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Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

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Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

Philosophy/religion

Ok, how is praying for people supposed to work then?

40 replies

Aloha · 05/02/2006 22:57

I put this on another thread. People believe praying for others works.
So God has before him two very sick babies. One is prayed for, one is not. So God chooses to save the prayed for one, and lets the other one die? What kind of God would do that?

OP posts:

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starlover · 05/02/2006 23:00

i don't think it works like that.
God doesn't only "save" people who have been prayed for. Sometimes ill people who are prayed for die as well...

I am not religious, but I think that it's a case of God's will... it isn't just the praying that counts

expatinscotland · 05/02/2006 23:01

I don't know, Aloha. I'm still trying to figure that out, b/c I see prayer more as meditation than asking for things.

Aloha · 05/02/2006 23:01

So what is the point of praying 'for' people then? I honestly don't understand.

OP posts:

Aloha · 05/02/2006 23:02

I can understand expressing solidarity with the suffering person and their family by thinking about them in whatever way you choose, but I don't get the asking God for special favours bit and expecting it to work.

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 05/02/2006 23:03

Maybe to pray that they find peace in their minds, souls and hearts.

colditz · 05/02/2006 23:03

My theory is, it's a nice way of saying "You are in my heart and thoughts, I will devote some of my time to thinking about you before I go to bed at night."

shimmy21 · 05/02/2006 23:03

I guess because it helps the people who pray more thsn it helps the prayee as it were...

JoolsToo · 05/02/2006 23:03

I think it's more for the people who are worried about the sick person than for the sick person iyswim

JoolsToo · 05/02/2006 23:04

starlover · 06/02/2006 11:10

was thinking about this last night and i think that it's partly to say "hey god, please look after the ill person, and their family whatever happens"

nitfreecod · 06/02/2006 11:11

parp aloha

think aloha was a nun in a former life

geekgrrl · 06/02/2006 11:13

Tsk, aloha! Silly question... - he's obviously up there with his giant divine clipboard!

nitfreecod · 06/02/2006 11:14

aloha
no paryers

faces eternal dieting and hassle ( along hte lines of a greek myth - you los the wieght hen it creeps back on at night)

Dinosaur · 06/02/2006 11:15

Aloha, I'm at the beginning of what I hope is going to be a journey back to faith, but this question, and related questions about how a just God can allow so many innocents to suffer so much,is a very big stumbling block for me.

poppiesinaline · 06/02/2006 11:25

There is more to prayer than asking for things. God taught us how to prayer through the Lords Prayer. Asking for things comes quite low on the list IYSWIM. TBH there is alot about prayer that I do not understand but I believe praying for others is very important. I have seen God heal people and other sick people who have also been prayed for don't get healed. I do not know why. Its not because he loves one more than the other or one is 'better' than the other. God doesn't work like that. The Bible teaches us to be faithful in prayer, ie, pray because God asks us to pray, not because we want things 'done'. I agree with starlover - God's will and all that. I don't think anyone will ever understand God and his workings. He is just too big.

Also, I try and see it like this, there is good and bad, God and Satan, Angels and demons - and praying is like giving the good side a bit of a boost!

Rhubarb · 06/02/2006 11:33

I've always thought that God generally doesn't interfere. He leaves us to it, that's the gift of free-will, if he interfered all the time then we wouldn't be free. We are responsible for our own actions and we have to deal with the consequences. But you can pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to help people out, that is strength, wisdom, compassion, etc. If a person is healed, that is because it serves a purpose, God intended that person to act as a kind of message from Him that we are not forgotten. But basically, since Jesus came and went, that was to be the last act of interference, we are on our own until Judgement Day.

It's either that or everything is a load of bollocks. There's no way of knowing till the day comes is there? But if you believe and He's real then you'll be bloody thankful, if you believe and He's not real, well no harm done! I prefer to live the safe way!

poppiesinaline · 06/02/2006 11:37

Dinosaur - God created us to have free will. He didn't want a bunch of robots following Him. Therefore, Adam and Eve sinned back in the beginning and as a result we now live in a 'fallen world'. All the suffering, natural disasters, sickness etc is rooted in that original sin. I don't really understand it either but I know God could make it all better with a click of His fingers but for some reason doesn't. I think God sees a bigger picture than we do. Also, life is life. If God made things all better then maybe people would follow Him because of the things He could do rather than for who He is. I don't know really. Just rambling now!!!

FrannyandZooey · 06/02/2006 11:37

I am not a Christian but I pray as expat mentions, as a form of meditation, to focus on what is important and clear the mind of the day's troubles. Asking for divine intervention on behalf of another person is a rewarding activity IMO. The result is not the point, the process is the point.

Aloha · 06/02/2006 11:49

Yes the Sysiphean extra 10lbs, enternally being taken off an being put on again...

OP posts:

nitfreecod · 06/02/2006 11:55

thast the boy sisepheus

nitfreecod · 06/02/2006 11:56

think religion is clever

they tell you somethign fantastic

you s ay" hmm i find it hard it to believe int that" they say " aha well its supposed to eb ahrd"

job done

Dinosaur · 06/02/2006 12:02

Thus speaketh the vicar's daughter...

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Rhubarb · 06/02/2006 12:02

I'm a nun's daughter - how religious is that?????

Dinosaur · 06/02/2006 12:03

I loved motherinferior's response to that on another thread recently...

Rhubarb · 06/02/2006 12:06

PAH!

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