Power of Prayer

[Xaquin44]

Something said in another topic really pissed me off.

Rather then sully that one, I decided to make a new one.

Power of Prayer ....

this was given as the reason for a woman coming out of a coma. Now I appreciate that good thoughts were directed to this woman and indeed, I myself wished her well (though not in text), however, what of Ivory Watts who received as much (if not more) prayer and good thoughts?

Why is it, that the power of prayer dictated this womans survival and not compotent doctors?

Better yet, why was the power of prayer ineffective in healing another such as Ivory Watts.

I'll probably garner a load of red for this thread, but it sort of makes me upset that some people will sit on high and dictate that prayer heals some, but for others it's 'just time'.

It's speaking for god when you tell people things like that and I've always been instructed that good christians don't do that.

anyways, sorry for my rant.

I sincerely hope that both parties will be fine and wish them and their families and friends strength to get through the tough times.

 

[Toxick]

I'll probably garner a load of red for this thread, but it sort of makes me upset that some people will sit on high and dictate that prayer heals some, but for others it's 'just time'.

Why does it bother you?


Seriously - if you think someone is full of baloney then why do you even care what they think, since it is - by definition - baloney?

I think you simply need to unclench.

 

[Xaquin44]

Why does it bother you?


Seriously - if you think someone is full of baloney then why do you even care what they think, since it is - by definition - baloney?

I think you simply need to unclench.

you might be right.

guess I've been sensitive since I've been told the 'It was his time' line a couple times.

Like you know. (not you Toxick the you who said it)

and I've also been told that god has healed before .... though I'm pretty sure it was the doctors we paid.

 

[wxtornado]

That's a good post X, you bring up some interesting points. Here are my thoughts:

The efficacy of prayer, collective or otherwise, has shown no significant impact on people recovering from illnesses (or being granted special dispensations of any kind). In fact, there is no way to even conduct an accurate study of such claims.

Positive thinking is not indicative of the intercession of a divine being, of which there is no evidence. However, a positive outlook can contribute to one's overall health, and even assist the body in fighting off disease, as well as contribute to helping one deal with life's decisions, problems, challenges, etc.

Again, there's no real way to even measure any of this, but I believe prayer only benefits the person doing the praying.

 

[Toxick]

and I've also been told that god has healed before .... though I'm pretty sure it was the doctors we paid.

I have prayed, and I will continue to do so - however, when I pray it is rarely to ask for favors, mainly because I've never seen any evidence one way or the other that God actually intervenes on anyone's behalf due to the power of prayer. Especially when it comes to things like sickness, or injury.


Having said that, I can't fault people who believe in the power of prayer, and it certainly doesn't piss me off or upset me.

 

[FemmePrincess]

I believe prayer helps the person doing the praying to come
to terms with whatever they are dealing with. I think sometimes
people just need a reason to understand. Good or bad. If they
believe their prayers helped then they, themself have done something
to help.

 

[Larry Gude]

Right...

I believe prayer helps the person doing the praying to come
to terms with whatever they are dealing with. I think sometimes
people just need a reason to understand. Good or bad. If they
believe their prayers helped then they, themself have done something
to help.

...on.

 

[wxtornado]

I believe prayer helps the person doing the praying to come
to terms with whatever they are dealing with. I think sometimes
people just need a reason to understand. Good or bad. If they
believe their prayers helped then they, themself have done something
to help.

No doubt - if it makes ya feel good, why not?

 

[PJumper]

That's a good post X, you bring up some interesting points. Here are my thoughts:

The efficacy of prayer, collective or otherwise, has shown no significant impact on people recovering from illnesses (or being granted special dispensations of any kind). In fact, there is no way to even conduct an accurate study of such claims.

Positive thinking is not indicative of the intercession of a divine being, of which there is no evidence. However, a positive outlook can contribute to one's overall health, and even assist the body in fighting off disease, as well as contribute to helping one deal with life's decisions, problems, challenges, etc.

Again, there's no real way to even measure any of this, but I believe prayer only benefits the person doing the praying.

Prayers do work! There has been a lot of times that my prayers were answered. Some people would say that it's a coincidence, but I guess, you have to have faith to be a believer. Not all the things we ask from God are answered because there's always a good reason for it. People always question God's wisdom when children dies, especially of horrible deaths, but believe in him that it's for a purpose.

 

[Xaquin44]

People always question God's wisdom when children dies, especially of horrible deaths, but believe in him that it's for a purpose.

such as?

 

[Larry Gude]

Doesn't...

but I guess, you have to have faith to be a believer.

...that kinda go without saying?

 

[This_person]

It's speaking for god when you tell people things like that and I've always been instructed that good christians don't do that.

Personally, I found this to be the most significant sentence of the first. The answer is hidden in the question.

