Do you believe in prayer?

I think this sort of attitude trivialises prayer. Either the sweaters were there or they weren't.Prayer wouldn't change anything on this occasion. Rather her prayer should have been "please help me to deal with the situation if I am disappointed " if it was so important to her.

I'm far more worried about her attitude towards Greek mythology.

I think praying gives many people a lot of comfort.

Frankly, it doesn't comfort me but I have friends who find prayer and confession very helpful to them.

It is up to the individual.

Of course, as a Christian, I value being able to talk to Jesus very much. The idea of life without Him is unbearable to me.

I don't pray, unless I'm on a plane or I know someone (Christian) needs help. Then I'll give it a go.

I was very very young when I realised that prayers being answered was one of the most unfair thing ever. Why should a friend live because she had family and friends to pray for her, and another child die because s/he hasn't?

So no, I don't.

I truly hope my prayers are answered this evening

No, I don’t believe in the power of prayer - positive thinking yes, but not prayers. That probably has something to do with the fact that I don’t believe in any gods.

How can it be 'Christian' to pray for cashmere? Isn't it sad to pray for animal cruelty?

www.peta.org/living/personal-care-fashion/cashmere-mohair-goat-facts/

I believe that some people believe in [the power of] prayer. That's fine by me.

Even as a child I didn't really get it. Reciting already written prayers seemed a bit fake and, when trying to pray using my own words, I was never convinced that I was actually praying. So I've never prayed during my adult life.

I work for a Christian charity though and last year I was asked to write a prayer because I am believed to be "good with words". What I wrote was a reflection about what I value in life. No gods or faith based beliefs were involved but my boss said it was perfect.

So I guess I still don't really 'get' praying.

Making cashmere thread/cloth is not cruel to animals, hetty.

I was brought up as a Christian and I do pray and give thanks for my day.

To answer the title question, no I don’t.

I do not pray, have never believed in it and this is thanks to the convent school I went to- the nuns finished off religion for me- not that there was much before.

I suppose I don't, but that seems quite hypocritical because I've never prayed, apart from in school assemblies.

Like Charleygirl5 so no.

I only ever prayed twice, I don’t even know what I prayed to but it was important to me that I tried every dang thing to keep people I loved with me.

Baggs, evidence? Did you read my link?

I do pray. Every day throughout the day. Prayer is supposed to help us in our troubles not to be the answer to frivolous things like cashmere jumpers. Believing in God does not mean that you go through life without troubles. Far from it. Most people I know who pray do so because their lives are fraught with loss, grief, pain and worries and they turn to God for comfort. The thought that in the end, whatever happens in life there will be peace for all those who suffer. Contrary to popular belief, I do not think it is easy to be a Christian. To have faith in something you have never seen or cannot hold or touch. Some who suffer tragedy lose their faith. Others who suffer gain faith. God does not create the suffering in the world nor does he promise the life of a Christian will be easy (it certainly isn’t). But if we have faith we have hope. Life without hope is nothing. Faith is a belief in something that can’t be proven. I have struggled with my faith as have many who have suffering or troubles but in the end all I can say is that I have something inside me that believes. I am not a good person and am certainly a sinner but I have hope that one day I will have peace for me and all who suffer.

Cashmere is something i would never buy,the goats suffer for the sake of fashion, mohair and rabbit fur the same

That's a lovely post Doodle and explains very well what prayer means to you. I believe that we have guardians watching over us, who they are we don't know, but possibly a relative/ancestor. So I also pray to whoever is looking after me. Never for money or anything trivial like cashmere, but only for the safety, guidance and protection of my loved ones. I very often feel there is something guiding my life. Sometimes you wonder why something has happened and then later on it makes sense as part of a bigger picture. I'm sure there is an even larger picture that we can't understand.

I don't think I can express it any better than you already have, doodle, so I'm not going to try!

Yes, hetty, I looked at the link though admittedly not thoroughly (I will later). Most of what I did take in looked like rubbish.

I loved your post Doodle. I do believe in prayer and pray every day. I hope I don’t pray for trivial things, certainly not for cashmere jumpers!

I have a strong faith but agree with Doodle that being a Christian is not easy. I have had terrible things happen in my life but do not blame God for them. I believe I have a personal relationship with Christ so I am talking to him when I pray and prayer gives me hope and faith gives me peace.