prayer does it make a difference?

Texas has had several extremely high profile, prominent prayer events led by governor, Rick Perry, all in the name of ending the drought that afflicts the state. He even made it official, making a government proclamations calling on God to fix the weather.

WHEREAS, throughout our history, both as a state and as individuals, Texans have been strengthened, assured and lifted up through prayer; it seems right and fitting that the people of Texas should join together in prayer to humbly seek an end to this devastating drought and these dangerous wildfires;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICK PERRY, Governor of Texas, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby proclaim the three-day period from Friday, April 22, 2011, to Sunday, April 24, 2011, as Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas. I urge Texans of all faiths and traditions to offer prayers on those days for the healing of our land, the rebuilding of our communities and the restoration of our normal way of life.

Link to full text:governor.state.tx.us...
That was six months ago. Here is what the drought situation looks like in Texas today.
Source U.S drought monitor:droughtmonitor.unl.edu...
As you can see, things look even worse 6 months later. Perhaps some christians and believers in the power of prayer could explain why it seems like God has abandoned the faithful godfearing people of the great state of Texas in their time of need?

I read a good book about this recently and rather than just read and move on,I tried some of the retrocactive influence tasks and some worked!

The Intention Experiment: Use Your Thoughts to Change the World. for your reference.

Personally, I don't think it makes a difference outside of the individual praying. I'm not saying that isn't a good thing, either.

By that I mean, if a person prays and they feel better, notice a difference in their lives, then excellent - I'm happy for them.

However, I certainly don't think praying has any measurable effect on the world outside of the prayer's mind. Just my opinion, of course.

reply to post by Atzil321

I have a couple off points to put out for opinion..
#1 I don't think a person is able to speak for God..So saying God has abandoned Texas is nothing but opinion .
#2 It might be better as a foresight issue to as for God's help ahead of time.. Its called giving thanks on a day to day basis, rather than "FoxHole" Prayers..
thx for the thread..

Prayer does make a difference...

As a Christian, I believe the power of God is called upon to help or heal people... I have seen it work.

Or as an athiest...others will see studies where the power of faith has helped people to heal themselves...or the power of positive suggestion has helped people.

Addressing the prayer for rain or why so many times we see few results from prayer...sometimes God says NO.

As Christians or people of faith, we treat God like a Dominoe's Pizza Boy....

Hey God, I want a Super Deluxe Prayer with extra toppings... and yeah, I'll cover the costs this Sunday....oh, and while you're at it...I also want the side of little prayers for my kids ball game next week...OK?...Thanks

30 minutes or less or it's free....

That ain't the way God opperates. And that is why so many folks have unanswered prayers.

How would you feel if the only time your "friend" called you was when they needed something...after awhile, you stop answering the phone.

A relationship takes two....and a lot of effort...and trust... and a genuine concern... and for too many Christians, their relationship ith God is like a bad marriage...they are only going through the motions.

Heres all you need to know to understand the POWER OF PRAYER...

www.youtube.com...

You can pray to anyone or anything.... As far as I can tell, all the prayers I have ever made to anyone or anything have all come true at the same 50% rate.

Yet, when I don't pray, I find that somehow, I get what I want.... 50% of the time.

So, it does not hurt, but it does not help either. At least in my humble experience.

prayer i guess that could depend on how you perceive things,as far as praying for rain i doubt it....but prayer as i perceive it could be a form of projecting positive energy,and projecting positive energy whether it be to other people or to the ocean or whatever,is a good thing...

peace

reply to post by AlreadyGone



Incredible....YOU personally kows how GOD works.....You stated you did. You must be the greatest mind ever!

reply to post by AlreadyGone

Hey God, I want a Super Deluxe Prayer with extra toppings... and yeah, I'll cover the costs this Sunday....oh, and while you're at it...I also want the side of little prayers for my kids ball game next week...OK?...Thanks

So you are comparing mass prayer of millions of people for an end to devastating drought and wildfires which are destroying the economy and livelihoods of many texans, and will have major consequences for the whole U.S economy, to asking for your kids side to win their ball game? Also why would god say ''NO'' to his most loyal and devoted followers? All God needs to do is wag his little finger and make it rain to bring relief, but he does nothing at all, I find it all very confusing

reply to post by AlreadyGone


But I thought your god loved everyone? How can it answer some peoples' prayers and not others? Why is it when people who pray for help receive none but others do?

