When Someone Says "Prayer Doesn't Work"...?

Question

Someone begged me and my friends to pray for her mom, whom is dying of cancer. The doctors cant help, so its now gotten down to hope.
She asked a few of us to pray for her mom.
But I heard a few people mutter "Prayed doesn't help, if she lives, its because her body fought, not because of your fairy in the sky"

Why would someone say something like that?
That is my question.
Why would someone say that?

I could understand everyday life, trying to prove a christian that their idiots...but when it comes to someone that is dying...thats being downright cruel. And I dont care if you think its okay and that "those people" need to wake up.

Why would a human being go out of their way to be cruel to someone that is going through a rough time?
Is it just because human beings are naturally cruel? Or is there a better reason???

Answer 1

They have no class. They are cruel and rude. Try to ignore them. I know it is hurtful. You would think that if someone did not believe, he/she would just say nothing.

Some people are just mean.

Answer 2

Interestingly enough -- I am taking a master's course and just the other day we were discussing the "evil nature" of humans (more leading to causes of war and what not) -- but nonetheless about the basic nature of humans.

I, being an Atheist -- believe I can answer why someone would say something equivalent to that -- however under the circumstances, I would not have said that in that scenario. I probably would have said I will do anything I can do help you or your family -- but I wouldn't smash down your beliefs... As I have no problem with religious people -- I have problems with religious people who attempt to convert others at no expense.

BUT... It is possible that the person/people who said "fairy in the sky" were atheists/agnostics or the like. And just as you take offense to "fairy in the sky" -- some atheists/agnostics take offense to people constantly telling them to "pray for so-and-so".

Why would someone say that? It could be those individuals BELIEVE they are atheists and try to tell everyone and their mother because MAYBE they are insecure and are always trying to convince themselves OR it's because they just are mean and outright cold.

I hope I helped. If not, I'd be glad to expand more.
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Answer 3

Well, prayer does indeed work. That doesn't mean that everything we ask for in prayer is granted in the way we expect that it would. Often, we have to look very closely at things over time to discover that prayer has indeed been answered in diverse and unusual ways. In the case of a person who may be dying, our best prayer is that they be spared the pain of their illness and that God's will be done. We are all destined to die.....there is no other escape from this world. It may seem unfair that someone who is particularly good should die or that someone quite young should die, but this is the nature of our earthly bodies and if God were to intervene directly to prevent all death, life on earth would have little meaning. People who deride those who pray are often deathly afraid when confronted with their own mortality. They are to be pitied and, yes, prayed for. If their faith is so weak, they haven't taken the time to see God working in every aspect of life on earth (especially in nature).....it's hard to miss but some people can't see the forest for the trees. As they approach the "end", their perceptions tend to changed dramatically. Don't be surprised if they ask you to pray for them!

Keep doing what you are doing and do not be daunted by what appears to be cruelty on their part. Pray for them and know that God hears you and will answer you in His way, in His time. This He has promised!

You are a kind soul. God bless you now and always!

Answer 4

Perhaps the person who can realize that prayer doesn't work would then be inspired to do something real. They could go out and get a medical degree, or do research medicine.

It may be that it is only in those desperate times that some become motivated to make real and positive changes in the world.

