Night Thought

[Khandro]

“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”
― Soren Kierkegaard

[Atheist]

Do you agree with him?

[naomi24]

If the nature of the one who prays needs changing there's obviously something wrong with it.

[Buenchico]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6e/39/17/6e3917a2fcc0aa6d5dafc21113f9e144.jpg

[barry1010]

It's true.  Prayer helps concentrate the mind, can be meditative and calming. 

 

[douglas9401]

Prayer's all well and good, once the work's done.

[PsalmEquipt]

John 16:23,24 "…Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
Seeing God's power and evidence fills a believer's heart with joy.

[naomi24]

//Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.//

 

A lie.  He doesn't.

[Old_Geezer]

If my nature is such that I pray then I find it difficult to see how and what doing so will change in my nature.

 

Would it maybe cause me to no longer to be a person who wishes to pray ?

[Khandro]

 Atheist ; //Do you agree with him?//

Entirely.

[naomi24]

Why do you want to change your nature, Khandro?

[vulcan42]

There is a saying , there are no atheists in a foxhole. If this is true then all the occupants are praying, I doubt very much they are trying to change their nature at that moment. 

[Atheist]

Khandro;

1   Presumably you would would expect a change for the better?

2   Do you think that belief in god is necessary to affect such a change?

[Khandro]

//Do you think that belief in god is necessary to affect such a change?//

There are many people of an agnostic predisposition who pray, people who are affiliated to all religions.

[Atheist]

Khandro; one argument in favour of religions is that they give people hope and comfort even if the religions are not literally true (which of course they can't all be, as they all have different dogmas and rules).

Unfortunately religions can bring about fear and hatred. They also tend to encourage belief without good reason, and that can be a corrupting influence on societies. Religions are full of human beings who are all different, some peaceful and tolerant, others not. Belonging to a religion can give people a sense  of community and identity, but that can turn out badly if the intolerant side takes over.

[Khandro]

^^ I've no quarrel with that. 

[fiveleaves]

Prayer for a Christian in the most simple terms is simply dialogue with God. Spending time with God cannot be anything other than beneficial to any person.

Not sure that Kierkegaard is being given the respect he deserves here, but that leads me to philosophy again

[locust]

naomi24, 11:43 Wed 22nd Nov 2023, A lie. He doesn't. 

   Locust, what is prayer, But it should be remembered, That he's not required, and is under no obligation, to answer them all.  Psalm 10, 17, But you will hear the request of the meek ?,  (For those who are meek and not haughty and self-centred) Hebrews 11:6 Matt. 17:20. (Why does he have to give a rich man more money when he doesn't need it, why should he answered this prayer)

[locust]

naomi24, 11:43 Wed 22nd Nov 2023, A lie. He doesn't.

Locust, what is prayer ?, But it should be remembered, That he's not required, (God), And is under no obligation, duty, commitment, to answer them all ?. Yes he will listen to all prayers, but he does not necessary answer all prayers, Psalm 10, 17, But you will hear the request of the meek ?, (For those who are meek, and not the haughty and self-centred) Hebrews 11:6 Matt. 17:20. (Why does he have to give a rich man more money when he doesn't need it, why should he answer this prayer,

[10ClarionSt]

Y-a-a-a-a-w-n. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......................