| Mar 13, 2007 @ 2:48 PM |
The Power of Prayer
|
|
hammertime
Posts: 14,071
|
Almost everyone has prayed for something. At times of great emotional stress, we pray. When a loved one is sick or dying, we pray. When we are sick we pray to get well. When we show emotional support for others we tell them they're in our prayers. We pray for a lot of things but what is prayer and does it do anything other than make us feel good?
All healing prayer is based on a delusional belief we can help cure someone by praying. Sometimes it appears to work. Sometimes things get worse. Sometimes nothing happens at all. So does prayer do anything other than make you feel good about yourself?
No.
Most religions pray and they all say the same thing. They are talking to God. They ask for things for others and for themselves. They need things and beg for His mercy.
Other than emotional feelings of doing something nice is there anything that happened because you prayed? The answer is NO.
Case 1 If you prayed for someone's cancer to heal and they did heal was that because you said a prayer? NO. Cancer can go into remission spontaneously and doctor's don't completely understand how. To the person praying they think they actually cause a healing. Thats called a COINCIDENCE.
Case 2 What if they prayed and the person didn't heal and they just plain dropped dead? We'll the person says something like, "God took them", "It was God's plan","God needed a good soul" and a the list of excuses that goes on. This is a built in self supporting reinforcement of your delusion.
So in both of these cases it appears God answered both prayers even when the prayer wasn't answered at all. Your delusion makes you feel good.
Case 3. Joe just came back from Iraq and lost both arms and both legs. Everyone is praying for Joe's recovery but something strange is happening. God is not growing new arms or legs for Joe. So everyone is praying really really hard and God must hear them but still Joe remains a basket case and has not even grown a new finger. So those who pray chalk it up to God's will.
Case 4 Sam has a bad heart and needs a new one. Everyone prays for Sam. He gets a new heart. Wow!! Was that because God heard the prayer? Someone had to die to provide Sam with the new heart. Did God kill someone to help Sam? Did God let someone die to help Sam? Of course not. You wouldn't believe God killed someone to answer your prayer would you? The truth is, Sam would have gotten a heart anyway whether you prayed for one or not.
If you believe prayer can help someone, it can help them emotionally and good emotions do help with healing. Sometimes good emotions makes a world of difference. In that case, the prayer amounts to wishing someone well.
But does the prayer have mystical powers? NO
Will it make new arms or legs grow? NO
Will it help you grow a new lung? NO
Will it raise up someone from the dead? NO
Will it change the weather or prevent some disaster from happening? NO
Will it change your odds at Las Vegas. NO
Will it get you a raise? NO
Will it help a mentally retarded child become normal? NO
Will it raise your IQ? NO
Anyone who lost their legs or arms never got any new limbs no matter how born again Christian they were and how hard they prayed.
So if prayers do so little then why pray? Well its makes you feel good while someone else is suffering. Its basically a selfish act so you don't feel so guilty for being so helpless. The truth is you are praying only for yourself and hoping that your delusion becomes a reality. When it doesn't you just make excuses.
|
|
  |
|
| Mar 13, 2007 @ 3:19 PM |
The Power of Prayer |
|
omkeerpunt
Posts: 511
|
Ok so how do you want us to react to that. You have already shown that this thread is not open to discussion and that anything we can say will be met by nothing but ridicule and your own brand of pessimistic disbelieve.
If you want to be proven wrong, then go to the source and allow Him to show you the truth.
|
| |
|
| Mar 13, 2007 @ 3:32 PM |
The Power of Prayer
|
|
hammertime
Posts: 14,071
|
Sure you can debate. Refute with actual cases where someone grew a new leg.
|
|
| |
|
| Mar 13, 2007 @ 4:04 PM |
The Power of Prayer |
|
Majik_Imaje
Posts: 197
|
Well.. now I understand why your always so bitter! I can see exactly why!
You don't want a relationship with God on His terms..
You want a releationship based on YOUR TERMS!
that's what satan was all about ! he wanted his way!
|
| |
|
| Mar 13, 2007 @ 4:15 PM |
The Power of Prayer
|
|
hammertime
Posts: 14,071
|
Majik_Imaje
Is that the best you can do? Did I present something difficult for you to comprehend like COMMON SENSE and RATIONAL THOUGHT? I already know about your PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with a BOOK and your DELUSIONS.
And more delusions about SATAN.  You want to blame your problems on SATAN because you can not take responsibility for your own actions and ignorance. Fairytales that full grown adults believe in.
