Do you have to be religious to pray?

That's a very interesting question GN.

Whilst I do not recognize any higher deity, I do believe in the power of thought, providing the person is aware that you are thinking of them it can help them cope with a situation.
I don't see that as praying, as that would include a third party that you believe in.

Interesting question- I believe it was me who said both.

Most people pray to a deïty- to ask them to intercede and perform some sort of miracle- and it is true that non-believers, like me- can't do this.

But we can think of the person/s who is/are suffering and send warmth and good vibes- and hope. I have to say I find it very difficult to cope when religious people of any faith- say that their God was looking after them in a disaster- and chose not to look after the others, children and totally innocent. I felt this way ever since I was very young, as it made no sense to me.

I think that everyone prays, religious or not. All that stuff going on in our heads is prayer, no kneeling, genuflecting or religious words needed.

If you pray, surely one has to believe and I do not.

pittcity that's what I think too. If someone is going through a very difficult time, and you think of them and your thoughts and concerns are focused on a good outcome for them, then I think that's a prayer.

There's also that saying 'a wing and a prayer' - I've just found the poem it comes from:

One of our planes was missing
Two hours overdue
One of our planes was missing
With all its gallant crew
The radio sets were humming
We waited for a word
Then a noise broke
Through the humming and this is what we heard

Comin' in on a wing and a prayer
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer
Though there's one motor gone
We can still carry on
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer

The definition of a prayer is :- a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or another deity

So if you do not believe in a deity, your thoughts are not prayers, they are caring thoughts or statements. However that does not mean they can't help.

Likewise, I am very hapy for someone to pray for me, as that means they care.

I used to be caretaker at our village URC church (not the Chapel I help out at now). One evening the Minister and 2 others were in a group hug in the hall. When the had finished I asked what they were doing, having a prayer hug they said, "I could do with someone praying for me" I joked, next moment I was in the middle of a prayer hug, you have to be careful what you wish for.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary apart from being an appeal to a deity it means 'an earnest plea'.

Middle English: from Old French preiere, based on Latin precarius 'obtained by entreaty', from prex, prec- 'prayer'.
So can be used to denote a religious act or not, you don't have to be a believer in the religious sense just have hope that it'll make a difference.

LL , sounds good. By that definition we all pray.

Absolutely pompa
I wouldn't call myself at all religious but I think it's a natural instinct to 'pray' or plea at times.

I agree with pompa - there is strength in knowing that people are thinking of you at times of trouble; and I have been touched when people have said they are praying for me. I appreciate the sentiment, whilst not hoping for any divine intervention - their human kindness is sufficient.

Like granjura I struggle with the idea that a deity chooses to save some individuals in a disaster (as some people believe) while leaving others to their fate. How perverse.

loopy I like that too.

Although I do not believe in God, I sometimes pray for strength when I am feeling desperate.

It comes from somewhere other than the rational mind and is comforting.

I sometimes think that the effect you describe petallus is actually due to talking to oneself - I am a great believer in that!

Mrs. P talks to herself all the time, but she thinks I am listening

Pompa!

This is a question that I have asked of myself time and again.

I don't have a profound belief in all the bible says, I don't attend church, I don't particularly like a lot of the trappings of the church and can find the institution quite a hypocrisy of it's own making, for example, the wealth it holds, the hiarachy, the solemness of the service, the do as I say not do as I do attitude, I can find it quite a narcissistic outfit at times.

BUT. Why do I pray at the odd moment when times are difficult, why do I pray for my family, why is important to me to be buried or have your ashes scattered on consecrated soil??? I know for an absolute fact that if I was in a plane crash, a sinking ship or hospital with a sick loved one I would pray. I would inevitably start by saying "Sorry, don't strike me down dead for being cheeky" or "I have absolutely no right to ask but ", that sort of thing but none the less I feel praying is a natural thing to do.

If I sound very confused that's because I do accept I am being a hypocrite or at least shallow and I would not be hurt by anyone calling me either of those words in this context.

I never post on the religion thread as I would never ever tell another person they are wrong to believe in God no more than I would tell anybody they are wrong being an atheist, it simply is nothing to do with me, each to his/her own and I 100% respect that.

I must admit to thinking it must be quite nice to have a belief and I often marvel that throughout the world so many nations have exactly that, a belief, sometimes of a similar nature as with Christianity, Muslim for example. I can't help but ponder why or how that comes about.

POGS I'm sure many of us could agree with your comments, I certainly can.
I guess in times of extreme trouble we pray - just in case it might help.

I think it's good vibes however you imagine that to be.

If someone wants to pray for me I regard that as an act of kindness towards me in that they are sending special thoughts about something they hold precious. If you see what I mean. I am not a believer in a God.

What surprises me about this thread is that it has been a pleasant discussion. A few have become really contentious of late, and I though this may have gone that way. Good to see friendly discussion.

A lot of people use prayer as an insurance policy ,in that it is is better to be safe than sorry and there is little wrong with that .I myself pray regularly especially when things are going right for once and I like to say Thank you but I am always there when things are going badly.

Thank you pompa. [dove emoticon]

POGS I definitely agree, and have the same confusion regarding praying. I feel it doesn't make me or you any less a person not being aligned to a religion or church building and I certainly slightly envy those with a strong faith.
I was brought up C of E, sent to a RC school, confirmed, attended regularly and was married in a church yet as I got older more and more questions crept in.
I certainly don't see it as being a hypocrite or shallow, I'm in a similar place, just christian with a small 'c' perhaps.
Like Nelliemoser says, prayer is sending or directing special thoughts, and hopefully comfort to the recipient.

loopylou

Very true.

There must be many people who are not religious who believe in God, so they would pray.

I have also always thought it odd that some people who survive an accident when others haven't, believe it was the work of God singling them out. I thought God would be more in the business of saving souls not bodies.