Since this is a “Made Ya Think” page, it is appropriate to address one of the often posed questions by folks who think about thinking, which is “What about praying?” Should we pray? To whom should we pray? What should we pray for? What do we really expect the outcome of our prayer to be? Some will suggest a prayer experience which includes stop, close your eyes, imagine a really big God sitting on a really big throne in a really far away Heaven waiting to hear from you. They will say this type of prayer is most important.
But is that a correct poster or process or even a correct image? Many people pray to a different god than the Judea-Christian God. Some pray to objects or dead ancestors or even animals. It is kind of like a spiritual being smorgasbord; pick your source, prayer for it’s gift and hope for the best. Just about everyone who prays will tell you their way is best. There are many who will say it is the act of prayer and your level of faith in the desired outcome which is what is important. All interesting thoughts and all questioned by those who pray otherwise. So what or who is our definitive on prayer?
Some would suggest a kind of ancestral authority. If mommy did it and grandma did it then it must be right. Lots of flaws in that reasoning, so we’ll try to be a little more creative. Another approach is because someone wrote it down and that makes it so. Again lots of flaws. I’m kind of disposed to go in the direction of who has the best track record. This is not to say that if I get what I want I must be doing it right. Drug addicts mastered that approach long ago. Besides, not everything I pray for is what is best for me. That is the “Genie in a bottle approach”. You also have to deal with the “answered in a different way” problem too. Like what if I pray for a steak and get a baloney sandwich?
But by track record I mean that when I pray for my best benefit I receive what is appropriate for me. The kind of answer to prayer that shows that I am in contact with a creator God who loves me and desires what is best for me, in spite of what my request is. Does any of that “Make Ya Think”?