does prayer work? discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do we humans need to find meaning in something tragic? I think it cheapens it. Shit happens. People die, sometimes in horrible, tragic circumstances. There's no silver lining there. Please stop trying to find one.

so where does god come in?

I don't know, but telling a parent another angel was wanted isn't going to make burying their child any easier.

I agree, but some people find it comforting -- I suppose because it means their child isn't just dead -- but selected by god -- and that they'll see the child again.

I also think it could make people angry with god and guilty, wishing he selected another child or wishing he'd find another way to get angels. It might caused bereaved parents to question if there is a god = because what benevolent being would take a child for any reason.

[Anonymous]

I've prayed long and hard for certain things in life. For years I've prayed for some things. And yes, I did receive an answer to my specific prayers after all these years:

The answer to your request is no.

[Anonymous]

Does prayer work? "To the man with a hsmmer everything looks like a nail.". If you presuppose there is a god then you'll give credit to "him" whether or not that jives with reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Prayer works for me. I have no experience with life or death situation, but I asked and received more than once, including answers to my questions.

Try not praying the next few times and see what happens.

Turmoil, upset, despair. How is this better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do we humans need to find meaning in something tragic? I think it cheapens it. Shit happens. People die, sometimes in horrible, tragic circumstances. There's no silver lining there. Please stop trying to find one.

so where does god come in?

I don't know, but telling a parent another angel was wanted isn't going to make burying their child any easier.

If something happened to my child and somebody told me this they would get a big fat "fuck you".

[Anonymous]

Re: health being improved by prayer. I've noticed that people enthusiastically offer up prayers for healing when the ailment is hard to see. Like the flu, depression or a tumor.

But when the ailment is big and visible (my son has something along these lines) they offer prayers for us so we can "accept" or "find peace" with it. Nobody has ever offered to pray to heal him. Meaning, they know that God cannot grow my son a functioning limb. But God might cure his bronchitis after five days of anitbiotics. Give the glory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, yes, I believe that prayer "works." But here's the thing: It doesn't always "work" the way we think it should.

how convenient

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Re: health being improved by prayer. I've noticed that people enthusiastically offer up prayers for healing when the ailment is hard to see. Like the flu, depression or a tumor.

But when the ailment is big and visible (my son has something along these lines) they offer prayers for us so we can "accept" or "find peace" with it. Nobody has ever offered to pray to heal him. Meaning, they know that God cannot grow my son a functioning limb. But God might cure his bronchitis after five days of anitbiotics. Give the glory.

nice that in at least this one case, people realize that god is not all powerful and loving.