The power of prayer - why does it work?

[Perceiver]

I've been praying every now and then for some time. And sometimes my wishes have come true. There are some things it can do, and some things it can't. I probably wouldn't get a Ferrari if I prayed for one, but in many instances where I've prayed for more wisdom or personal development around a topic, then I've usually experienced something in the following days/weeks. Maybe the prayer caused it, maybe not.

 

I've read/heard somewhere that prayers actually can work because you tune into the astral element and put energy out there which will attract the things you are looking for. Any thoughts/experiences from you guys? Do you do it - if so, how - and does it work for you and why?

 

 

[Everything]

I've been praying every now and then for some time. And sometimes my wishes have come true. There are some things it can do, and some things it can't. I probably wouldn't get a Ferrari if I prayed for one, but in many instances where I've prayed for more wisdom or personal development around a topic, then I've usually experienced something in the following days/weeks. Maybe the prayer caused it, maybe not.

 

I've read/heard somewhere that prayers actually can work because you tune into the astral element and put energy out there which will attract the things you are looking for. Any thoughts/experiences from you guys? Do you do it - if so, how - and does it work for you and why?

I wonder about this all of the time too.

 

I ask for things but since I know I cannot create I assume whoever created this whole universe knows what is best for me, because they created me and I just trust that whatever comes my way is the best thing for me, not because maybe that is so, but because believing that is so is the only way I can have a peace of mind and I trust that if my emotions want me to believe in the idea that I am cared for then I will believe that I am always cared for and that whatever I want is always coming way wether I know that it is or not. I trust that whatever created me, created my emotions, and that emotions tell me I have to believe in that I am cared for. It is what feels good to me and feels most natural. It jives with my nature. So I choose to believe that. For the sake of my nature.

Edited October 8, 2015 by Everything

[ilumairen]

I don't pray, but I do find that when I wonder about things an answer to whatever question I have generally shows up somewhere. I think there is a certain openness that enables this synchronicity. I believe that perhaps prayer can help one find this openness.

I don't believe that I am cared for in any special way by any special power. Once upon a time I wanted to believe that. But it is against my nature to do so, and the struggle to hold belief was detrimental and painful to me.

At the same time I am willing, even in public places, to take my mother's hand and ask her if she wants to say her words before we eat. They are always words of thanks, and I to am thankful.

[Everything]

I don't pray, but I do find that when I wonder about things an answer to whatever question I have generally shows up somewhere. I think there is a certain openness that enables this synchronicity. I believe that perhaps prayer can help one find this openness.

I don't believe that I am cared for in any special way by any special power. Once upon a time I wanted to believe that. But it is against my nature to do so, and the struggle to hold belief was detrimental and painful to me.

At the same time I am willing, even in public places, to take my mother's hand and ask her if she wants to say her words before we eat. They are always words of thanks, and I to am thankful.

How about instead of calling it a special power, you can call it a common power. Like gravity. Doesn't gravity keep you down and from floating into outer space? See, you are cared for, that is nothing special and it doesn't require you to struggle in order to hold that believe, neither experience pain as a side effect of believing it, as was the case when you or someone else made you dinner. You don't go tell them, hey stop caring for me it is painful for me to believe in you and I'm struggling with it. Edited October 8, 2015 by Everything

[ilumairen]

Hi Everthing,

I liked the topic of the thread. I think for some people prayer creates enough openness to see the answers to what may be troubling them.

 

The rest of it doesn't matter.

[Aetherous]

I'm a big fan of prayer to God. Not everyone is into the idea...it's unpopular in our intellectual and material age to even speak of such things. But it's beneficial to do it! You get to talk directly with the all-knowing all-powerful. There is always some benefit from doing it.

 

People not into such ideas for whatever reason, might view their prayer as being similar to manifestation type stuff. Perhaps it is primarily that...but perhaps we also miss out on cultivation spiritually if only viewed in that way. Many Buddhists, for instance, depend on the development on devotion. How can we be cultivating any sense of humility if we view ourselves as Gods, and assert that there is no higher power than ourselves?

[ilumairen]

I am only one of the ten thousand things, just another straw dog who cannot conceive of some all powerful being even blinking in my direction.

I am glad that you can conceive of this. It seems to be comforting.

[Nikolai1]

For me, prayer, and the fact that prayer works is something that we need to discover in ourselves and for ourselves.  The moment we try and concoct a theory behind the process we run the risk of alienating people.

 

I for one see no difference between the 'God is listening' theory and the 'words uttered with intent create reality' theory, but I don't like to impose this woolly relativism on people who have definite ideas.

 

All I know, myself, is that prayer works!