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If God alredy knows if I'm going to hell or heaven what's the point in praying?

bostonterrier

By bostonterrier,
in Spirituality & Religious Beliefs

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KathyM

KathyM

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People commit crimes because they give in to their sinful desires. (Except for mental illness, where people are not in control of their thinking and impulses). People steal because of greed. People kill because of hate or greed. People rape because of lust and/or hate. People commit these crimes because of their sinful desires.

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Robert Z

Robert Z

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How about praying for OTHERS?

 

No need to think of yourself so much - Rewards come when we pray and do for others.

 

 

But you just said to do it for yourself... by praying for others. So it is still for you, not them.

 

 

It is not possible to seek salvations through selflessness. The two concepts are contradictory. A truly selfless person would be willing to go to hell for someone else.

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KathyM

KathyM

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Christians pray for others in order to help others - not because they think they will get something personally from it. Praying for others does find favor with God, but they pray for others because they care about others and want to help others.

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M30USA

M30USA

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The purpose of praying is not to escape hell, nor is it to petition God with requests. The purpose is to have a relationship with God and mold your will to his will.

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Robert Z

Robert Z

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Christians pray for others in order to help others - not because they think they will get something personally from it. Praying for others does find favor with God, but they pray for others because they care about others and want to help others.

 

 

But this is ultimately all about saving yourself. That's why people follow the commandments. They do it to save their "immortal" skin. They do it out of fear of being roasted like a weenie in "hell fire".

 

 

Remember, we are supposed to be fearful of a jealous and vengeful god.

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KathyM

KathyM

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There are different types of prayer. Some prayers are done in thanksgiving for what God has provided. Some prayers are to seek God's will and ask for guidance. Some are to ask for a specific thing, such as for a job or for healing, for oneself or for others. Some are just to talk to God about what is on our mind. Some prayers seek God's help or intervention in something. There's a variety of reasons that people are to pray, and they all have validity.

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M30USA

M30USA

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There are different types of prayer. Some prayers are done in thanksgiving for what God has provided. Some prayers are to seek God's will and ask for guidance. Some are to ask for a specific thing, such as for a job or for healing, for oneself or for others. Some are just to talk to God about what is on our mind. Some prayers seek God's help or intervention in something. There's a variety of reasons that people are to pray, and they all have validity.

 

I was referring to prayer in general. Even when praying to ask God for something, you could still bring up the verse where Jesus said that God knows ahead of time what you need. This being the case, I argue that prayer is primarily about communication with God, regardless of stated reason.

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KathyM

KathyM

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But this is ultimately all about saving yourself. That's why people follow the commandments. They do it to save their "immortal" skin. They do it out of fear of being roasted like a weenie in "hell fire".

 

 

Remember, we are supposed to be fearful of a jealous and vengeful god.

People pray for others because they care about others, and because that is what God calls us to do. I, personally, obey God's commandments out of love and respect for God.

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todreaminblue

todreaminblue

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But this is ultimately all about saving yourself. That's why people follow the commandments. They do it to save their "immortal" skin. They do it out of fear of being roasted like a weenie in "hell fire".

 

 

Remember, we are supposed to be fearful of a jealous and vengeful god.

 

No robert it isnt about saving yourself.....if i am on the mercy seat, and god were to say deb theres a choice to be had for you, not much room left up here i can only take all your family and friends or just you ....you are going to have to stay down here....i would no doubt in my mind try and plead to come too beg for forgiveness in falling short.........but ultimately it would not be me i chose to go to heaven

 

for if none of my friends and family come with.....there's no use for me up there, but if they got to go ....that would be what i have always wanted..... and i would actively plead for others to come with me if i was chosen over someone who had made mistakes... ......i wasnt given the gift of wanting to advocate for others for no reason....

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M30USA

M30USA

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But this is ultimately all about saving yourself. That's why people follow the commandments. They do it to save their "immortal" skin. They do it out of fear of being roasted like a weenie in "hell fire".

 

This is how a non-repentant person views repentance. They think it's merely another form of gain (or avoidance of loss). And in truth this might be the initial motivation for believers. But when God sends you a new reborn spirit (not your natural way of thinking), you no longer view it as gain, but you now see there is nothing else you COULD do but worship God and repent. It's not about picking the most profitable path; it's about realizing there is ONLY one path. As Peter said in John 6:68, "Lord, to whom [else] would we go? You have the words that give eternal life."

 

 

Remember, we are supposed to be fearful of a jealous and vengeful god.

 

Correct. But your application of this truth is wrong.

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2sunny

2sunny

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How about praying for OTHERS?

 

No need to think of yourself so much - Rewards come when we pray and do for others.

 

But you just said to do it for yourself... by praying for others. So it is still for you, not them.

 

 

It is not possible to seek salvations through selflessness. The two concepts are contradictory. A truly selfless person would be willing to go to hell for someone else.

 

 

I never said I did it FOR myself.

 

I said I don't need to think OF myself - I need to think of others and pray FOR others.

 

Even while on this site - I often pray for people posting here... It helps to send others positive energy for the best outcome.

 

I don't feel I need anything - except to do for others. I have everything I need.

 

I don't believe in that hell - I've lived hell on earth.

 

After my physical being is finished I believe the soul lives on in a spirit form - like energy. Certain souls have positive energy and certain souls have negative energy - just like people in real life.

 

I believe God is everything... Including the hell I've experienced.

 

I feel like I'm living a second chance and already know what death feels like. I don't intend to allow life to ever feel that horrible again - that was a living hell.

 

I am not afraid of death I just intend to be my best while I get to be here.

Edited by 2sunny
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umirano

umirano

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OP, while your question is totally justified, and the answer is painfully obvious, I have a question.

 

What makes you think there's a god to pray to in the first place?

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