why praying is a waste of time

[natsy]

Prayer is.. Personal.

And God is not a Genie, He doesn't grant wishes

so that's why I didn't get a cheese sandwhich for dinner,,,,,

 

[Sonofason]

what are you praying for , why do you pray , why do none of your prayers come true,does it sometimes feel pointless, i suppose a little pray and positivity never harmed anyone , but its still a waste of time,

Depends on what you're praying for. Try praying for a greater sense of humility. That might get God's attention. Try recounting all of your sins in a prayer of sincere confession to God, and see if He doesn't answer your prayer.

 

[s2a]

what are you praying for , why do you pray , why do none of your prayers come true,does it sometimes feel pointless, i suppose a little pray and positivity never harmed anyone , but its still a waste of time,

To be fair, prayer is not unlike the "broken clock" phenomena; accidentally or not, congruence may happen twice a day. Is that effect driven by "prayer"? Perhaps, but most unlikely.

When we ponder upon the thousands of possibilities and outcomes attached to "prayer" (even discounting the "evil" wishes for an imposed sudden death,etc.), pure observation must call to wonder why loved ones are not spared in combat, or why a hurricane is not diverted, nor why a tsunami/earthquake kills countless thousands, or even why a busload of pious nuns go hurtling off a cliff?

Prayer is not specifically a "waste of time", since hope is the prime motivation in it's heart.

Then again, it's rate of utter and consistent failure should never be dismissed as "an unanswerable mystery" either. WE truly KNOW the answer, as is obvious everyday.

 

[natsy]

Depends on what you're praying for. Try praying for a greater sense of humility. That might get God's attention. Try recounting all of your sins in a prayer of sincere confession to God, and see if He doesn't answer your prayer.

i haven't got any sins anymore, and what does humility mean?

 

[Brinne]

I don't think an omniscient being would change his course of actions if asked to by a puny little spec of dust living on an insignificant rock.

I don't think an omnipotent being needs a "thank you" at all. Especially if he created a place of eternal torture for those who don't thank him.

But what if one is praying to a deity that is not omnipotent and omniscient. Like in the case of pagan deities and the Shinto kami?

On the topic of the thread; I don't find it a waste of time. I put out rice, salt, and water for the kamidana everyday (these are later used to cook, feed animals, purify, drink, ect.) and pray. I find it to be pretty calming, a really relaxing way to start the day. It's pretty hard to bring your day down when you have the goddess of the sun watching over you.

That's what I think/feel at least. I'm sure to some people that would be a waste of time but different strokes for different folks.

 

[s2a]

But what if one is praying to a deity that is not omnipotent and omniscient. Like in the case of pagan deities and the Shinto kami?

On the topic of the thread; I don't find it a waste of time. I put out rice, salt, and water for the kamidana everyday (these are later used to cook, feed animals, purify, drink, ect.) and pray. I find it to be pretty calming, a really relaxing way to start the day. It's pretty hard to bring your day down when you have the goddess of the sun watching over you.

That's what I think/feel at least. I'm sure to some people that would be a waste of time but different strokes for different folks.

Just to pass along some personal experience from my youth, having spent four years living in Japan, Shintoism is not foreign to me. My elder care-taker back then was Japanese, and on weekends I shared time and space with her adult family often. Their sometimes expressed faith/belief was always kind, benevolent, and generous. To this day, my entire recollection of those times remains a positive one.

Fair enough to say that I no more incorporated those beliefs than any Judo-Christian ones I later encountered upon return to the US, but I always admired the Shinto "way" a bit more. I recall my "caretaker" (known to me only as mama-san) routinely left food, small amounts of cash, fresh water, etc., upon our back stoop...if not to necessarily mollify the "gods", but because it was (at least) the right thing to do.

Today, I acknowledge that "prayer" of any sort is essentially harmless, for it signifies a larger hope that our species strives to advance for a betterment of all.

My main caveat in this endeavor is my own "hope" that people never rely upon an "answer" to fulfill their hopes to exact wishes as requested results.

 

[Maldini]

Prayers, when made in private, is nothing but masturbation of the mind.

Prayers, as a gesture towards other people, like when you offer your prayers to an ill person and their families, is a noble thing to do.

 

[Brinne]

Just to pass along some personal experience from my youth, having spent four years living in Japan, Shintoism is not foreign to me. My elder care-taker back then was Japanese, and on weekends I shared time and space with her adult family often. Their sometimes expressed faith/belief was always kind, benevolent, and generous. To this day, my entire recollection of those times remains a positive one.

