Is prayer non-religious?

[ddamoore]

My thought is, and I think it fits right in with what Sam was talking about.

This is Semantics, The person could have just as easily used the words "Good wishes needed" or "keep me in your thoughts". No harm, no foul. even "life sucks right now" would ellicit the same responses I bet.

point is, it's only a word in this context.

I totally agree with Mike. This topic got me to consider the word "Prayer" from an analytical standpoint.

From what I have read about it, the word (or the action of) Prayer is actually one of the few activities that most all folks have in common (Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, etc etc) All types of religions, and yes even atheist and lawyers , use Prayer; at least as it can be defined in one form or function of the word.

Therefore, I submit that (unlike the topic of religion) the word/act of Prayer should be a uniting topic, rather than divisive. I offer the following definitions to explain this reasoning –

PRAYER

(a) The act of praying, or of asking a favor.
(b) A reverent petition made to God, a god, or another object of worship.
(c) An address to a deity or supreme being, making a request or giving thanks.
(d) To hope for something very much.
(e) The request of a complainant, as stated in a complaint or in equity, that the court grant the aid or relief solicited.
(f) A fervent request; a petition; entreaty

I think that at the end of the day, the idiomatic meaning of Prayer is: "request and seeking help”. Fortunately for us all, this great forum is abundant with folks who are willing to offer help, support, encouragement, well wishes, warm thoughts, or in a word, their "Prayers" to those who seek it.

My $.02

[dlminehart]

GJAT, I'm not sure exactly what your sarcastic remark about logic was referring to, since you quoted my entire comment.

Buggy whip maker? Perhaps, in the updated sense of a technical specialist whose work is more easily outsourced than that of, say, plumbers, burger flippers, and grocery baggers. I'm in that respect like many knowledge workers these days, particularly in this region which has only in the past year started regaining some of the more skilled of the over 150,000 jobs we've lost since 2000. You might be surprised, given our nominal unemployment rate of 5.1%, how many talented and experienced technical people are now employed selling cars, serving Starbucks, working at HD, doing odd jobs, or trying to sell real estate.

But, my wife has a job, my kids are in high school, and my community is here (including church, whose youth group my kids attend rather than hanging out at the mall or watching TV, and whose facilities required substantial financial commitments in order to be brought up to code). May or may not be logical hanging in here and keeping promises, but it felt right.

[Whaler]

I had no idea that when I started my thread it would end up like this. I needed help and that was the only way I could think of to ask for it.

To all that have responded all I can say is thank you. Your posts are helping with the recovery.

[billwmeyer]

David:

I respect you for your views, I respect you for your comitment to your Church. Yes, a lot of bad things have happened to our forum family. I think part of this is growing pains, because as we get larger here, there is bound to include more people with crisis in their life. I for one have never failed to pray for anyone that has requested prayers, or even just posted disasters. I might not always post an answer to a thread, but I do pray for them and their familes. I only would like to point out that there have been no trivial requests for prayer. The request that I have seen have been much needed and have helped our forum members more than a jig for miter cuts, or answering a finishing problem.

I hope you find employment soon.

Sam, it may be time to lock this topic??

Bill

[conductorjonz]

My thoughts on Dave's "Prayers"

Seems odd that I read this forum everday, and yet this is only my second post.

I am not religious or a big church goer. I have very little interest in organized religion, and usually only go to church for weddings or funerals. I am a spiritual person. My beliefs are mine...and mine alone.

That being said, when my wife was the first in her family to get breast cancer at age 34, it hurt a lot. I ached for support from anywhere...for her...for me...for us. All of our family is out of town. I had to provide for us with one less income while she fought to stay alive. I drew support from her and she from me. Our families did what they could from a few hundred miles away, but that doesn't help clean the house, mow the lawn, and get a 50 hour work week put away...on top of taking care of Erin.

I only hope that if I needed a good word or some hope in the future, I could turn to the men and women of this forum as needed, all of whom I respect for their skills , humor, offerings of assistance to those of us who are less talented, but mostly the repect that is shown on this forum as a whole.

I don't think asking for prayer in the "generic" sense is wrong at all. I also don't think that Dave's questions was meant with the "venom" some felt it was laced with.

As for Dave...though you didn't ask...I'll be "praying" you find work soon, and I'll be "thinking" good thoughts for you and your family while I work in my shop this afternoon.

[Sam Conder]

Sam, it may be time to lock this topic??Bill

I will wait and see if people let it die on it's own as I requested.

[conductorjonz]

Sam...while this has been an interesting topic...I think the horse is ready for the wood-glue factory.

You do a great job!

Greg

[Jaden]

Before this thread is locked, I would just like to add that I am very proud to be part of a site where its members are able to discuss a topic such as this, while still showing the respect for our fellow members and their opinions.

And to David, as a fellow techy feeling the squeeze of outsourcing, I would like to offer my sincerest wishes for better times for your family.

Proud member of bt3central,

Steve

[gjat]

Sarcasm is my strong suite.

Edited to remove my inappropriate sarcasm.

My apologies to those who read my comments and to Sam, whose feelings and intent I disregarded.

[Santa Clarita Len]

I believe this to be a "family" forum and when someone feels comfortable enough with this family to ask for prayer it warms my heart. I may be in the minority, but I for one, would like to see this thread continued because it offers a diversity of opinions and I consider this topic to be one of human compassion rather than a religious one but I will respect Sam's decision either way.