by JH 23 Replies latest jw friends
Go figure... an athiest giving public prayers.
Hahaha Elsewhere, good one!
I almost never really wanted to pray, but occasionally I suppose I wanted to and felt comforted for having done so. I never expected anything to come of it though.
One thing that bothered me was how we were supposed to think of the God of the Bible as our Father; yet we, and Jesus, were supposed to beg and plead in prayer?? Who has to do that with someone we love who supposedly loves us back? I never could beg or plead.
When I was very young I felt very uncomfortable praying. I always asked my mom to do it for me. (Lesson to new parents......... never let a kid read about the Bible Stories' horrific stories before they can even conceive of a God.) I thought God was a very mean being from a very young age.
My mom, (still a very devout JW does not know it but my refusal to pray and her "praying for me" saved my ass.) I am free now because of it. I just wish my mom would be able to realize my freedom.
Thanks for the question.... I needed that.
Brad
I was made to pray as a child. Talking to nothing was just plain weird, so when my Dad stopped supervising me I never bothered with that routine again. Every so often I felt compelled to try and reach out to something out there and poured my feelings out. But with continual silence, I eventually gave up on that too (well before my teens).
When I was older, I was called for prayers at meetings. So I did much like Elsewhere, pieced together typical phrases to form an acceptable prayer. A few times though, I again really wanted to try and connect with the divine, and maybe on account of all of them, maybe there'd be an open ear. I'd ignore stuff like thanking God for the "spiritual food prepared by the FDS", and asked instead for stuff like inner strength to face our personal demons, and help us realize where we need to change in how we treat one another. About a half dozen of those of prayers and I wasn't asked anymore, except for a couple of times at some book studies when they had no other brother.
Nowadays, from time to time I simply reflect on my actions, my motives and my mistakes and what I think I should change. If there is God, then I'm sure my feelings for people I know who are in pain and my wishes for their succor are the key thing. No words needed. Although a swift kick in my butt to help this cold bastard actually do something himself to help out is also verymuch in order.
I prayed because I believed "them" when they told me god would listen. He never did.
I stopped praying 3 years ago and I still don't feel the need to pray. In my mind -- praying is pointless.
Purza
You do have a point, and well taken at that.
Shane
The only thing that keeps me from being an atheist is prayer. As illogical as it may seem, I do feel a presence when I pray. I am convinced that someone is listening.
I have my five year old niece with me this weekend. Before she went to bed she wanted to pray for me and her.
This was her prayer, not word for word:
Jehovah we love you so much. Please help us to never be bad. Let us live in paradise. Please never let us celebrate christmas.
In Jesus name we love you amen.
At the video store earlier today she picked out the movie "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas".
Never felt anything special. When it came to who was to pray I held my breath hoping it was not me.
If it was me I said my text and tried to find something that was neither too long nor too short.
I was happy when it was over.
I only did it because I was told to but I usually wouldn't really pray....I'd just let my mind wander off until it was over...........except if I thought demons were around. I would pray for real then.
My concept differs in that I talk to my Creator as a friend. I give him thanks for the things I have and able to enjoy. My friend forgives in a 'large' way. I talk to him throughout the day, no need for a cell phone,I have an automatic connection, and its FREE!
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