How powerful is a PRAYER?

[*Fantasia*]

I guess it depends on your religion, your faith.

I believe in God, I believe that a prayer is a very powerful thing. When I pray, it helps me clear my mind and sometimes by praying, i get my answer. Praying is a good thing.. well.. at least for me.

 

[Keli]

I believe in an Almighty God. He has all power, He knows everything, and He is present everywhere at once.
He does listen to prayers, He tells us to pray for the things we need. And He answers prayers. But His answers are not always yes. Sometimes He says no.
But you must pray with faith, believing that God hears you and He will answer you.
The bible does say that God doesn't answer some prayers because of our motives and the condition of our hearts when we ask.

From personal experience I will tell you that God has answered many, many prayers for me. Some of them have been in critical situations, some prayers have been borne in moments of despare, some have been for things I wanted but didn't qualify as a need, some have been for physical healing, and many have been for other people's needs.
And God has ALWAYS been faithful, answering prayers, changing my heart, helping me forgive, blessing me, and sometimes showing me that what I wanted wasn't what was best in a particular situation.

Recently I was in a situation that there was really no way for me to succeed. Those with the power in the situation had decided they didn't want me to succeed and had set it up so that I couldn't. It was virtually airtight.
I suspect it wasn't personal, there may have been another reason they were doing this, I may have been collatoral damage.
So I started praying about it. Over and over again, everyday, sometimes multiple times a day. And I did what I knew was right even when I REALLY, REALLY wanted to do otherwise.
The Lord blessed me and gave me wisdom. I came through the situation successfully. No one would have thought that was possible. I know it was only the hand of God that guided me through a mined path and I am so thankful.

 

[poohandwendy]

That is such a respectful attitude for a non-believer to have.

Yes, I believe in the power of prayer, regardless of who or how many are praying. I personally don't pray for specific things to happen, but rather for strength, guidance and to accept God's will.

I agree completely.

 

[Fly me with Balloons]

Prayer is more powerful than any force on earth. Just because you don't always get what you ask for is no reason to doubt. We don't let our children have everything they ask for because sometimes we know what is best for them. God doesn't give us everything we ask for because we don't always know what we really need.

Penny

I think water is more powerful.

A lack of evidence is a reason to doubt.

I know what I need. I'm a grown up.

I am not denying the existance of a god, I simply do not know. But, I do know that blind faith is a dangerous, and often foolish thing.

 

[Fly me with Balloons]

The Bible tells us in James that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced it's crops.

That's some pretty powerful praying!

The bible is full of stories that make people feel better. Doesn't make the stories true. The message in it is nice, but the fairy tales are just that.

 

[orljustin]

Prayer is more powerful than any force on earth. Just because you don't always get what you ask for is no reason to doubt. We don't let our children have everything they ask for because sometimes we know what is best for them. God doesn't give us everything we ask for because we don't always know what we really need.

Penny

That's the typical answer to these types of threads. If you get it, it worked, if you didn't it worked, you don't know what you want/need...etc....etc...

As mentioned, prayer is a psychological thing. If it helps you mentally achieve something, good for you.

 

[Kath2003]

Prayer and the Christian God is very well set-up. Prayer and God essentially cannot fail:

Pray --> Get what you prayed for --> God blessing you

Pray --> Don't get what you prayed for --> God testing you

Pray --> Nothing changes --> Not part of God's plan

etc.

Psychologically and socially it's valuable (including in terms of motivating people to get things done) but in terms of actually getting things done, changing things it holds no value.

 

[jimmiej]

That's the typical answer to these types of threads. If you get it, it worked, if you didn't it worked, you don't know what you want/need...etc....etc...

As mentioned, prayer is a psychological thing. If it helps you mentally achieve something, good for you.

Of course, that's your opinion.

I believe God answers ALL prayer. Yes, no, or wait. The Bible compares our relationship with God to a child/parent relationship. We tell our children yes, no, or wait. As a parent, we have the ability to see the big picture. Why do we expect God to say yes every time, & if He doesn't, He must not really exist?

 

[dcentity2000]

Ignoring the spiritual side, prayer has a potentially invaluable psychological effect; it can bring people right back from the brink.



