--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He prays because he knows he doesn't…" description: "\"He prays because he knows he doesn't control it. He's at the mercy of it.\" — Michael Crichton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8f/michael-crichton-694_compassion_he-prays-because-he-knows-he-doesn-t-con_1807690.jpg" --- # He prays because he knows he doesn't control it. He's at… ![“He prays because he knows he doesn't control it. He's at the mercy of it.” quote by Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8f/michael-crichton-694_compassion_he-prays-because-he-knows-he-doesn-t-con_1807690.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8f/michael-crichton-694_compassion_he-prays-because-he-knows-he-doesn-t-con_1807690.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8f/michael-crichton-694_compassion_he-prays-because-he-knows-he-doesn-t-con_1807690.jpg) > “He prays because he knows he doesn't control it. He's at the mercy of it.” [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prayer reflects humility before forces beyond personal control. **In simple terms:** Prayer shows humility before uncontrollable forces. Key Takeaway Accept limits of personal control. Themes faith humility control uncertainty existence Mood reflective contemplative Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - personal crises - health challenges - natural disasters - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts theology psychology existentialism Questions to Reflect On - When do you rely on faith versus action? - What does humility teach about control? A Different Perspective Prayer alone cannot change outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Control Mercy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control-mercy-2086327/) [Doesn Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doesn-control-2086329/) [Mercy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercy/) [Praying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praying/) [Prays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prays/) [Prays Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prays-knows-2086325/) ## Related quotes > [Other than marriage, she doesn't control me and I don't control her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavyn-davies/other-than-marriage-she-doesn-t-control-me-and-i-don-t-control-her/) [Gavyn Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavyn-davies/) > [The key is that I control my life; my life doesn't control me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-reece/the-key-is-that-i-control-my-life-my-life-doesn-t-control-me/) [Gabrielle Reece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-reece/) > [If we could imagine such a man, that is a man who could invent the fly and send him out on his mission and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-we-could-imagine-such-a-man-that-is-a-man-who-could-invent-the-fly/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [He who doesn't pray to the Lord prays to the devil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/he-who-doesn-t-pray-to-the-lord-prays-to-the-devil/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [When anyone prays, the angels that minister to God and watch over mankind gather round about him and join with him in prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/origen/when-anyone-prays-the-angels-that-minister-to-god-and-watch-over/) [Origen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/origen/) > [What's prayer? It's shooting shafts into the dark. What mark they strike, if any, who's to say? It's reaching for a hand you cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/what-s-prayer-it-s-shooting-shafts-into-the-dark-what-mark-they/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) > [We need less travelling by jet plaes from congress to congress... but more kneeling and praying and pleading to God to have mercy on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martyn-lloyd-jones/we-need-less-travelling-by-jet-plaes-from-congress-to-congress-but/) [Martyn Lloyd-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martyn-lloyd-jones/) > [You can't go to church without praying ten or fifteen times for God to have mercy on you. You can't sing "Amazing Grace" without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-shelby-spong/you-can-t-go-to-church-without-praying-ten-or-fifteen-times-for-god/) [John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shelby-spong/) > [Therefore, is thy brother a sinner? Then cover his sin and pray for him. Dost thou publish his sins, then truly thou art not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/therefore-is-thy-brother-a-sinner-then-cover-his-sin-and-pray-for-him/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [ “One who really prays that this kingdom will come...\[will make the effort to\] keep himself in harmony with the order of the kingdom, to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-talmage/one-who-really-prays-that-this-kingdom-will-come-will-make-the-effort/) [James Talmage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-talmage/) > [God understands our prays even when we dont have words to say them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-understands-our-prays-even-when-we-dont-have-words-to-say-them/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The wise man in the storm prays God, not for safety from danger, but for deliverance from fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-wise-man-in-the-storm-prays-god-not-for-safety-from-danger-but/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“A person who sets his or her mind on the dark side of life, who lives over and over the misfortunes and disappointments of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/a-person-who-sets-his-or-her-mind-on-the-dark-side-of-life-who-lives/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [“The East prays to Heaven. The West makes things happen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/the-east-prays-to-heaven-the-west-makes-things-happen/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“She prays to God, but He's silent. She searches for guidance, but the forest only moans.