DesertGeezer, as long as you continue to place such a large degree of relevance as to the quantity and quality of life that an individual experiences in his short span on earth and ignore the glorious eternity that we will all experience when each of us are reconciled back to Him, then indeed you have cause to despise Him.
But how would you know ? You weren’t there when He created the world. You can’t see the big picture. Neither can I, but for some reason that I just can’t figure out, I refuse to let go of my faith. I refuse to believe that my existence has no lasting purpose or value.
You weren’t there at the big bang either, and there is no reason to suppose that you “know” any more than I do. You are entitled to your faith.
As to purpose and value, I can only answer that my life has its own purposes, and it has value to me and to those who love me. As wretched as I am to some people’s way of thinking, there are some who do love me. When the big picture, as you call it, is a fantasy unsupported by objective evidence, I don’t believe I’m missing anything to stick to what is real.
To commune with God. Prayer isn’t some kind of ATM machine; “Hi it’s me, gimme gimme gimme”. Prayer is a form of meditation. It’s a respite from stress.
So why don’t (the majority I’m guessing of) people who pray, know this?
I’ve been with groups who pray for the suvival or recovery etc of members of their congregation.
Because, frankly, most people are self-interested pricks.
In my practice, I pray the way I was taught to by a Native woman. First, I give thanks. Then I let my will be known. Then I ask God to make His/Her will known to me. I don’t expect to get anything out of it other than a feeling of serenity, and the wisdom to lead my life in a better way. IMO, healing, wealth, a happy marriage, all of those things, are not for God to give. We have to get them ourselves. People who pray for these things to fall into their laps are fools.