There currently are a LOT of fires burning in the state where I live (Oregon), as well as in neighboring states (Washington and California). As a result, people in the affected areas post frequently on Facebook with updates, pictures, and other news about the fires in their areas.
Among the many resulting comments to these posts, one word consistently pops up: “Praying …”
Generally, people are directing their prayers to those who have been affected by the fire — either from having to evacuate (or even lose their homes) or, on a couple of occasions, the death of a firefighter.
While either scenario is terrible and one can’t help but experience empathy, the thought that keeps coming to my mind is … isn’t it a little late?
If you’re going to pray, why don’t you do it before the fire season starts … and then continue to do so throughout the entire summer? Pray that your god God prevents lightning from hitting trees during summer thunderstorms. Pray that your god God influences others not to use mowing and weeding equipment on dry grass and weeds. Or better yet, pray that your god God sends buckets of rain during the rainy season to keep the forests wet and less susceptible to fire.
Once a forest fire has ignited, the scene has been set. There is going to be destruction and sometimes loss of homes — and even lives. So prayers to your god God “after the fact” are pretty much next to useless. It may make you feel better because you’ve expressed your sympathy this way, but such prayers have little effect on the big picture.
Therefore, if you truly believe your god God is all-powerful and hears and answers prayer, wouldn’t the time for prayer be better before rather than after?
P.S. The picture above was taken just recently and was happening about 3 miles from where I live.
Nan's Notebook 
I doubt praying to the god God before fires start burning during the fire season would make an iota of difference. But, if one truly believes praying to the omnipotent god, God actually is an effective way of getting things done, then you’re very correct: pray before the disaster comes. Odd thing, prayer. It seems to bring relief to those not really affected by horrid events. “You lost your home and wife in a fire? Oh, how awful. I’ll pray for you. See, that makes ME feel better, and like I’m using my power over the god God to help you, though, in reality, it doesn’t do a fucking thing to actually help YOU in any way at all.” $Amen$
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OMGoodness Nan, deja vu. I can’t believe you’re having to deal with this so close to home, two years in a row.
Btw, well said. I’m pretty sick of the crap I’m reading about this being “God’s judgement.” and these are the “signs of the end times.” It’s like they actually get excited over disasters.
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Of course they do, Victoria! It means their big brother will be arriving in the clouds and they’ll all be going to the sweet by-and-by to live forever with their imaginary god God.
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Yep, and then the “testimonies” start rolling in about how the god God spared their home. It says a lot about their lack of awareness (empathy?), and how that makes them look to those who encountered great loss. As Mrs. Betty Bower’s says:
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LOVE Mrs. Bowers!
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Theodicy must be a trending topic the last week. Great post. Thx
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When I was a Christian I used to think the following was a funny joke:
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Maybe they just didn’t have enough time to get to it. One has to pray for people who are sick, who might be sick, who are abroad, who are away from home, who are otherwise indisposed, who are relatives, who might be relatives, who other church members know, who are church members, and who might be church members. Then there are the optional prayers for the country, the state, the local government, other positions of power, sports teams (each one individually), technology needing to work properly, and any other thing that happens to come across one’s mind. After that, there are the mandatory prayers for emergencies like having a bad hair day, making it safe to work, food that won’t kill you, and, of course, finding those lost car keys.
If anyone isn’t uttering all of these prayers, they obviously aren’t a TRUE CHRISTIAN(TM) and therefore don’t deserve to have answered prayers anyways.
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The whole “praying” thing has the same circular logic as the Bible thing. The Bible is the word of God because it says it is.
If you pray for something and it happens, it’s god’s will. If it doesn’t happen, it’s god’s will. Amazing how that works.
It’s all a George Carlin skit. If god has a plan and you pray, is he supposed to chance his plan? That’s not much of a plan if it changes every time a schmuck who lost his keys can change it.
So if one believes their god has a plan, why bother praying? Kinda like slipping the judge a fiver to get you out of that speeding ticket.
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I hope your home and family are safe. Be well. Hugs
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Yes, Scottie, all is well. The fire headed away from us … but we were prepared, just in case. 🙂 Fortunately, it was under control that evening and completely contained the next morning. Burned about 50 acres.
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I am sorry to hear about the destruction, how ever I am lead to understand that under some conditions ash from fires can help new plants to grow? I do wish you all the very best. Many hugs
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There was a news report about the fires in the NW of the US on our (Australian) News this morning. The US authorities have asked Australia to send fire fighters to help.
All this just proves that prayer does not work, it is practical help that works. But a sad way to prove it. I love the forests and it is sad to see them burn. More so if people are affected.
Even sadder is that the religious person will find some way to rationalise the failure of God to act. You know, pick one:
1) it would of bee worse without prayer;
2) we did not prayer enough;
3) God’s punishment for the Gay Marriage business.
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I made a similar comment as what you’ve said on this blog in response to someone who posted on my cousin’s blog when he posted a link about fires in Saskatchewan, Canada last year. Essentially asking how come nobody prayed for their to be no fires? lol Oh and I said on somebody else’s Facebook thread when they said they’d pray for the victims of a tornado. I responded with “Well if you want to actually help, instead of praying here’s a link to the American Red Cross donation page.” I was called a lot of names as I recall. 😉
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I’m not surprised. Believers tend to react when you step on their toes.
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They react pretty strongly, too, when I tell them I’m an atheistic cannibal and I want to eat their babies and poison their wells. Oh, the looks I get. 🙂
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Nom Nom Nom Nom Babies!
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That just might be my new favorite song.
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Glad I came across this post. I feel the same way, and it’s nice to hear my own thoughts echoed in a kindred soul. I’m enjoying your book, too!
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I’m enjoying your book, too!
😀
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Wow, thank you!
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Whoops! Actually I was thanking you for your comment about my book. But your response made me click through to your blog and I see you have also written a book … and I do intend to buy it. 🙂
I especially enjoyed your post entitled “Language.” Soooo true! I will be following your blog and looking forward to what you have to say. I think we most definitely have a kindred distaste for Christianity.
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Hahaha! The conundrums of digital communication. Thank you so much, at any rate. As long as all of your readers interpret it as I did, we’re in business. LOL 😉 And yes, I believe we do share that. My first blog, Storms, was similar to The Time for Prayer. Your book takes quite a different approach than mine, however. Very intriguing!
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