Is it possible for believers to ask for something in prayer that doesn't......

by punkofnice 18 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  punkofnice

  ....involve someone else being controlledor affected by your chosen god?

  If someone else is controlled or affected, doesn't this mean that freewill is out the window?

  Surely god either does or doesn't answer prayers?

  If god doesn't answer prayers then what's the use of god?

  If god does answer prayers what's the agenda?

  Just what does constitute god's will?

  Why am I even bothered? Oh, I know that one, it was coz as a believer I couldn't understand why god abandoned me. Now I understand......God wasn't there in the first place. Simples!
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  galaxie

  Would any loving parent ignore the plea's of their child who was truly in need and reliant on your answer/attention? The derivatives of to pray, are to make a plea , plead , entreat. What would ANYONE think of a parent who would ignore such a child in need of your answer?I think the child would very quickly lose' faith in that parent if they were ignored continuously. It always amazes me that people can still have faith In 'god' when their continued plea's are not answered. Oh well it takes all sorts to make a world I suppose.
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  punkofnice

  galaxie - Exactly. I now know there is no god as described by xtian religion, because if there was he'd bleedin' well do something.
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  jemba

  Unfortunately they base their faith on the coincidences that just happen to 'answer' their prayer in some obscure way.
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  punkofnice

  http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jk6ILZAaAMI

  I think this is the one!
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  AndDontCallMeShirley

  I think the child would very quickly lose' faith in that parent if they were ignored continuously

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  this seems to be the entire underlying premise of prayer. No matter how long a person begs and implores god, and receives no answer, they are expected to "keep the faith". When their patience/good sense has been exhausted and they acknowledge reality ("lose faith"), that an answer is not coming, god achieved his hoped-for end result. Now he has another name to add to his, "deserving of death because he lost faith" list.

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  I get the impression that prayer is nothing more than a war of attrition, not the provision of a loving parent (god).

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  "It is folly for a man to pray to the gods for that which he has the power to obtain by himself" -Epicurus
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  punkofnice

  ADCMS - I think the only positive side to prayer may be that the 'supplicant' gets to vocalise their need and in doing so can work out for themselves how to solve it or where to go for help.

  God won't do anything for sure.....how can a non existant thing help?
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  AndDontCallMeShirley

  the 'supplicant' gets to vocalise their need and in doing so can work out for themselves how to solve it or where to go for help.

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  agreed. prayer isn't even needed- there are various methods for achieving this very thing without enlisting divine intervention from a fictitious Sky Daddy, then pinning your hopes on a miracle that isn't coming.

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  there's no substitute for focused thought, intense questioning, then rolling up your sleeves and going to work....
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  punkofnice

  ADCMS

  there's no substitute for focused thought, intense questioning, then rolling up your sleeves and going to work....

  Amen to that!

  ......er.....when I say amen.....no pun intended...............although I'll claim it if it makes anyone titter!
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  galaxie

  Punk : Is the definition of TITTER : to laugh at at the size of a woman's breasts? Heh heh.