Answer 5

These kind of people thrive off of others misery,just knowing the fact that they said it loud enough to be heard says they are insesitive major morons that need to be the center of attention in any situation,they do not even need to be here ,they are a watse of air.I bet you any money that many times in their non inportant lives that when they got hurt ,they said something like God that hurt or Oh my God,etc.So obviously they have no belief in any higher power.But I bet when laying on their sorry butt death bed that the'll be begging something of a higher power such as maybe their fairy to swoop down and heal them.I'm sorry that you had to hear such a thing and others around you.Them showing no human compassion is sickening,they could have kept thier thaughts to themseves.what goes around comes around so they will get theirs and that's a fact!What you put out is what you will get back but when you get something like this back it will be 9 times worse.I don't know how this woman is now but whatever happens is what is ment to happen.And I hope that it all ends in a peacefull way for her.Their is so much about ourselves that we don't have a clue to,just like we can make ourselves sick ,I believe we can help our bodies heal themseves but we only use such a small portsion of our brains,we are learnning more and more and one day someone will figure how to tap into the parts of our brains that we haven't used for a very long time.I believe that we humans new more about the world and ourselves a very long time ago but have lost that for what reason I don't know,take quatum phycics for example.These kind of people you need to take wih a grain of salt and don't let them bother you.they are defently at the bottom of the food chain they could only grow in their ignorance.so please believe what you believe and continue on being a compassionate ,carring person,and the woman you are talking of will have hers becouse she has a soul and souls never die......Please take care and it's not even worth trying to figure these waste of life hurtfull kind of people..with warm thaughts for you and yours ....Mia...I'm sorry about the spelling but i'm a bit disabled and my spell check isn't working...Hugs

Answer 6

Prayer does work! and it makes me sad to read I those other comments that say that prayer does not work. The key is to pray without ceasing, the bible says that when God's word remain in you and you remain in God's word than ask in prayer what ever you want and it will be given to you. People this days are just very ignorant.

Answer 7

Well, tell me no lies... it was probably insensitive, but there is a growing number of people who realize the fairy in the sky is a pretend idea. I believe there are no fairies in the sky, but when someone says 'I'll pray for you' or 'pray for my mom' I am just polite and nod, maybe say thanks, even though I know it's crap. There is a power of positive thinking, but no need to be cruel. Some people have very little tact.

Answer 8

Probably because they simply don't believe and feel that no other should either. Their not thinking of others feelings only their own beliefs and to them that matters more than that of peoples feelings and opinions.

I am not christian, I'm pagan; but we too prayer when those we love need an extra hand of love. I believe in prayer whole heartedly, it's not JUST a christian thing.

If they don't wish to believe in it then fine, you do and that's what matters and even if you don't, does it hurt to take a little time out of your life to fulfil a small request and just ask for help?

Lets face it, there is no proof it works, but equally well there's no proof it doesn't!

I send love and prayers to you and her loved ones as well as herself.

And here's my little contribution..

Blessing be upon her at her time of need
May the Goddess ease her pain she suffers
May the Goddess bring her comfort in her heart and mind
May the God bring her strength to face what lies ahead
May she be greeted with open arms of love

And may the Gods give love and strength to those who love her most

Blessed Be

Answer 9

Why is it okay for someone to say that prayer does work, yet not okay for someone to point out that it doesn't? Perhaps the person who says prayer works is the one who's being cruel by creating false hope.

* * *
http://www.dimaggio.org/Eye-Openers/prayer_does_not_work.htm
[Excerpt]

Prayer Does Not Work. Sorry.
Once again, it's all in your mind..

"In a long-awaited comprehensive scientific study on the effects of intercessory prayer on the health and recovery of 1,802 patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery in six different hospitals, prayers offered by strangers had no effect. In fact, contrary to common belief, patients who knew they were being prayed for had a higher rate of post-operative complications such as abnormal heart rhythms, possibly the result of anxiety caused by learning that they were being prayed for and thus their condition was more serious than anticipated."

* * *
http://www.whydoesgodhateamputees.com/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12082681/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3193902.stm
http://nogod.tribe.net/thread/b31ef8f0-f4d2-42c6-a695-3377ac65e85b
http://www.evilbible.com/Jesus_Lied.htm

Answer 10

you can look at this two ways

if you believe in god then there is a reason that she has gotten cancer, or god may need her for something greater, and praying will not change gods plans

Or

If you don't believe in god praying to something that you think is not there may seem illogical

Answer 11

I don't understand either.

I do believe that it's cruel to take away hope from people when it's the only thing they have. there is a right time for everything. even a time for debate, but not when someone is dying.