Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / New
Stats: 3,143,473 members, 7,781,380 topics. Date: Friday, 29 March 2024 at 01:28 PM

What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? - Religion - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Religion / What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? (9509 Views)

Onitsha Church On A Prayer Walk For Trump (Pictures & Video) / Leah Sharibu: TB Joshua Calls For Three Days Prayer And Fasting / Please Say A Prayer For those Suffering From Chronic Illness In This New Year (2) (3) (4)

(1) (2) (3) (Reply) (Go Down)

What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by hakeem4(m): 3:01am On Jul 08, 2018
Let me start with my definition of prayer. Which is a means of communicating with an omnipotent, omniscient and benevolent god up there in the sky.
While Wish is a feeling or a strong desire or hope for something that cannot or probably will not happen.

What is the difference between prayer and wish

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by hopefulLandlord: 5:05am On Jul 08, 2018
prayer is a wish directed to imaginary friends

24 Likes 2 Shares

Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by Nobody: 5:39am On Jul 08, 2018
hopefulLandlord:
prayer is a wish directed to imaginary friends

Hahahahahahaaaaa! grin cheesy grin

4 Likes

Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by paxonel(m): 5:57am On Jul 08, 2018
hakeem4:
Let me start with my definition of prayer. Which is a means of communicating with an omnipotent, omniscient and benevolent god up there in the sky.
While Wish is a feeling or a strong desire or hope for something that cannot or probably will not happen.

What is the difference between prayer and wish
these are the kind of questions many christians and religious people have failed to ask.

There is absolutely no difference between prayer and wish .

Going by your definition of a wish, we also pray with a strong desire or hope for something that probably will not happen too.

For instance, many of us respond a strong AMEN! in church to prayers and prophesies of pastors saying that this year, we will buy car, we will build houses, we will hit a mega contract .
Meanwhile, many of us are jobless people in the society created by buhari government.

Is that kind of prayer not mere wishes?

21 Likes 3 Shares

Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by paxonel(m): 6:00am On Jul 08, 2018
hopefulLandlord:
prayer is a wish directed to imaginary friends
if the friend chooses not to answer some of our foolish requests does not necessarily implies that he is imaginary

7 Likes

Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by Proudlyngwa(m): 6:52am On Jul 08, 2018
Prayer is attached with Faith , hope and sometimes hardworking to see what we pray for through.

Wish is a passing desire which is not usually there they next moment.

Prayer to a God might or might not be a wish, that is why the Bible asks us that the Holy Spirit should intercede for us, because we might be askiy wrongly.

That we pray and sometimes we feel is not answered is because of the wrong perception of prayer and God.
Prayer is a spiritual tool not a physical weapon.

10 Likes 1 Share

Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by frubben(m): 6:54am On Jul 08, 2018
.
Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by hopefulLandlord: 7:09am On Jul 08, 2018
paxonel:
if the friend chooses not to answer some of our foolish requests does not necessarily implies that he is imaginary

Foolish according to who? the starving kids in wartorn countries that pray for food are asking for foolish things? the mother who's child is dying of terminal illness but she's praying for cure is asking a foolish request?

8 Likes 2 Shares

Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by MuttleyLaff: 7:19am On Jul 08, 2018
paxonel:
these are the kind of questions many christians and religious people have failed to asked.

There is absolutely no difference between prayer and wish .

Going by your definition of a wish, we also pray with a strong desire or hope for something that probably will not happen too.

For instance, many of us respond a strong AMEN!
in church to prayers and prophesies of pastors saying that this year, we will buy car, we will build houses, we will hit a mega contract .
Meanwhile, many of us are jobbless people in the society created by buhari government.

Is that kind of prayer not mere wishes?
It is said to be known as wishful thinking
- forming an attitude or belief that's pleasing to imagine, instead of by appealing to evidence, rationality or reality
but then paxonel, like you posited, it might be the pastor being prophetic

Butterflyleo:
ALL CHRISTIANS WOULD DO WELL TO LEARN TO AVOID SUCH THREADS AS THOSE OPENED BY ATHEISTS.
THEY DONT WANT TO LEARN AND INDEED CAN NEVER LEARN FROM YOU ABOUT GOD.
ALL THEY SEEK IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RIDICULE YOU AND YOUR FAITH.

BE WISE AS A SERPENT MY BRETHREN. IGNORE SUCH THREADS AS THESE

NOTICE THE NUMBER OF ANTI CHRISTIAN THREADS THAT WILL FLOOD THE RELIGION SECTION TODAY BEING SUNDAY.

ITS BECAUSE THEY ARE FIGHTING YOU AND ALL YOU STAND FOR.
BUT WE WILL COUNTER ALL.

