Why Pray for Everything

Bob I disagree. The apodictical existential pantheist maintains that prayer is Her talking to Herself, Her very existence supported by the general principle that nothing is entirely anything while everything is partly something else

How do you know that God wants you to pray, or for that matter, how do you know that God wants you to do anything?

Why are talking about your knees. If your knees are sore, see a physician.

Praying for everything would have you on your knees way to often for healthy joints. Of course, one could always pray for durable knees.

In some religions, but not all.

Why pray for everything?

Why pray for Anything?

It's all just making a wish on a cosmic birthday cake.

But that is illogical. God already KNOWS , as both the OT and NT state very clearly. THAT IS NOT why you pray.

You mouth the view of William James but he was answered extraordinarily well by his friend (known as the American Aristotle) C S Peirce

Thanks Aug. To confirm that maybe you could provide a Google link, with many thanks

Here is the best source for Peirce
http://www.gnusystems.ca/CSPgod.htm

As for James that is rather well-known

Consider this difference on prayer. James famously thought prayer meaningless and worthless whereas Peirce says

' We, one and all of us, have an instinct to pray; and this fact constitutes an invitation from God to pray. And in fact there is found to be not only soulagement in prayer, but great spiritual good and moral strength. I do not see why prayer may not be efficacious, or if not the prayer exactly, the state of mind of which the prayer is nothing more than the expression, namely the soul's consciousness of its relation to God, which is nothing more than precisely the pragmatistic meaning of the name of God; so that, in that sense, prayer is simply calling upon the name of the Lord. "

Thanks Aug for that link

Specifically I don't remember commenting on prayer but James and Pierce do seem to express a sort of pantheism

But somewhat tediously don't you think Aug

I view prayer (I don't partake) as an exercise in self-confrontation, in regard to personal issues in need of attendance - Whether one believes they are being heard is beside the point.

Spot on, roger. They can also use knee pads. They're not that expensive.

Because you want it, why else?

God does want you to pray.

Jesus prayed to the Father.

You will probably die in your ignorance and if you go to Hell it will be for the ignorance primarily.

Wow! God punishes ignorant people?

No, as you should know, there is willfully ignorant and not willfully ignorant.

Goes sometimes by the names culpable and inculpable ignorance or vincible and invincible ignorance.

You belong to the former, don't you?

I have come to LOVE the religious thought of Peirce. He was a seeker and his religious thought has been twisted or ignored even by Peirce scholars.

Consider the mystical experience he had when he was in complete opposition to such things:

"This morning after breakfast I felt I had to go to church anyway. I wandered about not knowing where, to find a regular episcopal church, in which I was confirmed; but finally came to St. Thomas. I had several times been in it on week days to look at the chancel, therefore I saw nothing new to me. But this time-I was not thinking of St. Thomas and his doubts either-no sooner had I got into the church than I seemed to receive the direct permission of the Master to come. Still, I said to myself, I must not go to the communion without further reflection! I must go home & duly prepare myself before I venture. But, when the instant came, I found myself carried up to the altar rail, almost without my own volition. I am perfectly sure that it was right. Anyway, I could not help it."

"I may mention the reason why I do not offer to put my gratitude for the bounty granted to me into some form of church work, that which seemed to call me today seemed to promise me that I should bear a cross like death for the Master's sake, and he would give me strength to bear it. I am sure that will happen. My part is to wait.

I have never before been mystical; but now I am. "

That's a strawman crock of crap.
There are endless forms of ignorance and naivety - Born to endless internalised emotive precepts.

Practice what you preach, preacher..... Now, go sell all your possessions, live off the charity of others and look within..... a lot.