Wouldn't know who to address.
praying before a meal
by megaflower 47 Replies latest watchtower scandals
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BFD
The universe, missinglink.
BFD
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10p
I go with Bart Simpson's prayer:
"Dear God, we pay for all this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothing"
I don't give thanks for every breath I take, but these are more important than meals. I don't give thanks before I have a drink, and yet this is more vital for immediate survival. Why can't people give thanks for all the things that keep them alive at night before they go to bed? Giving thanks before the meal is just a ritual. -
real one
Wouldn't know who to address. Our heavenly Father or dear heavenly Father I pray all the time and I am thankful for everything I have.
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White Dove
I always hated praying. It didn't mean anything to me. I thought it had to contain lots of words like the elders say all the time. For me and some others like me, it becomes so redundant and just words that lose all meaning. I can show my appreciation for the things mother earth and father sun given me in more practical ways, like not wasting anything and recycling. Showing thankfulness is more important and useful than just saying it without action to back it up. JW's say prayers all the time with no proof of their words. Do they push recycling? Giving to charity? Working for charity or save the planet organizations to prove how grateful they are for their food? Never was I encouraged to do such self sacrificing work. Never. Prayers mean nothing. Actions speak much louder and get a lot more done. Ever sent a letter to a farmer to thank them for their hard work in growing your food? Commercialism aside, people make things grow.
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White Dove
Yes, why indeed does it always have to be the all powerful elder that prays for a group at a picnic? Showy display. Come on, you know it has to stroke their egos a bit.
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megaflower
I hear ya white dove. The WTS only knows one charity-Themselves. I agree with you.
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logic&reason
What's is the point of praying before a meal? Who are you praying to? Is it "Jehovah", is it "God", is it just a generic "Lord"? Are you praying to say how thankful you are? If god exists, doesn't he already know whether you are thankful or not? Why vocalize it if he can read your heart?
Consider this: If you are thanking god because you truely believe that he provided the food for you, should you blame him if you get food poisoning from a bad meal? If god is so great, and has the love and power to provide so much wonderful food for us, why is he so cruel and impotent when dealing with starving children in developing nations?
Just for the record, I still pray when I am with family, because I know it makes them feel good. I know it means something to them. I just don't think it goes anywhere beyond the ears of the people around me. Nobody else is "listening".
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Casper
Wouldn't know who to address.
I haven't prayed at all since I walked away from the witnesses 10 years ago. Like in the above quote I wouldn't know whom to address..
Cas
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Gopher
Mouthy,
Re-read my post. I wasn't speaking against prayers in general or thankfulness specifically. I was speaking about the Pharisee-like attitude some people take about being righteous (like the elders). Not everyone who prays does it to show off.