Do you have to be religious to pray?

I feel the same as pompa

I think I feel the same as POGS.

For me having been brought up with Sunday school and church it is instinctive to pray but when I think logically and rationally I wonder 'how can this be?'

If however God does exist is he going to turn his back on someone who prays only when they need help just because they may not be devout or a believer? So the prayers of a non-believer would therefore count.
If you pray is it because at that particular moment you believe there is a greater power, or is it because of years of indoctrination when you were young and therefore instinct?

And if your prayers are answered (as mine have been even though I am a Doubting Thomas) is that serendipity, luck or God answering your prayers?

The Thought for Today grannyknot!

Interesting thread. I don't think I have ever prayed. I did try to when I was a child. I have reflected and still do reflect on questions of morality, ethics and Life. I have felt awed by nature and science. I don't feel the need for anything more.

I pray for others on GN when they ask for help. I also pray for others who don't ask (no I don't tell them I'm praying for them but some people on GN touch my heart with their problems and sorrows). I can understand why people don't belive in God as it can be really difficult at times to do so. As far as I am concerned it is something inside me that has been there since I was a child. On a couple of occasions (well one anyway) I have felt complete peace and it was the most wonderful feeling I have ever had (it didn't last long but I remember it still)