Asking/Sending Prayers...

[Bigshot628]

I admittedly am not a very religious person, so it's kind of weird to me when someone asks or gives prayers. So I ask, when you ask for prayers, what do you expect? And when you give prayers, what do you expect? I'm really just curious, not trying to downtalk religion.

Do you really believe that it makes a difference? Or is it just a form of hope that gets you through the day? I'm honestly intrigued by this... i don't mean to offend anyone.

[atxtraveler]

I admittedly am not a very religious person, so it's kind of weird to me when someone asks or gives prayers. So I ask, when you ask for prayers, what do you expect? And when you give prayers, what do you expect? I'm really just curious, not trying to downtalk religion.

Do you really believe that it makes a difference? Or is it just a form of hope that gets you through the day? I'm honestly intrigued by this... i don't mean to offend anyone.

It has been proven over and over that the power of prayer works. Even if you don't believe in religion, the power of prayer has great affect on your own personal life.

My question to you is: If you have heard the Good News, and the fact that believing in Jesus Christ will get you to heaven... why would you not believe? I mean... if every Christian in the whole world turns out to be wrong, and believing in Him does not get you to heaven... then you are no worse off for having believed, than if you don't believe.... right?

Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

[DONNIE D]

The Lord loves the drinkin' man
He sent honky tonk angels to the promise land
I hear that he can turn the water to wine
Any man that can do that oh he's a good friend of mine
I been baptized in beer I'm here to testify
I was speaking in tongue when I came home last night
Some folks say I'm livin' in sin but I know
The Lord loves the drinkin' man

The preacher man he told me boy you ain't no good
The devil's gonna getcha best start actin' like you should
Oh but cold beer and bright lights stayin' out all night
The good book it tells me boy your souls gonna burn
My mama says son your headin' down the wrong road
They don't let honky tonkers up in heaven I've been told
But don't you worry mama I'll see you up in heaven
Ya I've been thinkin' ‘bout it and I've come to this conclusion now

(Chorus)

Well my daddy said son you're living your life all wrong
Lightning's gonna strike you down before too long
The man up stairs he don't like whatcha do
And when you reach those pearly gates you ain't getting' through
Well I've been thinkin' gotta a brand new plan
I'm gonna start a little church down at the stumble in
Ya that's right I'm gonna start my own religion
We'll be drinkin' and a dancin' at the church of Hank Williams ya

(Chorus)

[ChipOC]

It has been proven over and over that the power of prayer works. Even if you don't believe in religion, the power of prayer has great affect on your own personal life.

My question to you is: If you have heard the Good News, and the fact that believing in Jesus Christ will get you to heaven... why would you not believe? I mean... if every Christian in the whole world turns out to be wrong, and believing in Him does not get you to heaven... then you are no worse off for having believed, than if you don't believe.... right?

Sounds like a no-brainer to me.
Well, you do have to surrender your life to Him so it isn't just an insurance policy.

[atxtraveler]

Well, you do have to surrender your life to Him so it isn't just an insurance policy.

I agree... I am just illustrating the point that from a most basic level, it is not hard to see why you would want to live your life in Him.

[GigaBear]

I admittedly am not a very religious person, so it's kind of weird to me when someone asks or gives prayers. So I ask, when you ask for prayers, what do you expect? And when you give prayers, what do you expect? I'm really just curious, not trying to downtalk religion.

Do you really believe that it makes a difference? Or is it just a form of hope that gets you through the day? I'm honestly intrigued by this... i don't mean to offend anyone.



To give the most basic answer I know how, it's about faith. Belief in the Bible, belief in God, belief in what Christianity is about---well, it's all about faith. You don't have empirical evidence to rely upon when you choose to believe.


So, prayer is much of the same. The Bible--which requires faith for you to believe in--teaches that you should bring your troubles to God. With faith, you have to believe that your prayers will be answered.


I have my own thoughts on this which are better reserved for another time, but that's the best explanation I know how to give on why people pray.

