RPK made me think about this old subject…

Is religion the excuse to do commit Sin, and then "Repent"? In a nutshell, Does Prayer Help?

So I googled "Does Prayer Help", and here's what I found:
http://www.aarogya.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1804&Itemid=1834

In another site: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/550256 "You don't just say the "magic words" and presto chango! Your prayer has been answered! You are asking for heavenly assistance and intervention, but of course you must accept that this is not always possible." This is like predicting that it may or may not rain tomorrow. Of course anyone would be correct !! That was a no-brainer prediction.

Then the follow-up question immediately is, "If Prayer does not work, or if there is no empirical proof that prayer does work", then why pray? My answer is quite explicit. Because Humans are so egoistic that they believe that God is willing to change His ultimate Plan, because of a simple request of a mortal. How strange that the human mind is capable of tricking itself, if nothing else, but simply to feel better.

So if Prayer works, humans trick themselves into thinking that "God" bent His Divine Plan for Man, and if Prayer didn't work, then it was "not His will". Regardless of any logic you try to apply, there will never be an empirical data to support that prayer works. And for all those who scream and rant that they saw/ heard/ experience prayer working, then be kind enough to list out all those times/ events/moments that prayer did not work. You might be shocked at the statistical results; stacked against the idea that Prayer works.

Just try it. Go to any ICU Ward, and pray for everyone in it for an entire week. Now sit and track (while continuing to pray), and count how many died. And do your own tally or read this: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/40765.php Still think that prayer works? Try another one. Go to any school, and pray that 100% of the students will pass their exams. And see the results. Go slaughter cows, goats, pigeons or camels and see if the odds improve for each of the above situations, and try again.

Still not convinced? Go and pray that your children would pass every subject with flying colors. If they studied, they would pass. If not, they would fail. No matter how many cows, goats, pigeons, chickens, or camels you "sacrificed". All of us have taken multiple-choice exams before. All of us have guessed answers. Prayer results are exactly like that. No empirical proof. Coming back to the rain-prediction. Watch the weather forecast, make Barometer readings, Humidity Checks, Temperature Differences and observe the Clouds. Now pray for the opposite.

Did I hear anyone mention "Don't challenge God"? Then that is exactly what praying is about. You are asking God to change the inevitable. You are asking God to forgo His Divine Plan, and somehow change His to suit yours.

For those insisting on praying, go ahead. Me? I'd just bring my Umbrella, in case it rains…

Michael Chick