Praying for stupid reasons...?

Question

Does anyone else think it is stupid when people pray for things like winning a football game, performing well, making good grades, etc... because if god doesn't answer the prayers for the people who are starving, the millions of people who died in the holocaust, people who are getting cancer... do you really think he gives a s*** if you win a football game or get an A on your math test??

Answer 1

As an atheist, I think all prayers are pointless except as a comfort to believers, and a way of helping them focus on their goals.

But back when I believed in a deity, I was certain that they weren't at all interested in who wins a football game... or a war. If they created both sides, and love both sides, how could they take sides?

People hate growing up, and want to believe that there is always a father (or mother, or both) in the sky who loves them without ceasing, and will take care of them.

It is a comfort to such people to think that the bad things that happen to them "happen for a reason" which will be good for them in the long run. They want to believe that there is a really smart plan being run by a really powerful, really loving entity who wants everything to turn out right.

It is also a comfort to such people to believe that the good things that happen to them happen at least in part because they are being rewarded for being good people (not just hard workers or random luck).

That way, a good thing happening is not just a natural consequence of doing a good job, or of the laws of probability. It's a gift from a divine, all-wise being who loves you and thinks you are so good, good things should be given to you. Some people like that version of reality better than the plain one about natural consequences and/or probability.

Answer 2

There is no comparison between wishing for a win at a football game and people being killed by a mad-man. IF in the years before Hitler gained all that power, the governments did not turn a blind-eye to what he was up to; maybe there would have been less deaths. Realistically it was due to human negligence and error, not G-d.

You can't make a legitimate comparison between those with cancer and people who are praying for good grades. In the first, while yes, it is horrible that people suffer from this unbearable disease. It does not have to mean that G-d does not care about people. I have known and taken care of a number of people, who eventually died from terminal illnesses. Remember I am only speaking about the individuals I personally cared for, they were still full of life and had a strong belief in G-d; even to the day they died.

I think that you’re just ranting and spouting out nonsense and it realistically has nothing, to do with anything at all.

Answer 3

There are certain things mentioned in New Testament scripture that speak against "unrighteous mammon", which simply means "money". New Testament bible scriptures also speaks against "idolatry". When someone finds it necessary to pray to win a football game, that person is idolizing an instrument of mankind. When someone prays to get an "A" on a math test, what that person should really be praying for is God's help to recall what they have learned accurately. If that person has not learned (math or whatever the subject) and has a knowledge of God's advice about working and studying, their conscience will make them study harder and ask how to do the problems before the test as well.
There is no scripturally stated negativity in asking God to help one individually to perform a task well as long as that task is not destructive to anyone or forbidden in the bible, such as gambling and idol worship. You are correct in stating that God does exercise priorities and there are certain activities that He just will NOT bless because He considers them to be wrong. As for the innocent people who died, every of us MUST also DIE once, according to the bible and according to the real truth.

Answer 4

The scripture says that all of God's promises in Him are "yes and Amen"; meaning He always says YES and SO BE IT, and He does this to the glory of God by us.
There are rules to asking. IF you can find the promise in scripture, you ASK for that promise to come to pass in your life and God says, "OK and So be it unto you".., AND you have to ask in faith..., that means believing it is yours BEFORE it is visible to you.
Like you work all week and never question IF your paycheck is going to be there on Friday.., your boss and you have an agreement: you work a week and THEN you get the pay. You work by faith for a week. See? Then it is there. You don't come to the boss man on Wednesday and say, "I'm really wondering if you will follow through with your end of our deal. I'm really doubting you because I can't see the paycheck in my hand today."
No, you never do that. God says what He says and we wallow around in doubt and unbelief and struggle with it and HE CANNOT LIE!! You think the devil has any games going on here?
Yes, He gives a ___ if you win or get an A, but more that you get a relationship with Him FIRST!!
The scripture says "all the promises of IN HIM..., etc." IN HIM is important! He does NOT answer the devil's kids prayers. If you haven't chosen Jesus, you get the devil by default. You must be a convert to be His child! Then He answers ALL your prayers that are prayed in faith according as He has promised us. One of His promises is: "Delight yourself in the LORD and He shall give you the desires of your heart". You aught to try this and test your own doubts! You can't criticize if you haven't experienced doing what He's ask FIRST, then you can say God is a liar if you have given it your ALL!

Answer 5

This question reminds me of a comment someone I know made once about "saving prayers" for really important reasons.

Who am I to tell anyone what he/she can pray for? A person is free to pray for whatever he/she wants. God can decide what He thinks of the prayers and whether or not to answer them.

Answer 6

What you may think is stupid may not be to another. Years ago, the Anaheim Angels were in the world series. There had tried and failed, tried and failed, for so many years to win this coveted title in baseball. I did pray to God that, if would be okay with Him, that they would win it. Why, He asked me. Because it means so much to them, I answered. They won the world series in a very close, almost last inning decision. I'm not saying it was because I prayed, but I know God does care about little things. Why? Because they can mean alot to some people. And He loves us.

Answer 7

I, myself, would never pray for THINGS, like winning a game, or winning money. God does answer the prayers of people who pray for someone's health, or people who have cancer. He DOES answer, sometimes He says no.

Answer 8

It is a fair point, I think.

On the one hand, I am reluctant to petition God with personal requests as if He were some Genie-in-a-Bottle ready to grant my every wish; and yet, on the other hand - I know He cares about me, my life, my problems and we're pretty much commanded to take our cares to Him in prayer. If only because prayer helps to comfort us in ways unbelievers will never understand or know.

But for the most part - I think as you mature as a believer, your prayers become less and less selfish; and more and more about thanking God for all He has done for you and also about all the other people in your life you love.

Answer 9

Well, you have a point to an extent. I think God cares about the little things in our lives and wants us to always do our best and make sure that we honor Him in all we do. That does not mean He wants us to WIN every game. I like to see people pray that God helps them to do their best and honor Him in doing it. I hate to see musicians win an award for crappy music, singing about sex, violence, etc. and then thank GOD for it...please.

God does care about the starving and the sick, etc. There is time to pray for good grades and for the starving and sick. But suffering on this earth is something we have to go through. It is an imperfect world right now, because he gave us free will. God NEVER promised no suffering on this earth, in fact it is promised that we will suffer for now. One day all will be made right.

Answer 10

I like to pray because it is by faith that I pray. I talk to God and have a relationship with Him. Prayer, if I dwell on it, is a way to grow in your faith. If you want to pray to win a football game, I guess that's up to you.

Love,
JAS