NationStates Jolt Archive

Do you pray to God,Jesus,Virgin Mary or other that you pray too?

I pray to Jesus and Jah

No.

I pray to Jesus

You pray to jah?

I don't pray, but when I used to spar and fight alot I used to visualize and meditate on the Roman god Mars before a sparring match or a fight to tap into the warlike and agressive part of my psyche. Mars was the name and the form that I gave to the part of me that loved to fight.

I meant to ritually pray five times a day but am so lazy I ended up only doing 1 or 2 a day. But I haven't prayed that much recently, I have been meaning to do so.

I pray to the Lord of the worlds who I call Allah.

No. I spend my time productively, like actually doing things I want to get done instead of wishing that a genie do them for me.

I pray to God in the name of Jesus.

Who's Jah?

God is Jah

I have prayed once or twice.

I've been praying a lot more often recently although I wouldnt consider myself a good christian. I can never get myself to make the leap of faith but in some cases praying can help me relax and get to grips with things

Never have, never will.

Yes, I pray. I'm a Christian after all. :D

Nope. Why would any deity want to listen to me bitch and moan and demand assistance?

Do I talk to myself in the hopes that a big guy in the sky will hear me?

No.

Well seeing that God is triune, you can't pray to God and Jesus.... They're one in the same. But yes, I pray to Jesus Christ.

Not at all. This doesn't mean I frown upon it or anything, it just means that I'm not comfortable with doing it.

^ i see what your saying

Nope. Why would any deity want to listen to me bitch and moan and demand assistance?They might find it funny... :D

lol

Not that it's any of your buisness, but yes

They might find it funny... :D

Yeah, right before they turn my skin purple.

No, because no-one is listening. The attitude of the universe to human endeavour is one of supreme indifference.

Nope. Why would any deity want to listen to me bitch and moan and demand assistance?

Yeah thats why I always add in a few thanks to a prayer just to keep the big guy sweet

Yeah, right before they turn my skin purple.

Why would they turn your sking purple when they could just as easily take it all off?

Of course, they'd have to somehow keep you alive without your skin so you could feel the pain.

Yeah, right before they turn my skin purple.I thought it be more along the lines of:
ZEUS: "Hey, Hermes, guess what this guy just asked me to do! LOL :D"

I don't pray. At least, I don't consciously talk at God. It's more a sort of union with things; some would call it meditation, but I think there's a more personal level than that.

I pray to God in the name of Jesus, and I do so at night before bed, and any time that I feel I need a little extra boost in my day. :)

I have prayed once or twice.
Thats it? I have prayed about 3,000 times in my life.

Thats it? I have prayed about 3,000 times in my life.It's not some competition. It works for some people and doesn't work for others. ;)

Thats it? I have prayed about 3,000 times in my life.

Prayer isnt a contest

I pray to God in the name of Jesus all the time. When I wake up in the morning, I greet the day by praising the Lord. Throughout my day, I pray to resist temptation, ask for forgiveness, before a difficult task, before I eat, or just for no reason. I usually end my day with a rather long prayer than can last up to twenty minutes.

It does’ just involve asking for stuff. It also involves thanking God for what you have, repenting, to learn to put Him before yourself, and all sorts of things.

Prayer isnt a contest
No kidding *rolls eyes*

I used to pray to Jesus, then to Allah. Now I pray to nothing.

No, I am and always have been an atheist.

Ever since I've been touched by his noodly appendage

I've been praying to the flying spaghetti Monster.

http://www.venganza.org/

Thats it? I have prayed about 3,000 times in my life.

After posting it I realised it did make me sound like a rather inconsistent Christian....

Explanation: I'm agnostic and I've swayed both ways at some points in my life, hence the occasional prayer.

Every day of my life.

Just not to God

God is Jah
Your god is YHWH, which is likely Yahweh. Not Jah. :p


On topic, I don't pray. I have in the past, but almost all were a result of OCD.

No kidding *rolls eyes*

Then why did you make a post acting like it was?

I don't pray, I'm an atheist. It's pointless unless you have faith that whoever you're praying to will know about it and actually have the power to do something. Implicit faith is irrational.

I pray to Joe Pesci.

Do you pray to God,Jesus,Virgin Mary or other that you pray too?
I now tend to meditate moreso than pray. :)

I pray to God in the name of Jesus.
Ditto.

Yes I pray and too God, Jesus, Holy Spirit above all, but also I pray to Mary, Angels and Saints. I'm roman catholic.

Pray more like gay am I rite guys?

guys?

...

I used to pray a lot, but lately, I haven't been doing it. If anything, I've been speaking to God on the occasion throughout the day, more than I've prayed (the traditional way).

