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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.
I think that most believers who pray for others do so for the right intentions, I'd like to think so anyway.My religion doesn't believe in "praying" for others (whatever that means).
I like that idea.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.
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.But yes, God would bless you only if a highly devoted person like a saint blessed you.
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.
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.If I don't believe that God exists, and someone prays for me...will God still bless me? (if he or it exists)
I agree with this, and sometimes it can be comforting for a believer to pray for others.... might help the person saying the prayers.
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.
Of course. I don't think there are theists out there who pray to God to kill Richard Dawkins, for example.I think that most believers who pray for others do so for the right intentions, I'd like to think so anyway.
I don't think that's a very special idea that my religion has. Any logical theist would accept that.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.
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?
God has his own agenda, so why pray at all? Just asking the question.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).
The same thing that happens when a believer prays for anyone or anything: nothing.
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.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.
God loves you and sends you His grace whether you love Him back or believe in Him or not.
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 think that most believers who pray for others do so for the right intentions, I'd like to think so anyway.
Seems like prayer is likened to funerals.... might help the person saying the prayers.
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.