Prayer: what's it for, anyway?

[standing_on_one_foot]

In response to a certain quote I found on a site someone mention on these boards, here’s a joke/strange little story I’m rather fond of; I thought you all might like it.

It was a dark and very, very stormy night. A man (I forget his name, let’s call him Bob, just to be terribly original) was sitting in his home, reading a book and ignoring the storm. Bob’s friends drove by and said to him, "We’re worried. The storm’s only getting worse; we’re going to higher ground. Come with us." But Bob just looked at them calmly and said, "I'm not afraid. God will protect me." And Bob went back to his reading as his friends drove away.

As his friends had predicted, the storm only got worse. A truck drove by Bob’s house and the people inside yelled at him, “Get in! It’s starting to flood; we’ll take you to higher ground!â€? But Bob just calmly leaned out the window and replied, “Don’t worry about me! God will save me.â€? They tried to persuade him to go with them, but Bob would hear none of it, just went back to reading. So finally, they shrugged and went on.

Now, some time had passed and the water was rising. Bob had to move up to the second story, it was so high, but he wasn’t worried. After all, he was a very pious man, and surely God would protect him. A rowboat came by, and the people in it yelled at him, “Get in! The water’s only going to get higher; we’ll take you to safety!â€? But again, Bob just calmly leaned out the window and replied, “Don’t worry, God will save me.â€? So the rowboat moved on.

By now, the water was so high that Bob had to abandon the second story and was sitting on top of the roof. But even at this point, he wasn’t worried, no sir, not Bob. God was going to save him, and if He wanted to take His time doing it, that was fine by Bob. A helicopter flew over and the people inside yelled down to him, “The water’s still rising, you need to come with us! We’ll take you to safety!â€? But once more, Bob just looked up calmly and said, “No need to worry. God will save me.â€? Nothing would persuade him, and at last the helicopter moved on.

So Bob drowned.

Now, when Bob got up to Heaven, Bob was very confused and a little upset. Bob went up to God and said, “God! What happened? Why didn’t you save me during that flood?â€? And God looked at Bob and said, “What are you talking about? I sent you two cars, a boat and a helicopter!â€?

Just a thought...interpret as you will. And, just for the sake of a debate, what’s your take on prayer and its purpose? I recall once meeting someone whose philosophy was PUSH (Pray Until Something Happens), which I happen to completely disagree with. Well, anyway, what do you think?

 

[Hope]

I've heard that story before! It's a good illustration, though, of how we can ignore God's answers to our prayers simply because His answers aren't what WE expected them to be. It also goes to show how tragic it is when some people lose their common sense in favor of using their 'faith' only.

For me, prayer is mainly talking to God. I do not have a set time when I pray--I pray whenever, wherever. I pray for my needs, for the needs of others, or simply pour out to God whatever's in my heart. Some people see praying to God as kind of like going to a vending machine--put something in, get something that you want out. But, He is, alas, no vending machine. He is a real Person, and hopefully one does not treat other people as if they are like vending machines--that's just cruel and selfish. So when I pray to God, I try to remember that He knows what's best for me, so if a prayer isn't answered, or it's answered in a way I didn't expect (which is the case, more often than not--He's a creative God, full of imagination), I know that that does not mean He didn't hear me, or hear me right. I guess the purpose of prayer is to help establish a relationship with God, plain and simple. If you want to get to know someone, you talk to them!

 

[Melody]

Bob forgot to listen.

Melody

 

[godischange]

I realize that most people take praying very seriously, but I don't think it's religious at all. It's just a way to collect and sort our your thoughts. The only person your prayers reach is you, and that's the most important person to hear them.

 

[Green Gaia]

Prayer is like casting a magic spell. You do the song and dance and hope for something in return, not that that is a bad thing necessarily. I find that meditation is more effective at clearing the mind and sorting your thoughts. But that's just me...

 

[Lightkeeper]

I very much believe in prayer. It helps with centering. It reminds me to be more humble. It connects me with something higher. It assists me in being more kind and to work from a higher place. Along with it I take a lot of action and keep my eyes and ears open.I enjoyed the story.

 

[Hope]

I realize that most people take praying very seriously, but I don't think it's religious at all. It's just a way to collect and sort our your thoughts. The only person your prayers reach is you, and that's the most important person to hear them.

Well, I have to disagree with you there! No, if I was only talking to myself, then that's what I would call it--talking to myself. I've had many prayers answered, so I can come to one of three conclusions--either, wow, there are a lotta coincidences in my life due to these 'prayers'; or, wow, I must possess some magical power of my own; or, maybe, there really is some Higher Power listening! I happen to believe it is the last reason....

 

[Melody]

Prayer is like casting a magic spell. You do the song and dance and hope for something in return, not that that is a bad thing necessarily. I find that meditation is more effective at clearing the mind and sorting your thoughts. But that's just me...

