Is Praying/Supplication Petty?

[Sha'irullah]

Many theists among many religions outlines believe in prayer and god's answering of prayer.
I naturally oppose such sentiments but the issue is that I held this view while I was a theistic Christian and Muslim in the past.

I personally that the asking god for anything was overly petty and just useless. If god wanted to help you he could do so if he wished and he should be aware of when his creation needs help and further more why would his creation ever need help if he already knew what was to be done and how it should be?

Seemed rather contradictory of an almighty powerful god to have his creation pray to him asking him for his help.

I just wish to know if anyone else has had or still has similar views as mine and doubt the ability of prayer

 

[Willamena]

Asking for a new car is petty. Asking for courage isn't.

 

[swamplizard]

Sincere and fervent prayer is much like meditation. The rewards of such go to those performing the act.

 

[Sha'irullah]

Asking for a new car is petty. Asking for courage isn't.

Courage can be found within one's self and is something that can be naturally acquired with less effort then a car, so that is even more petty.

Courage can be found within seconds, by chance or instinct it can occur. Just put a gun to 20 cowards heads. One of them will be bound to become courageous

 

[Willamena]

Courage can be found within one's self and is something that can be naturally acquired with less effort then a car, so that is even more petty.

Courage can be found within seconds, by chance or instinct it can occur. Just put a gun to 20 cowards heads. One of them will be bound to become courageous

Just so petty I can't imagine. Golly.

 

[BSM1]

I once had a very vocal and very fundalmentistic evangelical type tell me that you should never pray for courage, for God will put you in a situation that would require bravery. You should never pray for wisdom, for God will put you in a situation where you'll have to be wise. You should never pray for strength, for God will put you in situation where you will have to strong.There were a couple of other caveats but you get the drift. Most of the time this guy was full of it. But I got to thinking about it and figured he may have point, which dovetails with the OP. There's not much you can ask of God and get the expected results; what will be will be. So I came up with my own prayer: "God, please don't give me more than I can carry." It's been working fine for years.

 

[Quintessence]

To call asking for help "petty" strikes me as... unhealthy.

 

[Windwalker]

When someone prays they have in their mind what it is they seek, and the act of focusing the will, will hopefully move them to the realization of what is they see/imagine in their minds. In other words, prayer is a form of focused meditation.

The problem with many is that they externalize the entire affair. They look for Daddy to do it for them, not believing that it is themselves that become the agent of their own answered prayers. And then they loose faith and call prayer crap.

 

[ChristineES]

Prayer to me is speaking to God, not asking for things. God is not Santa Claus. I do ask God for things: I ask for wisdom, I ask him to help me while I make a major decision, and other things of that nature. But mostly, I kind of meditate, in a sense. The Bible says to ask God for wisdom, so I don't mind asking Him.

 

[Sha'irullah]

Just so petty I can't imagine. Golly.

I guess it is a matter of how you look at it. Emotional needs can be quite petty but I am actually very unemotional so it could be a bias of mine

 

[Sha'irullah]

Prayer to me is speaking to God, not asking for things. God is not Santa Claus. I do ask God for things: I ask for wisdom, I ask him to help me while I make a major decision, and other things of that nature. But mostly, I kind of meditate, in a sense. The Bible says to ask God for wisdom, so I don't mind asking Him.

The only thing I have ever communicated to god(knowing he gives not a single hoot) is thanking him for Burt Reynolds and the ability to use reason over irrationality

 

[roger1440]

Courage can be found within one's self and is something that can be naturally acquired with less effort then a car, so that is even more petty.

Courage can be found within seconds, by chance or instinct it can occur. Just put a gun to 20 cowards heads. One of them will be bound to become courageous

That still leaves the other 19 people doesn't it? LOL

 

[Sha'irullah]

That still leaves the other 19 people doesn't it? LOL

Hey, I did not invent the probability of desired occurrence in the game of odds .

Ask the guy upstairs

 

[roger1440]

Courage can be found within one's self and is something that can be naturally acquired with less effort then a car, so that is even more petty.

Courage can be found within seconds, by chance or instinct it can occur. Just put a gun to 20 cowards heads. One of them will be bound to become courageous

Unknowing to most people courage is a prerequisite to entering the promise land. According to the author of Deuteronomy in order for God to be with us, we must take hold of courage. It is only then we stand on holy ground and embrace God. I didn’t write this stuff, I’m just reading it out of a book. What do I know. (Deuteronomy, chapter 31)

 

[StarryNightshade]

Well, when someone prays for their football team to win, that comes across as the whole "Don't take the Lord's name is vain" deal. This is when prayer could be called petty (although I think a better word could have been used).

But praying for courage and wisdom? Well, I don't believe in literal prayer personally, but when one needs strength in the time of need, I don't really see how that is petty.

Personally, meditation is my "prayer"; and by doing so, it allows me to look into my inner-self.

 

[Qasim555]

Nice suggestion I like all comments.

 

[apophenia]

Praying for courage or wisdom is an acknowledgement more than a request.

The acknowledgement is necessary and potentially profound.

 

[Jainarayan]

Prayer to me is speaking to God, not asking for things. God is not Santa Claus. I do ask God for things: I ask for wisdom, I ask him to help me while I make a major decision, and other things of that nature. But mostly, I kind of meditate, in a sense. The Bible says to ask God for wisdom, so I don't mind asking Him.

^ This.

I don't ask for anything except to help me help myself. Asking for anything of God, even at that level, is pointless in reality, in my opinion. God knows what we need before we ask. Prayer is for our benefit, not God's. I think that praying for those things... inner strength, wisdom, etc. is actually finding it inside ourselves. However, I do recite prayers of praise and thanks, and for the benefit of others. The deist in me doesn't know if it has any effect, but it gives me warm fuzzies.

 

[Jainarayan]

The only thing I have ever communicated to god(knowing he gives not a single hoot) is thanking him for Burt Reynolds and the ability to use reason over irrationality

... and for letting me find my gym. It's Homo Heaven.

 

[sandandfoam]

As I see it the whole of nature prays to God. Why would I be any different?