Ah, Calvinism/Reformism rears its wonderful, mysterious head. (For more information and verses, try www.mslick.com ) In this perspective, prayer simply focuses attention on God. The praying person not only acknowledges God is in control and has a plan for the situation, as you have said, but also waits to see what new (or renewed) understanding of His characteristics will be revealed within the answer. With this observed revelation, the praying person has received another reason to glorify Him and an increased willingness to focus on God's influence on larger parts of his/her life. He wants you to see Him answering your prayers.
Senisitivity includes an awareness of others feelings, and when you are partly in the dark about same, you need to ask. I suppose your version of a real man, like your version of a real country, would just forget others and do whatever the hell he/it wanted?
Nope, Use your own perception and judgements and make up your own mind. Nothing wrong with sensitivity at all, but if you are as smart as you seem, you really should have been able to figure it out on your own. Maybe you need to call Dr. Laura for help. DD
i think he was asking to get the perception of freaks like me who post threads like that...so his subjective opinion on what others would find offensive is irrelevant...he asks instead. i think that's great. just ask steve kerr.
Well, at least your view of how individuals and countries shuld act with their neighbours is consistent. Assuming that because you feel you are smart, you therefore don't need to consult anyone else on areas about which you have less than perfect knowledge can, however, lead to insensitive and hurtfull remarks among individuals, and misplaced wars among nations.
Come on MacJag you can't be serious. You honestly don't know how to react if someone is asking for prayers? Ok let me tell you....you offer them....regardless of your personal beliefs. It is for THEIR COMFORT, not yours...who the heck cares if they are sincere or not....it is a BBS. If they want them and you feel like a part of the community and want to show your support.....well than do the honorable thing and simply post a "+" It is not about you, it is about them....be a friend think of THEM and their needs. Reconcile within yourself your feelings of prayers. SHEESH !! DD
Sure, I just take issue with you even asking the question. I mean, I figure a guy as sharp as you should be able to figure it out on your own...why even ask? DD
Ok, I'll say this one last time... Assuming that because you feel you are smart that somehow equates into you being able to determine what is right for others is arrogant, damn near the definition of arrogant, and is fraught with problems, most of which will cost others. The problems are : Smart doesn't mean sensistive. Smart doesn't mean right. Smart doesn't mean others feel the same. And finally, people usually agree with themselves, and usually think that that is 'smart' But others may see things differently, including whether or not you are 'smart'. So when the area of concern is not just yourself, ireespective of how 'smart' you think you are, or how 'obvious' you think the right thing is to do, it might be more intelligent to have a little doubt about the omniscience of your intelligence, and if you have doubt, more inelligent still to consult others. You can apply this to individuals or nations with equal abandon. You feel that the 'smart' thing to do is obvious, but as others in here have expressed differing opinions, obviously it is not as self-evident as you suppose.
Ask yourself the same question. As for MacBeth, You are completely missing my point. Why ask? Why not just participate, or not, how is anyone going to be offended if you : A). Tell them you give your prayers or B) Silence Neither of them are harmful, it seems you are asking for attention rather than actually seeking council. That is my perception, anyway. DD
Ya know... before this escalates into a pissing match, i thought i'd repost this. Really a brilliantly simple, yet encompassing post that addresses McB's original question. Can't be much clearer than that. You're offering support as a friend and as a part of the community. I'll leave the effectiveness of prayer to the theologians here. No need to delve that deep. Sometimes the old common sense answer escapes us. OK. Carry on. I'll sit back and watch the fireworks.
Hows about: "Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." -- Albert Einstein