Rich::

 

[beattyfamily]

There is a saying: "Pray toward Heaven. Row towards the shore."
Praying for me is my practical application of my belief that I have faith in an all powerful God. But God also wants me to step out in this faith and consciously act in accordance with the provision of talents, knowledge and gifts he has given me.

I love that saying.

I believe prayer is more powerful than we could possibly even know.

So true.

 

[orljustin]

Of course, that's your opinion.

I believe God answers ALL prayer. Yes, no, or wait. The Bible compares our relationship with God to a child/parent relationship. We tell our children yes, no, or wait. As a parent, we have the ability to see the big picture. Why do we expect God to say yes every time, & if He doesn't, He must not really exist?

Yes, yes. The old parent child thing. Sorry - forgot to mention that in my list of convienent heard befores.

 

[CJBaby]

We don't let our children have everything they ask for because sometimes we know what is best for them. God doesn't give us everything we ask for because we don't always know what we really need. Penny

I was going to quote you as soon as I read this, but I decided to read ahead first. Funny how many people quoted you to basically roll their eyes, when I wanted to say thank you. I guess I live in a cave, but I've never heard this put so perfectly. So even though all the atheists and whoever say they are tired of hearing this analogy, it's the first time I've heard it, and it's a really beautiful thought.

So, thank you!

 

[Amity 3]

there's no empirical evidence of prayer affecting anything we experience.

the second law of thermodynamics states that all living things - animal, vegetable, or mineral is going to break down and die.

praying isn't going to change a damn thing.

 

[Saphire]

there's no empirical evidence of prayer affecting anything we experience. TRUE

the second law of thermodynamics states that all living things - animal, vegetable, or mineral is going to break down and die. TRUE

praying isn't going to change a damn thing. NOT TRUE

Prayer changes me. To experience communion with God in this way is profound and mysterious, and changes the person who is doing the praying. No matter what the outcome of your requests, prayer brings us into a closer relationship with God.

 

[Amity 3]

Prayer changes me. To experience communion with God in this way is profound and mysterious, and changes the person who is doing the praying. No matter what the outcome of your requests, prayer brings us into a closer relationship with God.

OK, that's one way to look at it, spiritually. if it makes you feel good, we all need things to make it through the day.

in the real world, your prayers don't affect anything.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I very much believe in God, and believe that we can be changed through our prayers to God.

But I do not believe that he is answering prayers. If he is everything I believe he is, he wouldn't choose to answer some people's prayers and not others. I think he pretty much just stays out of things.

 

[JennyMominRI]

OK, that's one way to look at it, spiritually. if it makes you feel good, we all need things to make it through the day.

in the real world, your prayers don't affect anything.

I've been praying a lot lately.. Now I don't believe Ed and I are special ,or that we are anymore deserving of a miracle or a recovery than anyone else..But what I do get is a sense of calm and peace.. You may say that I am attaining that myself..Who knows you may be right..But I'll tel you what it does, it enables me to get through that next hour or that next day and it calms me when I feel like I'm just a hair short of losing it.

 

[Saphire]

And the opposite is also TRUE:
there's no empirical evidence of prayer NOT affecting anything we experience.

 

[freckles and boo]

I've been praying a lot lately.. Now I don't believe Ed and I are special ,or that we are anymore deserving of a miracle or a recovery than anyone else..But what I do get is a sense of calm and peace.. You may say that I am attaining that myself..Who knows you may be right..But I'll tel you what it does, it enables me to get through that next hour or that next day and it calms me when I feel like I'm just a hair short of losing it.

I am an atheist, but if prayer helps you survive those terrible moments then do whatever it takes. I have been lurking on your Eddad thread - I wish you all well!

 

[Amity 3]

I've been praying a lot lately.. Now I don't believe Ed and I are special ,or that we are anymore deserving of a miracle or a recovery than anyone else..But what I do get is a sense of calm and peace.. You may say that I am attaining that myself..Who knows you may be right..But I'll tel you what it does, it enables me to get through that next hour or that next day and it calms me when I feel like I'm just a hair short of losing it.

I believe it has a calming effect. maybe a short spurt of endorphins.

but praying that Uncle Bob isn't going to die of lung cancer doesn't stop him from doing so.

we all have different ways of making it through the day, a couple of beers does it for me. I don't look to Miller Lite to save my soul.