WHEN YOU SEE SUCH THREADS, DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO COMMENT ON THEM BUT RATHER IGNORE THEM AND MOVE ON TO MORE PROFITABLE THINGS AS YOU FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH.

LET HE WHO HAS EARS, HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS SAYING
Sorry, I've already posted before reading this
Other threads where and when I read this warning alert, I steer clear off

1 Like 1 Share

Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by dalaman: 7:27am On Jul 08, 2018
Prayer is wishful thought.
Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by jFrankNorfleet: 7:30am On Jul 08, 2018
dalaman:
Prayer is wishful thought.

But we all have wishful thoughts, do you mean you're actually praying every time you have them?
Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by dalaman: 7:38am On Jul 08, 2018
jFrankNorfleet:


But we all have wishful thoughts, do you mean you're actually praying every time you have them?

Prayers are wishful thoughts directed towards an imaginary deity.

1 Like

Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by jFrankNorfleet: 7:46am On Jul 08, 2018
dalaman:

Prayers are wishful thoughts directed towards an imaginary deity.
Okay, so you're reiterating what HopefulLandlord said
Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by dalaman: 7:52am On Jul 08, 2018
jFrankNorfleet:


Okay, so you're reiterating what HopefulLandlord said

Stating the fact as it is.

1 Like

Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by paxonel(m): 8:22am On Jul 08, 2018
hopefulLandlord:


Foolish according to who? the starving kids in wartorn countries that pray for food are asking for foolish things? the mother who's child is dying of terminal illness but she's praying for cure is asking a foolish request?
is it then wise to ignore the causes of the kids starving and the terminal illness and request for their solutions where these problems were never originated?
Now, you judge for yourself.

God is never the origin of these problems, infact he created everything to be good until man(Adam) misbehaves according to the scriptures.

Similarly, terminal diseases and starvation are human negligence to do what they were supposed to do, and you know what?
God has already empowered humans to administer to these problems without his interference.

If a child is suffering from terminal disease the parent should sick medical remedy and not mere wishes called prayer.
If a child is hungry then food should be provided for him or her
Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by hopefulLandlord: 8:24am On Jul 08, 2018
paxonel:
is it then wise to ignore the causes of the kids starving and the terminal illness and request for their solutions where these problems were never originated?
Now, you judge for yourself.

God is never the origin of these problems, infact he created everything to be good until man(Adam) misbehaves according to the scriptures.

Similarly, terminal diseases and starvation are human negligence to do what they were supposed to do, and you know what?
God has already empowered humans to administer to these problems without his interference.

If a child is suffering from terminal disease the parent should sick medical remedy and not mere wishes called prayer.
If a child is hungry then food should be provided for him or her
are you for or against the efficacy of prayers? your post appears to be the latter
Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by paxonel(m): 8:26am On Jul 08, 2018
jFrankNorfleet:


But we all have wishful thoughts, do you mean you're actually praying every time you have them?
that is exactly the point.
And God will answer anyone who thinks rightly and do so, than the person who prays

1 Like

Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by paxonel(m): 8:34am On Jul 08, 2018
hopefulLandlord:

are you for or against the efficacy of prayers? your post appears to be the latter
I know it's a very confusing topic that's why i came into it.

I'm for the efficacy of prayer, but the prayer must be originated from right thinking or wishes. Otherwise, no matter how long the person prays it is inefficient.

And a right thinker or wisher who doesn't pray at all get his answers from God immediately.

Therefore wishes are not different from prayer
Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by hopefulLandlord: 8:40am On Jul 08, 2018
paxonel:
I know it's a very confusing topic that's why i came into it.

I'm for the efficacy of prayer, but the prayer must be originated from right thinking or wishes. Otherwise, no matter how long the person prays it is inefficient.

And a right thinker or wisher who doesn't pray at all get his answers from God immediately.

Therefore wishes are not different from prayer

I think prayers are wishes but wishes aren't necessarily prayers just like flat screen is a television but televisions aren't necessarily flatscreens

you seem to be saying we should look for physical solutions and stop praying. I agree with that if that's your point but doesn't that make prayer useless? shouldn't prayer used when certain things that are supposed to work aren't working? like there should be some things put in place to feed the starving children in wartorn countries but there's war which is a failure of something and this child needs food or she'll die, did her praying and not getting the food mean she asked foolishly?

1 Like 1 Share

Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by CAPSLOCKED: 8:49am On Jul 08, 2018
hakeem4:
Let me start with my definition of prayer. Which is a means of communicating with an omnipotent, omniscient and benevolent god up there in the sky.
While Wish is a feeling or a strong desire or hope for something that cannot or probably will not happen.

