Do you pray?

[Countdown]

Hi all

I didn't want to hijack the "Do you believe in God" thread but was curious as to how many people have prayed to a higher being when they have been going through difficult personal times. My gut feeling is that most of us will have because, even if we don't believe, we've felt desperate enough that we'll try anything and everything. The poll is anonymous so people can be truthful without risking the wrath of the True believers/Infidels

Just to clarify

Option 1 - Yes, I believe in a higher being and pray regularly for various reasons

Option 2 - Don't be silly there is no higher being, it would be ridiculous

Option 3 - I'm not sure, but there have been times in my life when I prayed, hoping that doing so would change things.

[dukeboy749r]

Are these two themes linked?

i.e. belief in God (or some higher power) and prayer - being a means to communicate in isolation with God?

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dukeboy749r said:

Are these two themes linked?

i.e. belief in God (or some higher power) and prayer - being a means to communicate in isolation with God?

I would have thought so.

I mean if you don't believe in God or a higher power who would you be praying to?

[Lefty]

In general i consider my wife to be the higher but i don't really pray to her.

Beg maybe...

[Tighnamara]

I pray every time I go to the football on a Saturday

[dundarach]

Yes, daily it's published online and has a few hundred followers.

Been doing it over 6 years now, quite a large back catalogue.

[paulguitar]

Studies have shown that hospital patients who explicitly knew they were being prayed for actually experienced a slightly higher rate of complications, but I think personal prayer could perhaps be useful. There doesn't have to be anything there/listening; it could just be a good way to work through difficult stuff, rather like going to therapy, but cheaper.

[Monkeylegend]

Countdown said:

I mean if you don't believe in God or a higher power who would you be praying to?

Your guardian angel.

[Lefty]

dundarach said:

Yes, daily it's published online and has a few hundred followers.

Been doing it over 6 years now, quite a large back catalogue.

Serious questions, from a non-believer here. I'm not trying to cause an argument - genuine curiosity.


Does it make you feel better? Happier? More cmfortable? More confident?

Do you ask for things? I assume not for yourself but health or luck or something for others?

Do you feel any response in any way?


Thanks

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Monkeylegend said:

Countdown said:

I mean if you don't believe in God or a higher power who would you be praying to?

Your guardian angel.

Wouldn't that fall under "God or a higher power"?

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paulguitar said:

Studies have shown that hospital patients who explicitly knew they were being prayed for actually experienced a slightly higher rate of complications, but I think personal prayer could perhaps be useful. There doesn't have to be anything there/listening; it could just be a good way to work through difficult stuff, rather like going to therapy, but cheaper.

Could it not be the case that it was only the more serious cases where somebody was praying for the patient? I mean you might pray for somebody going in for heart surgery but you wouldn't necessarily pray for somebody having a kidney stone removed?

[paulguitar]

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paulguitar said:

Studies have shown that hospital patients who explicitly knew they were being prayed for actually experienced a slightly higher rate of complications, but I think personal prayer could perhaps be useful. There doesn't have to be anything there/listening; it could just be a good way to work through difficult stuff, rather like going to therapy, but cheaper.

Could it not be the case that it was only the more serious cases where somebody was praying for the patient? I mean you might pray for somebody going in for heart surgery but you wouldn't necessarily pray for somebody having a kidney stone removed?

No, it was a properly conducted scientific test.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16569567/


It seems that those being prayed for may have experienced some 'performance anxiety '.

[DannyScene]

I attended a C of E primary school so prayed a lot at school in assemblies and our weekly visit to the church up the road

I've only ever prayed once in my 'adult life' when my grandad was deathly ill in hospital, he died, haven't bothered since.

[LordGrover]

No, but I tap the head of my laughing buddha if a feel in need of luck.

[MXRod]

What is a god

[Russet Grange]

Yes, I pray that we can have a religion forum.

[leigh1050]

No!

[Raptor7000r]

Yes, daily and I feel like it does make a difference in the good times and bad times and for others going through tribulations.

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LordGrover said:

No, but I tap the head of my laughing buddha if a feel in need of luck.

I assume you're joking but that kind of opens up a bigger question; how many of us have superstitions (ie beliefs that are based on no scientific evidence but where we do things which might bring us "luck"?)

[Monkeylegend]

Countdown said:

Monkeylegend said:

Countdown said:

I mean if you don't believe in God or a higher power who would you be praying to?

Your guardian angel.

Wouldn't that fall under "God or a higher power"?

Not if you are a devout atheist like me.

All you are doing is praying for something and that prayer does not have to be to "God" or any other higher power or have any religious connotations.