Prayer

[GUBU]

I don't think you understand how our beliefs work.

We don't believe in a God who is a wizard with a magic wand and who will make food appear out of thin air for the poor people we pray for. That's not really how it works. When we "pray for the poor," our hope is not for something supernatural, but for them to be granted some emotional strength to get through tough times... or for some sort of difference in the hearts of the people around them. For a walker-by to feel empathy and give food or offer a job, for example. Or for the poor person to find emotional peace while battling through.

...things like that.

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I have asked for people to pray for me before, because I'm a Christian and it brings me comfort to know that ppl are praying for me. Likewise, I let ppl know when I pray for them bc I want to give them the same comfort I get when others pray for me. No selfishness.

You obviously do not speak for all Christians. The pentecostals who comprise my nuclear family certainly do believe in magical responses from god. Food appearing, money, jobs, cancer "you foul demon begone".

So does the roman catholic church, by the way. It's just that most catholics are embarrased by that nonsense.

Edit: thinking about it more many catholics I know who squirm mightily if reminded of that type of prayer still regularly go into church pay €0.20 to light tea candles and pray for wealth, jobs, surgeries to go right etc. So for a lot of people the embarrasment is in having to qcknowledge they believe nonsense.