The Power of Prayer

The fact that my parents were/are great admirers of the catholic faith, and follow it to the best of their ability, has offered me the most wonderful chance to experience all the facets of the religion. And, as far as I can remember, the practice of praying was more then spoken for in my family.

However, as the year comes to a disappointing end, it has brought forth many changes, some bad, and of course some good. And, in my initial post for my Blog, I choose to question and perhaps answer the meaning of God and the catholic religion that apparently works so hard to proclaim the good works they have done in his name.

Today however, I chose to tackle a topic that is an integral part of any religion. That of course is prayer. The act, the beliefs, and more importantly, the outcome. In so doing, my response my not agree with that of many people, moreover, it stands to describe the only point of view I can afford on this topic, my own.

Two years ago, I spent three weeks in India. A country where poverty is as ramped as Starbucks is to the US. Driving down a road, I saw a mother begging and asking for whatever anyone could spare. Apparently, this is so common, that the population seems to block out these paupers as if they never existed. Watching the mother for a few moments, I couldn't help but call her and give her the few rupees I had. As she nearly snatched them from my hand, I saw a truly disturbing event; she turned around and gave some to her child who was merely 12 or 13, and begging himself.

Being the type of person I am, I pulled the taxi to the side, got out and started to talk to the women. My parents thought it very strange, and even, I would imagine, pondered the thought of leaving me behind to return to the hotel.

With the help of the taxi driver, who spoke the language, a few questions were asked and the responses given will always remain vivid now, as it did two years ago. Standing on the street, I asked the women why do this, isn't there a job that you can do, an education you can learn, help you can get from a shelter, church etc... The women took a minute, smiled and then responded with an overwhelming “NO.” After asking her to explain her answer, she took all but 3 seconds to respond. "There is no job that will hire you if you have no phone, no home, and no proper clothes. A school will not teach you for the same reasons, and there is no shelter and church that isn't full or will to say no to you as easily as the school or job would."

I asked her if she even makes enough money begging to support her son and herself. Another “NO” was produced and followed by “some days we eat, some days we don’t.” I then asked her what religion does she practice, and more importantly, does she pray and ask God for help. Her smile quickly disappeared and her response was “yes, of course I pray. I pray every night for god to help us. I feel he is the only one that can." Abruptly, I responded with an idiotic remark, maybe your not praying hard or long enough. And the taxi driver delivered my response just as quickly. The women said what must have been two sentences and grabbed her child's hand, and walked away.

I spent the ride back to the hotel questioning god and why did he choose not to help that women. Just then, my thought was interrupted by the driver who asked me if wanted to know what she said. As I nodded, I couldn’t help but picture her speaking as he translated for me. "My great grandmother prayed, my mother prayed, and I pray now, still, we have not had ours answered. I guess he wants to give us our answer in person."

Are we not told through prayer, god can be spoken to? Where was the response for this woman? Was she lying to me? Yes, that's it, she was lying to me I thought, but, no the truth was far too noticeable for me to accept her story as a lie. The level of poverty was far too deep and the numbers of participants were far too strong.

I was yet again presented with other questions. Why do we do this? What do we believe will come of this? Is it by mere habit? Or is it for a sense of belief that a prayer prayed to god will bring about the result we desire? The answer is simple. NOTHING... lets say that one more time... NOTHING, absolutely, positively NOTHING!

Okay, I said it twice, but here's the reason why. For this entire time people have spent so much of their lives praying (myself included) for things to happen. God, please let my child be ok, God, please let me get this job, God, Help me to kill these people who do not believe the way I do God, God, GOD!. Why do this people? There is no god to answer you prayers... I mean it would be just as arbitrary to pray and ask a marshmallow in sky for gold on your pillow.

I thought of the prayers of others that were not answered, the parents with terminally ill children, the mothers, fathers and children who are affected by ruthless crimes and families who ask for a second chance for their loved ones to survive.

The answer is simple and true. Why we may chose to pray, may be warranted, however, the lie itself, is the prayer, and the result is just as ineffective as the people who offer a prayer for you.