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As a previous Christian, prayer always baffled me, for many of the reasons stated here. I always heard people praying for healing, a good job, a new lawn mower, new neighbors, etc... Because of the tri-omni attributes of the god I believed in, it made no sense at all. Though I don't believe there is anyone to hear your prayer, now as an atheist, I do respect those who pray silently and despise it when I see those continuous posts from my Christian friends asking for prayer, like there is some threshold of a number of prayers for their god to grant their wishes.
Request prayers are not good as they may intact be grievous to the Holy spirit. Just simply thank for whatever you want and if it is according to his will he will do it.is
As a previous Christian, prayer always baffled me, for many of the reasons stated here. I always heard people praying for healing, a good job, a new lawn mower, new neighbors, etc... Because of the tri-omni attributes of the god I believed in, it made no sense at all. Though I don't believe there is anyone to hear your prayer, now as an atheist, I do respect those who pray silently and despise it when I see those continuous posts from my Christian friends asking for prayer, like there is some threshold of a number of prayers for their god to grant their wishes.
Look at it as a form of meditation. It is helpful even if no one hears.
Jesus told the disciples to pray always so they would not have to undergo the trials of the end times.
That would be a good reason but prayer is not asking in the way people think. As Jesus said "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given you as well."
They were speaking of food and clothing if I remember correctly and Jesus was tellingly them not to worry that God would provide if they seek the Lord. Seeking the Lord and His righteousness is for the holy and the righteous, it is they whom the Lord hears as scripture says;" The Lord hears the prayer of the righteous."
"The righteous man's mouth speaks wisdom and his tongue does what is right"
While God is all knowing, God does change his mind. Hezekiah was told he would soon die, prayed to God to live and God granted his request and Hezekiah lived an additional 17 years, if my memory is correct. Moses was hesitant to go to Egypt and complained about his lack of verbal skills, so God gave him his brother Aaron as a spokesman. So you see, God does sometimes change events at the request of his people. Think of all the requests made of Jesus, and how many times Jesus said yes. So, pray for your needs, but always "not my will, but thy will be done."
Prayer is (or more correctly has) supernatural power!!
It connects our physical world to the spiritual world and opens up the windows and doors of heaven for us.
It provides a conduit and a channel for us to receive from the creator of the universe:
communication
answers
guidance
power
authority
blessings and annointings.
That's a WHOLE LOT for a few worlds spoken in unwavering faith!
Its purpose is to attune our consciousness to God's in love. It is to benefit us spiritually . . . NOT materially.
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.3 John 1:1-3
Oh ye of little understanding!
God most definitely wants us to prosper materially! He want us to prosper:
1. spiritually
2. emotionally
3. physically
4. mentally and
5. materially
The creator wants us to prosper so that we can SHARE what we have with those who don't have! You can bless another beggar with the gospel if you are one two, but he will look at you and wonder why you are in the same boat he is! On the other hand, if you take him in, feed him, clothe him and give him a job in your factory he is more apt to take you seriously. Get with the program dude.
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I Pray all the time just talking with my Heavenly Father,only one I trust.
What is the purpose of prayer?
