Reply #35: What we pray for

[5LeavesLeft]

Prayer is not humans demanding that God do we as we say. The following quote is from www.LDS.org
(yes, that LDS)

As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7: 7-11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.

From me:
God is not Santa Claus. God is not our parents asking what we want for our birthdays. What many people consider prayer are actually attempts to assert their own will, not to receive God's blessings or to understand what his will is. Ever see that episode of King of Queens where Doug and Kerrie got into a "prayer off" ? Funny stuff, but pretty good demonstration of how not to pray.