So That's How Prayer Works !

[Skwim]

.

Get enough people praying about an issue, no matter how trivial, and god will comply.

"Bill Lee, the Republican governor of Tennessee, already said earlier this year that the principle of church/state separation only blocked government from influencing religion, not the other way around. He also held a literal “worship” service on the day of his inauguration.

And then, in September, he announced that October 10 would be an official day of prayer and fasting across the state for… oh, who knows. It’s all bull****.

Yesterday, speaking at the Nashville headquarters of the Southern Baptist Convention, he reiterated his irrational belief that if enough people pray for Tennessee, God will answer the prayers.

Lee said he prays that Tennessee does not experience a school shooting, that the state’s opioid epidemic will diminish and that Tennessee’s educational outcomes improve. If thousands of people offer similar prayers, he believes God will impart his favor on Tennessee.
​

If that were true, then Republicans should unilaterally retire from all government positions and focus on praying. As any kid dying of cancer could tell you, it doesn’t matter how many people pray for you, the disease isn’t listening."
source
​

Of course there's no guide as to how many people are required to pray for a specific issue before god complies, or what issues take priority, but as pointed out, evidently in god's mind praying for a state, such as prayers for the improvement for its educational outcomes, takes precedent over praying for a kid dying of cancer.


So what is the nature of the god-prayer relationship?

A) God knows people want his help, but needs to be asked for it,

1) But won't give it to them until certain conditions are met, such as a specific number of prayers or offerings. (The presumption of Bill Lee here)

2) And will comply regardless of the issue. (Something we know isn't true)

3) But the specific need will never warrant his help. (Tough break)

​

B) God doesn't know the wants and needs of people and has to be awoken to him through prayer, for which he can respond in three ways:

4) Certain conditions need to be met before he will take action, such as a specific number of prayers or offerings. (The presumption of Bill Lee here)

5) He will comply regardless of the issue. (Something we know isn't true)

6) The specific need will never warrant his help. (Tough break)

​

.​

 

[sun rise]

If thousands of people offer similar prayers, he believes God will impart his favor on Tennessee.

This is the God is a piñata school of theology.

 

[Heyo]

He should ask the Texans how it works. They prayed for rain for months without success. After they gave up it rained on the first day of the atheists convention.

 

[Jainarayan]

I fear for our species. I pray for that asteroid to come, to hit, and to hit hard and fast. If I pray hard enough will it happen? Or am I praying to the wrong God?

 

[BSM1]

.

Get enough people praying about an issue, no matter how trivial, and god will comply.

"Bill Lee, the Republican governor of Tennessee, already said earlier this year that the principle of church/state separation only blocked government from influencing religion, not the other way around. He also held a literal “worship” service on the day of his inauguration.

And then, in September, he announced that October 10 would be an official day of prayer and fasting across the state for… oh, who knows. It’s all bull****.

Yesterday, speaking at the Nashville headquarters of the Southern Baptist Convention, he reiterated his irrational belief that if enough people pray for Tennessee, God will answer the prayers.

Lee said he prays that Tennessee does not experience a school shooting, that the state’s opioid epidemic will diminish and that Tennessee’s educational outcomes improve. If thousands of people offer similar prayers, he believes God will impart his favor on Tennessee.
​

If that were true, then Republicans should unilaterally retire from all government positions and focus on praying. As any kid dying of cancer could tell you, it doesn’t matter how many people pray for you, the disease isn’t listening."
source


​

Of course there's no guide as to how many people are required to pray for a specific issue before god complies, or what issues take priority, but as pointed out, evidently in god's mind praying for a state, such as prayers for the improvement for its educational outcomes, takes precedent over praying for a kid dying of cancer.


So what is the nature of the god-prayer relationship?

A) God knows people want his help, but needs to be asked for it,

1) But won't give it to them until certain conditions are met, such as a specific number of prayers or offerings. (The presumption of Bill Lee here)

2) And will comply regardless of the issue. (Something we know isn't true)

3) But the specific need will never warrant his help. (Tough breaks)

​

B) God doesn't know the wants and needs of people and has to be awoken to them through prayer, for which he can respond in three ways:

4) Certain conditions need to be met before he will take action, such as a specific number of prayers or offerings. (The presumption of Bill Lee here)

5) He will comply regardless of the issue. (Something we know isn't true)

6) The specific need will never warrant his help. (Tough breaks)

​

.​

If anyone tells you he or she knows what God "wants", then you should point behind them, yell "Shipwreck", and run away as fast as you can before they turn back around.

 

[metis]

I do believe that it's likely that prayer is more for our contemplation on moral matters than it is for the Boss.

 

[Skwim]

I do believe that it's likely that prayer is more for our contemplation on moral matters than it is for the Boss.

I regard it as psychological balm, and nothing more.

.

 

[Good-Ole-Rebel]

I regard it as psychological balm, and nothing more.

.

I regard your rants as bs....nothing more.

Good-Ole-Rebel

 

[Nakosis]

.

Get enough people praying about an issue, no matter how trivial, and god will comply.

"Bill Lee, the Republican governor of Tennessee, already said earlier this year that the principle of church/state separation only blocked government from influencing religion, not the other way around. He also held a literal “worship” service on the day of his inauguration.

And then, in September, he announced that October 10 would be an official day of prayer and fasting across the state for… oh, who knows. It’s all bull****.

Yesterday, speaking at the Nashville headquarters of the Southern Baptist Convention, he reiterated his irrational belief that if enough people pray for Tennessee, God will answer the prayers.

Lee said he prays that Tennessee does not experience a school shooting, that the state’s opioid epidemic will diminish and that Tennessee’s educational outcomes improve. If thousands of people offer similar prayers, he believes God will impart his favor on Tennessee.
​

If that were true, then Republicans should unilaterally retire from all government positions and focus on praying. As any kid dying of cancer could tell you, it doesn’t matter how many people pray for you, the disease isn’t listening."
source​

Of course there's no guide as to how many people are required to pray for a specific issue before god complies, or what issues take priority, but as pointed out, evidently in god's mind praying for a state, such as prayers for the improvement for its educational outcomes, takes precedent over praying for a kid dying of cancer.


So what is the nature of the god-prayer relationship?

A) God knows people want his help, but needs to be asked for it,

1) But won't give it to them until certain conditions are met, such as a specific number of prayers or offerings. (The presumption of Bill Lee here)

2) And will comply regardless of the issue. (Something we know isn't true)

3) But the specific need will never warrant his help. (Tough break)

​

B) God doesn't know the wants and needs of people and has to be awoken to him through prayer, for which he can respond in three ways:

4) Certain conditions need to be met before he will take action, such as a specific number of prayers or offerings. (The presumption of Bill Lee here)

5) He will comply regardless of the issue. (Something we know isn't true)

6) The specific need will never warrant his help. (Tough break)

​

.​

Perfect, that way if things work out, it proves the power of prayer. If they don't it's because not enough folks prayed.

Whatever happens, the cause and effect has been explained.

 

[Father Heathen]

"Lee said he prays that Tennessee’s educational outcomes improve."
Oh, the level of irony with this one.

 

[SigurdReginson]

"Lee said he prays that Tennessee’s educational outcomes improve."
Oh, the level of irony with this one.

As someone who had horrible religious education, I can appreciate this.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

He should ask the Texans how it works. They prayed for rain for months without success. After they gave up it rained on the first day of the atheists convention.

"When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord doesn't work that way.

"... so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me."

- Emo Philips

 

[metis]

I regard it as psychological balm, and nothing more.

.

I'm much less sure of such matters.