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The bolded is inaccurate - different types of prayer do, in effect, ask or beg "God" to do something. That is the purpose of a lot of prayer - a true desire for a specific "good" outcome, as determined by the person praying. Prayer is usually a request for something.
If your kid is in the hospital on life support, you might pray that they would be restored to health - you're not praying to commune with "God." Most prayers are of the "asking for" nature - it's those kinds of prayer requests that I was alluding to (as they are the most common form of prayer).
I am not talking about meditation or communing with "God."
So back to the question regarding logic: Why would people assume (by default) that they should be asking "God" what to do? That is the question of interest.
You changed your words. Asking is a different thing from telling.
OK, so now that you've made it clear that you are talking ONLY about prayers asking for something, then I guess the answer must be that they believe that is a valid use of prayer. Many Christians follow the Bible literally, for example, and the Bible says in multiple places to ask. So they do.
Well, of course you would not understand the logic.
Because your assessment of this issue is based upon a literal interpretation of the Book and taking it that way.
And if this is how the Book is being critiqued...it's actually fully explained.
A literal assessment must include as a given the Omnimax Powered God that knows everything & can do anything, and has thoughts and ways that are above ours.
See...God knows, and we don't & even can't...a literal interpretation explains that in no uncertain terms.
It says that you are not to go off your own understanding. Oh, and...you are not supposed to question God.
If you are gonna question the Book from a literal interpretation standpoint, with everything as a given...you must also accept your inferior thoughts and ways relative to God's as a given.
So...BECAUSE GOD SAID SO...and God knows, while you don't & can't.
You acknowledged that God is "All Knowing", right? Are you? So...there ya go.
How did you miss that part of the Book?
Quote:
Originally Posted by thinkingandwondering
OMG, are you kidding me?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GldnRule
Do you have something more to offer than the shock of the explanation based upon your own noted criteria?
You present as a given (based upon The Bible) that God is "All Knowing". It is also a given that we humans are not all knowing.
So...why would you question what God said we must do...since he knows all, and we don't (and can't)?
You already had your answer...based upon the information in the Book that you are assessing literally.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thinkingandwondering
Your response looked promising, but didn't offer any meat at all about WHY people think their requests would be considered, given "God" knows everything and knows best.
The insults were good though.
It was already explained to you ^^^^.
You acknowledge that "God is all-knowing". You also acknowledge that we are "mere mortals" and not all-knowing.
You also know that God instructed humans to pray.
So...the all-knowing God gave a directive to the mere mortals. What part of that don't you get?
You actually gave the explanation/reason in your OP...but you don't/won't realize that.
On a slight tangent, what about asking others to pray for you?
I see that online a lot, asking strangers to pray for someone; I even saw a series of billboards asking for prayers for a particular person out near Palm Desert, CA, about 20 years ago.
That almost seems like god is taking a poll, and if enough people vote "help them!", he'll step in.
On a slight tangent, what about asking others to pray for you?
I see that online a lot, asking strangers to pray for someone; I even saw a series of billboards asking for prayers for a particular person out near Palm Desert, CA, about 20 years ago.
That almost seems like god is taking a poll, and if enough people vote "help them!", he'll step in.
I believe that Positive Conscious Energy can be specifically directed and potentially be of benefit.
God manifests by and through consciousness, so it has that primo quality.
Thus, the "Power of Prayer".
Just wondering why you would have to pray - God knows everything - why would I presume to tell "him" what to do? I am interested in the logic of prayer to a all-knowing deity. Why would a mere mortal be directing things?
Fair question!
I think praying or expectant waiting is a good way to connect with God and meditate on what he wants.
So, since you are a sinner, are you wicked or upright?
The "wicked" are the malevolent, "unrepentant" sinners.
So they say...and I can understand that.
I do not think that describes the Christians on this board.
I hope that doesn't too badly mess up your attempt at the typical "Gotcha" you so often post.
On a slight tangent, what about asking others to pray for you?
I see that online a lot, asking strangers to pray for someone; I even saw a series of billboards asking for prayers for a particular person out near Palm Desert, CA, about 20 years ago.
That almost seems like god is taking a poll, and if enough people vote "help them!", he'll step in.
You changed your words. Asking is a different thing from telling.
OK, so now that you've made it clear that you are talking ONLY about prayers asking for something, then I guess the answer must be that they believe that is a valid use of prayer. Many Christians follow the Bible literally, for example, and the Bible says in multiple places to ask. So they do.
There ya go.
That was in error. I meant to write "telling."
I wish I could fix it.
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