You know it sort of amazes me that Christians are being slammed repeatedly in this forum as intolerant, delusional and somehow less than intelligent because we believe in God and prayer. Take a look at your posts, folks. The most discourteous, intolerant posts are coming from the nonbelievers. Ask questions if you're trying to find out "why" we believe the way we do but to make assumptions about our intelligence or mental state because we don't believe (or not believe) as you do smacks of intolerance.

That's insulting to say that "prayer is like casting a magic spell." First, how would you know? If you're a nonbeliever then you haven't got a clue as to how to pray, nor what prayer entails. Prayer is not just "gimme." Prayer is about appreciation - thanking God for the fact that I exist and that I've kept an open mind about His existence so that I could hear his call; thanking him for my existence; thanking Him for my children....I could go on. Prayer is about worship - praising God for who He is; standing in awe that someone so omnipotent is still concerned about me. And yes...prayer includes petitioning...asking God to watch over my children and protect them but to give them opportunities that will lead them to Him; asking Him to give someone strength to get through whatever difficulty they're going through..again, I could go on.

You prefer to meditate? Great, if that's what you need for inner peace, then go for it. I won't get into derogatory comments about your needs and beliefs. Can you return that courtesy?

 

[Mister Emu]

Religion: non-denom.

Omg non-denim religion, are you the anti-jean?

but really, gotta agree with you Melody

Saying prayer is like magic is probably the most rediculous mis-conception I have ever heard about Christianity(besides that we worship three Gods, and thats a maybe).

Prayer is not about getting what you want, it is about asking your daddy to protect you when you get in trouble, provide for you, take care of you when you are sick, and give you what is best for you, not nessecarily what you want at the moment.

 

[Melody]

Omg non-denim religion, are you the anti-jean?

What's "anti-jean"? I put non-denomination because, while I have an abiding faith in God, I have less faith in organized religion. While I do attend church when I feel the need to be with other like-minded worshipers, I don't think I need a brick and mortar building, nor other people, to worship God. Some of my best moments with God are in my garden, next to His creations.

 

[Mister Emu]

lol never mind, it was a joke, a play on denom-denim, jeans, and the anti-christ.

I don't think I need a brick and mortar building, nor other people, to worship God. Some of my best moments with God are in my garden, next to His creations.

I completley agree with this.

 

[Melody]

lol never mind, it was a joke, a play on denom-denim, jeans, and the anti-christ.

Ahh...ok...I've never heard the jokes but I can imagine.

 

[Mister Emu]

'Twas spur of the moment, and obviously neither understandable nor funny

 

[Lightkeeper]

****Mod Post****


Please stay on topic people.

 

[Hope]

Amen sister!! I too have become very disillusioned with the 'institution' known all over the world as 'Christianity.' I don't go to church much, but that does not make me any less of a Christian. My relationship with God is not totally dependent on 'going to church.' But back to the prayer issue--I agree with you about it not being solely about asking God for things. It's also about giving thanks and worshiping Him. I see it on the simplest level as just talking to Him.

 

[Godcan]

I do think that the most important part of a christain,s life is prayer. for example even Christ as he was nearing his crucifixion prayed and cried toward God that He may deliver himn from what is about to take place But even though God had him to Be crucified He did not leave him He was with HIM AND ALL THE WAY. God knows what we are going through but we need to acknwledge him in all our ways even thouhg sometimes it may seem that God never answers us sometimes He gives us What He Wants Not what we want.

 

[Godcan]

God Is Real And We Need To Pray For God To Hear Us In That Way We Acknowledge Him

 

[Mr Spinkles]

Melody-- keep in mind that this is the "General Debates" forum. People will challenge each others' beliefs here. Personal attacks are not allowed, but attacks on beliefs and ideas are allowed.

I think it's clear that prayer does have a psychological effect. Although many people of many religions believe according to doctrine that prayer will actually make external things happen (i.e. cure disease or bring rain) I don't think many people truly expect those things to happen as a result of prayer. I think when people pray, they do so as a psychological exercise for relaxation and clarity of mind.

 

[Lightkeeper]

How do you explain the medical doctors that hope some of their patients are religious and encourage prayer. There have been studies about prayer and healing. Here is one of many articles on the subject.

http://www.princetonol.com/family/columns/prayer.html

 

[Mr Spinkles]

From the article:

The patient needs a compassionate person and a caring community to avoid "feeling all alone." A gentle touch, an attentive ear, a prayer, all contribute favorably to the healing process.

The body's T cells, which enhance the immune system, have been shown to increase when a sense of hope and optimism is introduced within the patient.

I think the healing effects of prayer are physiological, not supernatural. As the article states, prayer is one of many activities (including social behaviors like touching) which can give patients a more optimistic feeling, and thereby improve the body's response.