Boo!!!!
|
|
| |
|
| Mar 13, 2007 @ 4:26 PM |
The Power of Prayer |
|
Majik_Imaje
Posts: 197
|
Here is my proof with many witness's to the POWER OF PRAYER..
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:LV_j8YjOEDIJ:www.bibleforums.org/forum/archive/index.php%3Ft-76301.html+Majik+Imaje&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=39&gl=us
|
| |
|
| Mar 13, 2007 @ 4:43 PM |
The Power of Prayer
|
|
hammertime
Posts: 14,071
|
The only proof you gave is that you can't post a link. Maybe you're a little upset. Go to help and learn to post a link.
|
|
| |
|
| Mar 13, 2007 @ 4:44 PM |
The Power of Prayer |
|
Majik_Imaje
Posts: 197
|
Yes Mr. Hammer.. I did make a mistake and I admit.. I do not know the correct manner in which to post a link. but also
you can easily copy and paste that link and it will work!
so because I did not post the link correctly then that is GROUNDS for dismissal.!
your are 5 cans short of a six pack Mr. Hammer!
I made a simple statment based on what is spewing out of your mouth..!
Mr Hammer.!
you said these words."..sometimes it appears to work".. !
I posted an example of a situation with 5 witness.. and these people would never lie to back me up cause they all hate me very much. BUT THEY WILL TELL THE TRUTH~.. too many people saw this happen.!
too many people said no way could that happen.. write the letters to real people and see if they won't respond what what they saw happen that day!
do you think they are going to actually lie to you Mr. Hammer ?
the whole world is wrong.. .. but your the ONE PERSON on here.. that is RIGHT!
Mr. Hammer.. do you actually think I am THAT STUPID? to WASTE 60 years believing in some delusion? or fairy tale.. ALL my prayers ALWAYS get answered Mr. Hammer.
OTHERWISE.. I would have never CONTINUED .. for that many years.!
fill your "pipe" with something else Mr. Hammer.. you are a LEGEND.. in your OWN MIND only ! No one on this board SUPPORTS anything that your trying to PROMOTE.. and you asked..a question .. and I posted a true event! with 5 witness
Now your going to try and convinice me this never happened? or they are lying or some other "fairy tale delusion that YOU are going to think up to dismiss this event.?
Do you actually think I would CONTINIUE PRAYING for 50 years? with some delusion fairy tale.. I always get answers to very very specific requests for OTHERS............ YOU LEFT THAT PART OUT.. !
and yes I do pray for my families needs and they are always met.!
I pray for specific detailed supplicaitons.. so that when they happen.. there is absolutly no doubt as to WHO was behind it ALL !
|
| |
|
| Mar 13, 2007 @ 4:52 PM |
The Power of Prayer
|
|
hammertime
Posts: 14,071
|
Copy and Pasting doesn't work. Its a bad link.
If you can read a whole Bible then read the help link and learn post a good link.
|
|
| |
|
| Mar 13, 2007 @ 5:51 PM |
The Power of Prayer |
|
Wanda_world
Posts: 44
|
Hammertime, I believe in allowing others to believe in what they choose to believe in as long as it's not hurting anyone. Who here is hurting anyone? It's apparant you wish to elicit a response, or shame people into not believing. It doesn't matter what you say-it's not going to drastically change what I believe, just as anything I say isn't going to drastically change what you believe.
I could name incidents where I know the outcomes were changed by the power of prayer. But I cherish them; they are special to me, and not something I want others to ridicule, mock or try to refute.
What sort of edification do you receive by trying to provoke others? Is it really so hard for you to allow those that want to discuss Christianity and how it affects them personally, to do so?
Perhaps some people are delusional and we all have the right to our own opinions. I agree that many people have been hurt or killed in the name of various religions. But does mocking others, or calling others names, make you a better person than they are? Are you contributing to the solution of peace or the problem of war?
|
| |
|
| Mar 13, 2007 @ 6:20 PM |
The Power of Prayer
|
|
hammertime
Posts: 14,071
|
Why to you say it doesn't hurt anyone?
Hammertime, I believe in allowing others to believe in what they choose to believe in as long as it's not hurting anyone. Who here is hurting anyone? and then say.
I agree that many people have been hurt or killed in the name of various religions. You just answered your own question.
They are hurting people and hurting themselves and believe the very opposite. Thats a delusion. How is believing that deformed people, people with birth defects are descendants of Lucifer harmless? Thats just stupidity on massive scale. These are very mentally and emotionally disturbed people. There are so many other examples if you would just read all the threads.
