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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2014 7:36:04 GMT -6
At one point in my life I had almost given up praying, I couldn't see I was getting any results. I don't know what percentage of prayers I have answered but with out prayer, I can't function normally. Prayer is a part of my life.
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Post by samsara15 on May 1, 2014 8:37:15 GMT -6
If it's something you enjoy doing, why not just enjoy doing it. It does not have to serve any purpose, or to be done for any reason.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2014 9:08:25 GMT -6
Uh huh, it's something I do every day.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2014 9:36:13 GMT -6
Prayer..humm...First let me say without sounding as if I h=think I'm perfect in any way, because I'm sure as heck not. I don't have any specific form of prayer. I don't have any specific time set aside for prayer. We always ask a blessing brfore meals , it's more of a thanksgiving for our bounty and a prayer for those who are not as blessed as we are. My Grandmother impressed on me, as a young child, that prayer was never to be used for selfish reasons..I was tempted to pray that that the Florida Gators win the National Championship, but that would be foolish. I don't believe God prefers one team over another I have no formal format for prayer. It's more like a conversation. I never pray for anything that is beyond my realistic expectations. My will may not jive with God's will. My Mom was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer a few years back, this was after two previous episodes that went into remission. I have no siblings. There was nothing to think about. I took leave of my job, I lived with her, in her home in another state her last eight months... when I prayed, I did not pray for her recovery. I do believe in miracles, but I also realize that at some point in time our life here on earth will come to an end. She was such a trooper. She never once complained. In a strange warped ( I guess you could say ) I considered our time together as a gift. It alowed us to talk about things that mattered, not just chit chat on the phone. Now back to prayer. Every morning when I got out of bed before she awoke, I would go into the bathroom, brush my teeth, wash my face and look nto the mirror. My prayer was for her to be a s comfortable as modern medicine would allow, but.. my most fervent prayer was: Dear God, please give me the strength to face this day with courage so I can be of comfort to my Mom. That's all I asked. That bathroom became my sanctuary. Looking into the mirror and imagining God looking back. Another thing, is that I always end my prayers with 'Thy Will Be Done' Prayer is a wonder and powerful thing.But it must be done with reverence and conviction. Are prayers answered ? Idon't know about all prayers. If you pray to win the lottery, I have my doubts. If you pray for strength and forgiveness, I have no doubt , it will be answered.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2014 10:19:59 GMT -6
Prayer..humm...First let me say without sounding as if I h=think I'm perfect in any way, because I'm sure as heck not. I don't have any specific form of prayer. I don't have any specific time set aside for prayer. We always ask a blessing brfore meals , it's more of a thanksgiving for our bounty and a prayer for those who are not as blessed as we are. My Grandmother impressed on me as a young child that prayer was never to be used for selfish reasons..I was tempted to pray that teh Florida Gators win the National Championship, but that would be foolish. I don't believe God prefers one team over another I have no formal for mat for prayer. It's more like a conversation. I never pray for anything that is beyond my realistic expectations. My Mom was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer a few years back, this was after two previous episodes that went into remission. I have no siblings. There was nothing to think about. I took leave of my job, I lived with her for her last 8 months. I cried, I prayed. However... when I prayed, I did not pray for her recovery. That might sound strange to some. I do believe in miracles, but I also realize that at some point in time our life here on earth will come to an end. She was such a trooper. She never once complained. In a strange warped ( I guess you could say ) I considered our time together as a gift. I allowed us to talk about things that mattered, not just chit chat on the phone. Now back to prayer. Every morning when I got out of bed before she awoke, I would go into the bathroom, brush my teeth, wash my face and look nto the mirror. My prayer was for her to be a s comfortable as modern medicine would allow, but.. my most fervent prayer was: Dear God, please give me the strength to face this day with courage so I can be of comfort to my Mom. That's all I asked. That bathroom became my sanctuary. Looking into the mirror and imagining God looking back. Another thing, is that I always end my prayers with 'Thy Will Be Done' Prayer is a wonder and powerful thing.But it must be done with reverence and conviction. Are prayers answered ? Idon't know about all prayers. If you pray to win the lottery, I have my doubts. If you pray for strength and forgiveness, I have no doubt , it will be answered. Your view is refreshing, its a lot like I believe, With all the miracle pushers and yes I believe in miracles.
I once was talking to a young Native American man, he lives on the Pine Ridge Reservation. He told me his mother had cancer and she wasn't doing well. I told him I can pray for her if you wish. He replied for what? I said that God would heal her. He said why should he? That made me think. NDN folks from the north have a way of answering a question with a question.
Yes, at some point we will at reach the end here on earth. So we need to plan ahead.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2014 13:11:39 GMT -6
If it's something you enjoy doing, why not just enjoy doing it. It does not have to serve any purpose, or to be done for any reason. Just my opinion, but prayer is ALL about purpose and reason otherwise, what's the point ? REAL prayer is not rote, it's a personal conversation or personal contact with God. Every prayer said in earnest serves a purpose and has it's reason. The prayers we were taught in Church were written by someone. Not saying they don't have a purpose, but they are not custom fitted to what is occurring in your personal life at that particular moment.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2014 13:14:55 GMT -6
Please overlook my sloppy spelling or rather, my sloppy typing. My new eye drops are akin to Pennzoil 30 weight, which makes it really hard to see what I'm doing. Just try to sort it all out, like a jig saw puzzle
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2014 13:57:42 GMT -6
Okay, I have my own eye problems, I understand.
