Now this is not a religious bash or anything like that. I have been brought up Methodist but I have created my own views on life. My own religion if you will. I believe in myself. I don't turn to any god or goddess when my life goes down or is bad.

My question is why do so many people turn to prayer when they are trying to make their lives better? Do you need that extra boost be believing that something really is listening to you and wanting to make your life better?

answers simple

it makes ppl feel like they are back up by god so the quest will be easier and in my opininon praying for that is quite simple the stupidest thing ever invented. 90% of ppl praying dont think or analize the prayers so its like a poem reciting ,they just do it couse they were thought that way. If you belive that there is a god and that He can hear you why not use a regular words that mean something not some over overstated prayer.

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spawn_syxx9 ->enjoy your rep +
reason : logical way of thinking

How ironic that it is a Christian that is saying that prayer sucks. If anything I should because my parents made me, and it was a complete waste of my time.
People turn to prayer when they have been taught that, or when they observe that behavior. I think that praying does not work in and of itself. What it does is it can make you feel better and focus your energies on fixing whatever you are praying about.

I am a Christian; I do pray; and I do believe it is worth my time. When I pray, it isn't anything fancy and no one forces me to do it. It is just time spent with my Creator and Savior and I think it's crazefully cool that I have the ability to do that. I believe prayer is a form of worship, and it keeps me connected with God. It forces me to stop thinking of myself and focus on what His will for my life is, because in and of myself I am nothing and can accomplish nothing on my own. It is only by grace that I am saved and have a friend in Jesus Christ.

For me, prayer isn't about just asking God for what you want or need. It's about relating to the most awesome power in existence and asking Him to lead you to him.

Unfortunately, some people think if they don't get what they ask for... God isn't listening or doesn't care (ie prayer is useless).

The truth is... none of us REALLY know what is best for us. Human nature is egocentric. We are easily blinded by our own selfishness. Only God (with His infinite wisdom and omnipresence) can lead us to truth and ultimately...eternal happiness.

Now I can hear some of you all asking: "What about the little girl who died of a brain tumour even though her parents prayed for her to be healed, God Boy?!".

Well since we don't know the mind of God, I see the answer to that question to be this:

Man has turned from God to follow his own path. Sufferring and death are the result. Life isn't fair. It's full of heartache and tragedy. BUT God knows this and wants to end the sufferring! That's why he sacrificed his son for us. So that we can turn back to Him and ask his Holy Spirit to guide us through the quagmire of crap we've made for ourselves.

I know I sound like a total Jesus Freak but that's because I AM! I just want everyone else to experience the peace and happiness I have through the Big Guy. It really is awesome!!!

Have you wondered? it might be something behind prayer.

Muslims, Jews and other religion take prayer really seriously.

I believe in prayer. Maybe you need a explanation of the religion before you can understand prayer.

yeah, that's a good point. i'm a full on 'jesus freak'too (good on ya neo_1972au!) yeah but that is true.

i heard a story once.

in a country where chrisitianity was not allowed, there was a church meeting, when a soldier stormed in with a machine gun and said "All you christians get out of the church or i'll shoot you!" about three quarters of the people in the church sprinted out the door.
"Great, " said the guy. "I just wanted to pray with some real christians and just find out what God really was like."

it's not so much about asking for stuff, its just chatting with our Lord, Friend and Creator. God made man in his own image. He enjoys a relationship with us just as much as we enjoy one with him.


Prayer is just talking to God. And God talks back too, although sometimes it's hard to hear (it's not always just verbal)

peace out, God Bless!

As a christian in my opinion, prayer isn't useless even if you think it may be. You don't have to use fancy words or anything like that, you can just talk casually. Some prayers are usually answered but you may not realise it has been answered or if you keep thinking it's useless then you may end up with the answer right in your face but you're too blind to see it. You don't have to be overly religious to pray you just have to believe, prayer also doesn't just consist of asking things from God it gives you the opportunity to speak your mind and what your hopes are so you can share your journey with God and as he walks with you. So even when your life is down, at least you're not alone. If you think prayer is useless, maybe you just need to understand your religion more to appreciate it fully.

I don't really like it either, I am at a Christian school (mainly cause my parents liked the disipline there) and sometimes we are asked to pray 4 stuff (at christmas 4 example) and really noone takes it serious anymore. Only like 10% of the students I think still believe in god (we once spoke about it in class and about everyone doesn't believe in god anymore). And was a recent poll in my country and only 30% of the population still have some remote connection with the church (like have a bible in the house or something like that). So, lucky 4 me, I live in a pretty religion-free country (the netherlands).

yeah, actually its kind of ironic how that happens. i think that forcing people to pray doesn't really help anything (eve