by Paul Schingle

Created on: January 18, 2011

There's a line in an old Jethro Tull song, called "My God," that sums up my feeling toward prayer and how and when most people utilize it.  As one nears death or "the end" is near, according to Ian Anderson, "You'll be praying 'til next Thursday to all the gods that you can count."  In other words, the simple answer to the question is "yes."  As a whole, people only pray when they feel they need God.  And, being the devout atheist that I am, this is just another symptom of what is wrong with religion.  It has been my observation that most people who call themselves Christians (or, fill-in-the-blank religion), really only practice what they preach on Sunday or when they feel a little panic of some sort.

There are exceptions, of course.  Some devout Christians pray every day (as do followers of other religions).  But, I also believe this to be the exception rather than the rule.  The question reads, "Do you think most people.."  And, that is what  I believe.  Most people pray when they feel it's necessary-not as a regular practice.

One thing I should make clear.  I really don't see anything wrong with prayer.  Used for the right purpose, it's really not very different from meditation.  The purpose of prayer (or meditation), to my way of thinking, is to gain some sort of inner balance.  While I don't personally believe in some outside force called "God," I do understand the value of trying to find inner peace, whether through meditation or prayer.  However, if one is to practice this in earnest, one should do it on a regualr basis-not just as one sees the need arise.

We've all seen it in the movies (probably, most of us can cite examples in real life, as well).  Someone is on the verge of catastrphe and "makes a deal with God."  Something on the lines of, "God, get me through this one and I'll change my ways."  Of course the problem is, "God" gets them through it, and they don't really change.  Most people who "believe" only do so when it's convenient and most people who pray only do so when it's necessary.  At least, that's been my observation.

So, do most people pray only when they need God?  Sad as it sounds, unfortunately, through my observation, the answer to the question is undoubtedly-"yes." 

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