tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734876663764782964.post4677298682204429905..comments2008-08-27T07:40:10.753-06:00Mikenoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734876663764782964.post-23798855972481233292008-08-27T01:59:00.000-06:002008-08-27T01:59:00.000-06:00Pastor friend of mine posted <A HREF="http://thelightwashedpath.com/wordpress/?p=112" REL="nofollow">this</A> today and it reminded me of your post. In that post he talks about God revealing His will <I>then</I> drawing us in to pray - exactly what Kris posted in her second paragraph. <BR/><BR/>In addition to that aspect, and the aspects of attempts to control, wishing well, and connectedness with God, I think there's relational aspect where the idea of quantum entanglement may play a significant role. When someone asks to be prayed for, there's a connection when I stop and say "I'll pray for you." It lets the person know they're at least being thought of, so there's a psychological boost there that goes two ways that I'm certain is not accidental. Does that affect outcomes? Sure it does. Attitude, confidence, courage, and all sorts of positive energy can be encouraged in a person by the simple knowledge that someone's praying for them and the faith that God's listening.<BR/><BR/>Additionally, the idea of a <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_unconscious" REL="nofollow">'Collective Unconscious'</A> in the psych circles could certainly be this quantum entanglement. As to it having free will versus being predestined, well that's a debate raging in religious circles for centuries. Calvinism vs. Armenianism - and subject of another post as I just noticed the time!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your posts, Mike - you always make me think.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369038307959688305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734876663764782964.post-85992218266927070692008-08-21T08:32:00.000-06:002008-08-21T08:32:00.000-06:00To me prayer is my conversation with God. It's how I talk to him, hear from him, connect with him. It's how I tell him how amazing he is, which he loves to hear. When I don't do it, I miss it. I pray sort of stream of consciousness -- like I would talk to you. <BR/><BR/>Sometimes I find myself asking him for things only to be reminded of a promise he's already made. For example, I have been asking him to be our strength and our shield. But duh, in psalms, it says he already is. So I am reminded that I claim that. He is what he says he is. I don't ask for it anymore.<BR/><BR/>So while I get it...I understand why it seems like prayer could be like an exchange with a slot machine -- put something in, hope to get something out, a gamble in essence -- I don't always just ask. Sometimes I tell.Kris Thomasnoreply@blogger.com