Prayer (2) Whats The Point?

[nailit]

Many people pray for frivolous things (God please grant me a parking space at Tesco)
Many people pray for something far more serious (God please save my dying child)
The frivolous prayers seem to get answered far more than the serious prayers.
(Maybe something to do with the fact that you are more likely to find a parking lot at Tesco than you are of finding your terminally ill child miraculously cured of a terminal illness)

Its been said that prayer doesnt change circumstances, it changes you.
So why pray in the first place?
As an ex-christian, I really dont get it? I prayed for stuff to happen, which I. knew wasn't going to happen anyway, but then came the excuses. It wasnt Gods will etc. If God's will is paramount then prayer is a waste of time, he aint going to change his mind as to who suffers and who he replies to...

Didnt the Pope a while back say that he was going to ask God to remove Covid? If God didnt listen to the Pope asking for a pandemic to be erradicated then he's not going to listen to you asking for a parking space at bloody Tesco.

So whats the point? Seriously!

[fiveleaves]

Nailit, lots of people hear from God who are not serial killers, including myself. You really do scrape the bottom of the barrel in some of your remarks.
When you stop fighting God, you will find life easier and I do think you will be happier. Genesis ch32 vs22-32 seems apt for you

[jackthehat]

Man talks to God = Prayer
God talks to Man = Paranoid Schizophrenia

[eve1974]

//Its been said that prayer doesnt change circumstances, it changes you.
So why pray in the first place?//

that's a good enough reason - if it changes a person to accept things whatever the outcome...

For me I pray a lot - sometimes over trivial things, sometimes over big things. Importantly though not all prayers are asking "for" things. Prayer for me is an ongoing conversation with God. And before someone jumps in asking if I get a phone call or an email (etc etc ) in response...no, but, I DO get a feeling of being heard and understood. It's a comfort to me.

[JimF]

"You really do scrape the bottom of the barrel"

He can't help himself. Thread after pointless thread asking essentially the same question with the usual replies from the usual suspects.

I sometimes wonder if he's actually in the employ of AB as some sort of agent provacateur...

[Mamyalynne]

I agree that not all prayers are asking for something in return,many are prayers of gratitude or simply comfort when you are scared and alone.

[jackthehat]

Those who have a diety in which they believe will pray to him/her/them/it.....and will believe that they have been heard and understood.
Those who don't won't.
It's about as simple as that.

This thread is going to devolve into the usual "God doesn't exist v God does exist" argument no matter how it was gussied up to satrt with....

[HansUrbancka]

If only folk would give sound answers to the question as given, rather than pointless platitudes.

There was a time when I prayed for help for others, but it never seemed to work.

Consequently I think prayers are pointless.

Hans.

[eve1974]

agree mamyalyne - much of my prayer is acknowledgement of things I'm grateful for. "small" things most often. Just daily random occurrences - eg - it's raining outdoors and I didn't slip on the wet stones...(that's a typical example of just a few moment ago). "silly" things but it's part of the ongoing "conversation" I enjoy with my Saviour.
I think many psychologists may even say that it is a good way of practicing mindfulness...it opens my eyes to the things I'm grateful for.
these in the very moment I experience them)

[eve1974]

Jackthehat - you summarised it brilliantly...

- we have free choice - so we choose to pray or we don't.

[Theland]

Just being with God for a while, enjoying His company, that too is prayer.

[royfromaus]

nailit
//Many people find comfort in prayer. Why do you want to stop them praying? Why have a go at them for doing something that they find comfort in even though you and I don't?//
Where have I said any different??
Ive asked what is the point?
_________________

You could ask what is the point of a multitude of things.
Prayer isn't for me but if people want to pray why should I question it?

[royfromaus]

oooooh...spooky gap.

[TrevorThePug]

Like crossing your fingers when your team are in a penalty shoot out.

Unlikely to change the outcome, but gives you hope, and nobody harmed in the making.

[nailit]

C'mon you christians, you can pray covid away. (Jesus said you can).

[nailit]

Bible verse available upon request unless you dont want it...

[Theland]

Why pray covid away?

[TrevorThePug]

“C'mon you christians, you can pray covid away. (Jesus said you can). ”

Oh, right you are.

[nailit]

//Why pray covid away?//
You want a disease the will kill ur Granny?

[nailit]

Why pray anything away?

[TrevorThePug]

“You want a disease the will kill ur Granny?”

Well that’s a bit weird. I’ll just ....leave you to it.