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Becket · 56-60, M
Praying just means talking to God. Talking to dead people is called necromancy (and it's a big sin in the Bible).
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Becket · 56-60, M
One thing that helps me in this area is to focus on the Bible's repeated warnings to "be careful that no one deceives you". In the end, the only way to avoid being deceived is to pray to God directly, and ask for wisdom and discernment. Like you said, talking to anything/anyone else (which, by definition, was created, not the Creator) is inherently risky business. I think it's good that you're concerned about it and taking it seriously.
@Becket: i could understand if someone i was really closed to died, and i would talk to them, but not as though they are God, but because i was missing them or something.
Becket · 56-60, M
Yes, I understand the desire to do that. Just keep in mind that God won't respond to that. So if you get a response, it's from the enemy, trying to deceive you. It's a question of intent - are you merely consoling yourself by talking to yourself while trying to work things out? Or do you really believe you are speaking to someone who is dead, and who therefore can't hear you? You just don't want to enter the realm of ancestor worship, where so many pagan religions came from.
Faust76 · 46-50, M
Religion as such aside (Which, I'm not at all sure this should be aside...), it's practically synonym to begging, as heard in "I prayed they would go away" etc. It's usually that even in religious context, when you hear of it. (Okay, so some people do offer prayer before food etc. though that still usually has an element of "Please don't let this food kill me or be last we can afford"). Ancestor-worship is a thing in many religions, so that would be praying then, but for monotheistic religions praying *to* relatives is generally frowned upon.
plungesponge · 41-45, M
FunKingPizzaShip · M
"Prayer (from the Latin precari "to ask earnestly, beg, entreat") is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with an object of worship through deliberate communication.
Do you worship a dead relative?
Do you worship a dead relative?
@Ax17x7: no. i just wondered what it would be called if you were talking to something you can't see. not worshipping.
TheRascallyOne · 31-35, M
No homeless people talk to themselves all the time that doesn't mean they're praying praying is when you're asking who you interpid to be God for help
Pfuzylogic · M
Praying is part of a relationship with an entity/person you know.
@Pfuzylogic: but what if you were talking to an angel. would that be praying? i don't think the angel is God. (this is an example)
Pfuzylogic · M
@AliceinWonderland: The Virgin Mary would be an example of speaking to an Angel and you are right that isn't praying. The purpose of the Angel is to announce a message from God and is normally sent for the benefit of all of humanity.
sunsetsoareomyofavourite · 22-25, F
I think yes for a relative.