I just watched a music video by Justin Bieber, don't laugh, and the song was called "Pray". And it made me think about the actual action and thought of prayer. And I asked myself, why do people pray? I understand that praying may make them feel better that there's a higher being who will help them, that prayer gives people hope. To me prayer is mostly people asking whatever higher being they believe in to make everything better and then they wait for something to happen. But really nothing will. So what does prayer actually do?
Praying won't change your situation (and I mean meaningful prayer, not wishing you get something from your christmas list). It won't make your life better in any way unless you do something. Take action and make your situation change.
My mother thinks that people pray because it is positive. That if you can get a large group of people together to pray, then there is a force of positive energy that uplifts everyone. That with the positive energy and united feeling it would make that group of people more proactive. And then they would go out in the world and they would think that "we can do this" (whatever "this" is) and have the feeling that God is behind them. Which might in turn, make a better society. But how many people like that are there? How many people pray to God and then take action?
But there are still many people that pray and pray and just wait for something to happen. That kind of prayer is what I don't understand; why people pray if it doesn't change your immediate situation and might not change it at all. The person that actually makes things happen is yourself, not a higher being.
I think this is a very interesting post. I understand your argument that if one just sits around all day and prays for things to be given or happen to them they are not going to get it. I think people don't just pray for materialistic things but emotional strengths, for example to be more courageous. I think the simple act of realizing what you want and praying for it is a step in the right direction because you are giving it attention. It kind of reminds me of meditation and the goals you achieve through it. I find meditation to be a fascinating practice. I thought what your mom was saying was true about groups of people creating positive energy. I think there is something to having a group of people working together for a greater good. I think you were right praying gives people hope and may let them feel a bit comforted, which I think is a good thing when there is so many problems going on in the world. It varies from person to person what makes them feel content. I really enjoyed your post I think you brought up some great points. And all from Justin Bieber, very nice!
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is an interesting post, but for other reasons. As a Christian, I pray daily. Some of it is for things that I can change, and some of it isn't. When I pray for a family friend who is a soldier, I am trusting that God will protect him. When I pray about a test, I pray to God knowing that I have done my best to prepare, not slack off. I agree that the prayer should try to help their situation, but does that mean that prayers for anyone but yourself are meaningless? In addition, I believe that one should not always ask for stuff in prayers. I also thank God for what He has given me. I have learned that prayer is supposed to be a conversation with God, not a wish list. However, I don't know much about positive energy. Very nice topic though!
ReplyDeleteOlivia this is a great post! David, to answer your question, I don't think that prayers for anybody but yourself are meaningless. One of my mom's best friends was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, I don't think that my prayers for her are meaningless. What I don't know is where my prayers go, or what exactly they do for anybody besides myself. I think regardless of whether a person is praying for him or herself or for another, the person affected is the person who prays. It's not that I suddenly feel better about myself and that my conscience won't bother me anymore if I pray once. It's more that each time I pray, I can take a look at the situation from the outside, I can have a better understanding, a calming sense, like Remy said, a meditative like state
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