How do you send prayers to someone?

[sugnim]

Whenever someone experiences a profound loss or setback, people tend to say that they are "sending prayers your way," or "sending my prayers to you," etc. I know that the basic intention behind this is to show support for those who are in a tough situation, and I'm all for that. But, I wonder, does anyone actually send prayers to someone? What does that mean? How is is done? Aren't prayers typically directed toward a deity?

 

[Shiranui117]

Whenever someone experiences a profound loss or setback, people tend to say that they are "sending prayers your way," or "sending my prayers to you," etc. I know that the basic intention behind this is to show support for those who are in a tough situation, and I'm all for that. But, I wonder, does anyone actually send prayers to someone? What does that mean? How is is done? Aren't prayers typically directed toward a deity?

You send prayers to a deity on behalf of the person.

 

[Jeremiahcp]

You have to make sure to use the correct postage or they will not get there.

 

[RedDragon94]

Whenever someone experiences a profound loss or setback, people tend to say that they are "sending prayers your way," or "sending my prayers to you," etc. I know that the basic intention behind this is to show support for those who are in a tough situation, and I'm all for that. But, I wonder, does anyone actually send prayers to someone? What does that mean? How is is done? Aren't prayers typically directed toward a deity?

You send prayers to a deity on behalf of the person.

You have to make sure to use the correct postage or they will not get there.

No. Nonono, Heaven is a post office.

 

[Corvus]

I have seen in Roman Catholic and Anglican churches that people will write a short note of prayer for an individual pin it to a nearby board and then light a small candle as a symbolic gesture of releasing or sending the prayer to presumably God. However I have seen wiccans do similar things with candles as part of spells for the direction of blessings and curses to the intended recipient. Which at first this struck me as surprising, and then I quickly realized I had no reason to be surprised since, fundamentally prayers of that nature and spell casting are different manifestations of the same property. Having willful directed faith in either God or other supernatural agencies, to achieve desired goals.

 

[Muslim-UK]

In Islam we offer the compulsory prayer to GOD, then make personal supplications, we use this part of the prayer to ask God to bless whoever it is we have in mind, to forgive them, help them recover, grant them Heaven etc

The best time to prayer for someone in need is in the last 1/3 of the night, we offer extra prayers when God descends to the lowest Heaven.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger, (peace be upon him) said: “Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, and He says, ‘Who will call Me that I might answer him, who will ask of Me that I might give him, who will ask My forgiveness, that I might forgive him?’”

 

[Nakosis]

Whenever someone experiences a profound loss or setback, people tend to say that they are "sending prayers your way," or "sending my prayers to you," etc. I know that the basic intention behind this is to show support for those who are in a tough situation, and I'm all for that. But, I wonder, does anyone actually send prayers to someone? What does that mean? How is is done? Aren't prayers typically directed toward a deity?

I see a lot of folks sending prayers through Facebook. Usually has something towards the end saying forward to everyone you know within 3 days or you will die.

 

[The magical volleyball]

Seems to me like it's just another way for people to pretend like they are helping without actually doing anything. If your neighbor is sick you go over and help you don't just sit back and talk to the air and hope for the best. The only way anything gets better is through actual action, not by asking your imaginary father in the sky to do it for you.

 

[Shiranui117]

Seems to me like it's just another way for people to pretend like they are helping without actually doing anything. If your neighbor is sick you go over and help you don't just sit back and talk to the air and hope for the best. The only way anything gets better is through actual action, not by asking your imaginary father in the sky to do it for you.

Yeah, unless you live like 3 states away from the person and have no realistic way of going to help them in person (and money is not a reasonable way to be of any help).

 

[arthra]

Whenever someone experiences a profound loss or setback, people tend to say that they are "sending prayers your way," or "sending my prayers to you," etc. I know that the basic intention behind this is to show support for those who are in a tough situation, and I'm all for that. But, I wonder, does anyone actually send prayers to someone? What does that mean? How is is done? Aren't prayers typically directed toward a deity?

