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Author | Topic: Learning How to Pray After Finding God, from the perspective of a born again Catholic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Phat Member Posts: 18712 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 4.2
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NewCatSci writes: I have told my story in part many times in earlier threads, but this gives me a fresh opportunity to share my journey. Forgive me if I sound like I am preaching or proselytizing...though it may be true. My intention is to simply share my story. For the purposes of this thread, I'd like to hear from other people who believe that they have found God, and learn more about what their experiences have been like for them. I'm also using this place for therapy, because I've realize how much I like to write and I think this is good for me. If you want to talk that side of it, feel free to reply as well. First off, I was raised in a Christian environment to a limited extent. My parents belonged to a Methodist Church, and were not hyper religious...in retrospect I think that they equated God with prosperity. They and the many peers they knew all became financially stable and successful after World War II and joined many churches. They sung hymns and chatted after church, showing each other their kids and their new cars which they had bought through hard work. I was never taught much about how to relate or identify with God or Jesus. All that I remember was that I was told to eat all of the vegetables on my plate because "somewhere in India, a small boy or girl did not have what I had." As I grew older I began to form my own beliefs...at least within the context of my world view. We smoked pot, took LSD, dabbled with pyramid power and positive thinking energy, and experienced life free to make our own minds up as to what to believe in or not. Above all, we were indoctrinated to believe in our Country...right or wrong, damnit. In 1993, I was exposed to a non-denominational charismatic church. The people seemed hyper-Jesus, and they all seemed to smile a lot and act smug, but one day I went to the altar and confessed...as I had done many times before in my life...except this time I honestly felt a strong internal change. It was as if my perception had changed. God became personal. They told me I was saved. I had no reason to doubt them. Much of my early indoctrination was done through sermons which were always tied to certain Bible verses. I left that church and went to several others over the course of the next ten years. I also had many life experiences that tested my faith, belief, expectations, and critical solutions.I also attended college and was exposed to more disciplined and varied thinking. And last but not least--I found EvC Forum. Here, largely through jar whom I have enjoyed debating with and found fascinating beacuse he believed virtually nothing that I did yet also called himself a Christian, I learned to a limited degree critical thought. So what does this all mean? It means that I have my own definite beliefs at this point.
Many people know about God and can define Him any way they so choose. Fewer people have actually met God...and cannot prove it. I believe that they have genuinely experienced conversion, though I would agree that to keep it requires a choice of daily commitment. We have no selfies of God nor Jesus, so at best we should listen and question and even challenge our preconceived notions. I haven't really learned how to pray yet, and by that I mean in a way that I find value, so I don't. Friends in RL are telling me that I'll figure it out. Anybody here want to help me? I simply go to a quiet place where no one can disturb me. I talk...sometimes audibly. Occasionally I will recite written prayers. I believe with a high degree of certainty that God exists and hears my prayers. I feel that the purpose of prayer is not so much for Gods benefit as it is for mine...because I learn a lot about my deepest intentions when I am honest.
How do you pray? I feel like it might just literally be "to relate to God". Thats actually a good way to put it. I agree.Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain " ~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.~Proverbs 28:26
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Phat Member Posts: 18712 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 4.2 |
Modulous writes: Thats actually also good advice. Keyword: Surrender. Never assume you already know more than they do.
