Pray then, this way......

by AK - Jeff 53 Replies latest jw experiences

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff

    Let me illustrate my problem a bit:

    A man comes walking from the east, carrying with him a book of wisdom from the Eastern Ruler. The man's name is reported variously as Yahveh, Jehovah, or just plain God. The book says that happiness, fullfillment, and security comes from obedience to the writer of that book. It says that the writer is 'worthy' of our love and adoration. It reports miracles performed by the man from the East. It tells us how to make requests from the man. It tells us that all our problems will be solved if we have 'faith' in the man from the East. When we ask to 'see' the man - we are told that we can only 'see' him with our eyes of faith. When we ask the man to solve our problems, we are told that we must have 'faith' that the man will solve them in His way, in His time, at His bidding. When we ask serious questions about why he doesn't show himself and prove himself, his 'faithful' followers just issue more of the same insistence on our 'lack of faith' as the problem.

    Over time, millions of people buy into the 'man from the East' legend. They become known as Christians, in honor of the man's son, also one who performed miracles without evidence centuries before. Yet none of them ever see him, any more than do the skeptics. None of them get a better or happier or longer life than those skeptics. None of them can attest to any real interaction with this man, or his son, than any of the skeptics.

    Time goes on, turning into millennia, and still the man never shows. The millions have become billions now. Still the same persistent inablility to show any real evidence of his having either written the book or done what the book suggests is ever provided.

    On the other side of the planet, the same scenario is being worked out - this time the man is called Allah. His prophet is known as Mohammed. The story is much the same. The claims are much the same. Over time, both groups claim divine interest in their side of the matter. Yet none of these people can ever so much as get their divine authority to speak from the throne to them personally.

    And so it goes.....

    Jeff

  • the research lady
    the research lady

    Here are some thoughts to keep in mind. Job 2:9-10--"Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!" But he said to her, "you speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Also Romans 8:16-18 says--"The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." verse 32--He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, How will He not also with Him give us all things?"(NASB) I find comfort in these as well as so many other scriptures as i have asked many of the same questions you have wondered about. It is o.k. to pray and ask God questions we have. He will answer in His good time. Something we were not allowed to do as Jehovah's Witnesses. Oh yes, we could ask questions, just don't question their answers.

  • Chalam
    Chalam

    Hi Jeff,

    Thanks for the reply. It was not what I was hoping for but I value you sincerity :)

    Anyhow, I don't give up hope for you. People prayed for me for 20 years. No clever reasoning, no gentle or pushy encouragement, no bible bashing, just love.

    What happened was I relented to the Holy Spirit's persistent encouragement. I do not expect you can have much understanding of that at the moment but I hope you do one day.

    Anyhow, that reminds me, I need to pray for you...

    All the best,

    Stephen

  • BurnTheShips
    BurnTheShips

    First you must believe.

    BTS

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff

    I do. I believe that, before I believe, there should be evidence that overwhelms. That should be no problem for the 'Almighty' to present.

    Elijah poked fun at the God of the Baal worshippers because he couldn't show himself. Then his God showed himself worthy of worship with his power.

    Problem is: that is just a story, a legend. Never happened. Yet the principle is good. Let God show himself - why not - He is God, isn't He?

    Jeff

  • leavingwt
    leavingwt
    First you must believe.

    Yes We Can

  • BurnTheShips
    BurnTheShips

    Sorry AK-Jeff. Maybe I am genetically predisposed, but unless you make the leap of faith without looking where you will land, you will not find God. And God will never be what you think He is.

    BTS

  • leavingwt
    leavingwt
    Maybe I am genetically predisposed

    Or, maybe Calvin was right, and God CHOSE you. You are one of the elect. You were predestined to believe and to live forever with Jesus.

  • BurnTheShips
    BurnTheShips

    LeavingWT, maybe my comment looks that way, but I don't see it that way. And I am not a Calvinist, although some Christians here are. I see it as an act of the will, which can choose to cooperate with God's spirit. But you must surrender to God. You must trust in him. Then you will begin to see him.

    BTS

  • leavingwt
    leavingwt

    Burns,

    Don't pay me any attention. I'm just pulling your chain. I may have taken it too far.

    You seem to be really happy with your faith. If that isn't nice, then what is?

    -LWT

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit