Pray then, this way......

AK - Jeff

At least I have/do at times.

Dear God

Why is knowing you so confusing? Why are you dependent on my 'faith'? Why is your revealing of yourself so secretive?

Please show yourself to me - tell me your name, your agenda, how I fit into your master plan. How can I 'have faith'? Is not accepting your existence and that you have inspired books, or a religion to teach me about you, really just credulous acceptance without facts?

I mean no disrespect, God. I just cannot put 'faith' in someone that I cannot ever see, hear, or touch. If I am but an ant under your foot, would I still not be able to sense your actual presence? I don't mean your 'creation', for as difficult as that is for a person who always believed in you to accept, there are alternate explanations for 'creation'.

Your so called 'servants' cannot see you any better than I - though they explain that away with claims that they see you in a 'spiritual sense'.

Those who accept one holy writ over another all claim to know you best - even to claim that the others know you not at all. The most destructive wars in the history of man have been fought by, and most often fanned by those who claim to believe in you - you, the God of love according to them.

Plagues, famine, tidal waves, earthquakes and all other sort of 'acts of God' have claimed billions as the toll. While you lay aside any action. Some claim it is for the eventual salvation of man that you do so. Yet I cannot grasp how the slow weakening and eventual bloating of a two year old child in Bangladesh or Somalia or anywhere else, ending in death very slowly can in any way honor such a God or his plan of salvation. I cannot grasp how a cancer-ridden child in anguish and pain for months before succumbing to death in Houston or Edinboro or Moscow can bring you any glory - now or ever.

Please explain it to me God. For, if you are really out there, if you really are the epitome of love, why do you not act? Or at least explain it to me in person - not hidden meanings in words written by men who lived centuries ago and whom spoke languages that I cannot translate personally. Words that cannot be proven to be yours in the first place?

Puny men can show themselves in the sky by a simple sky-writer - there can be no doubt that someone did it. Could you please use such a simple means to show us you are there - that you care - that there is reason to wait for you to act? This simple thing I ask - I do so in humility and respect.

Amen

I have prayed in this vane many times - really. Never an answer.

Jeff

mrsjones5

Jeff, that reminds me of a song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk41Gbjljfo

PSacramento

You want God to take away your free will ???

Big Tex

I have prayed in this vane many times - really. Never an answer

I have talked for over 40 years and all in vain.

Actually does help hearing someone else have the same problem. Thanks.

AK - Jeff

That about sums it up, Josie. Never heard the song before - but precisely how I feel.

Jeff

AK - Jeff

PSac - nope. I like free will - I just don't see how it is God's will.

Jeff

PSacramento

Jeff,

Its not God's will, it never really has been, not if we are to believe we have free will.

It falls on US to make changes we need to make and to make a difference in this world, the best we can ask God for is the strenght to do it.

To ask God to fix this and that, well, that is taking the responsibility for what we (people) have done and do, out of our hands.

Not gonna happen, we made the mess, we fix it.

snowbird

I believe all here can relate to your feelings, Jeff.

So can Jesus of Nazareth.

Luke 18: 1 -3 Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, "There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: 'My rights are being violated. Protect me!'

4 -5 "He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, 'I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won't quit badgering me, I'd better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I'm going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.'"

6 -8 Then the Master said, "Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won't he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?" MSG

Right now, I'm undergoing a baptism of fire. My g'daughter is turning my house into a den of iniquity. I'm turning her out this very evening. It breaks my heart, but I can't take it any longer.

It takes faith to believe that she'll be ok; I have nothing else with which to proceed.

Sylvia

Chalam

Hi Jeff,

An interesting read.

I think God will answer some questions you have posed here. Some I guess He will not but that is up to Him!

Anyhow, I guess if you are not hearing answers then try a different tack?

Have you tried praying a simple prayer then reading something from the New Testament?

Something like, "God, they say this is written by you so I invite you to come and talk to me by your Holy Spirit as I read".

Use anything but the NWT! Here's one if need a copy John 1

There are no formulaes but I assure you, before too long you will hear from Him and it will thrill you when you do :)

Set aside a little bit of time when you can and let me know how you get on.

All the best,

Stephen

warmasasunned

nice one jeff, i`m with you all the way. so if god is out there will he please step foward.

Pray then, this way......

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