by JH 23 Replies latest jw friends
I suppose that many here prayed because we told to, in that as MS and Elders we were required to pray at the start and end of meetings. I still pray as I continue to believe in a God who is interested in us personally.
I was onced asked to pray over the emblems at a memorial once and had perhaps the only 'spiritual' experience in my life. I felt completely consumed by the prayer, it was a very intense experience.
Eyeslice
I did try too be the good Jdub and pray before I went to bed and I would end up falling asleep. When I realized that there was no personal God to answer my prayers, I thought what is the point, it was a complete waste of time.
Will
This is really bad but I didn't like praying before meals. I was starving. I wanted to eat now. I would sit there through the prayer and feel like it was going on and on and on! My food is getting cold, let's eat. I like my dad's prayer! " Good food, good meat, good LORD, let's EAT"!!!!! I did pray in the evening before bed. This was my heartfelt prayer. I feel bad now because I always went to Jehovah with so many problems. I used to feel bad. He must get tired of hearing about everyones problems in the whole world. I really don't envy his position. I wouldn't want to be GOD. That's too intense for me! Can you imagine? I think in answer to your question I probably prayed more because I was told to. I tried to have a relationship with God but it never came naturally to me. It never felt real. I've always had my doubts. I'm a visual kind of person. I want to see God at least once anyway. Give me a sign or something before my prayers are going to be heartfelt and real! I don't know if that makes any sense. He has the ability, so why does he keep it from us! What's the big secret! RHCP
The first thing I ever prayed for was a Lego set. It was a fire station. I told my mother and she laughed at me, and told me that you're not supposed to pray for toys. As I grew up, I realized you're not supposed to pray for anything tangible. Pray for guidance, pray for strength, etc. Anything and everything you can't measure. That doesn't stop many Dubs fom trying, though. My brother thinks he caused my conception by praying for a little brother.
I used to ride a commuter train to the city while I was in college. 90 minutes both ways, and I prayed for most of it, begging, pleading not to feel so alone. I'd pray for the enitre hour I was on lunch at work, Please, Jehovah, end my lonliness. In the movie Conan the Barbarian Conan admits he seldom prays to his God, Crom, because he doesn't listen. "What good is he, then?" asks his friend. At the end, Conan prays for revenge, and he sums up his prayed with "If you still won't give me what I ask, then the HELL WITH YOU!" The last time I prayed I told God I'd asked him well over 1,000 times for the same thing, and he never came through. I demanded he come through for me if he was as loving as he claimed, otherwise I dared him to strike me down. Guess what, people? I'm still here.
There is no God who listens to prayers.
