Aus liberaler Perspektive kann man Gebete als symbolisierende Handlungen verstehen, die zwischen den betenden Personen, der Welt und unserem »fernen Nachbarn« Gott vermitteln. Demnach wären sie dreistellige Relationen mit Gott selbst als einem transempirischen Relationsglied. Niemand weiß, ob (Fürbitten-) Gebete den Willen Gottes verändern können. Aber Gebete, verstanden als »religiöse Mitochondrien«, dienen in den Glaubenszellen von Christinnen und Christen als Kraftwerke und Energiespender. Auch können sie die Wirklichkeit verändern, indem sie Herzen berühren und so Menschen dazu bewegen, zumindest Teile der Welt zu verändern. Auf diese Weise tragen sie dazu bei, die Zukunft im Geist der Liebe zu gestalten, wenn es Liebe ist, die das Wesen des »fernen Nachbarn« Gott ausmacht.
[God - a distant neighbour] A liberal approach to the phenomen of prayer argues that prayers are symbolizing actions mediating between the praying persons, the world as such and our »distant neighbour« God. Therefore they can be defined as three-digit relations including at least one transempirical relation member: God himself. It is an open question if (petitionary) prayers can change God's will. Yet prayers, understood as »religious mitochondria« in the belief cells of Christians, can serve as power plants and energizers in Christian life. Moreover, prayers can change reality by touching hearts and thus making people change parts of the world. In this way they contribute to a future shaped by the spirit of love given that love is the essence of the "distant neighbour" God.
[God - a distant neighbour] A liberal approach to the phenomen of prayer argues that prayers are symbolizing actions mediating between the praying persons, the world as such and our »distant neighbour« God. Therefore they can be defined as three-digit relations including at least one transempirical relation member: God himself. It is an open question if (petitionary) prayers can change God's will. Yet prayers, understood as »religious mitochondria« in the belief cells of Christians, can serve as power plants and energizers in Christian life. Moreover, prayers can change reality by touching hearts and thus making people change parts of the world. In this way they contribute to a future shaped by the spirit of love given that love is the essence of the "distant neighbour" God.