It suggests your god shows favourtism - which is a very human trait.

That's why I dont believe in prayer or your god - because your god shows too many typical human traits to be a "supreme being".

If it were truly "god", it wouldnt care who you are, or what you are or what you've done. It would love everyone and everything unconditionally and without judgement because it knows we're all flawed.

I remember seeing a news report about an earth quake fairly recently, it doesn't matter which one, in the film where a group of people stood in a circle praying for the victims of the quake, around them where collapsed buildings and piles of rubble, they seemed to put a lot of effort in to standing around chanting stuff with their eyes closed. In the background you could see people who were not praying, they were digging in the rubble, working like hell to save the people trapped in the rubble behind the prayer meeting. I wonder how many of those who were praying claimed 'miracles' for survivors dug out of the rubble through the efforts of the people who were not praying. It is evident to me that the people in the prayer meeting didn't lift a finger to help. all were clean and washed, no dirt or brick dust or mud on their clean hands. Such is the power or prayer, such is the conduct of the prayerful.

reply to post by AlreadyGone

As a Christian, I believe the power of God is called upon to help or heal people... I have seen it work.

does it work on amputees ?

The orison can best be described as a tap, or more aptly a hose (since there is a directional aspect to it).
Get a thousand people to 'direct' a hose, and you may have a problem, directionally.

The strength of 'reply' is also directly proportional to the amount of doubt present, either within the pray-er, or those who pray together.

Because of doubt and unspecificity, results can vary. They can take on a different appearance. Manifestation is further hampered by 'lag' time...which can separate the prayer so far, in time, from the result...that it is not noticed.

Be specific
Have no doubt
Observe

Akushla

The only difference it makes is in the mind of the person praying. They feel better about themselves and feel a sense of hope. Unfortunately it does little to fix problems in the real world. Praying obviously hasn't helped texas even though there are many christians there. It hasn't helped any africans lately either. So whats the problem?

The problem is that there is no god that the bible describes. I am not saying that there are no supreme beings in the universe somewhere. There very well may be. I mean that there is no god who created us and loves everyone it created. If there is some kind of creator, he obviously doesn't care about this world. How could it with the constant suffering that goes on throughout the world. God is supposed to be able to create and destroy anything, so why is there so much evil. Let me guess, the devil.

Originally posted by ignorant_ape
reply to post by AlreadyGone

 

As a Christian, I believe the power of God is called upon to help or heal people... I have seen it work.

does it work on amputees ?

Apparently amputees are horrible human beings that is why god will not regenerate their limbs. Here is an interesting study: www.nytimes.com...

Perry must of sparked a fire with all that power!

Fires break out across Central Texas--ATS Thread

The pictures are intense!

I believe Prayer is something that can be administered through the individual, but when it is for intent greater than its purpose than it can often diffuse or in some cases backfire! Do I think Perry is responsible for the fires? We are in our collective consciousness expressing it all and Perry needs a Miracle! I wouldn't be surprised!

reply to post by Atzil321


It's hard to really gather God's intentions from this, supposing that he's up there to begin with. He might just hate Texas, or be busy doing something else, or reject Perry's prayer rally because of Jesus' instruction to pray in secret. Or God might not be out there. Even if God is out there it would appear that prayer is, the vast majority of the time, a failure.

Like someone said above me it does make the person praying feel good but as for having real miraculous impact, not so much.

reply to post by AlreadyGone


It really depends on what you believe/believe in... I remember when I was a Christian, I would go up to the poolpit with everyone else, and claim "things" in the name of Jesus. And the majority of the time, things would go how I "prayed" them to be. i.e. getting a house, promotion, winning a basketball game, etc.

Now seeing it from my non-religious (