Surrender to your community, your species, your family or your own wisdom. Don't take any of your own nonsense and tackle the real reasons you do what you do, without blaming yourself or telling yourself you are worthless and stupid and pathetic...those are just different kinds of lies!Mod,on prayer writes: Reading this made me realize that we are not so different--you and I. I've asked, I've begged, I've demanded, I've sobbed and I've implored. Among many other things. It's a good way to focus and discover what you think you need, what you are actually feeling and so on. Edited by Phat, : added jabberwockian discourse ![]() Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain " ~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.~Proverbs 28:26
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Phat Member Posts: 18712 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 4.2 |
Faith writes: My prayers are getting longer than they used to be and I dont always ask for something anymore. If I do, it is usually for someone else. One Pastor that I knew suggested we use the acrostic ACTS when we pray. But in general praying is just addressing God as Lord or Lord God or Heavenly Father or something similar, saying something that indicates you want to be His servant/child/adorer, perhaps asking Him to show you what He wants from you, but not all prayers have to follow such a pattern. You can just start asking Him to help you with something, as if He's a friend who has the power and the desire to help you. Ordinary English, nothing programmed.Each prayer should include: A-Adoration. Thanking God for being so absolutely huuuuge! ![]() C-Confession. No shortage of material there. I always have something to confess. T-Thanksgiving. Gratitude for what I have, what we all have, and the need to stay humble. S-Supplication. Because there is always something to ask for. Maybe God grants it or maybe He gives me insight into how to find it. Edited by Phat, : huuuuge spelling errorChance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain " ~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.~Proverbs 28:26
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Phat Member Posts: 18712 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 4.2
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Stile writes: I always like your balanced approach to these types of topics! Some people like being away from civilization. More on their own.Others like being in the middle of a city, with close-access to emergency help and things like that. There's a balance you'll likely have to figure out on your own. ![]() I needed to remind myself of them which is why I am writing this reply. Your word "Balance" jumped out at me! ![]() In my understanding, all people are different. Yes. Some would argue that "One God does not fit all.....and I suppose that you are living proof! For some reason, you and I usually get along, however. I rarely try and convert you and you rarely if ever try and deconvert me. It is part of what makes EvC Forum such a folksy place....Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain " ~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.~Proverbs 28:26
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Phat Member Posts: 18712 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 4.2 |
Prototypical writes: I would say that there is such a thing as secular prayer but I wouldn't call it praying given the connotations of that word. Essentially I would describe it as envisioning the way that one would like things to be. Basically the very same thing that praying is without the external target recipient and the miraculous bit. It is the way that our brains work. The first step in making something happen is to envision it happening and in that sense we all do it. Isn't that basically the philosophy of positive thinkers such as Napoleon Hill?
She ain't empty man, shes just really big. Calling the universe "She"....I like that ![]() The vast multitude of fortunate events that have led to this moment seem to call for some element of gratitude. Hmmmm "Fortune"...is that a bit like "chance"? I suppose that my point...apart from my tendency to respond to everyone who I read...is that prayer is belief in a certainty while meditation could include gratitude for fortuitous happenstance.Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain " ~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.~Proverbs 28:26
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Phat Member Posts: 18712 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 4.2
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quote: I like this "one size does not fit all" approach. This is one reason that I like to use prayers that I say off the cuff versus books of prayer and ritualistic prayer. I believe that God does in fact deal with us as individuals and that He knows we all are different. Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain " ~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.~Proverbs 28:26
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Phat Member Posts: 18712 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 4.2
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Prototypical writes: All I know is that when I pray, I choose to think about God existing and listening to my petition. I also meditate while praying on the things in my own life that I can improve...how to be less jealous, for example, and empathy for my opponents. I believe that prayer gives me a chance to become introspective on my responsibilities as well as my needs. I am certain that I experience life as a series of thoughts. I am certain that I can, to some extent, decide what it is that I want to think about. I am certain that what I decide to think about today will have an impact on my actions which will impact my future reality. Contrast this with the act of praying under the certainty that there is a God who is listening to you and who will interfere with events on your behalf.Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain " ~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.~Proverbs 28:26
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Phat Member Posts: 18712 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 4.2
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Cat Sci writes: I didn't think so either...when it happened to me. Darn if I can prove it, though! I ended up turning to God (meaning what that means to me), and I got a response. It was non-verbal, but I knew what I had to do. I don't think that source of knowledge was myself. ![]() Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain " ~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.~Proverbs 28:26
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Phat Member Posts: 18712 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 4.2
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well it cant hurt. For me its easier to say it out loud....it makes me focus better
Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain " ~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.~Proverbs 28:26
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