Sending the mojo

[DCJenn]

So.

I don't pray. Well, I don't pray TO a person or a being or a god. You all know this already, BTW.

In my happy universe, when people ask for prayers, or the mojo or good thoughts- in MY world, they're all the same. I wish the utter best for my friends, or my associates, or sick kids of people I know or whomever. I will literally stop and think, "may ____ win their battle against ____"

and, I've done enough studying to know that oftentimes, it works. Whether it's circumstance, or luck or Devine Intervention or 'the Placebo effect' or Karma or whatever- so, does it matter?

For those of you who do have traditional belief systems, does it matter to you that I send on MY mojo? or does it only 'count' when God (however you define him/her/it) is invoked? and I won't be offended if you say it doesn't matter because to ME, it does and I'll send my wishes to the universe to gather as they choose. I just am curious what those of you who are true believers (in whatever) think. Do only the prayers of those who believe as you do count in YOUR mind? Does it matter to you what my belief systems are? Are some prayers better than others?

Religion fascinates me because I find it as curious as I did reading Russian menus- I kind of know what the pictures mean but I don't understand it.

I hope that everyone feels safe to respond, because I'd really like to know how ALL of our members feel.

Jenn

[Meenah]

SURPRISE ---- I am right there with you.

[DCJenn]

Luanne, if any two people were destined to agree on 99.9 percent of our understanding of life, it's you and me!

j

[v-girl]

I will take whatever I can get from others as far as prayers, mojo, good thoughts, etc. As long as you aren't doing voodoo for me or anything, I'm okay with it.

As for me, I usually wear a chaplet (rosary bracelet) and there's a bright yellow rosary hanging from my rearview mirror -- to remind me of my Latina heritage. I just can't bring myself to have a flashing/light up picture of Jesus on my mantle like my mom. There is a crucifex and statue of the Holy Family though. And a framed papal blessing over my marriage hanging by the front door. I might be almost over-the-top Catholic. LOL

[poky]

I'm sure this will shock you all, but I'm with Jenn and Luanne on this, too.

[ladymoreta]

Interesting question! I am a non-denominational Christian, for reference. I do believe that it helps, regardless of whether the person "praying" (wishing good thoughts, etc) is directing the well-wishes to my God, their God, or just the universe in general.

Christians are instructed (John 14:13-14) to pray in Jesus's name. However, if you don't believe that Jesus is God, then I don't think there would be any reason to pray to Him or in His name. I do believe that God hears and responds to all humans, regardless of whether they believe in Him.

So when you tell me you're sending positive vibes, well wishes, good thoughts, or prayers, I believe that they are all heard by a God who loves us and makes His decision to grant the request, not based on who makes it or what they believe, but based on how that request fits into His overall plans.

[DCJenn]

You know Lady M- I like your answer, although I understand that a lot of people on my side of the fence might not. I like it because I'll send my mojo out to my universe and in your belief system God hears it. That is perfect.

Jenn

[SoonerTexan]

I will take whatever I can get from others as far as prayers, mojo, good thoughts, etc. As long as you aren't doing voodoo for me or anything, I'm okay with it.

So when you tell me you're sending positive vibes, well wishes, good thoughts, or prayers, I believe that they are all heard by a God who loves us and makes His decision to grant the request, not based on who makes it or what they believe, but based on how that request fits into His overall plans.

Ditto

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Interesting question! I am a non-denominational Christian, for reference. I do believe that it helps, regardless of whether the person "praying" (wishing good thoughts, etc) is directing the well-wishes to my God, their God, or just the universe in general.

Christians are instructed (John 14:13-14) to pray in Jesus's name. However, if you don't believe that Jesus is God, then I don't think there would be any reason to pray to Him or in His name. I do believe that God hears and responds to all humans, regardless of whether they believe in Him.

So when you tell me you're sending positive vibes, well wishes, good thoughts, or prayers, I believe that they are all heard by a God who loves us and makes His decision to grant the request, not based on who makes it or what they believe, but based on how that request fits into His overall plans.

I completely agree. I feel blessed when anyone sends prayers, positive, thoughts, etc. I have Christian friends that bless me but also a lot of non-Christian friends that bless me immeasurably whenever I'm around them, I would never turn away their positive thoughts.

Jenn - Can I ask you a question? Does it offend you when people make "prayer requests"? Or so you assume they mean general prayers/mojo/etc. Cause that's certainly what I mean!

[Ladybug]

Fun, fascinating question!!

