What’s the Point of Prayer?

As I flow down the river of my life the scenery changes, and thus my perspective. New views provide new realizations and insights. In the context of prayer, for many years, I have wondered what the point was. Inquiring with various people led to certain repetitive answers: 1) Because G*d said so, 2) to praise G*d, 3) to ask G*d for what we need. There are adaptations of these themes, as well as some outliers, but these answers are the main gist of most people’s observations on the topic of prayer, and they come from the Sunday School pantry that allows us to not have to think through the topic. Sadly, I have used all three. However, my recent ponderings have led to different, and one would hope, more thoughtful answers.

We can ask G*d for what we need, but what is the point if G*d is supposed to already know everything? And if G*d isn’t omniscient, then maybe prayer is kind of like sitting on that Mall Santa’s knee, the one with the booze on his breath, making Christmas wishes. That view doesn’t sit right with me, and to a certain extent we all fashion G*d in our own image, so I look to the other two stock answers to see if they provide more clarity about prayer and G*d. Praising G*d in private could be considered a form of prayer, but if that is all that prayer is, what is the point of being in intimate contact with the Divine? Worship, worship, worship, but no petition? Bleh. The last one I will address, and the answer that is the most loathsome is “because G*d said so.” That is the answer of the weak minded who use cultish syntax and drink poisoned Kool-Aid, excuse me, “Flavor Aid” (we want to be historically accurate).

There is research showing a sick or injured person that is the recipient of prayer, and who also believes in prayer (they have to go together), has a more positive mental attitude and a better chance at recovery. In my own understanding of G*d, the Divine Healer wants us to be well, and would never give us a disease or wish us ill. What kind of sick person would give their children cancer? Yes, yes, G*d is not a person, but as the embodiment of love, giving someone a life threatening disease is even more twisted. G*d works with us at every moment to be able to live and have the best available. The problem is our free will, and the free will actions of others, which can create instances where G*d is limited to the best of bad choices. When we choose to pollute our air, smoke cigarettes, and eat food that isn’t fit for human consumption, there is only so much G*d can do. Looking for a miracle that violates the laws of nature is foolhardy in these situations. Thus, and this may be shocking, G*d might not be able to heal a sick person no matter how much prayer is lifted up into the heavens.

Beyond the positive mental effect that prayer has due to the power of the mind (G*d given), prayer gets us in tune with the Divine Will. So many of us want to know what G*d wants with us, wants to do with us, but we do not take the time to pray. Time spent in prayer allows us to be more conscious and aware of the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives. We become more sensitive to those quiet whispers in our moments of (in)decision and have a better chance at walking the better path G*d would prefer us to take when we are mindful of the Creator. It is so much easier to assert our own will, speaking what we want, rather than to ask for direction and then listen. Half the time people come to me for advice they have already made up their minds as to what they are going to do – they just want confirmation. People pull the same trick with the G-O-D in the skiz-eye.

Free will is a double-edged sword. It can limit the ability of G*d to act in our lives or it can bring us into a closer relationship with the Great Influencer. Prayer may not be to fulfill a wish list or violate the laws of the nature, but for those who believe, it can lead to healing. Those praying also feel less useless, as they are doing something to help. Lastly, it opens us up to the murmurs of the Divine Reality that are constantly and consistently brushing up against our souls. So, as Paul wrote, pray without ceasing – it’s almost as good for you as an apple a day. Or, at least I think he wrote that.

Advertisement