People don't pray to ask God to grant their wishes. Most pray that if it's in His will for these things (the "wishes") to happen, let them happen. It's two different things. A prayer can be a wish or want, but it's not always. And that is the generalization about praying Christians are forced to reckon with.
Sure, we can feed the homeless guy, and then everyone else in the world will want to be poor because they don't have to work to get food, they can just rely on everyone else. How about getting the homeless guy a job and help him get to work every day. Sure, you can have lunch with him everyday until he gets his paycheck, but there's a point to where you have to do things for yourself as well. You don't want to be trampled on by the masses. You want to be as kind and generous, but also, stand out. It's not your purpose to, but if you set your foot in a right direction, it usually comes full swing.
In my opinion, praying to God is only humoring Him, which I respect. Because if I created the world (offense given to Evolutionists), I'd want some respect, too. But you can't exactly do that when you're invisible. He knows what you want Him to do for you, and instead of making it all about yourself (which people think is all Christians do - "please God make my brother stop hitting me," or, "please God move this pencil and write me out an awesome research paper"), we ask Him in the simplest way [by prayer] to guide us so that we don't screw up totally (meaning there will be bumps, we all know this, it's an expectation by now - but it's how you react to them that makes God's opinion of you), so that He knows we're happy and grateful He's by our side at all times.
So why can't we pray? Because people might be informed about what we're doing and maybe like what they hear (oh my!). And in that respect, atheists are not allowed to cuss, drink, have sex, or smoke weed/cigarettes, and other illegal things in the presence of Christians, because we know better. We don't want to see it. Now respect my wishes, atheists and agnostics. Please don't do what you're used to doing anywhere else. When I (or any other Christian) is around, I would like for you to grant my wish.
And when that day comes, I would looooooove for a prayer not to be spoken before a football game. It is annoying that the world doesn't have respect for others. Again, bringing me back to the point where it's all about us, all about us. When really, it should be all about Him. Our focus and concentration shouldn't even be bothered by those talking while a crowd is praying. But it really doesn't help when someone is saying "Can you please stop that? I don't believe in God so can you do it somewhere else?" until we're stuck in a corner to where maybe we'd be allowed to pray.
I don't think so. Not happening here.
How come it's our (Christians) responsibility to save a homeless man's life, can't any atheist or agnostic help him out? I mean, we're too 'perfect' to do such a thing. [/sarcasm] Instead of owning up, people like to blame others. Hey, if the opportunity presents itself, and I have money or food, and I see a starving person, I'm gonna ask them what they're intentions are for my money, and if booze is one of their priorities, I'll tell them to wait for the next sucker. I'm sorry. But I will give up my food, as fast as I can say "Amen."
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