# Prayer doesn't work: Election 2008 **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 5, 2008, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209 "2008-11-05T04:42:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shawn1767](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shawn1767](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shawn1767)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/1 "2008-11-05T04:42:57Z")
Okay, so for all those efforts I saw online and on the news for people who were praying for a McCain victory, how do you answer his loss? For me, there are only two conclusions you can come to: a) prayer doesn’t work OR b) God wanted Obama to win Well, which is it? ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/2 "2008-11-05T04:53:21Z")
c) God works in mysterious ways. Come on, that’s an easy one. ---
**Author:** ![50million](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/9fc348/32.png) [@50million](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/50million)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/3 "2008-11-05T04:53:29Z")
[QUOTE=Shawn1767] a) prayer doesn’t work OR b) God wanted Obama to win Well, which is it? [/QUOTE] Both ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/4 "2008-11-05T04:54:33Z")
> [@Shawn1767](#): > > Okay, so for all those efforts I saw online and on the news for people who were praying for a McCain victory, how do you answer his loss? For me, there are only two conclusions you can come to: > > a) prayer doesn’t work OR b) God wanted Obama to win > > Well, which is it? b) if you prayed for Mr. Obama. And I expect a lotta people did. I am not familiar with any (thinking) devout believers who think their personal prayers are always answered. The trite response is usually something along the lines of "Sometimes the answer is ‘yes’ and sometimes it’s ‘wait’ and sometimes it’s ‘no.’ ---
**Author:** ![Shawn1767](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shawn1767](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shawn1767)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/5 "2008-11-05T04:55:56Z")
Oh yeah, Lightnin’ I forgot about that one. That’s the one where people will just say that God is going to punish us for electing a godless heathen. Which still ignores the fact that their prayers weren’t answered regarding a McCain victory. ---
**Author:** ![Shawn1767](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shawn1767](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shawn1767)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/6 "2008-11-05T05:05:43Z")
Chief Pedant, if they are “thinking” devout believers who don’t think that their prayers are always going to be answered, shouldn’t they just figure “hey, God’s going to do what he’s going to do. It’s his plan, so it’s pointless to pray.”? And I am not talking about praying as “communing with God” I am talking about those people who specifically prayed for a McCain victory. Otherwise, you’re telling me that prayer works when it works, except when it doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/7 "2008-11-05T05:07:42Z")
Maybe _my_ prayers for Obama to win were more efficacious than others’ prayers for McCain to win. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/8 "2008-11-05T05:09:57Z")
> [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > Maybe _my_ prayers for Obama to win were more efficacious than others’ prayers for McCain to win. You pray good. ---
**Author:** ![Shawn1767](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shawn1767](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shawn1767)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/9 "2008-11-05T05:22:11Z")
See, I live in New Orleans. That’s why I don’t pray for Hurricanes not to hit us. Because then, it’s going to hit some other poor souls and I don’t want God to have to play favorites. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/10 "2008-11-05T05:23:47Z")
I’m sure lots of prayers went up for the Rays and lots of prayers went up for the Phillies. The ultimate result is no argument for atheism nor for theism (though it might be arguably, if marginally, relevant to the question of the absurdity _vel non_ of prayer). ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/11 "2008-11-05T05:43:50Z")
\*‘One thing I did not understand, sir; and that was when you spoke just now of the War Roof.’ ‘It is a stone roof, made of the two tablets handed down at Sinai, which God fits over Earth whenever men go to war. For He is merciful: and many of us here remember that once upon a time we were men and women. So when men go to war God screens the sight of what they do, because He wishes to be merciful to us.’ ‘That must prevent, however, the ascent of all prayers that are made in war-time.’ ‘Why, but, of course that is the roof’s secondary purpose,’ replied St. Peter. ‘What else would you expect when the Master’s teachings are being flouted? Rumours get through, though, somehow, and horribly preposterous rumours. For instance, I have heard that in war-time prayers are put up to the Lord God to back his favourites and take part in the murdering.’ \* A conversation between Jurgen and St. Peter on the occasion of Jurgen’s visit to heaven… ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/12 "2008-11-05T05:53:44Z")
> [@Ambrose Bierce](#): > > [PRAY, v. To ask that the laws of the universe be annulled in behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy.](http://www.alcyone.com/max/lit/devils/p.html) So let it be written, so let it be done. ---
**Author:** ![Myrrajh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/87869e/32.png) [@Myrrajh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrrajh)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/13 "2008-11-05T06:17:19Z")
Because God doesn’t care who wins. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/14 "2008-11-05T06:19:40Z")
> [@Shawn1767](#): > > b) God wanted Obama to win AHEM… I believe you mean “_Allah_ wanted Obama to win.” 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/15 "2008-11-05T06:24:06Z")
If your concept of God is Santa Claus sitting on a cloud waiting to fulfill your every desire, then no, prayer probably won’t work. Jesus clearly states that we are to pray that _ **God’s** _ will be done, not our own. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/16 "2008-11-05T06:25:36Z")
> [@Shawn1767](#): > > Okay, so for all those efforts I saw online and on the news for people who were praying for a McCain victory, how do you answer his loss? For me, there are only two conclusions you can come to: > > a) prayer doesn’t work OR b) God wanted Obama to win > > Well, which is it? To quote Garth Brooks “Some of God’s greatest gifts, are unanswered prayers” Take a pill please. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/17 "2008-11-05T06:26:06Z")
God’s been running the entire universe since the beginning of time. From His perspective it makes no difference who’s President of the United States for a few years. ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/18 "2008-11-05T12:26:13Z")
I won’t swear that my brother never prayed that McCain would win. But I do know that he prayed that a president would be elected who would be a good Christian and follow God’s will for the U.S. I think that’s fairly common-- to focus on praying for things which may or may not come true, but which are a lot less black and white than “Please let McCain win”. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/19 "2008-11-05T12:38:26Z")
I’m not a McCain fan, and Obama’s victory looked assured since mid-September, so I haven’t bothered to pray for him. OTOH, I was equally sure Calif. Prop 8 (anti-gay marriage) would go down in flames, but instead, the early results showed it in favor of passing by 54% margin (!!!) So I’ve been praying all night the total results will drag it below 50% and a loss. My prayers aren’t working. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![ManiacMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b782af/32.png) [@ManiacMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ManiacMan)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209/20 "2008-11-05T12:40:20Z")
I prayed for the election to be decisive…so my prayers worked. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209.md?page=2)