Do U think prayer works

[Dredric1]

for those of you who think that prayer works

______________________________________

(a) do you think that if we prayed for each other we would be better off?

(b) do you want me or other people from hackthissite to pray for you?

[Charlieace]

after hundreds of prayers, i don't really think so. besides, what I now believe is that god interferes once in a while, a so-called miracle. if he answered every prayer then the world would be meaningless.

[fiftysixer]

The definate, non-refutable fact is that prayer is not 100% effective all the time. Even the most devout person wouldn't say that.

However - there's prayer and then there's prayer. Simply begging your deity to help you win the lottery will obviously not have any effect. But what if you're praying for something else - e.g. a sick person should get better. And what about the intensity/concentration/motivation of your prayers? And what does your particular religion hold about your type of prayer?

Kinda changes the question a little bit :p

To answer OP: Yes, I do. But I think a lot of it is psychological - e.g. prayer gives you the inner strength and resolve to help yourself. There's a saying that a little determination goes a long way, and I think it applies here too.

EDIT:
It's kinda like when you're spending hours compiling a new kernel or something, and you're muttering the whole time "oh god let it work let it work let it work....". That could be considered prayer...but all it does is help you cope better. God himself isn't going to say "oh alright, I'll help you out just this one time...change your gcc flags."

[Spectre557]

Prayers don't "work" because a prayer is just talking (or maybe talking in your head) to yourself, because there's no one listening. Like everything about religion, prayer is a huge hypocrisy that makes no sense whatsoever, even in theistic terms.

I have had some times when I have prayed and it somehow turned out exactly as I asked for. Could be coincidence, but some of the "miracles" were just too spot on.

Of course it did. If you rolled a dice a hundred times, the odds are it'll land on 6 at least once.

No, of course prayers do not work. Prayer is a way that people can feel like they are helping, whilst actually doing nothing.

Rather than just thinking about people who need help, or asking a magic man in the sky to help them, why not go out there and do it yourself? I'm sure they would appreciate that a lot more.

Precisely.

[neocontra]

From an atheistic standpoint (as a former atheist), prayer can only quiet one's own mind enough to either find an answer they already knew, or to relax one's self enough for natural healing to take place. The proof for that is the fact that stress increases our susceptibility to illness, plus it offers a placebo affect. If you believe it will help, then it will help.

From a Christian standpoint, prayer is meant as a way for one person to convene with God in a private place. Prayer has become bastardized, and though it may work, if you are praying in front of a large group, or in church, or anywhere someone else can see you....you need to ask yourself why you are praying at all. Also, while prayer does accomplish some things, often times it's better to just ask for God's blessing and to do something physically (when you can) rather than just praying that it somehow happens.

[Heath Winchester]

Prayers don't "work" because a prayer is just talking (or maybe talking in your head) to yourself, because there's no one listening. Like everything about religion, prayer is a huge hypocrisy that makes no sense whatsoever, even in theistic terms.

I have had some times when I have prayed and it somehow turned out exactly as I asked for. Could be coincidence, but some of the "miracles" were just too spot on.

Of course it did. If you rolled a dice a hundred times, the odds are it'll land on 6 at least once.

No, of course prayers do not work. Prayer is a way that people can feel like they are helping, whilst actually doing nothing.

Rather than just thinking about people who need help, or asking a magic man in the sky to help them, why not go out there and do it yourself? I'm sure they would appreciate that a lot more.

Precisely.

A question. How exactly do you consider prayer to be a hypocrisy? I understand about Religions all being very hypocritical, but saying prayer is a hypocrisy is like saying meditation is. It's a calming effect whether anybody is listening or not. If praying can calm people down and help them feel more confident then I encourage it.

Also, just because people are praying for you does not mean that they are also not getting off their asses and doing something. Don't make the mistake of believing that. Many Christians I know think that if God's going to help you out at all you better be damn sure you're going to have to do something yourself. Many Christians do not believe that God will do whatever the hell they want him to do at anytime. The ones I know are very hard working people that do a lot of good because of their faith.

I don't really know if it works or not. I do believe very strongly though in the effects of negative and positive energy. To me, prayer is positive energy. When you have a lot of positive energy coming your way (people praying for you) certain things will happen. I don't pray, but I have a lot of people "praying" for me as most of my family are devout Christians.

Eh, that's so bloody opinionated I know. I'm not trying to change anything by saying that. Just thought I'd throw it in there.

[Strawberry_Kittens]

Prayer is the one way for everyone to feel like they're helping without actually doing anything, it's government mindwashing used to keep the middle and lower classes separated and fighting over which religion is better while they keep controlling the country.

No, it doesn't work dumbass.

