as possible on the subject and good luck to you. :)

Answer 4

Thanks for inquiring. :O) Basically I support everyones' philosophies on religion and lack thereof (unless they're harmful).Everyone has their own paths to take.I'm religious and I pray and I don't pray in a manner that is telling God what I want or what to do.He's in charge.Prayer connects me to and acknowledges him just as a father would want his daughter to do.I pray prayers of gratitude and thank him throughout the day for my life. I don't have a specific name for my god, jesus, Allah, etc. I just know that I don't make the sun rise nor the sun set.If you're your own higher power are u in charge of that and all of creation? My religion does not require a specific composit of my god. It's just realizing that I'm not him. Could we have just all magically formed here? Was there some,"Big Bang," that happened to put together such impossible complexities perfectly?That feels too far fetched to me.Imagine trying to construct the human body. Could that have been happenstance?Like I said, I'm not a theologian but I know that there's a higher power and I'm not it.I'm sure I'll find out the specifics when I pass on. I know that even when I didn't believe and I just acted as if by talking to god anyhow and asking him for guidance my life became absolutely amazing.I'm not kidding. This is where I can almost understand the, "Holly rollers," if u will who love to preach.It's almost like I've found this AMAZING thing and I don't understand why everyone doesn't have it. I wish they did since it's so easy but I try to live my own life.Don't get me wrong. There r certainly times when I doubt my faith when horrible things happen (suffering relatives w/cancer, etc.)but I have to remember that my finite mind can't remotely begin to try to figure out his infinite wisdom right now.It's impossible. I think part of spirituality really is about faith..about believing even though we don't have tangible proof.We don't have tangible proof he doesn't exist.I thought a lot like you most of my life, only I was a lot less open-minded. Then I acted as if and my life and attitude have transformed.

Answer 5

Excuse me, but you don't even have to ask this question if you have professed yourself as an atheist, that means that deep within you, you still believe in God and the power of prayers....as you have said
God has a plan, plans can change and as I am a Catholic we believe that prayers can move mountains.." I believe in miracles too,,,,and personally, I have experienced the power of prayers in my life ...and miracles too...I don't have to tell my full life story here, so that you will believe me...

.....when there's nobody to turn to, and you think all is hopeless and lost, you turn to God and pray ....

I don't normally answer questions of the religion but I really wanted to answer yours dear...

Answer 6

We pray to ask God to help us he has a plan but some of it we dont know. So when were in trouble we ask and if its answered its answered. But we dont pray just to ask for things we pray just to talk......driving in a car or just anytime.

This is an additive :)

We are under his protection at this time....only by so much. According to well our religion im gonna explain the best i can so if you need more ask ill do my best. This time is where God doesnet for the most part interact with us physically. He might grant a resuest here or there...but at this time were working off of faith and faith alone. Sure he knows what we want....but its important for us to tell him anyways . It all about the connection...the faith and the believeing.

Answer 7

Very good question - you deserve a star.

You are absolutely correct in the assumption that God has a plan, He is the Alpha, Omega and all that jazz and that we cannot change His mind.

We pray to build and sustain a relationship with God. When we pray for help or wanting something, we do not change God's plan for us. It is still important for us to pray to recognize that all that we need and want does come from God and that He will take care of us. Without prayer to God, there is the inclination to think that God has no part of our daily lives. Without contact, we lose touch with God. God will continue to be there for us, but we lose contact with Him.

I hope I answered your question. if not, please contact me. i am sorry that no one took the time to answer your questions in the past. If you still have questions, please ask me.

Answer 8

usually praying for small things works, its a lift to your day but its not like it will change anything in the future right?

secondly wen some one prays for a hospitalized family member or something big it could be just a coincidence that gods plan was to keep them alive; or some post the argument that if they died then theyre in a better place.

either way if you believe in god and all that goes with it; its a sign of respect and something you usually do when a loved one goes into the hospital.

Answer 9

Prayer is the substitute for sacrifices done in the temple until it was destroyed. We pray because we are given free will. We are not angels and are not created to sing out the glory of god. Prayer is asking God to help us in our time of need.

Answer 10

some people pray because god may be all they have to talk to. personally, i prefer conversing and getting immediate answers from my dog.

i think those who tend to pray are asking permissoin for things in life that they have the right to do, and praying and sleeping on it, gettting a postitive feeling, makes them feel bettter.

i could go on and on...................
because they are lacking in social friendships.
they are not spiritual
they have not faith in the human race.
they do not believe in the healing power of the arts, and yoga.

there are many things people do even if they don't believe in god, and often they pray as a last resort
'
being brought up catholic sounds like hell on earth!

i had the freedom to explore many religions and beliefs from around the world.

i love nature, and listen to the whispers in the wind and love to lay on my grass and watch the clouds drift..............if that's god to some so be it.

i have not reason to judge.
Pray if it makes you feel good,
and don't if you don't want to.
simple. we CAN all exist and coexist and get along, as long as we don't try to convert one another.

Answer 11

This is a very good question! I am sure that many of us, who are (at all) religious, would agree that it is best not to pray for what we desire from God (SWT); however, most of us are guilty of performing this kind of prayer, regardless of what we know, especially in times of helplessness and hopelessness: It is a basic human instinct found mainly in people of religion, which I believe that anyone could easily learn to control.

Salam!