The Comfort Of Prayer To Jesus Christ

[Theland]

The last seven years have not been without high points in my life, for example, real joy at having five grandchildren, looking at how my own childrens lives have developed etc etc.
However, there have been very many negatives over the same period, that have affected me deeply, and continue to do so.
I find that especially when I am at my lowest, I find real comfort in prayer to Jesus Christ, and I am always left with the feeling that I am not facing my problems alone.
I am not presenting this as any kind of evidence that the objective scientist demands as proof for the existence of God, but simply presenting my own experiences for your consideration.
My questions are; 1) Is there anybody else here who also prays? 2) Do you find comfort in your prayer as I do?
Other comments from ABers of all pursuasions are of course, as always, most welcome.

[naomi24]

Understood. I've had moments like that myself lately. :o(

[ludwig]

I'm sorry to hear that Naomi, and I hope things get better for you. My low moments are a few years back now.

[naomi24]

Thank you very much.

[Theland]

Ditto Luddy & Nims, I hope your low points are well in the past.
Thank you as well to ALL of the posters who have so far taken the time and trouble to post in such a thoughtful and respectful manner.

[naomi24]

Theland, mine are now - but religion wouldn't help.

[society]

I'd keep you in prayers, Naomi. x

[naomi24]

I don't believe in prayers, but thank you so much for your kindness society. I really appreciate it. x

[ummmm]

I haven't denounced my faith...but I do sometimes wonder how many people mistake praying for a guilty conscious.

I don't know if that makes sense but it does to me...

[Theland]

Dear Nims, I remember ith fondness the Answerbank pub bar and also the Sanctuary.
How I wish ....... you know what I mean.
Let me just say that I remember from the past a particular source of extreme worry for you, and sincerely hope that it is not a repetition of that or indeed anything else so traumatic.
I wish you and your family well, Nims, and hope, (yes, and pray), that all will be well with you and yours.

[naomi24]

Thank you Theland. Yes, I know exactly what you mean.

Sorry guys - I don't do 'me' on AB - onwards!!

[Theland]

apart from that Nims, you can be a pain in my butt!

[naomi24]

One tries ones best you know. ;o)

[mibn2cweus]

I suspect that proctologist friend of yours would be more than happy to give that a thorough examination for you Theland. I can still hear the snap of them gloves of his ringing in my ear . . .

[LazyGun]

1. No, I dont pray. Havent since I was about errmm 5. I outgrew belief in God about the same time I stopped believing in Santa Claus, or the Tooth Fairy, or Unicorns.

2. No, since I dont pray.

If praying brings you comfort fine - its a free country.Periods of introspection or meditation is probably no bad thing.

What irritates me is when praying becomes part of public life - prayers before a political meeting, for instance. I get irritated is because a belief, and a mechanism of that belief, is being foisted on me.
Equally irritating is when you get patronising commentary to the effect that somehow those that pray experience something that those who dont pray do not - That somehow, praying confers a kind of moral or spiritual fulfillment, superiority or warmth that us poor,atheistic rationalists would never experience. That kind of view needs challenging and rebuttal.
Andyvons comment can be seen in this light - that "85% of the global population pray daily " - Now,you may be right that some polls have been extrapolated by believers to suggest that a significant majority of the global population believe in some kind of deity - but such polls can hardly be called authoritative - nor can you take from such a poll that all respondents who talked about believing in a deity are pious enough to bother praying at all.

And as for the patronising comment that the remaining % are "lacking comfort and warmth" - thats just patent rubbish. I sometimes think that those with this kind of view view atheists, rationalists as a kind of emotionally stunted Dr. Spock type character, which is absurd.

[naomi24]

Isn't that incredible. 85% of the world's population pray daily - and even though each and every one of them has conjured up a personal vision of the imaginary entity they pray to, none of them has the foggiest idea what it might be - or if it is really there and listening - or, indeed, whether or not it gives a hoot.

If this were on a lesser scale society would deem these people 'cult' members, it would seriously question their sanity, and they would be viewed with the utmost suspicion. However, because the practice is so widespread society is obliged to afford these strange, unfathomable habits the utmost respect. Clearly the difference between madness and sanity is just a matter of numbers.

[jake-the-peg]

I presume this thread wouldn't be taking this line if we were talking about meditation rather than prayer.

I believe that it's been shown that the brain activity patterns of Catholic nuns in prayer are very similar to Budhist monks in meditation.

It seems to me completely understandable that someone can find comfort in prayer in that manner.

Praying for a specific thing to happen and expecting that thing is another story altogether though.

[Coldicote]

I wish I could find comfort in prayer but, being a matter-of-fact sort of person, don't know what to believe. Scientists talk of a 'big bang' creating the universe, but they've yet to explain life with all its sensitivity. I feel there must be something else besides this life and can only hope it will free of the hatred and terrorism we see in this world. That is something I could try to pray for - but who's listening?