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-ryan/she-prays-to-god-but-he-s-silent-she-searches-for-guidance-but-the/) [Carrie Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-ryan/) ## More by Michael Crichton > [They are focused on whether they can do something. They never think whether they should do something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/they-are-focused-on-whether-they-can-do-something-they-never-think/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [This is the gift of your species and this is the danger, because you do not choose to control your imaginings. You imagine wonderful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/this-is-the-gift-of-your-species-and-this-is-the-danger-because-you/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [“it is important to recognize that the behavior of the two antagonists mirrors each other, like a Rorschach inkblot. The value of a Rorschach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/it-is-important-to-recognize-that-the-behavior-of-the-two-antagonists/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Exercise invigorates the body and sharpens the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/exercise-invigorates-the-body-and-sharpens-the-mind/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Social control is best managed through fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/social-control-is-best-managed-through-fear/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [They always say they didn't. I never heard of one who said, 'You know, I deserve this.' Never happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/they-always-say-they-didn-t-i-never-heard-of-one-who-said-you-know-i/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Friendships are nice. So is competence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/friendships-are-nice-so-is-competence/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [I can tell you that second hand smoke is not a health hazard to anyone and never was, and the EPA has always known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/i-can-tell-you-that-second-hand-smoke-is-not-a-health-hazard-to/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [As the practical value of altering consciousness becomes recognized, procedures to effect these alterations will become increasingly ordinary and unremarkable. The whole concept of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/as-the-practical-value-of-altering-consciousness-becomes-recognized/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [In any case, you read with exasperation or amusement the multiple errors in a story-and then turn the page to national or international affairs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/in-any-case-you-read-with-exasperation-or-amusement-the-multiple/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Books aren't written - they're rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/books-aren-t-written-they-re-rewritten-including-your-own-it-is-one/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [The purpose of life is to stay alive. Watch any animal in nature--all it tries to do is stay alive. It doesn't care about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/the-purpose-of-life-is-to-stay-alive-watch-any-animal-in-nature-all/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [One of the things that Americans, as a multiracial society, feel is a tremendous sensitivity to racial comments of all kinds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/one-of-the-things-that-americans-as-a-multiracial-society-feel-is-a/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Nobody smart knows what they want to do until they get into their twenties or thirties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/nobody-smart-knows-what-they-want-to-do-until-they-get-into-their/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [This fascination with computer models is something I understand very well. Richard Feynmann called it a disease. I fear he is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/this-fascination-with-computer-models-is-something-i-understand-very/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) [Explore all 386 Michael Crichton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) ## More Compassion quotes > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-magbagbeola/if-you-refuse-to-use-physical-force-then-you-will-be-at-the-mercy-of/) [Segun Magbagbeola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/segun-magbagbeola/) > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Helpers in every corner, helpers in every hood. That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/helpers-in-every-corner-helpers-in-every-hood-that-s-how-we-ll-make/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. (Madoc) You’d better be glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/may-the-gods-have-mercy-on-whoever-pisses-them-off-because-zarek-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [But victimhood was seductive, a release from responsibility and caring. Fear would be transmuted into weary resignation; failure would no longer generate guilt but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-victimhood-was-seductive-a-release-from-responsibility-and-caring/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“la ilaha ilallah muhammadun rasulullah, alaihi salatullah wa alihi wal ahibba "shine your mercy like the sun, and be gracious as the earth let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-al-habib/la-ilaha-ilallah-muhammadun-rasulullah-alaihi-salatullah-wa-alihi-wal/) [Talib al Habib](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talib-al-habib/) > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) [Browse all 9,892 Compassion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "He prays because he knows he doesn't control it. 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