What is the difference between prayer and wish



WISH IS A FEELING OR STRONG DESIRE FOR SOMETHING..

PRAYING , SIMPLY MEANS MAKING SILENT OR LOUD NOISES THAT ARE OF NO RELEVANCE.

7 Likes 2 Shares

Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by paxonel(m): 8:54am On Jul 08, 2018
hopefulLandlord:


I think prayers are wishes but wishes aren't necessarily prayers just like flat screen is a television but televisions aren't necessarily flatscreens

you seem to be saying we should look for physical solutions and stop praying. I agree with that if that's your point but doesn't that make prayer useless? shouldn't prayer used when certain things that are supposed to work aren't working? like there should be some things put in place to feed the starving children in wartorn countries but there's war which is a failure of something and this child needs food or she'll die, did her praying and not getting the food mean she asked foolishly?
that is under a circumstance that is impossible of human solution?
I get your point!

Yes! It is never foolishness to pray at this point, who knows, God may answer.

But it is still under God's prerogative right to answer or not.
That simply means if he chooses not to answer he has his reasons therefore no one can blame him.
Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by RuthlessLeader(m): 8:54am On Jul 08, 2018
paxonel:
is it then wise to ignore the causes of the kids starving and the terminal illness and request for their solutions where these problems were never originated?
Yes. It is the wise thing to do. These children disn't ask to be born into those situations. And terminal illnesses are genetic in nature, just as being black or white is genetics as well.

Now, you judge for yourself.
Okay

God is never the origin of these problems,
How do you know this? The bible even says that God creates good and evil Isaiah 45:7. So he is the origin.

infact he created everything to be good until man(Adam) misbehaves according to the scriptures.
Why must we suffer for the sins of a grandfather that we don't know anything about? This is just like me deciding to punish buhari's great grandchildren because he was a bad president.

Similarly, terminal diseases and starvation are human negligence to do what they were supposed to do
Already wrong. Terminal illnesses are genetic and starvation can be caused by famine, war and poverty which the children have no control over. Why does God like punishing the descendants because of their forefather's crime?

and you know what?
What?

God has already empowered humans to administer to these problems without his interference.
Through the holy spirit abi?

If a child is suffering from terminal disease the parent should sick medical remedy and not mere wishes called prayer.
Terminal illness is a death sentence for whoever has it. If you have a terminal illness, you are dying and there is no cure. That is why a lot of parents resort to praying and mercy killing.

If a child is hungry then food should be provided for him or her
With what money? From where?

2 Likes

Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by hopefulLandlord: 9:07am On Jul 08, 2018
paxonel:
that is under a circumstance that is impossible of human solution?
I get your point!

Yes! It is never foolishness to pray at this point, who knows, God may answer.

But it is still under God's prerogative right to answer or not.
That simply means if he chooses not to answer he has his reasons therefore no one can blame him.

interesting, so how do you differentiate praying to God and praying to a milk jug? or not even praying at all?
I mean, if you think about it there are only three possibilities the milk jug sometimes answers your prayer the way you want to, sometimes not and sometimes the answer is delayed and its its prerogative to answer or not

1 Like

Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by luvmijeje(f): 9:12am On Jul 08, 2018
Prayer is your request to God while wishes is also your request to God. Infact prayer is a wish. It's what you wish not what God wishes.
Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by TheEminentLaity: 9:14am On Jul 08, 2018
One and the same. One ends with 'Amen' the other without. The both make people feel good about themselves though.
Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by afroniger: 9:15am On Jul 08, 2018
.
Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by soberdrunk(m): 9:15am On Jul 08, 2018
Prayer is simply Mans way of requesting for the things he NEEDS from a "higher power" while a "wish" is man's 'unrealistic' "wants"........... angry
Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by Nobody: 9:15am On Jul 08, 2018
A wish is what you expect to happen. Letting God know of your wishes is a prayer.
Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by newbie2018: 9:16am On Jul 08, 2018
I have a similar question too...


how can we tell the Holy Spirit from our Conscience?



happy Sunday btw
Re: What Is The Difference Between A Prayer And A Wish? by Houseofglam7(f): 9:16am On Jul 08, 2018
hopefulLandlord:
prayer is a wish directed to imaginary friends
Why are you like this?
cheesy cheesy cheesy

(1) (2) (3) (Reply)

Pope Francis Speaks On ‘Frequent Kidnappings’ In Nigeria / From Christian To Atheist / Pilgrimage To Badagry Where Christianity Was First Preached In Nigeria.

(Go Up)

Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health
religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket

Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 50
Disclaimer: Every Nairaland member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or uploads on Nairaland.