So Many Prayers

[naomi24]

I've had some sad news today. Over a period of many months, hundreds of prayers have been said for someone very dear to me – all to no avail. Was there really any point in all these kind people trying so hard only to be disappointed?

[sherrardk]

Sorry to hear your sad news.

[ummmm]

No...pointless.

Sit and have a good sob....works much better.

Sorry about your news :-(

[Mamyalynne]

So very sorry to read of your sad news prayers are often offered in hope.


Take care Naomi.

[naomi24]

Thank you, ladies. It's appreciated.

All this praying that people do just seems so pointless though. Well, it is really, isn't it.

[Mamyalynne]

In truth it is sometimes all someone has left to do, even when things are beyond help. But often there is comfort to be gained from knowing you tried.

[VHG]

Sadly many religious organizations give "false hope" to people about the power of prayer.

Of course if one person recovers from an illness these religious organizations say "look prayer works".

But most of us, if we are honest, know that prayer does no good at all, it just makes the person giving the prayer feel better.

[naomi24]

Yes, I think that's right. People try and that does make them feel better. Hopeless really though, isn't it.

[vulcan42]

I often get the impression that prayer is more important to the prayee...(is that a word?) anyway the person praying. I have a friend who prays for me when I'm ill and after recovery she will say "there, my prayers were answered" as if she's taking the credit. When asked how does she know it was her prayers that cured me, I get the irrefutable, but not found in any bible I've read,"cos".
Sorry to hear about your sad news naomi.

[murraymints]

Sorry to hear your,sad news Naomi ....xx

[grasscarp]

I never think about a prayer working or not working. Often there is not much can be done in some circumstances except offer up a prayer. Sorry to hear that you are unhappy. Condolences.

[anneasquith]

yes. I doubt people who did pray will be disappointed, sad yes.

[DTCwordfan]

Sorry to hear that - folk saying prayers for someone, or you, naomi - well, at the very least, it's a way of showing that they care and are thinking of you, supporting you mentally per se - and we don't yet understand if telepathy really exists - goes with the ghost arguments recently.

[Hypognosis]

Sorry about your loss.

(Other forms of words are available but, if taken completely literally, appear to say that the sympathiser would rather they had not been told. Not the time or place for such pedantry, though).

Who prays hardest/best: Germans or South Americans?

[pixie373]

I'm very sorry to hear that, Naomi. I think people hate to feel helpless and try to find something they can do. It won't make any difference, but maybe makes them feel better xx

[DTCwordfan]

Hypo - one from Peter Shilton's era adapted.

Seen outside a church, a street poster with the cross etc and the words, "God Saves..."

Updated to 2014, someone added the graffiti, "and Manuel Neuer is better..."

[Zacs-Master]

Not for the first time, I couldn't have put it any better than pixie. My sincere condolences Naomi.

[tonyav]

Many condolences, naomi.

A couple of seasons ago the bishop of Wolverhampton prayed for Wolverhampton wanderers fc to save them from relegation, it didn't work !.

[pixie373]

Thanks zacs x

[DTCwordfan]

wasn't that last season too, tony? - after all he has to earn his alms; I guess that you could get a female manager or bish now like that Karen Brady or Delia Shmiithe.

[DTCwordfan]

naomi, we are being a wee bit disrespectful - the person you lost was your nan? I can remember you referring to someone dear to you about a month ago.....

I'm sure that you are aware one of the biggest comfort factors is to focus on the good moments. If you wish, I do have a rather nice comforting (non-religious) poem here, written for a very close friend and her mother's recent demise - maybe I should put a JW line in it! Just let me know on my temp address, [email protected] , and I will send it on......