Fair enough to say that I no more incorporated those beliefs than any Judo-Christian ones I later encountered upon return to the US, but I always admired the Shinto "way" a bit more. I recall my "caretaker" (known to me only as mama-san) routinely left food, small amounts of cash, fresh water, etc., upon our back stoop...if not to necessarily mollify the "gods", but because it was (at least) the right thing to do.

Today, I acknowledge that "prayer" of any sort is essentially harmless, for it signifies a larger hope that our species strives to advance for a betterment of all.

My main caveat in this endeavor is my own "hope" that people never rely upon an "answer" to fulfill their hopes to exact wishes as requested results.

Thank you for sharing! I was introduced to the religion in a similar way. My host family would bring me to shrines everynow and then when they were in the area. I fell in love the the tradition and felt some sort of strong pull to it. They never pushed anything on me, no, they just informed me which is what I enjoyed most.

I agree with you as well. I never look for an answer persay; incorporating positive messages into your daily prayer is something I've seen a lot of modern 'Shintoists' do. Like saying 'I will do my best today' 'Today will be a great day' ect.

 

[Windwalker]

Prayer is a form of focused meditation. If you consider meditation is a waste of time, I'd say you've never practiced it.

 

[Thruve]

Prayers, when made in private, is nothing but masturbation of the mind.

Prayers, as a gesture towards other people, like when you offer your prayers to an ill person and their families, is a noble thing to do.

I.. Lol'd

 

[Me Myself]

If nothing else, prayer can bring peace of mind, which I think is a great payoff.

Pretty much that.

Prayers of grattitude are an awesome mood booster too.

 

[ChristineES]

**Moved to Religious Debates**​

 

[sojourner]

Prayers, when made in private, is nothing but masturbation of the mind.

Prayers, as a gesture towards other people, like when you offer your prayers to an ill person and their families, is a noble thing to do.

How so? Prayer in private -- that is, meditation and contemplation -- help to center me energetically and focus my attention in the intuitive and creative ways I connect with the world around me -- and with my own thoughts and feelings.

 

[Nakosis]

Prayers, when made in private, is nothing but masturbation of the mind.

Prayers, as a gesture towards other people, like when you offer your prayers to an ill person and their families, is a noble thing to do.

So you pray in order to be seen as noble?

Maybe, one prays to show the proper concern for another's troubles. That'd be cultural.

Perhaps no other expected effect. Just a gesture to express concern.

 

[Sonofason]

Prayers, when made in private, is nothing but masturbation of the mind.

Prayers, as a gesture towards other people, like when you offer your prayers to an ill person and their families, is a noble thing to do.

"5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." (Mathew 6:5-6)

 

[Nakosis]

"5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." (Mathew 6:5-6)

Yes, well that's not what we do. Really, I was put on a prayer chain once. Christians always praying for each other.

Ever find it annoying that Christianity seems to have little to do with what Jesus taught?

 

[Windwalker]

How so? Prayer in private -- that is, meditation and contemplation -- help to center me energetically and focus my attention in the intuitive and creative ways I connect with the world around me -- and with my own thoughts and feelings.

The truth is that when you do this, when you go within in prayer, the result is a greater love of others. It's not masturbation at all. It's Love, in its truest sense.

 

[Sonofason]

Yes, well that's not what we do. Really, I was put on a prayer chain once. Christians always praying for each other.

Ever find it annoying that Christianity seems to have little to do with what Jesus taught?

Christians obey Jesus.

A Christian is, by definition, a follow of Christ.
If a person is following Christ, it is because Christ is leading them.
If you have someone leading you, then you are doing what he says to do.
If you are not doing what Christ says to do, then you are not following Christ.
If you are not following Christ, then you are not a Christian.

 

[sojourner]

The truth is that when you do this, when you go within in prayer, the result is a greater love of others. It's not masturbation at all. It's Love, in its truest sense.

Well, it also results in greater self love. (Oh, wait! That's what masturbation is all about... )

 

[Maldini]

How so? Prayer in private -- that is, meditation and contemplation -- help to center me energetically and focus my attention in the intuitive and creative ways I connect with the world around me -- and with my own thoughts and feelings.

You explained why it is what I called it better than I could ever do.