IS PRAYER USEFUL?

Is it real or a placebo, ha!

I don't think it's real. But I don't think it needs to be real to help (at least in some ways).

See, I know it's real and also know if you let it be your placebo long enough, you too will realize it is real, too -

"if you are open minded and objective eventually you'll think like me. Keep your eye on the pocket watch and breate deeply...."

I know, I know. I just need faith.

No, simpler than that - what is yours, is yours. Take it and enjoy!!!!
No hidden agenda either

Again, having nearly missed the bus this morning, I want my money back!

Ah, but that's what you want, not what you been given - maybe

If God can't give me what I want, she's fired! Customer service is important!

Your perogative, can rehire at later date - change of name, gender, entity, domain acceptable

And why can I never get a real person on the complaint line?

What's the meaning of real, or do you have the right number, the right setting, the right mind condition - are you looking in the right direction, parting your hair correctly, stepping off on the right foot? Gees, so many things - but, up to you

I would just settle for the correct customer service number.

You got it, good luck! Time for me to close this connection and open the "real" virtual connection (Maybe a little "Last of the Mohicans" first )

And I should curl up with Vauchez' The Laity in the High Middle Ages, but I hear Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere calling instead.

Bill W ~

Probably because when we believe we've made the wrong choice, and things don't work out as planned, god is convenient for the blaming.

The reality is - we don't make mistakes. Everything we do is for our growth or a lesson to be learned. (even when ya never connect to a human on the telephone, or realize that god is a woman )

For me, prayer enhances my awareness, solves problems, and prevents my stepping off the path. When not paying attention, a person can really mess up their ankles.

Lord help us!

What if life is a placebo?

Nah. Prayer is about superstition.

Prayer is about fear.

Even if there is a God (no real way of knowing as far as I can see) -- prayer is silly and more than just a bit insulting to the God.

To anyone who thinks prayers of Thanksgiving to God make sense:

Okay, so you think there is a God -- and that the God gave you life and all the things that come your way -- and you are grateful and want to thank the God.

So do it once -- and then stop.



But you want to do it every day, right!



Try this as an experiment.

Pick out someone you love -- and who loves you. The greater the bond that exists between you and the other person, the better.

Next time that person gives you a present -- thank them as you usually do...BUT...

...call them the next morning and thank him/her for the gift again.

And the next morning also.

Every time you see the person -- thank them for the gift.

Call them every morning -- and then start calling them every evening -- and each time, start your conversation with this person you love very much and who loves you very much in return -- by thanking them for the present - and for all the other presents they've given you throughout the years.

See what happens.

See if it continues to make sense to you.

See if it continues to makes sense to the person.

See if the person begins to understand that all those "thank you's" are an indication of how grateful you are for the present -- and an indication of how much you love them.

See if the person doesn't, at some point, try to talk you into committing yourself to an institution where you can get professional help.

See if you cannot get this little test to tell you something about all this "prayers of thanksgiving to God" nonsense.

Meditation is useful and does not have to be prayer. Prayer should be directed towards the welfare of others but my suspicion is that it is mostly self-centered. I have a video of a fireplace and a narrator that instructs on deep breathing exersise, relaxation and other techniques to slough off stress. Better than all those drug company concoctions with all their side effects! People I know on all of these mood elevators and tranquilizers are dopey and lethargic. The males also have to take Viagra.

you are only allowed to talk to real person when you no longer have a complaint. its a rule.