Some of my family is quite religious, and they pray frequently.
As a non-religious person, I often observe that these events ascribed to supernatural forces as a result of prayers are actually the result of actions caused by the person i.e. if a person works hard, obtains a college degree and becomes adept with a certain skillset, he or she will likely be able to obtain a good job. Praying for it becomes irrelevant, in my opinion. No offense to those who pray, but it just seems like a method to absolve oneself from the responsibility to put forth the effort to make his actions successful.
If you are someone who prays, what gives you the assured expectation of the things you hope to receive from your god? If you are not a person who prays, do you know of any articles or material on the subjects of positive reinforcement or the psychological impact of prayers?
2007-08-24 05:40:38 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There are many people who have been very successful who've never prayed, even atheists have been successful. Even in the Bible it tells of successful people who not only didn't pray but may have even hated God. Praying won't necessarily give you a diploma whereas hard work and study will. Every prayer is answered with one of three answers, and they are "Yes", "NO!", or "Wait"....But just because you pray doesn't mean you're going to get whatever you ask for. Your prayers have to be consistent with God's will. Some pray for a new car or bigger home, if God doesn't feel you need a bigger car and/or a new home He's not going to magically give you one. He's not a mail-order God who's there to give you everything 'you' want. Some prayers you see immediate answers to, some may take years and some may never be answered until years after you've passed from this life.
Praying don't absolve you from responsibility of any kind. And if you're not a believer, one who has accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your prayers won't even reach His ears. I am assured that God has my best interests at heart because of the fact He sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for my sins....Now, since He didn't hold back the life of His Son, why would He hold anything else back from me? What else could be more valuable than that?...I've seen prayers answered, I've seen miracles and I've witnessed His marvelous works. He's real, I know it for fact and I am completely assured that what God says He will do, He will do!
2007-08-31 07:07:41 · answer #1 · answered by Domino 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always wondered too why we had to pray, when God already knew our needs?
Then I saw the times in my life when things were bad, I mean really bad. I saw where others were praying for me and how God changed those instances around, not so much because of my prayers, but the heartfelt ones of others.
I have prayed for some to come to know Christ, they were so hard hearted, it would of been a miracle. Both of those people now are serving the Lord.
I have seen miracles in my job (medical) where people are healed and there is no medical explanation for it. Those people prayed and it was answered. Why those people were healed and not others, is a question only God can answer.
2007-08-24 05:51:10 · answer #2 · answered by Mulereiner 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Not sure if this is the answer your looking for but when I pray it is not as though God is speaking to me personally, if I am still and he answers he talks to my heart. Sometimes when I pray it takes weeks for me to finally get my answer. But if I listen and watch for his signs they are always there. It is something really hard to imagine if you are not a believer. Just know that praying is never irrelevant, God does answer if we just ask and listen for His answer. He helps us choose the right path, the right career, etc. What expectation of the things I hope to receive from god? That I am doing the right thing, that I am doing His will.
2007-08-24 06:36:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I try very hard to live my life as though it were a prayer. I fall down regularly, but am always able to get up. I tend to not ask for things to happen the way I want as I know God knows exactly what I need and gives it freely. My conversations with God are exactly that conversations. I am grateful for all that I have, and I do thank God for them. I know God gives me the strength to carry on in this world.
Blessed Be
2007-08-30 04:12:02 · answer #4 · answered by Linda B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have no problem with people praying either, as long as it offers them comfort. What bothers me is when people say that god answers all prayers--sometimes the answer is yes and sometimes the answer is no. Apologetics like this explanation are mind-boggling in their stupidity.
It is in essence saying that either I get what I want because I have it coming to me or else god has determined I don't deserve what I'm asking for. If I get it then it's out of god's good graces. If I don't get it then it's my fault. This method of thought is disgusting in its stupidity.
2007-08-24 05:52:29 · answer #5 · answered by Peter D 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have to say prayer works.I have seen things with my own eyes that only God could have done.I do believe in prayer and I know one thing ,what we ask for is not always given .Only because what we think we need is not always what is good for us. God has not let me down yet,and I believe he never will.
2015-06-16 06:58:32 · answer #6 · answered by Lee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God answers all prayers. Yes, No, and Wait.
2007-08-29 22:33:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I pray about something... it happens: therefore my prayer was answered...
i pray about something... nothing happens: therefore my prayer was not answered.
2007-08-29 13:22:45 · answer #8 · answered by who cares! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my little boy was born. that's a good enough answer for me.
2007-08-30 22:39:05 · answer #9 · answered by Karenita 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