This past weekend, we watched "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" and how its based on a true story and all (no this thread isn't about the movie). Particularly what the movie shows is how Emily used to pray religiously until her demonic attacks started and even until the day that she died, her beliefs in God and the divine never frailed.

The movie ends with a letter from Emily in which she states that in today's day and age, more people are believing lesser in God and she hoped that maybe through her suffering, while she would not have been able to re-kindle people's faith in God, maybe she could've shown the world the existence of the Devil and hoped for a change to follow.

This has got me thinking. Until about a year ago, every morning when I left for work, I'd spend 2 minutes in my car praying before I drove off. The day that followed had its share of ups and downs at work. However, about a year back, for no apparent reason, I just decided to stop praying. Surprisingly, the amount of ups and downs during the day moved in the favor of "ups". Moreso, enough for me to take notice at least.

Then this past week, I saw this movie and it got me thinking, what if things like this were the devil's (or dark side if you prefer) way to make "another disbeliever" out of God. I know the thread is funny and potentially the subject of ridicule, but I've thought about it enough where I felt encouraged to discuss it.

In fact my scientific side would say "screw that, pop open a cold one and stop thinking of shit till you die", but my religious side on the other hand got a shaking like you wouldn't believe, enough to start praying again.

I'd like to hear people's thoughts on this.

Re: The power of prayer?

I believe it coincidence or that you are praying to the wrong person. Digweed is not a god. :D

I think praying is good if you are a true believer or not. I never used prayer to pray for myself, but rather for other people and family. It is the other people prayers about you who make a difference for you. no one really knows the answer.

Re: The power of prayer?

[quote=Kamal;384378] I know the thread is funny and potentially the subject of ridicule[/quote]

Welcome to my world pal.

Anyway I am curious as to what God you pray to. No joke intended here I just do not know your religious preference due to some of the conversations we have entertained here over the years.

Re: The power of prayer?

[QUOTE=speciale;384380]I never used prayer to pray for myself, but rather for other people and family. It is the other people prayers about you who make a difference for you.[/QUOTE]

Whoa. That's such a cool way to look at it, and I can honestly say I've never thought about things that way.

Time for a group hug everyone :oops:

Re: The power of prayer?

We have a plethora of Gods in India. I personally believe a lot in Lord Shiva and his Son Ganesha. But mainly, my prayers are Sanskrit Shlokas that my Grandma taught me when I was a child. They are not specifically pertaining to a particular God but just praying to the almighty.

Re: The power of prayer?

[URL]http://dwindlinginunbelief.blogspot.com/2006/08/who-has-killed-more-satan-or-god.html[/URL]

Careful who you're praying to! The guy who killed 2,000,000+ or the guy who killed 10, with the other guy's permission.

Re: The power of prayer?

[quote=Kamal;384419]We have a plethora of Gods in India. I personally believe a lot in Lord Shiva and his Son Ganesha. But mainly, my prayers are Sanskrit Shlokas that my Grandma taught me when I was a child. They are not specifically pertaining to a particular God but just praying to the almighty.[/quote]

this is a serious question: how do you chose which of those plethora of gods to worship? or are you supposed to divide your time between all of them? You said you beilive in shiva and son, but how did you chose them, or why do you belive in those two over the others (evidence VS noevidence, or better holidays, or better writings etc etc)

Re: The power of prayer?

Dear Lord Tiny Baby Jesus, please forgive Kamal. He did not mean to start another thread that will go way out of hand and have no meaning.

Re: The power of prayer?

[quote=Kamal;384378]

Then this past week, I saw this movie and it got me thinking, what if things like this were the devil's (or dark side if you prefer) way to make "another disbeliever" out of God. I know the thread is funny and potentially the subject of ridicule, but I've thought about it enough where I felt encouraged to discuss it. [/quote]

Just so I understand your question, you think the devil is rewarding you by making your work day better, in order to convince you that prayer is useless and god doesn't exist?

I dunno, if the devil DID actually exist, it sounds like it be something he might do.

But what about that reasearch study they did a few months back. There was one group of sick children which has several prayer groups praying for them and another group of sick kids that didn't have a prayer group. The kids in the prayer group didnt' do any better than the prayerless groups. (I'm sure I have the details of it wrong, but that was the gist of it).

edit Just looked for that reaserach and there are several similar studies, although most are controversial at best for poor reserach design and bias.

Re: The power of prayer?

[quote=threehills;384434]Just so I understand your question, you think the devil is rewarding you by making your work day better, in order to convince you that prayer is useless and god doesn't exist?[/quote]

not saying that I'm being rewarded by the devil for not praying, but trying to say that things were slightly on the brighter side overall (in terms of how the day went). Realistically, you could say that you're getting something in return for giving something up, but I dont think I'm being rewarded by the devil.

Re: The power of prayer?

I believe in god and yes I should pray everyday but for some reason I don't. But my beliefs are always with me and I appreciate everyday i am alive. Live life to the fullest and enjoy every minute of it b/c you never know when it is your time.

Re: The power of prayer?

[quote=threehills;384434]But what about that reasearch study they did a few months back. There was one group of sick children which has several prayer groups praying for them and another group of sick kids that didn't have a prayer group. The kids in the prayer group didnt' do any better than the prayerless groups. (I'm sure I have the details of it wrong, but that was the gist of it)[/quote]

I was wondering if they were praying to the God of the Bible? If so then I can give you the reason why the statstics are the way they are.

[quote=Huggie Smiles;384426]this is a serious question: how do you chose which of those plethora of gods to worship? or are you supposed to divide your time between all of them? You said you beilive in shiva and son, but how did you chose them, or why do you belive in those two over the others (evidence VS noevidence, or better holidays, or better writings etc etc)[/quote]

Very impressive question.

Re: The power of prayer?

[quote=Huggie Smiles;384426]this is a serious question: how do you chose which of those plethora of gods to worship? or are you supposed to divide your time between all of them? You said you beilive in shiva and son, but how did you chose them, or why do you belive in those two over the others (evidence VS noevidence, or better holidays, or better writings etc etc)[/quote]

I dont know why I pray mainly to those two but I do. Also no we dont have to divide our time between all. I guess its a personal preference cause we were never instructed to do anything particular.

No particular reason I pray to them, Lord Shiva is the Lord of Destruction and Lord Ganesha is the Lord of Prosperity.