Would this prayer from an atheist be well received by the god you believe in?

Question

Yesterday an R & S regular who I believe is an atheist asked for everyone of every belief to “keep my sister in your thoughts, spells, and prayers” as she is suffering with cancer. The best answer went to a Wiccan. I was emotionally touched and truly impressed with the outpouring of love from the theists, and only theists responded to this question. I felt a sense of shame for not answering this question because I usually try to answer this person’s questions as I find them interesting. I felt like I had nothing to offer. This would have been a bad time to spew my anti religion stance in my often sarcastic manner and I don’t believe this is an appropriate time to say anything negative. I consider myself an atheist and consider Pascal’s Wager to be highly irrational, however, I was wondering how this might be applied to prayer. Continued:

Continued: I think the possibility of a personal god who answers prayers to be a rather unlikely possibility, nevertheless, unlike trying to ‘trick’ god into thinking I believe in him in order to get into heaven, I am wondering how a prayer from an atheist might be received by a god in what I consider the unlikely scenario that he actually perceives and considers my request. It’s been a long time since I’ve prayed and this is despite the fact that in just the past year I lost two friends to cancer and several others to other causes. I consider myself to be an ethical person and I feel empathy for all forms of life capable of suffering in any form. My biggest beef with organized religion is that I feel that it is directly responsible for much of the suffering that people have, are, and will suffer during this life. Continued:

If I were to pray, I would have to begin with something like, “Dear God, if you can perceive my thoughts, you know I very much doubt your existence, and I am very unhappy about what you do to creatures who suffer in this dilemma you’ve placed us in, nevertheless, I ask that that you please have mercy on this person’s sister and her family and loved ones during the difficult time they are experiencing. Please let her treatments be successful and allow her a speedy and complete recovery so that she may live out a full and happy life with her family and friends.” Do you think that if I were to do this I would be a hypocrite? Would this prayer from an atheist be well received by the god you believe in? Continued:

Continued: Despite our many differences, we all share one thing in common. Regardless of how healthy, happy, or successful we are in this life, we are constantly living under the threat of a mind numbing tragedy that could devastate the remainder of our life. I wish this were not the case, but it is. We’ve all seen this happen, and the older people get, the more often they experience this in their own life or the life of a loved one.

Continued: I should have mentioned that his sister picked the best answer. I don’t think he was questioning his atheism and I was not questioning my own. I just like to help people and I believe he was just trying to help his sister. I like MollyMac13’s answer best so far. And to Phoenix, Sofiya and Gee Wye; I think it makes perfect sense to do anything in my power to make someone else feel better. As an Atheist, I never say I know god does not exist; I always say I don’t believe there is a personal god. I am only 99.9% sure that the God of Abraham does not exist. I think it is ignorant and arrogant to say you know something that can’t be known. You can believe or not believe as I do, but to allow your lack of faith to make you unnecessarily mean is simply immoral. Continued:

Continued: If someone you loved very dearly was in a similar situation and this person respected other people’s beliefs and requested that you asked for people on R&S for a prayer or just a thought, are you so calloused that you would let your own beliefs drive you to deny their simple and painless request however futile you think it may be?

Final addition:
Tennisguy: Thanks for coming close to understanding the point I was trying to make. The way I understood the question was that the man’s sister was a theist and she requested that her brother ask the people who hang out in R&S to send some positive energy (my term) her way. She was said to respect people of all faiths or lack of faith. Perhaps I interpreted it wrong, but this was my understanding of the question. I am a natural pessimist, so sending positive energy seemed rather foreign to my admittedly naturally negative outlook on life. I have learned about and personally experienced too many atrocities to believe in a kind and loving God. In fact, if there is a God, I would loathe this entity given the observations I’ve made during my life. On the other hand, I do care about lives of any creature that is capable of suffering.

Continued: There were several reasons why I found this question thought provoking. One was related to my own ignorance of what an appropriate, thoughtful and respectful response from a person like me should be. I feel a little stupid for not knowing what I now see as pretty obvious thanks to responses from people like Humbert Humbert, Samurai Jack, Panglosswasright, and MollyMac13. Another reason I asked this question was because I was curious as to how Theists and Atheists would respond. Their responses were pretty much what I expected. Since the question would be impossible for anyone other than a Theist to answer, I feel obligated to thank them for their answers. The vast majority of them were well received. I almost feel guilty for being so mean to you guys most of the time. I might even try to tone it down a bit. I know that as individuals, most of you are decent people and your responses confirmed that belief.

Continued: But, as I’ve already indicated, I’m a negative thinker and when some of the fundies go on a rant or make a statement that inspires my wrath, I sometimes generalize, which I know is wrong. Eagle Woman hit on a point that forms the core of my own personal philosophy in life, and that is the fact that I desire is to see suffering relieved. I am not arrogant, but I do believe that I am smart enough to conclude that if there is a god, then everything good and bad is ‘his’ doing. And, a truly good god would not allow suffering to exist. I don’t believe that people are born inherently evil and deserved all of this suffering provided in this life because some child ate an apple.

