what's the purpose of praying?

[luv2liv]

friend's dad is dying of cancer. she requests we pray for him to get better.

common sense tells me, if God really cared..He wouldnt/shouldnt gave the father cancer in the first place. so why should we care now.

 

[lxskllr]

You shouldn't care. It's just a routine pleasantry you may use with the superstitious. It doesn't actually do anything.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Kill yourself now, you're going to die anyway.

 

[zinfamous]

Whatever you decide, be sure to explicitly spell out your thoughts on prayer to her as she is dealing with her father's death.

It's the only way to truly engage with society.

 

[Markbnj]

It's a common feature of pretty much all western religious traditions that the deity (or deities) does not intercede in human affairs unless motivated by sufficient worship and supplication. It's a necessary mechanic, if you think about it, since if it were the case that the deity supposedly did whatever you asked anytime you asked it would become pretty quickly apparent that there was nobody on the other end of the line. This way you always have the insufficiency of your own prayers to blame for the inaction, and as a side effect you get "professional prayers" in the form of the priesthood. If God always responded you wouldn't need them either.

 

[John Connor]

common sense tells me, if God really cared..He wouldnt/shouldnt gave the father cancer in the first place. so why should we care now.

If common sense told you God gave him cancer, I pray for you.

 

[John Connor]

Luke 18:1

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.


When I read this I thought it was interesting. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke 11:1-13

 

[lxskllr]

It's a common feature of pretty much all western religious traditions that the deity (or deities) does not intercede in human affairs unless motivated by sufficient worship and supplication. It's a necessary mechanic, if you think about it, since if it were the case that the deity supposedly did whatever you asked anytime you asked it would become pretty quickly apparent that there was nobody on the other end of the line. This way you always have the insufficiency of your own prayers to blame for the inaction, and as a side effect you get "professional prayers" in the form of the priesthood. If God always responded you wouldn't need them either.

That's why I sacrifice a sheep when I really need something done. It always works, and the cost of sheep prohibits overuse. God doesn't appreciate stolen sheep.

 

[John Connor]

LOL Jesus is the sheep.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

It's time to grow up, now. Fairy tales are for children.

 

[MtnMan]

 

[brianmanahan]

i don't think a hammer can fix cancer

 

[lxskllr]

i don't think a hammer can fix cancer

No, but stem cell research might. Coincidentally(or not), it's something religion opposes. Praying is as effectual as placebo. Which is to say it works somewhat, but that says more about the mysteries of the brain than the supernatural.

 

[feralkid]

i don't think a hammer can fix cancer

Combined with prayer, it just might.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

It's a common feature of pretty much all western religious traditions that the deity (or deities) does not intercede in human affairs unless motivated by sufficient worship and supplication. It's a necessary mechanic, if you think about it, since if it were the case that the deity supposedly did whatever you asked anytime you asked it would become pretty quickly apparent that there was nobody on the other end of the line. This way you always have the insufficiency of your own prayers to blame for the inaction, and as a side effect you get "professional prayers" in the form of the priesthood. If God always responded you wouldn't need them either.

So every now and then god checks in with earthlings by giving someone cancer just to make sure they are still there?

 

[zinfamous]

No, but stem cell research might. Coincidentally(or not), it's something religion opposes. Praying is as effectual as placebo. Which is to say it works somewhat, but that says more about the mysteries of the brain than the supernatural.

In the OP's situation, this topic of those dying of cancer, why begrudge any family/friends that are not physicians or research scientists their prayer? What exactly are they going to do in terms of "getting off their knees and actually doing something" that would fix this specific problem of tumors invading organ tissue?

There is a very real use for placebo in the real world, even in actual medicine; so it is rather difficult to argue that prayer doesn't have a use.

 

[lxskllr]

In the OP's situation, this topic of those dying of cancer, why begrudge any family/friends that are not physicians or research scientists their prayer? What exactly are they going to do in terms of "getting off their knees and actually doing something" that would fix this specific problem of tumors invading organ tissue?

There is a very real use for placebo in the real world, even in actual medicine; so it is rather difficult to argue that prayer doesn't have a use.

OP doesn't have to actually pray, only say he does. That'll have the same efficacy, and it's polite. Same as when the weirdos wish me a "blessed day". I say "you too", cause it's the thought that counts.

 

[Binarycow]

Religion, prayer, Santa Claus, hope, ect, are extremely powerful placebos that, as humans, we all need them from time to time to make life more bearable. Don't summarily dismiss them just because.

We all worship something, truly, we all worship something.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

friend's dad is dying of cancer. she requests we pray for him to get better.

common sense tells me, if God really cared..He wouldnt/shouldnt gave the father cancer in the first place. so why should we care now.

Ask friend if father has gone to doctor. If yes, ask why if praying could fix the problem. If they don't really have faith in the power of prayer they should not ask you to waste your time doing it.

 

[MongGrel]

I'm not a advocate of prayer myself, but if it's not involved in pushing an agenda or a money making scam more power to anyone who wants to, if it makes them feel better. Stress in itself can be an issue physically, if something helps you mentally I imagine it is beneficial.

Often the two I mentioned can be involved. Well almost always in general I guess.

 

[Fritzo]

You know, some people take comfort in it. If it doesn't hurt you in any way, shape, or form, but it makes other people feel better, why bash it? Because you want to express how superior you are over them?

I'm not religious, but if a relative asked me to pray with them to give them some comfort, I would definitely give them my support.

 

[PowerEngineer]

OP, you may be overthinking this one.

When a person's death is unavoidable (as it always ultimately is), you can help relatives/friends begin to cope with their upcoming loss by accommodating their wishes. If mobilizing people to "pray" for their father helps them feel better during this tough time, then perhaps that's reason enough to "go through the motions" even if you (and I) suspect that it will not change the outcome.

Same idea with funerals -- it's all about what helps the relatives/friends to accept their loss; the guest of honor is beyond caring.

 

[Jeff7]

You know, some people take comfort in it. If it doesn't hurt you in any way, shape, or form, but it makes other people feel better, why bash it? Because you want to express how superior you are over them?

I'm not religious, but if a relative asked me to pray with them to give them some comfort, I would definitely give them my support.

Support? Sure.


What's on my mind with this sort of thing is that some people can become prone to substitute prayer for something practical, like true medical help in a relevant situation.

 

[Ruptga]

Nobody knows, but here's a fun theory. Never mind that its conclusions aren't based on neuropsychiatric fact, if armchair hypothesizing is good enough for religion it's good enough for me!

 

[soulcougher73]

God gets upset when his "God has a plan" in this case for said person to die of cancer gets ruined by humans and their darn science.

But mostly i dont care. If they want to waste time praying more power to them.