Firstly, I'll second what has been said about believing that God hears and answers all prayers with unselfish motives and intentions. I believe they are all answered lovingly with our (and humanity's) ultimate end in mind, although I struggle to understand and even believe that at times. It's beyond my understanding why certain things are allowed to happen, and that's where simple faith is a tremendous blessing and gift.

Do people's prayers have different "volume buttons" relative to particular belief systems or even nonbelief? I have no idea. Maybe that's our way of reaching through our knowable human experiences at something that we cannot fully understand now. Or maybe not. Although I don't know much detail I have read that there are a lot of interesting things happening in the field of quatum physics which scientifically support humanity's ancient belief in prayer. We all affect each other, even on a molecular level, even with our intangible thoughts and feelings. Some people might say, "well that's great, I believe in quatum physics" and I would say, "Yes, that is great, I also believe in quatum physics and I believe that God is the creator and author of quatum physics." So I personally don't view scientific proof of the efficacy and mechanics of prayer as a false dictomy between science and faith in God.

I'm going to get a little catholic nerdy on you, but there different types of prayers, and we are talking about petitions (asking for something) and particularly intercessions (asking something for someone else). On a pragmatic level, quantum physics and transcendence aside , I've also found that a quick intercession focuses my mind on another persons needs for one moment. Those bazillions of thoughts clanging around my head are quieted for just a moment allowing me to also ask myself, "Is there anything else I can do for this person?" Sometimes I have nothing else constructive to give, sometimes it's just a quick PM or hug and sometimes I find that I really can be of greater help. I think asking for intercessions or good thoughts also lets people know we need some support. It's way of reaching out into the material world too.

Fun thread.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

I struggle a lot with my religious identity...born and raised Catholic, teach in a Catholic school, and this year - I have been teaching religion and organizing all masses, prayer services, retreats, etc. for the school. When I go to church, I go because of the sense of community. When I was in HS and college, I often felt "inferior" to my friends who seemed to be having "profound" religious experiences/connections. Currently, I still consider myself Catholic, but I believe that religion is a man-made concept - there is a lot about the Catholic church, and organized religion in general, that I dislike.

That being said - I pray at the beginning of all of my classes, and take special prayer intentions. I don't think that praying/sending good thoughts/etc. are different - they are just different ways of expressing the same idea - "I am thinking of you and wishing you well". I mean, if you sneeze, and someone says "Bless you" or "God bless you" or "Geshundheit" - is the idea/motivation really different???

[GrayMatterWife]

Maybe I'm clueless, but why would I mind if a non-Christian friend "sends me good mojo" in the midst of a painful situation? It never even occurred to me. As a Christian, I believe that each person--regardless of whether he believes in God--was created by God in His image. The impulse to care about each other and relieve each other's pain is an expression of who created us. To reject that compassion as "misguided" or "too generic" because it is not in the form of a directed prayer seems like it is rejecting the very imprint of God in that other person.

Personally, though, I am often hesitant to tell my atheist friends that I am praying for them. I can't help but wonder how that sounds to them: like I am announcing to them that I am wasting my time in my friend's name. I never feel self-conscious, though, about telling my friends of other faiths that I am praying for them. My Jewish, Muslim, and Jane friends (those are the majority of the other faiths of my friends) always seem to be encouraged by knowing that someone is praying for them.

And, no, I do not believe that "only Christian" prayers "count." God hears all prayers, even the prayers of non-believers, or the prayers of believers who question the Faith, or people who are just searching or are desperate. God is bigger than our situational limitations. Efficacy of prayer is not contingent on the faith of the asker.

[Momo]

Love is what we are essentially sending out when we pray, send good thoughts etc. Therefore it's all good. I know this sounds simplistic, but it's the truth.

[houseelf]

Love is what we are essentially sending out when we pray, send good thoughts etc. Therefore it's all good. I know this sounds simplistic, but it's the truth.

I love this. I have struggled with faith for the better part of my life. I never had that "A HA! THIS is the answer" moment. I occasionally attend a Methodist church. I have essentially made my peace with the quote that "The opposite of faith is certainty". I think any kind thoughts are not harmful or disrespectful. I'm definitely open to several interpretations. I'm not Catholic but invoke St. Anthony to help me find things and have a St. Joseph statue buried in my yard to sell.

[scrub-jay]

I am in the same boat as Jenn and Luanne. I believe that my positive thoughts (mojo, vibes, etc) can do no harm and do take the moment to specifically send them out. When I have had friends offer to pray for me, I have never felt as if they were wasting their time - to me it is similar to what I do, just with directionality - it comes from a good place and goes to a good place. I cannot see the harm in that.