Do people take advantage of prayer?

Question

Instead of the endless debate over whether there is a god(s) or not. Let's discuss whether or not the act of prayer is taken advantage of be people with political power.

For example: Does "Pray for the Troops" keep some people from demanding they are brought home?

Answer 1

Yes. I'm sure prayer devalues the need for us human beings to work to solve our problems.

(To those who say God answers prayer with "yes", "no", or "wait" -- those are precisely the "answers" you'd get from a lucky horseshoe or a jug of milk.
I recognize that prayer, or any ritual, can also be a tool that helps us align our primitive brains with our goals and ideals, that helps us be more open to opportunities and the actions WE need to take. But expecting supernatural intervention in the world to take care of things for us is stupid and irresponsible.)

Answer 2

One thing for certain, which I have no debate about whatsoever, is whether or not there is truly a God. For I know without a doubt that there is a God, for He lives in my heart. And as far as taking advantagge of prayer, no one is ever going to do such a thing. Prayer will always be a free choice of every human being. Regardless of what position an individual may be holding, if they are holding any position at all, they whould be praying to God every day. Without a doubt, we all should be praying for our troops, but we had better be praying for our nation; before it falls. For I'm sorry to have to say such a thing, but there are many people in our government, who do not even know the meaning of the word prayer. But I'm afraid that it has gone a lot further than that. There are people all across America who know nothing about prayer. America is not going to be blessed by the hand of God, just because our president speaks the words after every one of his speeches, "God Bless America." God will begin to bless America like He used to be able to do, when people begin to start repenting of sin, and seeking the face of God with all their heart. Just because our monetary system has the words on every bill and coin, "In God We Trust," does not make it true at all. If we were truly trusting in God as we should be doing, this nation would not be in the mess that it is in today. Most definitely we should pray for our troops, that they be taken care of, and be able to come home soon. We can make all the demands that we want to make, but if you want to truly see change, then start praying. For God is the only One who can change anything. And He will only do so, when we turn to Him with our whole heart, and repent of sin. Try reading 2 Chron. 7:14, for it is most certainly what the people of America must do, and do it soon.

Answer 3

I walked out of a church over this once. We had a guest preacher going on and on and on about the power of prayer over completly normal things.

Praying is not supose to be you asking for something but establishing a conversation/relationship w/ God.

Answer 4

Maybe phrases like "Pray for the Troops" do get taken advantage of by people including politicians.

Prayer itself does not get taken advantage of enough.

Answer 5

You could never take advantage of prayer. It is a means to communicate with God and a very important part of a believer's life. The answers to prayer however lay with God. His will be done, not mine. Whether he choses to answer what I'm asking for or not, the answer will always be in my best interest.

Answer 6

Yes...also, don't forget how the Catholic Church (Not pickin' on them, but they were the only church before the Reformation) used to give out abulations to people at a price, pretty much letting people confess and be forgiven of their "sins" in exchange for money. I suppose it still happens today, with all the mega-churches and everything. But in the political realm, it is very much so used as a weapon...at least in my opinion. Hope this helps!!! ^_^

Answer 7

Does God Answer Prayers?

The answer is yes, no, and wait. If God answered every prayer from everyone who asked, God would become our own personal genie. Basically we would just have to tell God our wish and he would grant it to us. This is not biblical to think all prayers will be answered. If God answered every prayer the world would turn in to a big mess. God knows what is best for us.

Here are some conditions that God has for our prayers:
1) We are to ask in God’s name. This means we need to ask in God’s will. God’s will is what ever glorifies God. The bible says, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:13,14)
2) God cannot hear us if there is sin in our hearts. If we are living a life that we are being convicted of and do not repent of our sins, God will not hear our prayers. Our prayers will only be heard when we repent to God and turn from our sins. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. (Psalm 66:18)
3) God will not answer us if we do not have faith that God will hear and answer our prayers. We need to also have faith that God knows best for our lives and will not answer the prayers that will hurt us. There is always a reason for answered and unanswered prayers. We will not always understand this but God does. Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
4) We need to ask in God’s will. If we ask in prayer for the wrong motives our prayer will not be answered. When you ask, you do not receive; because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4:3)
5) Sometimes we need to wait and know God will answer when the time is right. When we ask God in prayer, our prayers will not always be instant. Now days everyone wants things instant. This is not how God works. The Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. (Luke 18:6-8)

Answer 8

Prayer is the elevation of the mind and heart to God:
+ In praise of his glory
+ In petition for some desired good
+ In thanksgiving for a good received
+ In intercession for others before God

Through prayer the Christian experiences a communion with God through Christ in the Church.

"For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy." (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)

"Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." (St. John Damascene)

But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our pride and will, or "out of the depths" of a humble and contrite heart? (Psalm 130:1)

He who humbles himself will be exalted; humility is the foundation of prayer. Only when we humbly acknowledge that "we do not know how to pray as we ought," are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, part four: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt4sect1.htm

With love in Christ.

Answer 9

The sad news is, the answer would be yes.
And yes the phrase "Pray for the Troops" does do that.

Answer 10

Even better example - Nancy Pelosi saying she was "praying" the President would change his mind and not veto the SCHIP bill!

Absolutely incredible!