Raised Catholic, now agnostic, so every once in a while, normally out of desperation. Last time I prayed I was on a terrible drug trip. Colombian Mushrooms. Not good.

Raised Catholic, now agnostic, so every once in a while, normally out of desperation. Last time I prayed I was on a terrible drug trip. Colombian Mushrooms. Not good.

Yeah that would be the way things are for me......minus the drug trip

I don't pray, I'm an atheist. It's pointless unless you have faith that whoever you're praying to will know about it and actually have the power to do something. Implicit faith is irrational.There's a little chapel in the Kremlin where Stalin prayed for victory over the fascists. (I kid you not. This is from a documentary on the Kremlin and was said by one of his former bodyguards)

When drunk enough I've been known to pray to small pieces of lint.

The almighty is always around, soI guess I pray all the time. subconsciously.

and also consciously, but more in church.

Of course I pray. I like doing productive things instead of relying upon myself and others alone to accomplish the improbable.

Yes, I do pray to God. Usually giving thanks and praising His creation.

There's a little chapel in the Kremlin where Stalin prayed for victory over the fascists. (I kid you not. This is from a documentary on the Kremlin and was said by one of his former bodyguards)
That was indeed a very good documentary! Glad to hear you saw it, too :D

A friend of mine figures that the reason things are so bad is because of prayer... like this.

Every time God settles down to do a serious piece of work, like solving world hunger, she is disturbed and pestered by thousands of people calling her name.

God: "OK, now, let me get to fixing this whole world hunger thing, a rather tricky operation but I can do it. First I..."

Earnest Christian: "Oh God!"

God: (whipping her head around to see who called her) "Wha? Huh? Oh, it's you again. Really, I am kind of busy here... see I am just.." (turning back to the problem, which is now all in shambles) "Oh drat."

So the answer is, no prayer from me. I figure I can at least do God that favor. And she seems to appreciate it so far.

Never have, never will.
same here.

ummmm.........SHE?!

That was indeed a very good documentary! Glad to hear you saw it, too :DGotta love the öffentlichrechtlichen :p

ummmm.........SHE?!


Absolutely. Why not?

Absolutely. Why not?

If you're talking about Christianity the use of the Father, etc when referring to God makes it hard for people to think in terms of a female god although i'd rather think God is neither male nor female

If you're talking about Christianity the use of the Father when referring to God makes it hard for people to think in terms of a female god

Just because people call her Father doesn't make her any less female.

I am glad most of you guys pray thats always a good thing

I'd pray, if only god existed! Such a shame.
Have you noticed how talking to god is prayer but having him reply is schizophrenia?

Just because people call her Father doesn't make her any less female.

It does however make an inference to sex which many pick up on. Why would God be female either?

LOL I like the edit you made, although my reply caught your original. I call God she mostly to point out that God does not need to be one sex or the other, it is a pointless distinction when speaking of an entity that is supposed to be the only one of its kind with no need to reproduce.

I'd pray, if only god existed! Such a shame.
Have you noticed how talking to god is prayer but having him reply is schizophrenia?

You have to back it up with a few handy miracles to make it acceptable methinks

LOL I like the edit you made, although my reply caught your original. I call God she mostly to point out that God does not need to be one sex or the other, it is a pointless distinction when speaking of an entity that is supposed to be the only one of its kind with no need to reproduce.

Yeah I thought I better clear up my thoughts before I got swarmed by angry feminists.

I mostly call God out of habit since that was all I was ever taught and to me using It seems a little disrespectful for some reason

LOL I like the edit you made, although my reply caught your original. I call God she mostly to point out that God does not need to be one sex or the other, it is a pointless distinction when speaking of an entity that is supposed to be the only one of its kind with no need to reproduce.


Actually, if you think about it, would more people be upset by the notion of God as a she, or if I refered to God as "it"?

Actually, if you think about it, would more people be upset by the notion of God as a she, or if I refered to God as "it"?

I kind of feel like i'm talking to a dog if I pray to It rather than Him (or Her) so I understand your point

Just because people call her Father doesn't make her any less female.

Unless you die, go to heaven, ask God personally, and come back to life with full remeberance of you doing that, don't decide if God is male or female.

And if you do die, go to heaven, ask God personally, and come back to life, then tell me, that would be a very interesting story.

and yes I pray.

