Why do christians pray? [Spirituality & Religion]

According to the christian myth, their god has this great plan and always does what's best for us. Praying amounts to asking it to do something it hadn't thought of doing. Isn't it rather arrogant of them to presume they know better than their "almighty god"?

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Abstraction · 61-69, M

Do you really want a thoughtful answer from a christian perspective because you think it's something no-one thought of, or is it just a conversation point? I'm not being sarcastic or critical, I'm just asking.

Sharon · F

@Abstraction [quote]Do you really want a thoughtful answer from a christian perspective [/quote]
Yes. Based on the evidince I'm aware of, praying make no sense. Additional evidence or an alternative [b]logical[/b] explanation of the evidence could prove helpful. Unfortunately, questioning christianity tends to attract childish insults and propaganda rather than reasoned debate. Members of other religions seem much more willing to discuss their beliefs in a reasonable manner.

Abstraction · 61-69, M

@Sharon The Christian view is that in some sense all humans have an 'image' of God within us - flawed as it is, obviously way down the scale, but something about our consciousness and personhood reflects something in God - the essence of which is seen in who Jesus was. So prayer is viewed as a way of connecting with God, hopefully becoming a bit more like him - well, that can be hit and miss as you know ;) - and then prayer can also be cooperating with God so that rather than us simply thinking up things from our rather faulty, self-absorbed perspective - in prayer we become aligned with him. I also would say you can observe aspects of that 'image' in people who think the whole idea of God is nonsense, yet they care about justice, work towards making the world a better place, etc. (And the bible acknowledges that as well, actually.)

If I stood in your shoes, what I said here would sound like a strange rationalisation, i really get that. In my shoes, with my experiences, it makes sense.

Sharon · F

@Abstraction [quote]The Christian view is that...[/quote]
Are you really a Christian? It's very rare that Christian admit their beliefs are just opinions, they usually state them as irrefutable proven facts.

[quote]in prayer we become aligned with him. [/quote]
OK, that's sounds reasonable from a believer's perspective. It doesn't answer the question of why Christians ask their god to change his plans though.

[quote]people who think the whole idea of God is nonsense, yet they care about justice, work towards making the world a better place, [/quote]
Those qualities are found in Atheists and members of other religions. Their is no objective reason to believe they originate from the Christian god.

[quote]If I stood in your shoes, what I said here would sound like a strange rationalisation, i really get that. In my shoes, with my experiences, it makes sense.[/quote]
I can understand how it would make sense to one who starts from the premise that their god exists. I know members of other religions who say much the same in relation to their beliefs.

It makes a pleasant change for a Christian to offer a polite, reasonable explanation of his or her beliefs, rather than insults and propaganda. Thank you.