Why do people pray?

[Sadlife]

People pray because that is how they've been taught by their religion to pray if they're in need or in some crucial, dangerous situation but in reality these gestures doesn't do anything and might get you killed if you stand idle if for example some pieces rocks that is a size of a boulder falls from a building  and you did not run but pray instead. These examples set up by religions are nothing but a lie while these priest, popes sits on a pile of cash while preaching to help the poor and feed those starving people. How can this religions has many churches and schools but doesn't do anything to resolve poverty and starvation.

[gabmen]

Praying is one of the way to communicate with God. Praying does not always mean for us people to ask for what we want but give thanks for what we are receiving. Simply for us waking up in the morning and for our guidance everyday. Be greatful because God knows what you need, you just need to wait.

For believers yes, it's one way to make god hear pretty much anything you want to tell him. Be it thanksgiving, or praying for something to be accomplished or given. It's actually a good thing as it binds people to doing what they believe is good. And for most, it's the cornerstone of religion.

[merchantofzeny]

I have an aunt who somehow despise Muslims for their salah and Catholics for their rosaries. "We keep pestering God over and over for stuff and with these, you're not even asking or trying to talk, you're just making noises!" 

Even when I was religious, I don't really like those people who openly pray outside their homes or church. Too me it all seems like virtue-signalling.

[lovesybitz]

People pray because they want to express their feelings to God almighty, or they want to talk  to almighty God.
Some people pray because they're facing a big  problem which they knew God will strengthen them and comfort them too,
something like that.

[radenbachtyar]

I think prayer is a way how we can discuss with god and when we pray our hearts may be able to feel calm

[indrakusumaindra]

because people need a place where they accepted no matter what, be forgiven no matter what they had done and something to believed. and some people think praying is for their after life and they think it was something right to do.

[skillink]

We pray because God exists, because we are created to worship the creator

[slaz26]

because people need a place where they accepted no matter what, be forgiven no matter what they had done and something to believed. and some people think praying is for their after life and they think it was something right to do.

The religion of many people says that you need to pray in order to glorify God and communicate with God. Many thus communicate with God and send their hopes to the universe

[MySharktank5]

To feel connected with their God.

[IadixDev]

Even when I was religious, I don't really like those people who openly pray outside their homes or church. Too me it all seems like virtue-signalling.

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

[xsudo23]

People pray either because they want everything to appear magically without actually working for it. Some people pray to ask for forgiveness just for self satisfaction that they repented for their deeds just by saying a prayer.
Whereas some people pray when there is no hope left in some situations where they lose all the hope they tend to rely on someone people call "God". In some situations people need a false faith to keep going on or to have some hope that someone will listen to that prayer one day. But there are some people who pray for peace of mind and things like that. I'm agnostic btw.

[PrayForkts]

People think that their allmighty entity will help them or listen to their requests.

[LoudA__]

If you really think about it, you are being a total douche when you pray for anything

You are basically telling god... that you know what is best, more than god does

By praying, you are saying...
"Hey god, I know you don't want to give me a new car, but I want it anyway"
"Screw your perfect/divine plan god, I want a new car... me me me me me me, it's all about me"

If it is god's will... why are you trying to change god's will?

Do you really think you know better than god does?

Or, are people just selfish and don't care what god has planned?

I've done this, but I am telling in my prayers what I really want, it is not that I am being selfish to my prayers. Also, that is the most common part of a prayer, but before we pray, let's try to thank the God first.

[molsewid]

People are praying not because it needs because if you do pray there are lot of things that could be change don't pray if you need him don't pray if you need item pray for that you are bless you wake up everyday and continue life even your nonsense in this world.

[Vod]

People pray because they are too lazy to do anything else.

See a child missing?  Don't go look for him - just pray.

See wildfires burning?  Don't volunteer or donate - just pray.

 

[Katashi]

If you really think about it, you are being a total douche when you pray for anything

You are basically telling god... that you know what is best, more than god does

By praying, you are saying...
"Hey god, I know you don't want to give me a new car, but I want it anyway"
"Screw your perfect/divine plan god, I want a new car... me me me me me me, it's all about me"

If it is god's will... why are you trying to change god's will?

Do you really think you know better than god does?

Or, are people just selfish and don't care what god has planned?

Yeah point taken, i believe people are praying as their defense mechanism on fears or anything that bothers them thinking that they can't do it alone. I somehow agree with you but i think prayer is done not only for wishing but also acknowledging and giving thanks.

[BTC67890]

In my honest standing about God and Praying. I do believe in God but i dont pray and for almost a decade  i dont go to church. Most people i know do pray because they want something and thanks for some that they recived. But i do respect thier beliefs.

[vok-wok_hok]

People pray because sometime ago other people came up with a religion and came up with prayers for addressing God. Many people do not violate these traditions and turn to God with the help of prayer.

[zurc]

We pray because we need to, even though if it is God's will or not. Not because of God's will we don't pray at all, God is challenging our faith in Him yet we need to seek God in good or in bad times.

[Daniel91]

We pray because we need to, even though if it is God's will or not. Not because of God's will we don't pray at all, God is challenging our faith in Him yet we need to seek God in good or in bad times.

Yes, prayer is like our talk with God.
We can't live without talking, so we can't live without prayer.
God waiting for us to come back and sometimes He makes our lives difficult, in order to help us to change.