Non-Believers And Prayer

[nailit]

As a long time atheist, I have found the notion of prayer not only useless but also absurd and ridiculous. HOWEVER....

I have Christian friends. One of my friends is a retired minister and I know that both he and his wife pray for my mums health (she has terminal cancer) and for my own well being. I have other Christian friends...who all know my own views...who also pray for me.
At one time I felt that I ought to bite my tongue when the subject came up in conversation. These people are my friends after all and Im willing to let differences of opinion slide. We hardly ever discuss religion, just enjoy each others company and we all know where we all stand as re: faith.

BUT, Im recently starting to view their prayers (however much I view them as impotent and useless) as actually been an act of love and kindness.
Useless yes! But the *intention* is one of love.

Not so sure how they would react if I were to dance under the full moon, naked, in the woods for them tho while calling upon Cernunnos…

[Khandro]

Lighting a candle and saying a prayer before a Madonna, never harmed anyone.

[ludwig]

I know there are atheists who get angry about other people praying for them. I've never understood that. After all, what harm can it do?

[hc4361]

I find that praying for people I care about often helps me to find a way to be useful.

[Ken4155]

Talking to someone who (imho) isn't there is akin to my shouting at my tv when the racing's on, urging 'my' horse for more effort :-)

[Ellipsis]

I send thoughts and best wishes, others send prayers. Each to their own. Be grateful that people care.

[goodlife]

The Bible gives the reason why some prayers are not heard, when it says: “You do ask, and yet you do not receive, because you are asking for a wrong purpose, that you may expend it upon your cravings for sensual pleasure.” (James 4:3) No, God will not answer prayers for the satisfying of wrong desires. We must also remember that God is not taking orders from humans, so to speak. He is the One who decides how he will answer our prayers.

[naomi24]

//“You do ask, and yet you do not receive, because you are asking for a wrong purpose, that you may expend it upon your cravings for sensual pleasure.” //

What absolute rot! You insult genuine people, Goodlife - and that from an atheist! Shame on you.

[spathiphyllum]

No one knows if prayers are useless. Sending out specific energy into the universe may see that energy return. Law of attraction and all that. Can easily be explained without even a thought of a higher power. It's all vibrations, it's all anything is.

[NellieMay]

People can pray for me if they want but I don't want them to tell me. It makes me feel worse, full of doom and gloom. I know it is done with good intentions though.

[NellieMay]

I would add that I don't have any religious beliefs.

[Theland]

There'd are two people I pray for regularly apart from family. Nailit and Naomi.
Maybe one day the Good Lord will reveal Himslelf to both of them. In a dream maybe?.

[ummmm]

Dreams are not real!

[Arksided]

Nailit... I were to dance under the full moon, naked, in the woods ... then we'd both be on the X files hit list.

[naomi24]

Theland, //There'd are two people I pray for regularly apart from family. Nailit and Naomi.
Maybe one day the Good Lord will reveal Himslelf to both of them. In a dream maybe?. //

Don't bother on my account. Your arrogance is superfluous to requirements.

[Theland]

Don't have a stiff brass neck.
Take it as intended - in love.

[Mamyalynne]

I would never be so crass as to put my own spin on a prayer - I prey for the health,safety and well being of others and would only tell them if I knew they'd appreciate it.

[naomi24]

Theland, arrogance and hypocrisy.

[nailit]

Well, Ive just got back home after spending the evening with my retired minister friend and his wife (as mentioned in the OP).
We had tea together and spent the evening playing Gin Rummy, not a mention of God, the Bible or religion. As he dropped me of at home he said that he keeps me and my mum in his prayers. I thanked him, I couldn't be offended at this if I tried.
I dont know if Im going soft in the head or just becoming more tolerant....

[Arksided]

I wouldn't ever take the pee out of someone praying and leave them be until they're done.

[Peter Pedant]

// A Christian offering a prayer for you should be appreciated, imo.//

yeah I pray for the usual assortment of adulterers liars and thieves.
please Lord make them see the error of their evil ways etc ....
and they dont have to be Christian eiether