Prayers in my belief have energy and intention/direction.. there is an effect.. Our well wishing for people in various situations is more powerful than we may realize... In the same way those in the spiritual world can pray for us

"It is a law of God's creation that the weak should lean upon the strong. Those to whom you turn may be the mediators of God's power to you, even as when on earth. But it is the One Holy Spirit that strengthens all men." Hereupon another friend referred to the communing of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and Elijah; and 'Abdu'l-Bahá said: "The faithful are ever sustained by the presence of the Supreme Concourse. In the Supreme Concourse are Jesus, and Moses, and Elijah, and Bahá'u'lláh, and other supreme Souls: there, also, are the martyrs."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 96

As we have power to pray for these souls here, so likewise we shall possess the same power in the other world, which is the Kingdom of God. Are not all the people in that world the creatures of God? Therefore, in that world also they can make progress. As here they can receive light by their supplications, there also they can plead for forgiveness and receive light through entreaties and supplications. Thus as souls in this world, through the help of the supplications, the entreaties and the prayers of the holy ones, can acquire development, so is it the same after death. Through their own prayers and supplications they can also progress, more especially when they are the object of the intercession of the Holy Manifestations.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 232

 

[The magical volleyball]

Yeah, unless you live like 3 states away from the person and have no realistic way of going to help them in person (and money is not a reasonable way to be of any help).

So what your saying is that if you can't offer realistic help then it's ok to fake it?

 

[Shiranui117]

So what your saying is that if you can't offer realistic help then it's ok to fake it?

You think it's faking it. Billions of others think otherwise.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

In Islam we offer the compulsory prayer to GOD, then make personal supplications, we use this part of the prayer to ask God to bless whoever it is we have in mind, to forgive them, help them recover, grant them Heaven etc

Why?

Are you worried that God won't realize they need help, or are you trying to get God to change his plans just for you?

The best time to prayer for someone in need is in the last 1/3 of the night, we offer extra prayers when God descends to the lowest Heaven.

... because God is more likely to hear them, then? Can't God hear as well when he's farther away?

 

[The magical volleyball]

You think it's faking it. Billions of others think otherwise.

You're absolutely correct when you say billions of people believe otherwise. But just because billions of people believe something doesn't make it true. Why wouldn't people believe in the power of prayer. It completely frees them of any responsibility to actually help others while still claiming to be a good person.

When a person prays for something one of two things happen either what they prayed for comes true and they feel vindicated in their belief or it doesn't comes true in which case it's God's will. Either way the person praying gets to free themselves of the guilt of thinking they could've done more. It's because of this circular reasoning that prayer can be used to justify belief in whatever God or gods your mind can create.

Maybe if more people stopped praying and actually started really helping others then this world could truly start to head towards its full potential.

 

[whirlingmerc]

If you mean how to you pray to something?
I think only God can see into the heart and mind, and so... praying to something less than God doesn't make sense to me. How would they hear and understand?

If you mean how do you pray for a person? and let them know? You don't always let them know but often its more encouraging to do so and the more personable the better.

 

[Mister Silver]

"Sending a prayer" is basically just "You'll be in my thoughts."

After all, praying does not actually accomplish anything worthwhile.

 

[whirlingmerc]

"Sending a prayer" is basically just "You'll be in my thoughts."

After all, praying does not actually accomplish anything worthwhile.

Prayer establishes a dependency on God and looks to God for help... and so can be very glorifying to God It also may change the heart of the one praying.

It does not always 'change things' as in the case of Daniel seeing the 70 years of exile were almost up according to Jeremiah. It was a done deal, God would bring them back after 70 years. Why pray? But Daniel did.

A Posited Debate: Is Daniel Trustworthy?

 

[Mister Silver]

Prayer establishes a dependency on God and looks to God for help... and so can be very glorifying to God It also may change the heart of the one praying.

It does not always 'change things' as in the case of Daniel seeing the 70 years of exile were almost up according to Jeremiah. It was a done deal, God would bring them back after 70 years. Why pray? But Daniel did.

A Posited Debate: Is Daniel Trustworthy?

When it comes to prayer, I am always reminded of how two hands actively working to accomplish something can do far more than two merely clasped in prayer.