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Do you have to be religious to pray?

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Pittcity Sun 05-Apr-15 15:58:59

I think that everyone prays, religious or not. All that stuff going on in our heads is prayer, no kneeling, genuflecting or religious words needed.

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granjura Sun 05-Apr-15 15:57:41

Interesting question- I believe it was me who said both.

Most people pray to a deïty- to ask them to intercede and perform some sort of miracle- and it is true that non-believers, like me- can't do this.

But we can think of the person/s who is/are suffering and send warmth and good vibes- and hope. I have to say I find it very difficult to cope when religious people of any faith- say that their God was looking after them in a disaster- and chose not to look after the others, children and totally innocent. I felt this way ever since I was very young, as it made no sense to me.

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pompa Sun 05-Apr-15 15:54:10

That's a very interesting question GN.

Whilst I do not recognize any higher deity, I do believe in the power of thought, providing the person is aware that you are thinking of them it can help them cope with a situation.
I don't see that as praying, as that would include a third party that you believe in.

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Grannyknot Sun 05-Apr-15 15:44:34

On another thread where prayers are asked for in support of the poster's problem, a number of people have qualified that they will "pray in their own way" or "I am not religious, but..."

I always thought that if you stated "I pray ..." then that's a prayer whether you are religious or not.

What about people who have never believed but say a prayer in the depths of despair? Do their prayers count?

Would someone who is religious or has faith say "I haven't got a prayer..."? or is that only for the non-believers?

It's got me thinking now.

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