Poll: 83% say God answers prayers, 57% favor National Prayer Day - USATODAY.com By Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY
Americans are overwhelmingly sure there's a God who answers prayers.
But that doesn't mean they all favor an official annual National Day of Prayer ? or that its goal should be promoting Christianity.
President Obama signed the annual proclamation last weekend, inviting Americans of all religious stripes to pray on Thursday, the 2010 National Day of Prayer.
This fits with most Americans' views: 92% say there is a God and 83% say this God answers prayers, according to a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of 1,000 adults May 1-2. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.
The survey also asked two groups of 500 people each a question about the National Day of Prayer. These questions have a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.
One group was asked if they favored or opposed the National Day of Prayer or if it "doesn't matter."
About 57% of adults favor it, and 38% shrugged it off. Only 4.5% opposed it.
For most 18- to 29-year-olds, it could be the National Day of Whatever ? 59% said it doesn't matter.
Those who most strongly favor it were Republicans (76%); women 50 and older (71%); and Midwesterners (71%) or Southerners (63%).
Replies
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Beach Lover
My approach to prayer is not to pray for things or an action. My prayers are for understanding, kindness, and generosity from within myself. I pray for others in time of suffering, loss, and confusion that they may find comfort and peace in times when it's possibly hard to find. Prayer is a deep and mysterious thing, best not criticized and questioned. No one knows most of the answers to life's BIG questions, but prayer can reconcile that and offer possibilities and hope. As Reverend Cooper says at the end of his services "Life is short and there is much to do, so go forth and do good and live a life of light and service to your fellow man." Peace be with you.
Beach Fanatic
Why shouldn't we? Most of us were religious at one time so we have a unique understanding of both sides.
I hear you on that one. I have lived both lives as well and being a believer is the only thing that has ever made sense to me. Fortunately, I have been blessed with countless miracles that have helped confirm my doubts. I also understand not everyone will like my beliefs or understand my beliefs.
SoWal Insider
I'd be willing to bet the words "Oh my God" have crossed the lips of many people faced with uncertainty, disaster, heartbreak or violence whether they're believers or not. ;-)
Beach Fanatic
I find it interesting that the Atheist posts so much with regard to religion or religious beliefs and traditions.
Yes, that classic questioner's question:
To believe or not to believe?
I choose to believe God's Love encompasses all choices; and doesn't demand that you have to give your Love in order to receive God's in return. 'Cuz IMHB God's Love is not akin to some immature romance based on "I'll like you IF you like me first"
SoWal Insider
I'd be willing to bet the words "Oh my God" have crossed the lips of many people faced with uncertainty, disaster, heartbreak or violence whether they're believers or not. ;-)
As a friend candidly pointed out: "Who's he talking to during sex, then?"
:funn:
Beach Fanatic
As a friend candidly pointed out: "Who's he talking to during sex, then?"
:funn:
OMG
Banned
So, when someone prays for the people of Haiti, and they live here, do they have a self interest? When people ask me to pray for someone who I never met, do I have a self interest. It's not like someone gets karma stars above their heads as proof positive of the results of their prayers.
Of course it is [self-interest] if you really care about the outcome. How could it not be? It's the same when I donated money to the people of Haiti, which by the way, I think is much more effective than prayer. I personally wanted to see the lives of the people improve. I cared. If you care about something or someone, that's the very definition of self-interest.
Edited
Banned
No worries. Glad to see you are concerned about sinning. ;-)
Absolutely, I can never get enough.;-)
Beach Fanatic
I think is much more effective than prayer.
You think but can not prove this. You assume? I did both and think we both should get a bright, shiny star.
Banned
I find it interesting that the Atheist posts so much with regard to religion or religious beliefs and traditions.
In my case I like to get a better understanding of what makes people think the way they do and work in some of my own ideas. It's really no different than a political discussion. Why do liberals post to teabagger threads and vice-versa? People like to banter I guess.
Edited
SoWal Insider
Throughout my life, my prayers have all been answered. Two are lingering right now. But, I know they will be answered. I have faith.
Beach Fanatic
Throughout my life, my prayers have all been answered. Two are lingering right now. But, I know they will be answered. I have faith.
Amen
Banned
You can actually get prayer tracker software. Prayer Tracker and list management It has prayer templates for commonly used prayers. This one is for "New Employment Opportunity". It has entries for category and status as well. All for only $19.95. Here's another: Worship Track - Prayer tracking software.
Beach Fanatic
omg.....what'll they think of next?!
margarita brocolia
I prayed for a bicycle. When I didn't get it, I stole one and asked for forgiveness..
.
Banned
omg.....what'll they think of next?!
I've learned a lot on this thread. I didn't realize that some people keep metrics on the success rate of their prayers and that they have prayer queues. I would go absolutely crazy if I did that. I don't have the temperament for that. I always thought you just prayed and let it go. That's how I am about things in my life that I want to happen that I don't have any control over. I think about them every now and then and then the thought passes. That's the way I want it. Sometimes things go the way I want other times not. If it's something I have control over then I may try take action. Maybe that sounds a little too simple for some people.
Beach Lover
For every ailment under the sun
There is a remedy, or there is none:
If there be one, try to find it:
If there be none, never mind it.
Mother Goose (1695)
There is a remedy, or there is none:
If there be one, try to find it:
If there be none, never mind it.
Mother Goose (1695)
Beach Fanatic
I've learned a lot on this thread. I didn't realize that some people keep metrics on the success rate of their prayers and that they have prayer queues. I would go absolutely crazy if I did that. I don't have the temperament for that. I always thought you just prayed and let it go. That's how I am about things in my life that I want to happen that I don't have any control over. I think about them every now and then and then the thought passes. That's the way I want it. Sometimes things go the way I want other times not. If it's something I have control over then I may try take action. Maybe that sounds a little too simple for some people.
I learned some pray, some do not. Both sides think they are right. Neither side can prove the other side is wrong. Amen.
Banned
For every ailment under the sun
There is a remedy, or there is none:
If there be one, try to find it:
If there be none, never mind it.
Mother Goose (1695)
Not my words of course, but my thoughts exactly. I like that.
Beach Fanatic
It's the only way I know how to live. I Learned the hard way. This is a hard topic for anyone to really debate because if you don't really do it how would you know it doesn't work. It may come off as kind of weird to some but it sure gives me lots of hope and with hope I can do anything. I can look back on my life and see what it was like before and look at my life today and realize I think I will stick with prayer. It does a Bobby good.
Thank you supply ran out again.
badda bing badda boom goes bye bye when you pray
Banned
But you are taking chances, you're assuming you have chosen the correct form of "god" to believe in. Remember most of the world does not share your belief whatever form it may be. Many believers are going to be in for a big surprise if there really is a day of reckoning but it doesn't really matter, if your faith brings you comfort carry on and good luck.
Maybe it's like the airlines where sometimes they honor tickets from a competitor.
Then again maybe Heaven is just some big ole Godapalooza.
Beach Fanatic
"Live a good life. If there are gods and
they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but
will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are
gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are
no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that
will live on in the memories of your loved ones." ? Marcus Aurelius
they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but
will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are
gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are
no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that
will live on in the memories of your loved ones." ? Marcus Aurelius
Banned
"Live a good life. If there are gods and
they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but
will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are
gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are
no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that
will live on in the memories of your loved ones." ? Marcus Aurelius
To borrow a phrase from Andy-
To some, including me, a beautiful and truthful philosophy in six sentences.
Banned
"Live a good life. If there are gods and
they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but
will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are
gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are
no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that
will live on in the memories of your loved ones." ? Marcus Aurelius
It's nice to see my views expressed better than I could.
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