God decides when it's time. When it comes time to pray for others, I believe (personally, not speaking for anyone of any religion, just me personally) that prayer is more for the prayor than the prayee. It speaks to God (and usually to you) what's in your heart and in your mind. If you pray "please let this hypothetical little boy live so he knows of your joy", and that's what you mean, that says a lot about what's in your heart. Likewise, if you pray "please don't let my hypothetical relative die because I will be so lonely without them - I know they're in pain but my needs are more than their needs", this also speaks to what is in your heart.

I do not mean any person in particular with all of my "you"s here. I'm speaking in generic terms.

 

[This_person]

The efficacy of prayer, collective or otherwise, has shown no significant impact on people recovering from illnesses (or being granted special dispensations of any kind). In fact, there is no way to even conduct an accurate study of such claims.

These two sentences contradict one another. If there's no way to accurately study, then there's no way to say whether there has been an impact or not.

Positive thinking is not indicative of the intercession of a divine being, of which there is no evidence. However, a positive outlook can contribute to one's overall health, and even assist the body in fighting off disease, as well as contribute to helping one deal with life's decisions, problems, challenges, etc.

Again, there's no real way to even measure any of this, but I believe prayer only benefits the person doing the praying.

I almost agree. If the person being prayed for knows of the prayers, then it may effect that positive outlook.

I agree it primarily benefits the person praying, but it could have this effect.

However, see my previous post.

 

[vbailey]

Prayers do work! There has been a lot of times that my prayers were answered. Some people would say that it's a coincidence, but I guess, you have to have faith to be a believer. Not all the things we ask from God are answered because there's always a good reason for it. People always question God's wisdom when children dies, especially of horrible deaths, but believe in him that it's for a purpose.

Amen!

 

[godsbutterfly]

Something said in another topic really pissed me off.

Rather then sully that one, I decided to make a new one.

Power of Prayer ....

this was given as the reason for a woman coming out of a coma. Now I appreciate that good thoughts were directed to this woman and indeed, I myself wished her well (though not in text), however, what of Ivory Watts who received as much (if not more) prayer and good thoughts?

Why is it, that the power of prayer dictated this womans survival and not compotent doctors?

Better yet, why was the power of prayer ineffective in healing another such as Ivory Watts.

I'll probably garner a load of red for this thread, but it sort of makes me upset that some people will sit on high and dictate that prayer heals some, but for others it's 'just time'.

It's speaking for god when you tell people things like that and I've always been instructed that good christians don't do that.

anyways, sorry for my rant.

I sincerely hope that both parties will be fine and wish them and their families and friends strength to get through the tough times.

You know, I have a lot of faith in God, but I can't tell you exactly why Ivory hasn't been healed either. I literally cried when I got the word that no more surgery would be of help to her and she's a quadrapalegic. She's seven. I haven't stopped praying because God can still do something for her. I know there are times when His healing has come by way of taking somebody out of this world and away from their pain. He did that with my Mom. I'd be lying if I told you I understand all of God's plans but I will tell you I trust Him completely.

 

[2ndAmendment]

You know, I have a lot of faith in God, but I can't tell you exactly why Ivory hasn't been healed either. I literally cried when I got the word that no more surgery would be of help to her and she's a quadrapalegic. She's seven. I haven't stopped praying because God can still do something for her. I know there are times when His healing has come by way of taking somebody out of this world and away from their pain. He did that with my Mom. I'd be lying if I told you I understand all of God's plans but I will tell you I trust Him completely.

Faith of a child.

 

[Toxick]

such as?

Maybe the Baptists in heaven need a new centerfielder for their team in the Pearly-Gates Intramural Softball League cause they're going up against the Mormons in the Heaven All-Star Championship Series.


Who knows what reasons God has for calling someone in? It is a human standard that Death = Bad. As far as I know God doesn't - and shouldn't - need to abide by our standards.

 

[Xaquin44]

Maybe the Baptists in heaven need a new centerfielder for their team in the Pearly-Gates Intramural Softball League cause they're going up against the Mormons in the Heaven All-Star Championship Series.


Who knows what reasons God has for calling someone in? It is a human standard that Death = Bad. As far as I know God doesn't - and shouldn't - need to abide by our standards.

That is a poor excuse for the brutal murder of a small child.

 

[Toxick]

That is a poor excuse for the brutal murder of a small child.

Brutal murder?

WTF are we talking about again?



Did God drag someone behind a truck that I wasn't aware of?

 

[clevalley]

I believe prayer helps the person doing the praying to come
to terms with whatever they are dealing with. I think sometimes
people just need a reason to understand. Good or bad. If they
believe their prayers helped then they, themself have done something
to help.

I have a religious background, but do not attend church every Sunday... I believe in my own way and normally do not jump in on religious discussions but I will throw in my .02 as you hit the nail on the head (above)... and to take my thought a step further

Religion from what I believe is "placing your belief" into something. The reason I say 'something' is because that 'something' can be many things; Jesus, Allah, Muhammad, Lucifer, Krishna, Bhagavan, Shen, Zhu, or Nothing - whatever...

To comment on one persons belief to 'rant' is very short sighted...

To comment on one persons belief for discussion without pushing a personal agenda is educational for all...