Do you ask for divine help in mundane matters?

[Arinya]

I started to wonder if it was appropiate to ask for divine help, guidance, energy, anything for a mundane problem when I caught myself asking the goddess for a little help in getting through a rather stressful work day. Is it right to ask for divine help for the little things - or should we reserve our requests of help for larger things that we consider more important?

[Theres]

i try never to ask for anything that my god-given intelligence should be able to get me through instead, and this includes most things considered "mundane".

They gave me my intellect and wisdom (such as it is) and the ability to drive both through my free will, so i guess i see it as rather petty (if not insulting) to bother Them for things i should be dealing with myself.

[Sage Rainsong]

I tend to use energy work and relaxation techniques for lifes' daily stresses. For me I don't like to bother the Gods unless it is very important.

[Fiamma]

I'd say it depends on the deity in question. Have you asked your particular goddess?

Taking examples from deities that I worship....Yeah, I might ask Apollo for help just getting through a very stressful day. (I'e done it a few times when I felt kinda desperate.) I can ask, sure. He's helped once or twice. Other times he just seems to laugh at me. A lot.

On the other hand, it seems that it would be very out of place to ask for example, one of the Muses to help me get through a stressful day at work, especially since my job has precisely nyet to do with any area over which the Muses hold sway.

Somewhat conversely, I can't think of anything that I would ask Hypnos for help with besides falling asleep when insomnia takes over.


I started to wonder if it was appropiate to ask for divine help, guidance, energy, anything for a mundane problem when I caught myself asking the goddess for a little help in getting through a rather stressful work day. Is it right to ask for divine help for the little things - or should we reserve our requests of help for larger things that we consider more important?

[fay]

If I am in a difficult situation I might say "Goddess give me strength" and I mean it. I want the strength to get through it. My whole life is sacred and so nothing is too small to be noticed or asked for.

ETA: As people have said, it does also depend on the deity in question. I wouldn't ask Thor for strength to get through a hard day as that might be overkill :D.

[Sobeq]

I'll ask the Gods for help if I'm going through something particularly stressful or to lend me some strength, but I will NEVER ask a God to do anything for me. It's my life and I must live it, but the Gods will give me an extra boost now and then.

When it comes to things like needing help with a relationship, or not knowing how to deal with babysitting, or with keeping track of my keys, I'll usually ask my ancestors for help. IMHO, the ancestors will understand about these things better than the Gods, having been human. I don't believe that the Gods are omniscient/omnipotent, so going to Someone who has lived life as a human being is often helpful.

I will go to the Gods with such things as needing guidance in tutoring young children in piano, or with needing strength to cope with medical processes, or with needing guidance with my life.

[Nitefalle]

You can ask what you want, whenever you want - it doesn't mean the gods would grant it anyway, whether it's a daily request or during a ritual. So I say ask away!!!

[Lunacie]

You can ask what you want, whenever you want - it doesn't mean the gods would grant it anyway, whether it's a daily request or during a ritual. So I say ask away!!!

I agree, ask away. The gods will let you know if you're asking too often or asking for things you need to try taking care of yourself. There really aren't any hard and fast rules.

I expect my grandchildren to get their own drink of water without bothering me, but they should ask me before they help themselves to cola or juice. And when my granddaughter broke her arm she needed my help to get anything to drink.

[Anubis RainHawk]

I'd say it depends on the deity in question. Have you asked your particular goddess?

Taking examples from deities that I worship....Yeah, I might ask Apollo for help just getting through a very stressful day. (I'e done it a few times when I felt kinda desperate.) I can ask, sure. He's helped once or twice. Other times he just seems to laugh at me. A lot.

On the other hand, it seems that it would be very out of place to ask for example, one of the Muses to help me get through a stressful day at work, especially since my job has precisely nyet to do with any area over which the Muses hold sway.

Somewhat conversely, I can't think of anything that I would ask Hypnos for help with besides falling asleep when insomnia takes over.

I totally agree that it depends on the deity.

I think it's important to realize that the gods of paganism are of this world, not transcendent. Though there are some Cosmic personalities, namely the Eastern Gods, the gods are definately patrons of earthly needs. They embodied in all things, so there's really no such thing as 'mundane'. Thus, it is completely appropriate to ask the Gods to aid you through difficult times.

[quixotic]

Precisely.

I don't think the Gods mind interfering on a CERTAIN level--asking for a bit of strength through a stressful day doesn't seem like such an extravagant request.