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Post by samsara15 on May 2, 2014 4:34:05 GMT -6
I don't believe in a personal God, the kind of God who even notices individual human beings, so perhaps my opinion is not worthy of consideration on this issue, since I am so far removed from this POV. As one who believes God lies in each of us, or maybe that God permeates everything, or maybe that matter is God, or several other possibilities, it really boils down to what each of us thinks is appropriate for themselves, for me.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2014 11:00:47 GMT -6
I don't believe in a personal God, the kind of God who even notices individual human beings, so perhaps my opinion is not worthy of consideration on this issue, since I am so far removed from this POV. As one who believes God lies in each of us, or maybe that God permeates everything, or maybe that matter is God, or several other possibilities, it really boils down to what each of us thinks is appropriate for themselves, for me. I won't argue that point with you. Your opinion and belief is just as important as mine, or any other's I, on the other hand have a firm, unshakable belief in a personal God who knows every aspect of my life and the lives of all human kind. Faith is what keeps me going, what helps me through times of grief and crisis as well as times of Thanksgiving and joy. I am thankful for that. I appreciate you, and will never attempt to judge another's POV The one thing that gets me going though, is Christian bashing . It was a regular thing on some of the boards I've participated in in the past. It wasn't enough for some to say that they disagreed with believers. They had to take it a step further and begin to use offensive terms and give their opinion that believers are somehow mentally deficient. I don't find that necessary. It was enough just to agree to disagree. Respect earns respect.
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Post by rdlb on May 18, 2014 13:31:33 GMT -6
I don't believe in a personal God, the kind of God who even notices individual human beings, so perhaps my opinion is not worthy of consideration on this issue, since I am so far removed from this POV. As one who believes God lies in each of us, or maybe that God permeates everything, or maybe that matter is God, or several other possibilities, it really boils down to what each of us thinks is appropriate for themselves, for me. Since you do not believe in a personal or anthropomorphic God, how then do you accept a God that lies in each of us? Is that not personal? If then, how do you communicate with that God? Does your God notice you?
My questions are not an attack or a put down as in times past on other boards we have had some interesting conversations.
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Post by rdlb on May 18, 2014 13:59:48 GMT -6
We understand that through the scriptures that we are to pray without ceasing. To that I understand that we are to remain in constant (without ceasing) communication with God. In other words, "In Him we live and move and have our being". The prayers of the righteous avail much.
As with prayer one must realize that God is the operation and we are the co-operation. We ask metaphorically for a fish, we do not get a stone, etc. Just as one individual pointed out, asking to win the lottery may be out of bounds. Perhaps consuming that upon the lusts of our flesh?
For myself I have learned to pray with the understanding, that understanding comes in and from the revelation of Christ within me, found within the Holy writ of God's Word. His kingdom is within, not somewhere out there, but, within those individuals who have received Him and believed Him, the Word made flesh. Long ago, four decades ago I received and believed and the prayers I offer now, with great understanding, do come to fruition. Some instantly and some over time.
Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
1Cor 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding
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Post by samsara15 on May 18, 2014 17:44:23 GMT -6
I don't believe in a personal God, the kind of God who even notices individual human beings, so perhaps my opinion is not worthy of consideration on this issue, since I am so far removed from this POV. As one who believes God lies in each of us, or maybe that God permeates everything, or maybe that matter is God, or several other possibilities, it really boils down to what each of us thinks is appropriate for themselves, for me. Since you do not believe in a personal or anthropomorphic God, how then do you accept a God that lies in each of us? Is that not personal? If then, how do you communicate with that God? Does your God notice you?
My questions are not an attack or a put down as in times past on other boards we have had some interesting conversations.
I'm not arguing any more, either, rdlb, those days are long gone. Yes, it is sort of personal, but in a different way. God notices all of us, and none of us, IMO, and tries to help us and make as many of us a possible have fulfilling lives, but God is limited, and can only do so much to help. And in many cases, like the search for food, or status, or procreation, to help some of hurts others of us, so it is not easily done, for a creature who wants it to be fair for all of us, its children (emanations). The idea in the Kabbalah, which seems reasonable, is that God withdrew from part of the universe to make space for our universe, drawing on him/herself to make the creation. Did I say God was limited? But's that's another issue...nothing is unlimited, but some things approach it, over time. That time is not yet, apparently. Yet, past time, is, IMO also infinite. Contradictions within contradictions...the universe is a puzzling place. Perhaps, even to God. Inconsistent? Yes, but I'm working on it. IMO, no one else has ever gotten it right yet, either, so there is no disgrace in failing to fully comprehend. The quest to understand what cannot be understood is part of our task, as living beings capable of abstract thoughts. The best we can do is to make an effort to understand.
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Post by samsara15 on May 18, 2014 17:47:34 GMT -6
I don't expect to ever know what I'm talking about, rdlb. This is far too complex a task to expect that. All I can provide is my own best guesses about something far beyond my intellectual depth.
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Post by rdlb on May 21, 2014 21:08:27 GMT -6
I don't expect to ever know what I'm talking about, rdlb. This is far too complex a task to expect that. All I can provide is my own best guesses about something far beyond my intellectual depth. Within this realm are many amazing possibilities of spiritual growth, most of it within. I find it difficult at time to even express what I understand about God and His universe. Much like the elephant with a few blind individuals feeling different parts and yet not the whole. Trying to describe what they feel and yet still blind.
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