:mp5: :sniper: :mp5:
The Armed Republic Of Cruel Tyrany

You have to back it up with a few handy miracles to make it acceptable methinks
How come we get none of them miracles nowadays? Jesus talks about 'having faith' yet he raises the dead as a party trick. Seems hypocritical and unfair for those of us that don't live in ancient Palestine/Israel

Actually, if you think about it, would more people be upset by the notion of God as a she, or if I refered to God as "it"?
I don't think a female god could exist. Would a woman do all that spiteful 'waxing wroth' and plagues etc from the Old Testament?

Unless you die, go to heaven, ask God personally, and come back to life with full remeberance of you doing that, don't decide if God is male or female.

And if you do die, go to heaven, ask God personally, and come back to life, then tell me, that would be a very interesting story.

and yes I pray.

:mp5: :sniper: :mp5:
The Armed Republic Of Cruel Tyrany

Until I do, is there a problem with me calling God she?

How come we get none of them miracles nowadays? Jesus talks about 'having faith' yet he raises the dead as a party trick. Seems hypocritical and unfair for those of us that don't live in ancient Palestine/IsraelWhat do you think is a miracle? I doubt that it has anything to do with doing the impossible, it has more to do with making the possible happen at the right time...

I don't think a female god could exist. Would a woman do all that spiteful 'waxing wroth' and plagues etc from the Old Testament?

A very interesting thought! I wonder, though, if that might be the origin of the saying "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned?"

How come we get none of them miracles nowadays? Jesus talks about 'having faith' yet he raises the dead as a party trick. Seems hypocritical and unfair for those of us that don't live in ancient Palestine/Israel

When did he raise the dead as a party trick? :confused:

Unless you die, go to heaven, ask God personally, and come back to life with full remeberance of you doing that, don't decide if God is male or female.

And if you do die, go to heaven, ask God personally, and come back to life, then tell me, that would be a very interesting story.
Curr... As far as I know, the Bible says we (and I think that includes women) were made in His (and I doubt anyone had the intention of calling God "It"), then there must be something female about Him.

:mp5: :sniper: :mp5:
The Armed Republic Of Cruel TyranyAnd please put that in your sig, not your posts...

When did he raise the dead as a party trick? :confused:
I wasn't being literal, it was just a strange figure of speech. However he did do the water into wine thing as a party trick.

I don't think a female god could exist. Would a woman do all that spiteful 'waxing wroth' and plagues etc from the Old Testament?Actually, women can be quite hateful when they want to be... I have a sister, I've BEEN there.

Only in utter desperate situations when circumstances feel completely out of my control. But even then I'm not convinced entirely that I am praying to God but rather to my inner self. At the end of the day even religious folk say that god helps those who help themselves, in other words you shouldn't sit around waiting for miracles but rather make them happen yourself. :)

Yes.





Not to your inferior gods though. I pray to my own gods and goddess. It's a very small but excellent religon.

Yes.

Not to your inferior gods though. I pray to my own gods and goddess. It's a very small but excellent religon.

An excellent solution for the whole he/she/it problem!

An excellent solution for the whole he/she/it problem!

Not to the christian "problem" though

Not to the christian "problem" though

I could get into a lot of trouble by making an assumption as to what you mean here... so I will leave it alone unless you are in the mood to clarify what you are talking about. :D

I could get into a lot of trouble by making an assumption as to what you mean here... so I will leave it alone unless you are in the mood to clarify what you are talking about. :D

You said that tetras religion would solve the debate over the gender of God but since Christians believe there is only one God his/her thoughts cant be used in this situation. Religion cant be changed completely to make everything seem fair. I hope this makes any kind of sense since its getting late here and i have a red mark on my head from lying face down on the desk

In addition to the fact that my religon is about a thousand years old or so older than Christianity and it's branches. Wicca, I belive, actually branched off my religon, or it was at least based on it, judging by how close they are.

You said that tetras religion would solve the debate over the gender of God but since Christians believe there is only one God his/her thoughts cant be used in this situation. Religion cant be changed completely to make everything seem fair. I hope this makes any kind of sense since its getting late here and i have a red mark on my head from lying face down on the desk

Indeed, sorry, I did think that was what you meant, but I was trying to make a smallish joke about the "problem" that exists in all religions (that is, the 'I believe one thing, you believe another, and we will fight to the death over it' attitude that so many seem to engender). Fair does not enter into the picture, and I didn't mean to suggest that Tetras' solution was one that would satisfy others (ie Christians), just that it made the debate pointless in THAT religion.

I suggest you go find something more comfortable to lie face down on!

Actually, my religon has the standpoint of, "You belive in your religon, we belive in ours, you will see which is true when we die. Except I will reincarnate."