Answer 1

I would think it would be received very well. I was mostly theist, then Pagan, then agnostic and had started researching the Jewish faith. I am now a Christian. Your prayer was much more eloquent than mine, and I was a bit belligerent when I was searching. God looks at the heart, and your hearts desire is to see suffering relieved.

Answer 2

As an atheist I have always appreciated hearing people saying I am in their thoughts during my bad times and I say the same to others during theirs. I didn't see this question so don't know how it was phrased but if it was phrased as an appeal for prayer, I would probably have assumed it was aimed at theists and ignored it.

But it's wrong for us to think we have nothing to offer. Human empathy and emotional support is the only thing that anyone can offer and it is very valuable indeed. Theists may think they're offering something more when they say they'll pray but all they're doing is offering the same human support in their own way.

Answer 3

If I would have seen the question, I would have responded with love and compassion. I see no reason to bash a prayer request such as this one.

And as a Buddhist, I am an atheist but have no problems with prayer. Buddhists also pray, just not in the same way that theists do.

Answer 4

If a god exists, then he/she/it can certainly see into your heart and fathom your true intentions. Incidentally another atheist, the great Kurt Vonnegut, wrote a mass for the dead that he thought was appropriate. I found it very sweet. All you have basically is your intentions and good will. Even if you don't believe, no amount of good will is wasted. Not all atheists may be comfortable with your solution, but if it works for you and gives someone else comfort, you don't need our permission.

Atheist or not, you are human, and I suspect you know what it is like to lose someone you love. I admire you for your compassion.

Answer 5

God receives all prayers, even from those who claim not to believe in Him. Particularly the unselfish ones such as your own. And He does answer, though not always the way you expect.

A side thought: The fact that you would consider praying at all implies that you're actually struggling with your atheism. My prayer is that you sincerely seek God with your heart open.

Answer 6

If you read the New Testament, you will learn that Jesus Christ loves people, and that includes you and everyone else.

During His ministry on earth, He met all kinds of needy people. Some of these people could not even speak for themselves. Still, He reached out to all of them in many different ways to show His love for them.

His life, death and resurrection showed the power of God, and fulfilled the prophecies and God's plan of redemption for mankind.

My advice is: put your faith in Christ; read God's word and grow.

"He that cometh to God, must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

Pray for His will to be done in every situation. You'll see answers to your prayers. At times, the situation that you pray about will either change for the better or else He will give you grace and strength to endure, and that is certain!

Answer 7

I appreciate your compassion for the person's sister.

But something you say puzzles me. Why would you pray to a God you know doesn't exist? Why would you pray to a God whom you blame for the world's ills? If you do blame Him, how in the world can you claim He doesn't exist? Are you really an agnostic hoping that God does exist?

Here's a prayer you can pray, and if you genuinely want to hear from Him, He will answer: "Dear God, you know I have trouble believing in you right now. I was disillusioned as a child and I have unanswered questions, but if you really do exist, please show me. Show me in the corcumstances and people around me. Send people my way who -- even though they are imnperfect -- can represent you and help explain you to me better. If you do exist, I am willing to learn more about you and how to please you. I am awaiting your reply, amen."

You can certainly add in a request for someone else who you perceive to have a need if you like. But the key is for you to be willing to have God open your eyes to all the evidence of His goodness that He has already placed all around you.God certainly will not turn away from someone who is truly seeking to know the truth about Him. (Check out the answers here to your question, for instance.) God bless in your sincere quest for thr truth.

Answer 8

It doesn't make any sense to me that someone who doesn't believe in God is asking others to pray to a God that he thinks doesn't exist. It just goes to show that even though you say you're an atheist, there's still a a part of you that hope God does exist and is able or care to answer a prayer in times of trouble.

Answer 9

"Wheather we know it or not when we search for God we search for truth." The God of my understanding is a God of
unconditional love, and waits for us all. C.S. Lewis wrote,
"I have a need to pray, Prayer changes me not God."
I once suggested to a person close to me to pray, His words to me were, "I'm a pagan God does not hear my prayers." My
answer to him was, "God hears all prayers, some times we don't hear God." Are we not to pray for all people no matter
who they are. I believe we are, It warms my heart that these prayers were asked for, it tells me this person is open minded, and with respect for others and that is what we should all have, self respect and respect for others who mean
well. "With God all things are posibble not with man."
Blessings to all.

Answer 10

The difference between believers and atheists is that the former love... well... beliefs, while the latter love the truth.

To comfort someone with a bunch of lies is so much more effective and easy than to tell someone the truth. Religious people are excellent at comforting, as long as one does not grow mentally beyong the preschool age.

We are all in the same world. Some choose to deceive themselves, while others stoically face reality for what it is, without any distortion, without any personal advantage. Who is the most moral person? Who do you trust and who do you shun for advise?