[baylorles]

it means to drink lots of alcohol.

[HappyRebel]

I admittedly am not a very religious person, so it's kind of weird to me when someone asks or gives prayers. So I ask, when you ask for prayers, what do you expect? And when you give prayers, what do you expect? I'm really just curious, not trying to downtalk religion.

Do you really believe that it makes a difference? Or is it just a form of hope that gets you through the day? I'm honestly intrigued by this... i don't mean to offend anyone.

I am not religious at all...so when they ask that...I am at a loss at what to say...i don't want them to think less of me If I say my thoughts are with you..........because it's not what they are asking for....and I am not sure if it provides any comfort to them....

[LIQRinPU]

I pray because as Christians we are told to pray. I dont always get what I pray for or things dont always turn out like I pray for them to but thats not really supposed to matter.

I pray every night. To me its a pretty personal thing. I pray for my kids and loved ones. If someone has asked me to pray about something I usually do. I am a pretty simple man.

[HappyRebel]

And if someone isn't feeling good...you pray for them..I have seen that...

[Bigshot628]

i really hope I didn't offend anyone with my questioning... i'm not trying to question your religion as a whole, just the idea of asking and giving prayer. On a side note, I was completely baked when I made that post, and usually I would have just left the matter alone, but curiosity got the best of me.

Continue to explain away, i'm intrigued by all the answers, and while I don't always agree with the answers, I'm glad I'm at a place like Baylor where i can get the knowledge if I really want it, concerning religion.

I'm very careful when it comes to religion, but if I do end up questioning something, please don't take offense.

Sober,

Bigshot

[nein51]

Prayer to me is about faith and belief.

Prayer works because people BELIEVE it works. There is probably some placebo effect going on but I am a believer in a higher power and I like to think he has a hand in it.

Just because we pray for something we dont always get it. I prayed for patience, I met a woman with a 5 month old. If THAT doesnt teach you patience, nothing really will. :D

[ChipOC]

No problem Biggie. Glad to do it.

How about answered prayers?

5.5 years ago in the span of three weeks, I ran over my dog, the next day I was laid off, and then 2 weeks later my truck broke down. I was pretty panicked. I prayed for help and more importantly peace. I felt an overwhelming peace come over me and I never worried a day after that and I was out of work for 4.5 months. It turned out, I got a good job, a friend of a friend actually gave me a new dog who's been one of the best I've ever had and I somehow made money while out of work and was able to fix my truck and buy my wife a new one with cash. Prayer works.

[HappyRebel]

Biggy, some people believe and some people don't...I don't....everyone is different doesn't make them good or bad....Doesn't make us right or wrong..or good or bad..everyone has to believe in something....I am just not sure what...lol

[Friscobear]

No problem Biggie. Glad to do it.

How about answered prayers?

5.5 years ago in the span of three weeks, I ran over my dog, the next day I was laid off, and then 2 weeks later my truck broke down. I was pretty panicked. I prayed for help and more importantly peace. I felt an overwhelming peace come over me and I never worried a day after that and I was out of work for 4.5 months. It turned out, I got a good job, a friend of a friend actually gave me a new dog who's been one of the best I've ever had and I somehow made money while out of work and was able to fix my truck and buy my wife a new one with cash. Prayer works.

By writing a country song about your ordeal? :D

[biggmatt24]

When I pray, I expect nothing more than God to listen. He knows what's best for me and I have faith that everything will be OK no matter the situation. It makes my life easier knowing that I don't have to worry about a thing. Do I still worry about stupid stuff in life...yup.

I have seen the power of prayer and believe that God will perform all that is in His plans.

One recent example of prayer at work: my best friend knows a guy from his church who had torn his ACL and was going to require surgery. Had an MRI or scope showing the ACL completely severed. Then at a pre-op visit or something similar where the doc went to check his knee before operating, the ACL was completely healed. It was like new and didn't show usual signs of wear and tear that would be normal at his age. The only thing that occurred in the interim was lots of prayer from the members of the church and family.