Posted: 05/25/2010 at 3:32am | IP Logged

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this post but I saw Discussion and thought I'll give it a shot. At the risk of sounding offensive or judgemental I'm going to put this out there. I have been raised in a Pentecostal church almost all of my life and have believed in the gifts of the spirit, that is until about 2 years ago. That is when my life as I knew it came crashing down. Prayer could not stop these events from happening niether did paying tithes. Since then I have become of somewhat an athiest and learned to rely only on myself. I believe there is a God I just don't believe he works the same way you guys do. I believe prayer has somewhat of a link to miracles. Most prayers that are asked has a miracle tied in somewhere. A miraculous ending that only God or some supernatural power has granted. Most people fail to realize how powerful the mind really can be, for instance if you think good things then good things are gonna happen to you. You may call this faith but I call it Karma.I have done alot of research on the subject of prayer and my conclusion is if you want it go and get it. My intentions are not to shatter anyones faith but to build  confidence in youself instead of relying on something that you cant see, touch nor hear (even though many claim to talk to God). For some prayer is a release and for others its a wish list. Whatever you use it for make sure before you begin that you cannot obtain your request yourself, only then will you see the truth behind prayers. The word prayer is mentioned in some form 512 times in the King James Version of the Bible.  Not once does it mention a sure fire method to get that prayer answered the way you want it or when you want it. Sure some may say God did answer you and it was NO, but why pray for something if there is a possibility you won't get it. You are defeating the purpose. Have faith in youself first and foremost because that is where the true power is. I welcome all comments and perspectives. As I stated above,this post is not meant to be judgemental or offensive so please do not think of it as that. I humbly write this post for feedback.

Posted: 05/25/2010 at 1:09pm | IP Logged

Hi Justin,

I'm going to move your post to Encountering Life's Issues - Is there a God? Is God real?

i don't find your post offensive or judgmental. sounds like you may have known religion and are still yet in a religious belief system of thought.  transferring from a religious belief in God to a religious belief in yourself...as god. When things come crashing down or in whatever state we are in, it is not praying to Him to make it all stop or get what we want and how we want it or think it should be. It's knowing Him, intimately, and being led of Holy Spirit in and through the whatsoever's of life. Knowing His Love, His pleasure, we can say not my will(purpose) but Your will(purpose) be done. 

we can quote scripture backwards and forwards and inside out, but if He has not made that a Living Word re you or another or situation..it's amiss..missing the mark.

i do agree there is a power in the mind, the soul life..which sets itself as God and is very decietful. the decietfulness of can be very blatant or very subtle.

anyway, sounds like you are on a journey. it isn't having a belief system of thought which gives one the `feel' of control over, it's knowing Him and His great Love for you that far surpasses any and every belief system of thought. 

i do pray you will come to know Him and His great Love for you..knowing that it is Father's will(purpose) for your life : )