Do you pray for people when you see something bad may be about to happen to them?

Question

as a result of their own actions or as the result of something beyond their control? For example, have you prayed for the people who are being affected and who be affected by the hurricane Gustav?

What about friends who stubbornly refuse to heed good advice and whose planned actions while result in bad things in their life?

Answer 1

when i was a child i prayed alot to no avail. I dont pray so much anymore.

Answer 2

No, I warn them or actually go and help them with my own two hands.

Answer 3

yes,I pray for people that do bad things to me.

i took some jewelry to a consignment store, he end up ripping me off, then killed himself. i was not the only one he did this to; there were lots of people and he could not take the pressure so he killed himself;

he took a gun and blew his brains out at a local casino on the 22nd floor; so every time i go by the casino i pray for him; and tell God i forgive him, he was a desperate man

Answer 4

Yes, always.  

Answer 5

No, I just pull them back from stepping into traffic.

Answer 6

I try to pray for these people

Answer 7

Yes, you pray for them and their protection. But God has given most of us common sense and I believe that when you know something is going to happen, if you don't prepare then you suffer consequences just like everyone else.    

Answer 8

I pray for people before going to work because we never know when one won't go home.

Answer 9

No, but I will =)

Its sad.

Answer 10

Contributing a can of beans to a food bank is more useful than a million prayers.

Answer 11

Yes I do.

Answer 12

Yes, I do. But God is not obligated to spare anyone who just does stupid things without a care of the consequences.

Answer 13

Yes, I pray for people even when they are making mistakes.  I know that Jesus loves them and wants them to be free.  I have such a compassionate heart and find myself crying over other's problems, even if they cause them to come upon themselves.  I love Jesus because I know that He answers these types of prayers also.

Answer 14

If people refuse to heed good advice for their protection, that's on them and they deserve what they get.  I lived through many a hurricane, and I never stuck around once evac was ordered.

Common sense, some have it some don't.

Answer 15

I will not assume you are speaking about Christianity, as many religions encourage prayer.  However, I will say this, that prayer implies your belief in a god that 1) has power to act (or why would you ask for anything?) and 2) is naturally good and cares about people (or why would your deity want to act for your or anyone's benefit?).   I will also assume that your religion at least implies that you are to aspire to the same, that is, that you should care for others and value good over evil.  If you would not agree with this so far, you really need to find a new religion.

Assuming this is true, then you should always want the best for your fellow human beings, even when they are acting foolishly.  For example, I recently saw a man, poorly dressed, standing outside a store scratching off one of a string of lottery tickets.  While I don't think he invested wisely (the odds are greatly against him winning anything substantial), I do not hate anyone enough to wish/hope/pray against them.  I wish that guy did have a million dollars.  I wish you had a million dollars, and everyone else.  I want the best for everyone, even if I don't think they deserve it becasuse of their actions.

That being said, I agree 100% with people here who have expressed that such prayers are useless unless you are also acting to help, or working for the best interest of those you are praying for.  If there is something you can do to help, talking a friend out of a bad decision or piling sandbags, do it!  Do what you can, and leave the rest to the god you are praying to.