Praying For Stupid Stuff

[Skwim]

"When Americans aren’t busy praying for themselves or their own needs — and most of them are — many are seeking divine intervention on behalf of a favorite sports team or the golden ticket in the lottery."
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I don't know how this praying thing is supposed to work, but it seems awfully arrogant or just plain stupid to expect a god to accede to such lame requests.
Or do people actually consider him to be some kind of . . . .

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[gzusfrk]

I noticed your an american.

 

[Skwim]

No idea, people probably pray to Santa Claus for all I know.


Btw, santa=satan.

Also nasta; pronounced năstā, akin to nasty.

 

[Brinne]

Actually, it's not as arrogant or stupid as you might think. People have been praying to God/gods for material things for centuries. In fact, it's quite a commonly accepted thing in the Shinto tradition to ask for things like a new car, a new boyfriend/girlfriend, a good grade. The view is that God/gods created this world and human beings and to see them pray for things like a new car or something shows that they are doing well -- which no doubt would please a creator god (at least a kind one) -- since they are praying for new things instead of say for their health.

I personally don't pray for material things but I don't think it's stupid or arrogant nor do I think these should be called 'lame requests' but that's just how I feel.

 

[Skwim]

I noticed your an american.

And I notice your a Kansasian.

 

[sun rise]

I was actually pleasantly surprised that so many prayed for their enemies and people who have mistreated them. Those numbers are higher than what I would have guessed.

 

[Jainarayan]

I pray for health, protection (usually from my own stupidity but for others health and welfare too), just enough to get by, and to thank the gods. Anything else the gods decide to send me is gravy (vegetable-based, that is ).

 

[Skwim]

Actually, it's not as arrogant or stupid as you might think. People have been praying to God/gods for material things for centuries. In fact, it's quite a commonly accepted thing in the Shinto tradition to ask for things like a new car, a new boyfriend/girlfriend, a good grade. The view is that God/gods created this world and human beings and to see them pray for things like a new car or something shows that they are doing well -- which no doubt would please a creator god (at least a kind one) -- since they are praying for new things instead of say for their health.

Why does praying for something show that you're doing well? And wouldn't a god already know that you're doing well? Or is it that god is amused, or delighted, or whatever by seeing you pray for stuff? AND, don't people who aren't doing well also pray for stuff? Of course they do, and probably praying a lot more often and more fervently.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Makes sense to me that people would be praying for "selfish" things since that's our nature.

 

[Revoltingest]

Most of'm seem good things to pray for.

 

[Brinne]

Why does praying for something show that you're doing well? And wouldn't a god already know that you're doing well? Or is it that god is amused, or delighted, or whatever by seeing you pray for stuff? AND, don't people who aren't doing well also pray for stuff? Of course they do, and probably praying a lot more often and more fervently.

Because if you're praying for a car that's likely showing you don't have a lot to worry about otherwise you'd be praying for that?

Depends on what kind of theist you are and what kind of god/gods you believe in. Not all gods are all knowing.

Yes but a person in need is praying for different stuff than a person who's doing well. Obviously a homeless person is praying for their situation to improve instead of specifically praying for a new gadget or a better test grade.

 

[Skwim]

Makes sense to me that people would be praying for "selfish" things since that's our nature.

"Selfish" generally implies concern with one's own welfare or advantage in disregard of others, but this isn't a criterion for a stupid prayer. Such a prayer may be for someone else: I pray o Lord that you grant Jennifer the big boobs she so desperately wants.

 

[Erebus]

I don't know how this praying thing is supposed to work, but it seems awfully arrogant or just plain stupid to expect a god to accede to such lame requests.

Given that you don't believe these prayers have any influence on the real world, what would you consider to be a sensible prayer?

 

[George-ananda]

Praying For Stupid Stuff

I do notice that the first two and the largest by far are completely non-selfish things. The rest get down to some pretty low percentages. My faith in Americans generally holds.

 

[psychoslice]

No I have never prayed, to my way of thinking its begging, if there was a God, why would we need to pray and beg to him. If someone we love is dying, why on earth would we need to pray, has God no heart, and want us to beg him first, Na, its all silly to me.

 

[gzusfrk]

you can pray just the to thank Him.

 

[psychoslice]

Thank him for what ????.

 

[gzusfrk]

Thank him for what ????.

That He saved me for eternal life.

 

[psychoslice]

That He saved me for eternal life.

How did he do that, Jesus death didn't change anything.

 

[gzusfrk]

Would praying for revoltingest count