Indeed, sorry, I did think that was what you meant, but I was trying to make a smallish joke about the "problem" that exists in all religions (that is, the 'I believe one thing, you believe another, and we will fight to the death over it' attitude that so many seem to engender). Fair does not enter into the picture, and I didn't mean to suggest that Tetras' solution was one that would satisfy others (ie Christians), just that it made the debate pointless in THAT religion.

I suggest you go find something more comfortable to lie face down on!

I'm trying very hard to be mature about the bit in bold :p

I re-read my post a few times and I see what you mean. Damm its no fun when people get along and agree

In addition to the fact that my religon is about a thousand years old or so older than Christianity and it's branches. Wicca, I belive, actually branched off my religon, or it was at least based on it, judging by how close they are.

I'm not arguing the validity of your religion but age shouldnt really used to argue its importance

Actually, my religon has the standpoint of, "You belive in your religon, we belive in ours, you will see which is true when we die. Except I will reincarnate."


Excellent! (and please note that I did think this would be the case, which is why I said 'many' and not 'all') :)

I mentioned that, so that you can't say "Well, your religon was just created by you and your friend to act cool and rebel."

I'm trying very hard to be mature about the bit in bold :p

I re-read my post a few times and I see what you mean. Damm its no fun when people get along and agree

LOL I know what you mean! How can you get out the frustrations of the day with people who tell you nice things and hope that you don't get red marks on your face? It is a problem! :headbang:

P.S. I kind of like these goofy smilies. :)

I pray to God.

Only in utter desperate situations when circumstances feel completely out of my control. But even then I'm not convinced entirely that I am praying to God but rather to my inner self. At the end of the day even religious folk say that god helps those who help themselves, in other words you shouldn't sit around waiting for miracles but rather make them happen yourself. :)

Damn straight.
However arrogant it sounds when you tell people you pray to yourself :)

No

My final statement is that everyone should pray once in awhile

My final statement is that everyone should pray once in awhile

Why? Both why should everyone pray (athiests should pray to... nothing?) and why are you feeling compelled to make a final statement?

Just curious.

I dont want to say much further to the topic go to church once in awhile too. It will give you a lil sense of spirtuality

My final statement is that everyone should pray once in awhileNope. It works for some people and doesn't work for others. No disrespect, but some people feel that praying helps them while others need a good conversation with someone that understands. ;)

I dont want to say much further to the topic go to church once in awhile too. It will give you a lil sense of spirtuality

Ummm... I never go to church, and have a very great sense of spirituality in my life. In fact, I have found that by and large attending church was mostly detrimental to my spirituality.

Oh thats a good thing

I pray only to myself as I am the only one that can make things happen for myself.

I pray only to myself as I am the only one that can make things happen for myself.
Thats what I do I pray to myself too.

Oh thats a good thing

I just want to clarify for you... you do realize that God is not needed for a sense of sprituality? Some people find solace in the contemplation of the universe, others meditate to the sounds of running water, etc. with no thought of (or need for) God at all. If you find spirituality through church, that is great for you! The same goes for prayer... but for some folks other means work better.

Just because people call her Father doesn't make her any less female.



When part of God refers to Himself as He, we can assume that it's male >.>

How come we get none of them miracles nowadays? Jesus talks about 'having faith' yet he raises the dead as a party trick. Seems hypocritical and unfair for those of us that don't live in ancient Palestine/Israel



We aren't Christ, apostles, prophets, or disciples who the apostles have lain their hands on.

I don't think a female god could exist. Would a woman do all that spiteful 'waxing wroth' and plagues etc from the Old Testament?



1. The plagues were justified, Egypt was a proud nation who would have nothing to do with the God of the Israelites, therefore they needed to be put in their place.

2. As a female, I'm pretty certain we can get even worse than guys at times ;)

When part of God refers to Himself as He, we can assume that it's male >.>

When next we speak together, if she refers to herself as he, I will assume she is a male. Till then, I am going with female.

In addition to the fact that my religon is about a thousand years old or so older than Christianity and it's branches. Wicca, I belive, actually branched off my religon, or it was at least based on it, judging by how close they are.




Hmm....oh! I think I know who you are now! Aren't you the guys God punished for worshipping false gods and sacrificing your children to Molech?

Hmm....oh! I think I know who you are now! Aren't you the guys God punished for worshipping false gods and sacrificing your children to Molech?

Well, THAT was rather uncalled for!

Well, THAT was rather uncalled for!
I agree, that was kind of mean.
I pray to God, but I don't go to church much anymore.

1. The plagues were justified, Egypt was a proud nation who would have nothing to do with the God of the Israelites, therefore they needed to be put in their place.

