The Logical Flaw of Prayers

[Andrespetmonkey]

Jay520 said:

 As said earlier, the simple act of prayer is enough. Through prayer, you demonstrate your weakness and you acknowledge the Lord as the one who has the power to help you. Even though God already knows this, it's the ACT of you demonstrating this that God wants. He wants you to meet him halfway to help yourself.

Still doesn't answer my questions. @underlined Why does he want to meet you halfway? What is the point? 

You may not believe this, but the Christian spirit was once inside of every living person. So everyone had the oppurtunity to find our Lord. Some just chose to ignore Him.

I have 2 replies to this, the first is: You may not believe this, but Allah's spirit was once inside of every living person. So everyone had the oppurtunity to find our one true God. Some just chose to ignore Him.

The second is: I definitely don't believe this. I'm guessing this is a completely unsubstantiated claim, but if you know of any evidence, I'd like to have a look.

Yes, it could. But again, that's not the only way to get rid of his depression. If God answers his prayers (again, IF), then he may have his own methods of providing a solution

And I'd argue that the Lord has helped a lot of these amputees learn to deal with their disabilities. Sometimes through prayer. Sometimes God helped without prayer. And sometimes they found it without God.

@underlined You would argue that? Then the burden of proof is on you.

I'm not trying to convince you or prove anything. You asked a question and I gave you the answer. You can do with these facts what you want. Believe them or don't believe them. It's up to you.

That's a very liberal use of the word 'fact' you're using. Of course I don't believe them, that's why I challenged the statements you've made. The question here was "if he really does answer prayer, why does practically every study on prayer show that it doesn't work?" Your answer wasn't very convincing, based on the fact that it was based on the "God works in mysterious ways" argument, which is full of too many holes to be taken seriously. And the answer never explained why answered prayers that could not of happened by chance lack any evidence.

I personally know many people who have had there prayers answered (myself included). I know these people and I don't care much about sharing our experiences with any surveyers because we can't show proof. Like you said, the doubters will always believe that our experiences just happened by chance and God didn't affect anything. And that's fine. You have the right to believe whatever you believe. We know what really caused the changes.

@underlined Right, as do many Muslims know what caused their changes, as do Hindus know what caused their changes, as do Scientologists know what caused their changes... etc. Certainly didn't lead them to Christianity. The argument from personal experience holds no weight. 

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I used to be like you, Andre. I understand you don't intentionally choose not to believe in Him. You just believe what your brain finds the most logical explanation, and you can't control that function. My advise would be to keep an open mind & heart. If you do this, then I'm sure you will find the truth and all will be clear.

I used to be like you to, and as a result of keeping an open mind & heart I'm in the position I'm in now. Do I know the truth of the universe? Not with any certainty, not at all. But it's a hell of a lot clearer than what it used to be.

PS: Sorry I can't quote, my phone is having memory issues.