The fact is religious delusion is harmful to a healthy society. Other countries are beginning to surpass the US in science and education. The religiosity of Dark Age morons is just accelerating it. Religiosity is a mental illness that is protected by the first amendment. Fortunately the first amendment allows me to point that out. So far so good.
|
|
| |
|
| Mar 13, 2007 @ 7:42 PM |
The Power of Prayer |
|
Majik_Imaje
Posts: 197
|
Well Mr. Hammer.. I have to wondery why??
you say things that are not true.. FOR INSTANCE.. that link works!
you say it doesn't work. but I have tested it BEFORE I posted it and after I posted it.. THEN I saw your remark that the link is dead.
NO IT IS NOT.. that whole page opened for me everytime! and the whole story is right there.
but you are so mistaken! you proved HANDS DOWN.. your wrong!
|
| |
|
| Mar 13, 2007 @ 8:45 PM |
The Power of Prayer
|
|
hammertime
Posts: 14,071
|
Majik_Imaje
Post a proper link because you're sound like a babbling idiot. Click the help link above and learn some brand new and useful for a change. The bible can't be the only thing you know how to read.
Let me demonstrate a link
>>>>Majik_Imaje Click Here<<<<
[Edited on 3/13/2007 9:24 PM]
|
|
| |
|
| Mar 13, 2007 @ 9:27 PM |
The Power of Prayer |
|
SunBabe
Posts: 12,278
|
Well THAT took awhle to get the other correct link http://bibleforums.org/forum/showthread.php?t=76301
...thank goodness for the pictures because the words are rather hard to follow. (written in tongues?  )
|
| |
|
| Mar 13, 2007 @ 10:06 PM |
The Power of Prayer
|
|
hammertime
Posts: 14,071
|
Yeah, it was totally retarded. Whoever wrote that mess is probably a high school drop out. There are better stories in the National Enquirer..
|
|
| |
|
| Mar 14, 2007 @ 1:22 AM |
The Power of Prayer |
|
steveemac
Posts: 2,335
|
I'm going to give MY simple answer-I am in NO WAY representing myself here as any kind of an expert on anything; this is simply based on what I've learned in my life:
The way to get the BEST success from prayer is to simply ask God for the strength to deal with life on your own.
That's it!
God isn't really inclined to perform miracles on a daily basis; otherwise, they wouldn't be miraculous...but God will give one strength, comfort, and acceptance of what's to come.
Go ahead, yell at me now.
|
| |
|
| Mar 14, 2007 @ 1:24 AM |
The Power of Prayer
|
|
SunBabe
Posts: 12,278
|
I believe in the "power of prayer" in the context of "power of positive thinking" and a great coping technique when one needs to focus. If it helps a peson deal with something, that's cool. If it helps someone else deal with it themselves, cool.
...and if "prayer" is what one needs to justify ones own actions, so be it. But don't use "prayer" as a way to pass decisions and personal RESPONSIBILITIES off on to God -- use the TOOL he GAVE you! Your BRAIN and sense of SELF-worth. 
"God's will".  No..."Sh*t happens." 
|
|
| |
|
| Mar 14, 2007 @ 2:26 AM |
The Power of Prayer |
|
Wanda_world
Posts: 44
|
Hammertime, people who use the Bible to justify their own hatred and predjudices are full of hypocrisy. And if the Bible didn't exist, they'd just find some other book to use. But that doesn't make all people who believe in the goodness of Christ wrong, or evil, does it? Some people truly do spend their lives trying to walk in the footsteps of Christ Jesus, or Buddha, or others, being loving and kind to others, unselfishly giving of their time,talents and material possessions. Take Mother Theresa for example. How much more loving,unselfish and kind could the lady be? What more could she have done to show generosity,concern and genuine love to others?
When I have time I am going to do as you recommend and read through as many of these threads as I can. I am sorry if others, in the name of Christianity, have hurt you or offended you or others. It's not the way a Christian is supposed to act or treat others,but no-one is perfect.
I agree that extreme religious delusion is harmful to a healthy society. As someone who does believe in prayer, and who does not feel guilty about not being able to help others more than I would like to, and doesn't feel like they are being selfish when they are meditating on good health and improved situations for others, I would like to hear your opinion and would like to know how you perceive this to be causing the US to be surpassed in science and education.
Respectfully,
Wanda
|
| |
|
| Mar 14, 2007 @ 2:12 PM |
The Power of Prayer
|
|
Humpe
Posts: 363
|
What power?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12082681/
|
|
| |
|
| Mar 14, 2007 @ 2:17 PM |
The Power of Prayer |
|
hammertime
Posts: 14,071
|
Humpe
Awesome find!!!! 
|
| |
|
|
|
|