Prayer

Subject: BS: Prayer
From: JedMarum
Date: 31 May 03 - 11:20 AM

I never feel the need to dilute my comments regarding prayer with an explanation. Good thoughts, vs the power of positive thinking, vs prayer ???

It is the expression of these "blessings" that matters to the sayer, and to the receiver ... not the analysis of their physical nature.

When I say I am pryaing for you?? Take it how you will, interpret as you will - but trust that I am telling you that I am making the deepest, conscious expression of benevolence on you. What actually happens between me and my god (if anything) is irrelevent.

Subject: RE: Prayer
From: JedMarum
Date: 31 May 03 - 11:21 AM

... sorry - should've been a BS thread. I missed...

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I put it back on target, Jed.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Prayer
From: GUEST,Jeri
Date: 31 May 03 - 11:42 AM

I'd move it for ya, but I ain't got no cookie!

Seriously, expecting people to pray/think of/send energy, or WHATEVER they call it, in the same way as you (generic 'you') is just about the same as saying 1)they should believe what you believe, and they should 2) think the way you think.

I think those who DO believe one should pray according to standards would be better off not getting involved in this sort of thing outside of a group of folks who already believe nearly the same as they do.

Jed, I'm just curious - what prompted the comment?

Subject: RE: Prayer
From: Amos
Date: 31 May 03 - 01:30 PM

There are several books by Larry Dossey, an MD who documents alternative therapies research, on the efficacy of directed intentionality. He desxribes, for example, a triple-blind experiment in which recipients of prayers for healing -- who didn't know they were involved in an experiment--being treated bu doctors who didn't know they were part of an experiment either -- demonstrated significantly better and faster healing results than the control group who werre not being targeted withprayers. This is just one example -- look up his stuff and you'll find a fascinating array of cases.

A

Subject: RE: Prayer
From: JedMarum
Date: 31 May 03 - 02:55 PM

thanks Joe.

my point Jeri is, I am OK when someone "prays for me," even when they don't know what I believe about prayer, or matters beyond the "obvious world." I believe I know that they are gving me a heart felt message that defines their intent, wishes and actions. THAT in itself is a "blessing" no matter how you slice it, and no matter what any real world analysis might say.

When someone says they "pray for me", I simply receive it in the manner is which it was offered. Face value. In fact, I applaud the use of common understood language, even if to me it might be more symbolic then realistic.

What prompted it? Just maybe a cumulative comment about wishes well among the Mudcat community - so often we are tempted to phrase or rephrase those "wishes, blessings, prayers, good thoughts" to reflect our own personal beliefs - and I think they all have a common value. They are all worthy of being called "blessings" and it doesn't matter what you define blessing to be. With prayer, it really is the thought that counts.

Amos's comment seem to back up my thoughts here, with some scientific analysis. Thanks Amos.

In short, I weigh the heart felt best wishes of my atheist or agnostic freinds with equal value to the prayers of my religious friends. Both are called 'blessings' to me.

Subject: RE: Prayer
From: GUEST,Jeri
Date: 31 May 03 - 03:07 PM

Hey Jed - my point was I was agreeing with you!
It sure can't hurt anyone if 'blessings' are done out of simple, genuine caring.

Subject: RE: Prayer
From: JedMarum
Date: 31 May 03 - 06:27 PM

yes - I know you were agreeing with me! I was continuing my thoughts ...

I have to say the immediate stimulus to make these comments came from the "Rick's Health" thread ... all those true heart felt wishes well=blessings. No need to differentiate among them, in my mind - but I didn;t want to dilute the thread with this discussion!

Subject: RE: Prayer
From: khandu
Date: 31 May 03 - 06:46 PM

I agree, Jed! My sentiments exactly.

k