Rosary Beads - Is God influenced by Repetition?

[Tcg]

Some Christians use Rosary Beads to keep track of how many times they beg God to act in their favor. Is God influenced by how many times requests are made?


Tcg

[TRANSPONDER]

A bigger spinnoff here. What purpose to prayers serve, anyway?

Rote repetition. Probably best shoved in one's face by watching Tibetan Buddhists rotating prayer wheels. The sheer activating of magical formulae, I suppose is what it's about. but the implication is, as comes to the fore in Christianity, is; is there a mind processing these prayers? If so, is it necessary to keep presenting prayers on a regular basis?

Many a Thinking Christian will say that it's not just asking God for things. So what is it? I have to conclude that prayers aren't for gods, but for the people making the prayers. It is continual top -up of the religious activity to make sure that - like sticking to a diet or giving up a bad habit, you keep yourself applied to the task - of staying Faithful.

A lot of religion seems to be about sucking people into the club and keeping them there. However, not following that point, what about the individual practice of some isolated Believer who says their prayers regularly in their own home? Why do they do it? Do they really think that God is pleased by recitation of the same formulae? Even if one suggests (as has been seen here) that God doesn't know everything anyway, including whether you are really Faithful and what you wanted before He even began creation. It may be affirming Faith. 'Look God, I'm spending time reciting prayers. So you can see how dedicated I am to the Faith'. Why?

Isn't Faith enough? Does one have to add works as well? If God isn't all knowing (for sake of argument) what chance does one have if a nominal Christian recites the string of prayers which will get them frequent flyer points aimed at a final Emirates or Singapore private 1st class suite with shower to Heaven, while a True Believer who firmly believes that God knows his Faith doesn't recite prayers because you don't keep nagging someone that one cares for and so will not get into heaven in the end. Is that it? Like King Lear, He is offended by someone who just believes and reverences in silence but is impressed by those who love less but praise more?

I'd certainly like to hear from Christians about what they think the purpose of, need for and benefit of performing, prayers.

[bjs1]

Some Christians use Rosary Beads to keep track of how many times they beg God to act in their favor. Is God influenced by how many times requests are made?


Tcg

Rosary Beads are a way to organize prayers. None of the prayers on the Rosary are about asking anything of God, much less the propagandist line they “beg God to act in the favor.” No part of the Rosary prayers are meant to influence God. The Rosary is for the benefit of people, not God.

[JehovahsWitness]

Jesus is reported in the bible¤ to have said the following ....

MATTHEW 6:7 - New American Standard Bible

“And when you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.

FURTHER READING:

Prayer Will God Hear and Answer?
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/maga ... -god-hear/

Why Pray? Will God Answer Me?
https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/q ... /why-pray/

PRAYERS

Can we influence God with our prayers?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 33#p898933

Why did Jesus fall to his knees in the Garden of Gethsemene when praying?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 39#p800339

Does one have to pray in Jesus name?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 41#p885441

HOW does God communicate with those that pray to him?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 22#p990422
[/quote]

For more, please go to other posts related to...

PRAYER, GOD, and ....WORSHIP

NOTE All posts I write represent my personal faith based beliefs as one of Jehovah's Witnesses

¤ I am ONLY mentioning the bible to show what Christianity says in line with subforum guidelines, not to prove that a statement or story therein is true. ​I am not presenting the bible as authorative or proof of truth and have no intention to add an argument to that end in this subforum.

FURTHER Reading:
viewtopic.php?p=213491#p213491
viewtopic.php?p=1050358#p1050358

I dont think anyone can prove whether or not God* is influenced by the sheer volume of prayers but people have beliefs on the subject; would you like me to share mine?





JW



* presuming ( not claiming) for the sake of argument, He exists...

[JehovahsWitness]

I'd certainly like to hear from Christians about what they think the purpose of, need for and benefit of performing, prayers.

When you say "certainly like to hear from Christians about what they think..." this doesn't look like a challenge to prove God exists or present verifiable evidence that prayers work, but rather an invitation for a Christian to share their personal thoughts regarding the reasons (purpose), motivation and perceive benefits of prayer in their lives.

Have I correctly understood what you would {quote} "like to hear" ? If yes, I will certainly be happy to share my own thoughts.

[mgb]

I don't think God needs words (but humans may because they comfort and are a natural way of communicating). Simone Weil says true prayer is attention, giving our attention to God and this does not need words. Teresa of Avila said the best form of prayer is silent prayer.

[brunumb]

Rosary Beads are a way to organize prayers. None of the prayers on the Rosary are about asking anything of God, much less the propagandist line they “beg God to act in the favor.” No part of the Rosary prayers are meant to influence God. The Rosary is for the benefit of people, not God.

What exactly is this benefit for people? I can't see people praying endlessly to an invisible being without expecting something in return for their efforts.

[Tcg]

[Replying to Tcg in post #1]

Here's one recipe for the rosary prayers:

ROSARY BEADS
Direct From Lourdes

How to pray the Rosary

There are 20 mysteries in the Rosary, 5 Joyful Mysteries, 5 Luminous Mysteries, 5 Sorrowful Mysteries and 5 Glorious Mysteries.

1) Make the 'Sign of the Cross'
2) Hold the Crucifix and say the 'Apostles' Creed'
3) Holding the first bead, say the 'Our Father'
4) Say 3 'Hail Mary's' on each of the following 3 beads
5) Say the 'Glory Be'
6) For each of the 5 decades, announce the Mystery, followed by the 'Our Father'. Say 10 'Hail Mary's' while touching each of the 10 beads within the decade a. Next say a 'Glory Be'. After each decade pray "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy".
7) Following the five decades, say the 'Hail Holy Queen', followed by this prayer:

O God, whose only-begotten Son, by his life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life. Grant, we beseech thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

https://www.directfromlourdes.com/rosary_beads

It seems that God is particularly fond of the 'Hail Mary's.' It is also clear from this section: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy".

That those praying the rosary are indeed begging God to do something for them.

This part of the prayer makes that reality even clearer:

"Grant, we beseech thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen."

"Obtain what they promise" is clearly an expectation of a pay-off.

So, will God reward those who habitually repeat this repetitious prayer?



Tcg

[brunumb]

[Replying to Tcg in post #8]

"How to pray the Rosary"........WOW! That's an awful lot of prayin'.

I've always maintained that if you can get people to willingly participate in absurd rituals, it's a sign that you own them.

[Tcg]

[Replying to Tcg in post #8]

"How to pray the Rosary"........WOW! That's an awful lot of prayin'.

An awful lot of prayin' with an awful lot of expectation of results.

I've always maintained that if you can get people to willingly participate in absurd rituals, it's a sign that you own them.

And they will undoubtedly pay $$$ to participate.


Tcg