That is a good question. I offten wonder myself on that.

Shadow, the way I see it, there are some people who believe that prayer helps, and they are trying to use that power to help someone who needs that help.

While I personally do not believe it accomplishes anything (other than to serve as a sort of a panacea-comfort), the truth is that I don't actually know anything either way on the subject.

Maybe there is a God and maybe there isn't. Maybe He answers prayers and maybe He doesn't. I don't know. I don't believe it myself, because I have never seen anything to indicate that this is the case -- but absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

I generally avoid the "Please pray for...." threads, if they are asking strictly for prayers, because I cannot contribute anything to them without being internally inconsistent and hypocritical. For me to pray for someone would constitute an act no different, in my mind, from performing a voodoo ritual or a magic spell or looking for answers in a horoscope.

On the other hand, I have no issue with contributing positive thoughts and wishes, if the poster requests such. This is something I can do with heartfelt sincerity, and hopes for the best possible outcome.

PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU REPLY PLEASE. I'm just sharing here ok so have a open mind if you would please, and ill be as gentle as i can


something that has been on my mind reading some of theses post. The ones that have to deal with prayers for people that are in need. They'er has been all kinds whether it's for people that have family in the hospital, or in the military etc. I offten see alot of the same post that come up alot and i don't reply to them, but alot of the time i think, What would i really have to say and does it really mean anything to me at all. Is it that i don't care or is it that I think what are we or more so, what would "i" really get out of it. Then i start to think a little bit. Are these threads something that do go a little to far as asking goes, for help in somthing we really dont have control over. I'm just thinking here and i Mean no harm to anyone what so ever. It's not my attention at all. I wonder why we stress on somthing so much as i am doing now. To be honest here, part of me is kinda tired of seeing threads like this. I know that might seem rough to some, but is how i feel at this point. I think mostly about the military threads and in my opinion, i think we stick are nose in places where we don't belong and it's a wast of time being in places where we don't belong and for me to say a prayer for some people that have no right to be where they at and doing what there told to do. I have no feeling for it what so ever and find it a wast of time to pray for what i believe is wrong in what they are doing. "JMO" not trying to push anything on anyone.

But when i see people asking for a prayer, what are you really asking for? and does anyone feel this way at all?

I hope i didn't offend anyone and if i did, i appologize. just know it's just me sharing and nothing more. please don't share it on here if i did offend you. Send me an "email" and id be more willing to listen to what you might have to say.

Shadow.... you say you are a positive person. Ever wonder if that is really true when about once a month you post a thread criticizing the other threads members post? I mean you don't just comment about it within that thread, you start a whole separate thread in a very subtle way belittling others. I don't see that as positive.

And if you took this thread as criticizing. I think you would be the only one that closed your mind to what i was sharing because no one else seen that but you. JMO

Just asking not judging, how many of you that reply to these prayer request threads actually take the time and pray for 'such and such'? how many just say you do to provide the requestor with the feeling of relief?

Well this question comes up more then most realize it not only on the threads but.. I have also gotten e-mails concerning all the prayer threads.

I do understand ones that question the threads but also understand why they are posted. The ones I don't understand is asking for prayers when it comes to money or jobs ect..

Those things that are considered material things. Well wishes yeah I can see that for those things I wish all could have what they want.

But when I post to a prayer thread at that time I say a small prayer to wish them to get well or good news on test results at that time.

I do understand that many do not like to see these post in General as well and I do understand that. That is the reason I have asked for a Prayer & Well Wishes Forum in order to have a place for all these threads since we do have many of them they do need a forum of there own. Not saying they will make a Forum for them but it has been requested.

But in the long run if it brings a smile to their face just the thought that someone does care enough to respond then so be it. Let them have that smile one never knows what they are going through.

Just for thought...... there is a lady on a game site I play on she has been battling Cancer for several years now. She keeps all her friends updated and of course she ask for prayers to heal her. Yep I'm on that list and do send them. If my simple prayer helps her fight the battle whom am I to deny such a small request?

I bless my dinner food EVERY night and include those that need my prayers at that time!!1

Shadow, the way I see it, there are some people who believe that prayer helps, and they are trying to use that power to help someone who needs that help.

While I personally do not believe it accomplishes anything (other than to serve as a sort of a panacea-comfort), the truth is that I don't actually know anything either way on the subject.

Maybe there is a God and maybe there isn't. Maybe He answers prayers and maybe He doesn't. I don't know. I don't believe it myself, because I have never seen anything to indicate that this is the case -- but absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

I generally avoid the "Please pray for...." threads, if they are asking strictly for prayers, because I cannot contribute anything to them without being internally inconsistent and hypocritical. For me to pray for someone would constitute an act no different, in my mind, from performing a voodoo ritual or a magic spell or looking for answers in a horoscope.

On the other hand, I have no issue with contributing positive thoughts and wishes, if the poster requests such. This is something I can do with heartfelt sincerity, and hopes for the best possible outcome.

That is a VERY positive thought. And quite assuming.

That is a good question. I offten wonder myself on that.

Shadow, the way I see it, there are some people who believe that prayer helps, and they are trying to use that power to help someone who needs that help.

While I personally do not believe it accomplishes anything (other than to serve as a sort of a panacea-comfort), the truth is that I don't actually know anything either way on the subject.

Maybe there is a God and maybe there isn't. Maybe He answers prayers and maybe He doesn't. I don't know. I don't believe it myself, because I have never seen anything to indicate that this is the case -- but absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

I generally avoid the "Please pray for...." threads, if they are asking strictly for prayers, because I cannot contribute anything to them without being internally inconsistent and hypocritical. For me to pray for someone would constitute an act no different, in my mind, from performing a voodoo ritual or a magic spell or looking for answers in a horoscope.

On the other hand, I have no issue with contributing positive thoughts and wishes, if the poster requests such. This is something I can do with heartfelt sincerity, and hopes for the best possible outcome.

Just asking not judging, how many of you that reply to these prayer request threads actually take the time and pray for 'such and such'? how many just say you do to provide the requestor with the feeling of relief?

Thanks Lex, I generally look at things on a positive out look. There is nothing wrong in being positive and sharing that with anyone. It works better for some then others. I'm not sure what i believe in at this point,but what i think is, that there is something more out there then anyone of us will ever know. One thing i do know, is i would never try to change anyones opinion on what they believe in. The thing i'm stuck on, is why is this something i'm wondering about, why is it when i see a thread like that and knowing it's posted alot like alot of threads are that lately it's been on my mind. Who knows, maybe latter down the line somthing will come out of it.

Shadow (OP) please let me know if you feel I am hijacking your thread

Here's another question, what exactly do you feel after someone prays for you?