I always say gesundheit which means "to your health" in German. I'm part German so it works for me I taught my 3 year old daughter to say this after someone sneezes as well. Works great for us and we're still being polite when someone sneezes. Lisa

I'm glad we finally got a picture of you!! I read your website stuff; isn't the journey fun... Take care. Jessica

My mind is always blown when people say, "we prayed and prayed and look...blah, blah, blah happened." Or, "god has not abandoned us. The whole city of New Orleans is gone, but god is good. He found us food,and water; he gave us shelter. he did this, and did that." PULEEZE!! Sh** happens,and you can pray all day, but the reality is, when it's gonna happen, prepare: don't pray! I'm a hospice nurse, and I see people who absolutely believe that the suffering thier child is going through (the last one was four years old) was because god was challeging them--god was testing their faith. The boy suffered. He died. What the hell kind of test involves torturing a child to death????? People floor me with how they think prayer changes a damn thing. This little boy had a seizure disorder that rendered his brain unable to ward of contant seizures. The little boy had NO quality of life. Medications, treatments, hospitalizations, pain: and the family says, "god is so good to us, he's given us little boy "C" for 4 years. I just want to scream!!! You thank your god for this???? Misery, and zero quality of life is a gift from god?? Let me tell you, I want no part of that god, thank you!!! Jessica

Oh thanks Tek, I really had to chuckle---why pray if god knows all, what can you tell him that he doesn't already know about you and your future and what he's going to decide he'll let you have!!!! The points you raise all indicate the human psychological need that prayer fulfills since clearly god doesn't need prayer---except if we are to assume that he requires frequent demonstrative worship in return for wishes granted (which were determined ahead of time anyway)! And even that logic seems to crumble in situations of misfortune or misery when you realize that god would have caused all conditions from which one might pray for relief! Prayer is the ignition key in the coping mechanism that is religion. You're never completely out of options if you can ask god for help and when you don't get what you ask for, you have an explanation!

Obviously, any discussion of prayer assumes the existence of a god to whom the prayers are directed. Further, it must assumed that God will meddle in human affairs. -> God is omnipotent. God already knows what has or will happen. God already knows the content or purpose of any prayer before its even thought of. For all intents and purposes, there is no need for prayer IF its purpose is to inform or ask for change. -> God has a Plan. Asking for a change would actually be opposing Gods Plan. Who am I to ask God to change his plan? If God has a plan, we have no free will. -> Lets all Pray. Often, prayer is treated as a cosmic popularity contest, that the more people we can get to pray for a particular thing, the more likely it is that God will act. -> Praying for others. They are suffering. God knows this, and at BEST has allowed their suffering. At worst, God caused their suffering. Either way, they are in the situation God has chosen. I've heard several reasons why prayer is important that have more to do with our relative position and relationship with God. The whole things seems to be some sort of a "We know God knows we know" kind of thing, where we pray to show our appreciation for God as Loving Creator and giver of all things. God already knows this, but likes to hear it anyhow. We know God knows, but do it anyhow. Tek