[Spectre557]

A question. How exactly do you consider prayer to be a hypocrisy?

I suppose it actually depends on the object of the prayer. If that person is praying because they think that they're going to get something out of it, i.e. a "spiritual" or physical reward or blessing, or favour with their god, then that is in contradiction with other teachings which they probably hold in high regard. For example, asking God personally to do something for you could be considered as showing a lack of faith in "God's plan", "testing" God, or expressing a doubt about his power to do something.

If God is omniscient, then praying has no point because he knows exactly what you want anyway, and if you don't already have it, he must not want you to. He also knew that you were going to pray, and what you were going to ask for, even if you didn't do it.

It's a calming effect whether anybody is listening or not. If praying can calm people down and help them feel more confident then I encourage it.

But prayer gives people false hope. It encourages them to spend their whole lives asking someone else for help, and not doing it themself, although as you say there are plenty of exceptions. Prayer is, in this way, a bit like smoking... it calms you down and makes you feel better, but is actually bad for you in the long run.

I don't really know if it works or not. I do believe very strongly though in the effects of negative and positive energy. To me, prayer is positive energy. When you have a lot of positive energy coming your way (people praying for you) certain things will happen. I don't pray, but I have a lot of people "praying" for me as most of my family are devout Christians.

Fair enough, if that's what you logically conclude, and really believe is the best way to live, then best of luck. I hope it makes you as happy as praying does for others.

On a slightly less pleasant note...

Prayer is the one way for everyone to feel like they're helping without actually doing anything, it's government mindwashing used to keep the middle and lower classes separated and fighting over which religion is better while they keep controlling the country. No, it doesn't work dumbass.

Don't spout a load of unfounded crap about government conspiracies without some evidence. Especially not when you're going to be rude about it, and you're unwilling to intelligently debate it.

[Heath Winchester]

A question. How exactly do you consider prayer to be a hypocrisy?

I suppose it actually depends on the object of the prayer. If that person is praying because they think that they're going to get something out of it, i.e. a "spiritual" or physical reward or blessing, or favour with their god, then that is in contradiction with other teachings which they probably hold in high regard. For example, asking God personally to do something for you could be considered as showing a lack of faith in "God's plan", "testing" God, or expressing a doubt about his power to do something.

If God is omniscient, then praying has no point because he knows exactly what you want anyway, and if you don't already have it, he must not want you to. He also knew that you were going to pray, and what you were going to ask for, even if you didn't do it.

It's a calming effect whether anybody is listening or not. If praying can calm people down and help them feel more confident then I encourage it.

But prayer gives people false hope. It encourages them to spend their whole lives asking someone else for help, and not doing it themself, although as you say there are plenty of exceptions. Prayer is, in this way, a bit like smoking... it calms you down and makes you feel better, but is actually bad for you in the long run.

I don't really know if it works or not. I do believe very strongly though in the effects of negative and positive energy. To me, prayer is positive energy. When you have a lot of positive energy coming your way (people praying for you) certain things will happen. I don't pray, but I have a lot of people "praying" for me as most of my family are devout Christians.

Fair enough, if that's what you logically conclude, and really believe is the best way to live, then best of luck. I hope it makes you as happy as praying does for others.

On a slightly less pleasant note...

Prayer is the one way for everyone to feel like they're helping without actually doing anything, it's government mindwashing used to keep the middle and lower classes separated and fighting over which religion is better while they keep controlling the country. No, it doesn't work dumbass.

Don't spout a load of unfounded crap about government conspiracies without some evidence. Especially not when you're going to be rude about it, and you're unwilling to intelligently debate it.

Ah, ok. I see what you meant now. Makes sense as far as I'm concerned.

@ Strawberry Kitten guy , what exactly is your reasoning behind the government brainwashing people into praying? I doubt you have much as it seems you don't really care whether or not you sound reasonable but seriously...why would the government use prayer to control people? That doesn't even make sense as prayer is not the reason Religions fight. If anything, prayer is one of the few things most religions have in common.

[Dredric1]

A question. How exactly do you consider prayer to be a hypocrisy?

I suppose it actually depends on the object of the prayer. If that person is praying because they think that they're going to get something out of it, i.e. a "spiritual" or physical reward or blessing, or favour with their god, then that is in contradiction with other teachings which they probably hold in high regard. For example, asking God personally to do something for you could be considered as showing a lack of faith in "God's plan", "testing" God, or expressing a doubt about his power to do something.

its only hypocrisy if their teachings contradict what they are praying for

and your right people doubt and have a lack of faith often
and thats why we see Him less

if you ask GOD for something and doubt He can do this
its a mockery in His face its like saying do this for me but since i know
that you cant ill figure it out myself

and thats all wrong