I've never understood what prayer was supposed to do, personally. Other than it being a way for people to work out on their own things that are bothering them.
God is omnipotent, so He already knows about whatever is going on that you're praying about. It's not like you're informing Him of something that has escaped His attention.
And God has a plan for everything and everyone. So whatever is happening is happening for a reason.
So praying is supposed to either tell God what he already knows or is letting Him know you think He's wrong in how He's running the world?
Now, I understand praying for guidance or patience and that type of thing. But praying for circumstances to change because it suits the person praying? Seems as misguided as praying to win the lottery or using prayer as a grown up's version of letters to Santa.
Sometimes I think society in general has confused prayer with some sort of wish fulfillment center.
I've never understood what prayer was supposed to do, personally. Other than it being a way for people to work out on their own things that are bothering them.
God is omnipotent, so He already knows about whatever is going on that you're praying about. It's not like you're informing Him of something that has escaped His attention.
And God has a plan for everything and everyone. So whatever is happening is happening for a reason.
So praying is supposed to either tell God what he already knows or is letting Him know you think He's wrong in how He's running the world?
Now, I understand praying for guidance or patience and that type of thing. But praying for circumstances to change because it suits the person praying? Seems as misguided as praying to win the lottery or using prayer as a grown up's version of letters to Santa.
Sometimes I think society in general has confused prayer with some sort of wish fulfillment center.