A prayer?

[hc4361]

Some people are going through horrendous times right now.
Whatever your faith, please remember them in your prayers.

[China Doll]

I remember them in my thoughts.

[hc4361]

:)

[anneasquith]

yes, prayers and positive thoughts,

[ll_billym]

Yes, all pray for them instead of actually doing something useful to help them.

[birdie1971]

There's nothing wrong with being compassionate and empathetic to a person's plight. In fact, in my opinion, this is a very good personality trait to have and as 'll_billym' said, doing something yourself to help others is far more productive.

What is rather silly is 'praying' for this person's lot in life to be improved. For what is a prayer except a direct appeal to God to intervene in someone's life?

Isn't it rather absurd and presumptuous for someone who believes in God to think that they can influence that deity by simply telling Him that they think He should help someone out? Does the person praying assume that God is unaware of the plight of this other person and is bringing their situation to the attention of this omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent being for the first time? If so, they have a very low opinion of God to presume that he's unaware of what's going on in the world He created.

[Tuddypat]

Birdie1971, I've been trying to get a PM to you - would you mind mailing me on [email protected]. Thanks.

Sorry to interrupt the thread. I'm with China Doll. I remember them in my thoughts.

[RATTER15]

I help people everyday with my hands, deeds and my words, prayers hasn't helped a single one of them so far.

One pair of hands working will achieve far more than a million pairs clasped in prayers.

[anneasquith]

im sure hc didnt intend their request to turn into a debate on religion.there are lots of ongoing debates where your views can be heard.

[kryptic]

Hands That Help Are Better Than Lips That Pray....
Robert Green Ingersoll

[birdie1971]

anneasquith

With all due respect, if a person chooses to post a 'Question' on the Answer Bank under the heading, “Society and Culture – Religion and Spirituality” then it's fair to assume that the person would like some feedback on their statement /question.

I don't think it's unreasonable to comment upon the efficaciousness, the apparent religious necessity or the philosophical nature of prayer when someone has specifically asked others to pray for people less well off then themselves.

The is the Answer Bank. If someone posts a question or a statement then they should expect a response. Whether they or others like or agree with that response is an entirely different matter.

[jomifl]

Why does an omnipotent and omniscient god need us to remind 'him' what needs doing? Surely people are suffering and miserable because god either wants it that way, doesn't care or can't do anything about it. It has ever been thus,and things were a lot worse when he took an interest in the plight of humanity. Read the bible it's all there and totally true. (supposedly)

[beso]

I think preying on people who are vulnerable is unconscionable.

[modeller]

If praying was any good I would be happy to help but millions of prayers are offered up every day all over the world and they don't work . Scientific tests have been carried out many times and they show they don't work , in fact in some cases the patients who were not prayed for made a better recovery after major surgery than those that were. However if it gives hope or comfort to someone then it may be of some help but if, as is the usual case , it is a false hope then it may do more harm .
Prayer and religion are crutches that many people need to get through life so I wouldn't deny them that support. I would even pray with someone if they asked me even though I'm an atheist and I believe it is a load of rubbish.

[bobclean]

http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/god5.htm