Do you believe in prayer?

Almost everyone lol. Anyone who in dark times whispers anything along the lines of "please let it be ok" when there isn't another person to hear is technically praying

Scribbles what a terrible shock for you. Healing thoughts and prayers sent for DH's full recovery.

No, not everyone prays Yennifer, no matter what the situation. I can't imagine why there'd be a 'higher power'. I see it as a cop out and convenient denial of responsibility.

Our Minister used to say there are no atheists in lifeboats.

Always been an atheist that was meant to say

I think when it comes right down to it, everyone prays. Everyone looks to some sort of higher power in hopeless situations. I have lwys been an tjiest but prayed for good news in times of deep stress and worry x

Your post is lovely lemongrove.

I dont pray.

With love and prayers for your DH's full recovery Scribbles and prayers for his medical team for wisdom and guidance. Please keep us updated.

I am so sorry Scribbles. If it is ok with you I will say a prayer for both you and your husband. Please keep us updated, now you have told us about your husband.

Oh my goodness Scribbles, what a dreadful thing to happen. If ever I pray it is at times such as you find yourself in. It's when I have no other resources left but to believe that there will be a solution.

Praying may give you focus, but it is the skill of the medical team that will save your DH. Rest assured they will be working hard for him. That others are thinking of you both is healing because you know beyond doubt that you are loved.

I think the person who has joined your social group, calls herself a Christian , then boasts of praying for bargain price luxury items and caps it off by saying someone shouldn't read Greek Mythology to their grandchildren is the complete opposite of a good Christian. I suggest you avoid her at all costs. She is NOT a good person , Christian or otherwise.

My day starts and ends with a prayer of thanks.

Sorry to hear that Scribbles All good wishes.

Scribbles I will pray for your husband tonight I hope that is ok

Scribbles I am so sorry this has happened. Yes, put your faith in the skilled medical team, and also that you are touched by the prayers of others.
I hope they can support you in other ways too.
Hope it doesn’t sound too glib (as I don’t know you), but I pray he will make a full recovery. Lean on your friends.

For me, any kind of religious belief is akin to believing in the tooth fairy and my OH has a similar view. So, no, I don't pray.

At the weekend, OH was knocked down by a speeding car and is now in Critical Care with more injuries than I can begin to describe and no guarantees of any sort that he will survive. I have put my trust and faith in the good, skilled and kindly people at Queens Medical Centre who are trying so hard to mend him. However, I have been moved to tears by the friends and acquaintances who do believe and say they are praying for him and for me and also asking others to do so. I have no idea whether their prayers will be effective but it has made me feel very loved.

Yes, I believe in Prayer. I think it helps if you are believer. In a crisis, many people who would not describe themselves as "a person of faith" will pray - even if that is silently. As humans, we have a need to believe in something, even if that is only ourselves. It may well be that "religions" were invented by people- some of them good, and others not so good, but in my opinion, any form of belief that encourages us to be kinder and more considerate towards others cannot be a bad thing! Praying for others can't do any harm, but I certainly wouldn't have said a prayer in the hope of acquiring a cashmere jumper (or indeed, any other sort!).

I think prayer itself is healthy-

Lovely post Doodle. Sums up my thoughts totally. Thank you.

Thank you JenniferEccles. Sometimes the answer to something, does pop up rather late ?

I think Ladymuck was referring to the friend with the cashmere jumpers mentioned in the opening thread Auntyflo.

In answer to the OP question, Yes, I do.

Doodle, has summed up how I feel, much better than I could, thank you.
I find it hard to put my feelings into words that mean something to me, and make sense to others.
We have had prayers answered, and in times of stress, and/ or trouble, I put myself in God's hands.
Also I believe "Thy will be done".
Praying is something that can be done, wherever and whenever you feel the need. It soothes and heals.
The Lords Prayer is particularly calming, to me, anyway.

I have really enjoyed reading these responses, but was puzzled by the one from Ladymuck at 12.45.51. Is it God whose friendship that she wouldn't cultivate?

Jura2, there is certainly not justice and fairness in this life (whether about children being prayed for or other things). But when eternity is taken into account things look different. The Bible indicates that a child who dies goes straight to God and will be happy with him forever. Whatever they suffer in this life will seem like nothing then.

According to the Bible, God is perfectly just and in the end everyone will have justice. Or if they choose to trust him now and take the rescue he offers, they can have mercy. Because no-one has lived without breaking his laws and we all deserve judgement.

‘For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ... each of us shall give account of himself to God"
(Romans 14.10-12)

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life... Whoever believes in him is not condemned’
(John 3.16-18)

I do believe in prayer. I love God and I like talking to him.

“Pour out your hearts to him
for God is our refuge.”
Psalm 62.8

I didn’t become a Christian until I was over 30, and I have much preferred life with a relationship with God to life without.

I was quite happy for my kids to hear stories from Greek mythology.

I don't know if it's a remnant of my Catholic upbringing but in times of trouble I find it very comforting to light a candle in church (any church) and sit quietly for a while with my thoughts. I always come out feeling they have been heard.