So..you kinda got back to my original point. Its pointless to pray for anything. Except to give thanks etc like some said here. But pointless of appealing to God when you need him coz his mind is already made up and pointless other people saying they will pray for you.
See, you don't know what his mind is made up on or not so it's not pointless. And to add other things involved, the rest of my post here probably covers a lot of what's already been covered but might help in what we can ask for to begin with. If what you are asking God for is beyond those bounds, then you are correct...it may be pointless.
Not sure if anyone here asked or you volunteered examples of what you are asking and are not granted, and though I understand if you want to keep that to yourself, knowing those things might help in addressing the issue.
This is all christian rethoric
Yes, some of it is.
He said, praying for stuff, thats what the gentiles do,
What exactly did he say about the Gentiles? That praying for stuff was not cool, as you say? or was it something else:
And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. (Matthew 6:7 ESV)
I use the ESV there because you offer no reference, so I assume that verse is where you get your thoughts (If I am wrong, please correct me). The original verse is about the heathen, but assuming you are correct, still it is not about "praying for stuff" but about the wacko way they did pray.
However, praying for stuff in selfishness which I'm sure is what you are saying, is a problem as you say.
A few things we know for certain:
We can pray for stuff if the cause is just and not selfish. On the other hand, for instance, what if a family could not afford a traditional Christmas dinner for themselves or their kids like other people have? That goes beyond our daily "needs" but, I can easily see that being granted. If in doubt, ask, all he can do, is say no.
Biblical examples to get to the bottom of this.
Christ prayed he would not have to bear the pain of the cross.....not granted because god had other plans.
Christ prayed to "forgive them, they know not what they do"....we don't know if that was grated or not, at least we don't have direct knowledge of it, but it was certainly one of the most unselfish prayers I've ever seen.
In effect, Moses prayed the waters part. That was granted in order to implement gods will/his plan for those people.
I'd guess these verses have already been mentioned, but they pretty well cover what spirit we should pray in and deal with the OP as well as it can be dealt with: And that doesn't mean those prayers will always be answered, but if any prayers will be, it's the ones asked in the right spirit.
James 4:3 - Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts.
Don't ask for it to rain Skittles from the sky
, or for a new Mercedes, when any car can help us do Gods will/get us to work and back.
John 15:7 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
1 John 3:22 - And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
Someone who really doesn't know God, might say they prayed, it didn't get answered so they no longer bother with God/prayer. We have to be in his will, or he has to like how we are acting, within reason. There may be exceptions to that rule other than this, but the prayer of repentance by the heathen, is definitely heard.