For those of us that are of the Christian pursuasion, we see that Jesus set the example - he often healed people - and never indicated that those things were "a bit petty."
I think that is much more of a valid prayer than: "Please help me get that raise at work so I can buy a new flat screen TV"
Understandable, and I'd never truly fault anyone for hoping that someone they love gets better but my point is that if God is infallible why waste time bringing his attention to something he obviously is already aware of and may be part of a much bigger picture that our tiny human minds couldnt possibly comprehend. Plus Jesus basically was basically God and had the power to heal people, we don't have that power and again God knows what he is doing, who am I or you to try to convince him otherwise?
That is actually a good one, although I dont often hear people asking others for prayers of thanks but I do know a few people who give a prayer of thanks before sitting down to eat. I am not one of them but I am very grateful for the life I have been given, as soon as I figure out the right person (for me) to thank I surely will.
