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Originally posted by Seapeople
I was reading a thread about a little girl, whose family was praying over her. The next day she woke up from a deep coma. Now, just to be clear, I do not beleive this story.
Originally posted by Jonna
Originally posted by Seapeople
I was reading a thread about a little girl, whose family was praying over her. The next day she woke up from a deep coma. Now, just to be clear, I do not beleive this story.
Why do you automatically disbelieve it? It could be true or not true. The thing is the definition of 'prayer' and it's workings. The power of Prayer does not have to do anything with the interference of a higher power. Perhaps it merely has powerful psychological effects in a sort of psychosomatic way.
Originally posted by Seapeople
I know that there are no documented cases of comatose patients waking up and regaining full consciousness on record. That is why I automatically disbelieve it.
I am addresing the issue of a higher power listening to prayer.
Originally posted by Seapeople
There is no reason to pray, whether there is a God or not. It is not logical to believe that you will be rewarded for doing so, at least when it comes to things in our life. Make the argument of an afterlife here if you want, but that is not what I am questioning.
Originally posted by Seapeople
People get their own grades. People heal their own wounds.
Originally posted by dbates
Praying is basically talking to God. What you are describing here is people who only talk to God to ask for things. Do these prayers get answered. I would say 100% yes. Is the answer "yes" every time. Of course not.
This does bring up a good question. Why doesn't God give us everything we want? Well, let's cut out all of the stupid things that people ask for and say that we only ask for good things. Why can't we have every good thing we ask for? The only answer I can come up with is that maybe some of the good things we ask for aren't as good for us as we think they are. It's quite possible that we aren't as wise as we think we are.
I don't believe that there's anything wrong with asking for help with a test, or praying for healing, but you should do as much as you can yourself first. Study for that exam, and see a doctor if you're sick. In every instance in the Bible, when God performed miracles, the recipient had to perform some task first. The Red Sea didn't part until Moses held up his staff. Elisha didn't heal the Syrian officer Naaman of leprosy instantly, he had to go bathe in the Jordan river first. (Yucky) These small task seemed insignificant in respect with the miracle that occurred, but they showed the receivers willingness to do their part.
I think if you've done your part then it's fine to ask God for extra help. You may not get the answer you think you should, but you have at least done as much as you can to wards achieving that goal. Praying for things is fine, just don't use it as a crutch or excuse to be lazy.