An interesting question: what would be considered a futile request? What about a worthwhile cause?

Just to throw something out there...I like this thread.

[Nitefalle]

Hm....here's a futile request:
Dear gods, I know that I just spent the weekend in Vegas doing coke and banging hookers, but if you could nix the hangover and the sudden burning sensation when I pee, that would be fantastic! Oh ya, and please don't let my wife find out.

[Sionnach le Fey]

Hm....here's a futile request:
Dear gods, I know that I just spent the weekend in Vegas doing coke and banging hookers, but if you could nix the hangover and the sudden burning sensation when I pee, that would be fantastic! Oh ya, and please don't let my wife find out.


Hehe, that made me chuckle...

[RainInanna]

I would imagine once again it can depend on your particular deity view. If you're a hard polytheist, I can understand not wanting to bother a god. If you're a panentheist like me, and the Sacred is inextricably woven into everyone, there is no separation between "mundane" and "magical".

[Nitefalle]

Nah...I'm a hard polytheist and I live to bother my gods....though that could explain that string of bad luck I've been having. :crazylaug

[Fairy_Princess]

I don't ask for Deitic Charity in non-mundane issues, let alone everyday issues.

[Lunacie]

I started to wonder if it was appropiate to ask for divine help, guidance, energy, anything for a mundane problem when I caught myself asking the goddess for a little help in getting through a rather stressful work day. Is it right to ask for divine help for the little things - or should we reserve our requests of help for larger things that we consider more important?

Maybe if we have a little help dealing with the smaller things as they come up, we don't get so overwhelmed so that everything starts to seem much bigger than it really is" And maybe if we're not overwhelmed by a whole slew of little things we can deal with something bigger without having to ask for help?

[RavenStars]

I spent a number of years refusing to ask for help, feeling that the primary goddess I was working with would provide what I needed. While it did promote a do it yourself ethic, I finally discovered it was a problem of believing I wasn't worthy. I had to learn that humility isn’t about denial or suffering. Sometimes it’s about standing up and asking for what I need.

I'm not a needy child, I don't ask all the time, in fact I forget to ask when I could really use the help. Admitting during prayer that I have a problem and "discussing" what I'm doing to remedy the situation helps me focus my request and double check whether I'm doing everything I can. My prayer will be heard, it’s not up to me whether they act on it or not.

[Vigdisdotter]

I started to wonder if it was appropiate to ask for divine help, guidance, energy, anything for a mundane problem when I caught myself asking the goddess for a little help in getting through a rather stressful work day. Is it right to ask for divine help for the little things - or should we reserve our requests of help for larger things that we consider more important?

I suppose it depends on your definition of "small." There were a couple times in my life when I became an absolute basket case over what many would consider "small" things, and i did ask for divine help and guidance.....and received it.

[antæa]

I call Hecate "Mother", so I behave like a child towards Her. I talk with (not only "to") Her all day long, but I only beg Her for things I really cannot do alone... And she never refused....It would be impossible for me to address Her only in rituals. She is my mother, and She is present in ny life as any good mother.
Concerning your question: Give it a try, the answer from your deity will show the way...

[Philosophia]

I usually ask for protection (when I'm walking to home late at night and I'm feeling rather scared) or just a little guidance in any particular hard problems that I encounter and can't decide for myself.

[LacyRoze]

I started to wonder if it was appropiate to ask for divine help, guidance, energy, anything for a mundane problem when I caught myself asking the goddess for a little help in getting through a rather stressful work day. Is it right to ask for divine help for the little things - or should we reserve our requests of help for larger things that we consider more important?

I don't ask my God to solve my problems or concerns for me but I do ask for guidance and strength. I also ask for clarity when facing situations. Sometimes my God answers, sometimes not but I know my prayers are being heard. I believe that in those times when I think I'm not getting an answer, there's something there that I need to learn or experience. I personally don't believe there's any problem too small to ask for help with.

[plumedsnake]

I think that it all depends on how integral religion is to your life. For those of us for whom it is everything, I consult the gods on every issue. In fact those times when I neglect to do so, sometimes I end up feeling like I ****ed up for not bringing it up with God. This doesn't matter how big or small it is, as long as it's a concern of mine.

But then that is in the nature of my practice. Everything begins with a real life situation. Then a divination, or consultancy, followed by following the necessary rituals and steps required to ameliorate the situation.