How does "Internet Prayer" work?

[Dookus]

I thought it was something I'd only see on FreeRepublic, where it's common. But I've seen it here in some of the religious groups, and now in the Lounge and other "public" forums.

Is God supposed to log in and read the prayers? Does he have a star? Or is it more a public display of devoutness for consumption by other members?

Matthew 6:5-6: "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men....when thou prayest, enter into thy closet and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret...."

[gollygee]

1. Your option #3

Mainly that. Though I think when people say they'll pray for someone they think will read it, it is probably also to offer comfort to that person. But when they're praying for the pope or something, it's to out-christian each other.

[Dookus]

2. I see a difference between

saying you'll pray for someone, and actually typing in a prayer. They do it all the time at FR and it becomes hysterically funny to see how over-the-top they get.

[Az]

3. Heh, I have been exorcised online before

Back in my IRC days I entered a Christian chat group and started asking questions. Dalnet had occaisional problems where the mods would lose their rights. This would leave the room undefended and they could not kick others out. As I was not leaving of my own accord and the questions I was asking were .... troublesome... serveral in the group began chanting (er typing) "The power of Christ Compels You". I nearly died laughing.

[trotsky]

4. See? The power of Christ compelled you to laugh!

Powerful stuff, indeed!

Did your head start to spin around and vomit green goo?

[RevolutionaryActs]

9. Damn, that is frigging hilarious!

[progressoid]

5. I think you need a T2 connection for the prayers to most effective

god hates dialup

[lazarus]

6. For more fun

Maybe the Satanists can set up a DDOS attack on God's server?

[progressoid]

7. And the Catholic Church would have to grant sainthood

to someone to become the patron saint of network security!

Here's an unofficial saint of the internet:

http://www.mcphee.com/enlightenment/current/10716.html

[onager]

8. Internet Prayer works exactly the same...

...as regular prayer.

In other words, it works with the same amazing consistency as random chance. ;)

[dwckabal]

10. It Doesn't! -- n/t

[Dookus]

11. heheh

I agree. But I guess I phrased my question poorly. I was curious as to how the believers THINK it works. Is God supposed to read the prayer? Does the act of typing it send it emanating out into the universe for retrieval by a divine antenna? Does God get a BCC of the thread?