2. As a female, I'm pretty certain we can get even worse than guys at times ;)

So Jihads/crusades are justified?

i do not pray but i do belive in god jesus :)

When part of God refers to Himself as He, we can assume that it's male >.>When the bible is written in a patriarchical society, you can assume that when choosing between Her and Him (I doubt anyone would have advocated "It") they would go for Him. We were made in God's image, were we not? Are you saying women are not made in God's image?

1. The plagues were justified, Egypt was a proud nation who would have nothing to do with the God of the Israelites, therefore they needed to be put in their place.Hm... the bold parts apply to the US too...

2. As a female, I'm pretty certain we can get even worse than guys at times ;)I concur while rubbing my scars! :D

When the bible is written in a patriarchical society, you can assume that when choosing between Her and Him (I doubt anyone would have advocated "It") they would go for Him. We were made in God's image, were we not? Are you saying women are not made in God's image?


The part referring to us being made in the image of God is very ambiguous. Personally, I am of the school of thought that believes it meant spiritually and intellectually, we are like Him. We are conscious and capable of reason.

So Jihads/crusades are justified?



No, in fact, the crusades are considered heresies by many contemporary Catholics. Unless God justifies the killing, it is murder.

The part referring to us being made in the image of God is very ambiguous. Personally, I am of the school of thought that believes it meant spiritually and intellectually, we are like Him. We are conscious and capable of reason.Muahaha! I'm going to have to remember this... Not that I want to discuss this or berate you for anything, but doesn't that lead to the question whether the people that compiled and wrote the bible expected people not to interpret things literally?

I pray to God in the name of Jesus.

me too :)

I don't pray, religion is a corruption of humanity's ultimate freedom.

Muahaha! I'm going to have to remember this... Not that I want to discuss this or berate you for anything, but doesn't that lead to the question whether the people that compiled and wrote the bible expected people not to interpret things literally?



Well, some things are to be taken in a symbolic or metaphorical sense (Revelation, anyone?), and this could be one of them. It depends on what type of image you are discussing: Mental, spiritual, or physical.

I don't pray, religion is a corruption of humanity's ultimate freedom.And what might that be?

I don't pray, religion is a corruption of humanity's ultimate freedom.

I see it another way. Man is the corruption of humanity's ultimate freedom. The religion itself is a way to free humanity. The things man does with the ideas are the problem.

And what might that be?

To be free of the quasi-medieval chains of false religions that serve only to divide societies.

To be free of the quasi-medieval chains of false religions that serve only to divide societies.Germany is doing fine. Our different religions get along fine for the most part.

Germany is doing fine. Our different religions get along fine for the most part.

Ah, but the conflict between religions isn't the only issue. The fact that so many are controlled and indoctrinated by falsity is.

Do you pray to God,Jesus,Virgin Mary or other that you pray too?

Why would you pray to the Virgin Mary after reading 1 Timothy 2:5?

I pray to God for the record (note John chapter 14 to recognize that when I say God why I also am including Jesus in that)

Ah, but the conflict between religions isn't the only issue. The fact that so many are controlled and indoctrinated by falsity is.Like I said, we aren't really experiencing a problem with that in Germany. I know plenty of German catholics that think Benedict XVI is an idiot and would rather have seen Kardinal Lehmann as Pope. One of them is certainly one of the less tactful people I know when it comes to vulgar remarks. Two others were awesome drinking buddies and voted Green with me.

:headbang:

I pray to Jesus, I usually start off by thanking him and then going to a bar buying a round of drinks and telling him about my problems. It's great.

BTW, wouldn't praying to the Virgin Mary make her an idol?

Just pray you will feel better and it doesnt take that much time

For some reason when I was around 9-10 years old I would pray to "god" in general asking him various things and thanking him. Eventually I realised it's up to humans to determain our fate, thus praying seemed kind of irrelevent.

"two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer."

in other words...no

Yeah, I do.

I've never been able to grasp on why the Catholics pray to Mary. She was a HUMAN, even if she was selected by God for a very specific purpose.

I personally look at the Christian religion and see not 1000 denominations, but one whole. There are times coming ahead in which the churches will need to unite against the works of the enemy. That time is getting very near.

Now, I don't know what compelled me to say that... but anyway...

I do think unity is one thing that's lacking in the church. I believe the denominations exist for a reason. I have prayed on this, and I believe this is true. Each denomination is intended to reach out to a different group of people. It is one of God's ways of reaching out towards us.

The Bible has purposely been written to be not taken at first glance. Even the parts that seem simple can be profoundly impacting.

Yeah, I do.

I've never been able to grasp on why the Catholics pray to Mary. She was a HUMAN, even if she was selected by God for a very specific purpose.


Maybe you should read up more on Catholicism before you make ignorant statements.