that I get a job that I applied for. What the hell? Kind of funny for me-the person that is burned out on religion, a higher power, sky daddy, etc.

Has anyone else done this? Prayed for something and then say to yourself "who/what I am praying to?"

Other people have been praying I get the job. So...

I really do hope I get the job or I'm unemployed January 1.

Good luck, hopefully you will get the job.

And to answer the question, yes I find myself doing this, but I figure it's from years of conditioning. I'm still in that strange place where I haven't yet figured out where I stand on the whole God thing so I tell myself it's totally okay to throw wishes and vibes out into the universe.

Thanks for the reply. I usually tell people that I will send positive thoughts/energy their way.

I agree, haven't figured out the whole god thing too.

Certainly hoping along with you. Please accept my positive brainwaves to whatever force there may (or may not) be.

In my NAMI support group, the saying goes that "worry is a mother's prayer." (And I am a class A worrier.) In your case, maybe it is "hope" that is your prayer.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/20/2014 09:35AM by wine country girl.

I find myself doing this. That's what 40 years of indoctrination will do to you. We still prayed over the dinner table until recently, partly because it was tradition and habit, partly because we're navigating the god thing too. Plus the youngest kid still wants to pray (but then doesn't want to be the one to say the prayer, ha).

I no longer believe in some sky daddy being watching over us all, but I like to think there is some kind of higher power or something in the universe. I don't know of course, could just be us down here. Doesn't matter either way. We're here now.

We've stopped praying at the table. We may start up again some day. Right now it just seems like such a mormon thing to do and we have tried to distance ourselves from everything related to the church.

That's not a problem. Lots of atheists "pray" - I do it sometimes, and I am a confirmed atheist.

Try my "Atheist's Prayer":

Our Powers are within,
Whatever be their name.
What they have done, what still may come,
This Earth can yet be as Heaven.
Live then this day, and without dread,
And forgive your own trespasses
As you forgive those who trespass against you.
And be not led into temptation,
But flee away from evil,
For Time is the Healer,
With power to restore me,
Forever and ever, Amen.


"When did I realize I was God? Well, I was praying and I suddenly realized that I was talking to myself."

- Peter Barnes, The Ruling Class

Might be Jack Gurney as played by Peter 0'Toole.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9392175/The-extraordinary-Peter-OToole.html

EDIT: My mistake Peter Barnes wrote the script. Now I get it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/20/2014 01:58PM by crom.

Thank you for sharing! The "Atheist's Prayer" is a hit in my book!

-Dennis

I think we pray out of habit, and because it gives us a reassuring sense that we're doing something when in fact we can't do anything.

So yeah people mutter to themselves, "Please let him be alright, please make it alright" when a kid is AWOL.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/20/2014 01:53PM by crom.

For me, prayer helped me focus my thoughts, calm my nerves, and recognize the positive aspects of my life.

I recently went through a list of gods from many cultures, identified one that I could relate to, and now I pray to her. I know full well that she doesn't exist. However, I get the same benefits I used to get from prayer. Additionally, my prayer success rate hasn't changed one iota - I still have good health, but I still haven't won the lottery.

Prayer, "good luck," "sending you positive thoughts," etc. -- all are essentially superstitious attempts to influence reality by magic. Which when it comes right down to it, we all know doesn't work.

Old habits die hard. You really want this job, and are at least subconsciously willing to try even things you know don't work to get it. It's normal. Now, if you DO get it, just don't think it was the "prayer" that caused you to get it and you'll be fine :)

I've been in one massive rif and two site shutdowns during my "career", including one 6 months ago. It sucks, but it did not occur to me to pray. Good luck.

Given your moniker - pray for lupines...?

Void K. Packer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've been in one massive rif and two site
> shutdowns during my "career", including one 6
> months ago. It sucks, but it did not occur to me
> to pray. Good luck.
>
> Given your moniker - pray for lupines...?

Thank you. Yeah, it sucks big time. Lupines you ask?

Just watch! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbtVaTWs6II

Haha, love it.

Love what Richard said.

Next time you pray, stand before the mirror with eyes wide open and behold the greatest story ever told.

I think prayer is a good form of meditation, and there are some great benefits to it. There's a book called how to pray without talking to God I read a while ago.

Leaving the CULT doesn't mean there is no god necessarily. Go with what your heart wants to do. Even if nobody is listening, it might make you feel better so what's the harm?

verilyverily Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Leaving the CULT doesn't mean there is no god
> necessarily. Go with what your heart wants to do.
> Even if nobody is listening, it might make you
> feel better so what's the harm?

Hearts don't "want" anything. They are not seats of thought or emotion or desires. The ancient ignorant superstition that they ARE such things was proven false a very, very long time ago. Those things occur in brains, not hearts.

When I was young I'd find myself praying for some meaningless shit...and then in my teens I came to the realization nobody was on the other end of the line......

Ron Burr

my general rules for life are The Golden Rule & "Help All, Trust few, harm none."

seems like praying doesn't harm anyone and it makes you feel better so why not?

Funny my God is not religious either! There still can be a God and an afterlife without having to agree with myths and tales of a Hell for those who do not give all their time and money to false priests and prophets! Prayer and meditation to the true God work well and available to all!

I hope you get the job!

The prayer habit died out on its own after about 20 years.