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If a believer prays for a non-believer...what happens?
- Thread starter Deidre
- Start date
That is a good question. May you remind me how prayer is supposed to work for believers?
Is it an attempt at requesting a favor or just plain attention from God?
In any case, whatever affects its effectiveness probably has nothing to do with anyone's beliefs. Unless we accept placebo effect as part of the results, that is.
Is it an attempt at requesting a favor or just plain attention from God?
In any case, whatever affects its effectiveness probably has nothing to do with anyone's beliefs. Unless we accept placebo effect as part of the results, that is.
LOL placebo effect
When I was a Christian, I believed that ''god'' heard my prayers...even for non believers. My prayers were usually 'Lord, please help <insert name> to overcome his/her non beilef.'
I wonder if it worked.
My religion doesn't believe in "praying" for others (whatever that means). For example, if you just pray for world peace but don't do anything to solve it, then that is severely criticized by my religion. But yes, God would bless you only if a highly devoted person like a saint blessed you.
I think that most believers who pray for others do so for the right intentions, I'd like to think so anyway.
I like that idea.
I imagine this is what a believer believes. I guess at the end of the day, if you believe, then you believe. If you don't then you wouldn't care if someone offers prayers for you or not. However, I do thank people for their prayers. I don't get offended. If it makes someone happy to pray for me or anyone, so be it.
paarsurrey
Veteran Member
One should pray and also do everything possible to accomplish that, that is the true spirit of praying.
Regards
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
Obviously, I can't say for sure. Nobody can. I continually pray for my sister and her husband, though, who are both unbelievers. If I didn't believe it was going to do any good, I probably wouldn't do it. I should probably mention, though, that my prayers are more for their health, happiness and well-being than that they become believers. I definitely don't make a point of telling them I'm doing this, though, especially not my brother-in-law. We have a good relationship and I don't really want to do anything to change that.If I don't believe that God exists, and someone prays for me...will God still bless me? (if he or it exists)
I've been wondering this lately.
People often 'pray' for me, or tell me that God loves me...but if I don't believe what they believe, what happens?
... might help the person saying the prayers.
I agree with this, and sometimes it can be comforting for a believer to pray for others.
This is a nice way of looking at the whole thing.
Thanks everyone. I have been thinking about this for a while, even when I was a believer it crossed my mind...does the person I'm praying for need to believe? lol Hmmm.
In the Catholic faith at least, no one can repent for you, or be culpable for your sins. So, someone can pray for you, but each person is responsible for their own lot in life. (according to the RCC)
God loves you and sends you His grace whether you love Him back or believe in Him or not.
Of course. I don't think there are theists out there who pray to God to kill Richard Dawkins, for example.
I don't think that's a very special idea that my religion has. Any logical theist would accept that.
Yes. I sincerely hope that atheists don't get angry when theists say that they pray for them. It's the intention that counts.
Btw, to clarify my post, I do pray for people when they are going through bad times. But I do keep in mind that God may not do what I ask him to do, because God has his own agenda and there are other factors (sometimes people deserve that they receive).
Mycroft
Ministry of Serendipity
If I don't believe that God exists, and someone prays for me...will God still bless me? (if he or it exists)
I've been wondering this lately.
People often 'pray' for me, or tell me that God loves me...but if I don't believe what they believe, what happens?
The same thing that happens when a believer prays for anyone or anything: nothing.
God has his own agenda, so why pray at all? Just asking the question.
It's one of those things...when good things 'happen' oh it must be God's hand in the works...if bad things happen...well, maybe we weren't praying hard enough, or our faith wasn't strong enough...or the 'bad' thing was how it should turn out. Or...free will was at play, etc.
Yes, I remember spinning all of these thoughts...sometimes at once.
Not sure if it applies, but one way of overcoming things is by learning not to be afraid of their presence.LOL placebo effect
When I was a Christian, I believed that ''god'' heard my prayers...even for non believers. My prayers were usually 'Lord, please help <insert name> to overcome his/her non beilef.'
I wonder if it worked.
I don't understand that.
And this, is what I used to also believe. I'm glad you posted this. I'm not looking for an answer that agrees with mine, now...but, just how everyone 'sees' it. Thanks, SF.
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
Technically, yes. God is independent from us. He can do what He wants. If Gods blessi s depended on our prayer, and belief, He is just a figment of our mind. Since abrahamic beliefs dont teach that, yeah, he can bless you.
Actually, you have presestination christians who were not believers until God called them to be with Him. If prayers didnt work on a non believer, arw they really saved?
Eh. I get that a lot too.
Actually, you have presestination christians who were not believers until God called them to be with Him. If prayers didnt work on a non believer, arw they really saved?
Eh. I get that a lot too.
If I don't believe that God exists, and someone prays for me...will God still bless me? (if he or it exists)
I've been wondering this lately.
People often 'pray' for me, or tell me that God loves me...but if I don't believe what they believe, what happens?
I don't know what most have as intentions. I know that many are ultimately seeking their own confort and personal convenience, though.
I wonder if praying isn't often mainly an effort towards convincing oneself of being allied to God.
McBell
Resident Sourpuss
Seems like prayer is likened to funerals.
The funeral is not for the deceiced.
It is for those who attend the funeral.
It is to give them a chance to say their last goodbyes, etc.
Seems to me prayer is likened to that.
That the one being prayed for is not the one that receives the benefits from the prayer, but the one doing the praying.
All of a sudden, I want to cry ...reading this. I didn't expect to read this. Thank you for your thoughts to it.