I believe in the one who is Good, as Jesus said once. I believe there is that Good One because I have had very difficult problems resolved in answer to prayer.
The first time I really prayed with intention,I was 24 tears old. I kinda believed in God but without any fervor at all. But I needed help so I began to ask for him to help me. Eventually I realized that my biggest problem was to be spiritually healed. But I had conditions to be met.I didn't get answers from God during that time.
In a few years I was more desperate. So I began what became a campaign. Later I told my kids I was hammering on God's toes. Intensely for weeks.
I could never have imagined nor engineered the events that broke me apart and healed my soul or spirit (pick what you like).
As a result I have struggled on from that time wanting to live in a good relationship to that Goodness. Unfortunately I kept going to Church and getting in trouble along the way.
I don't pray so formally. Yet I have had some wonderful answers to prayer that again let me know the power and presence of that One. But also--I have had HORRENDOUS thing go on for which I cannot even frame a request, even an idea of a remedy.
I ask for the capacity to love and the ability to act, to DO when I need to. And to wait when I should do that.
My husband doesn't pray and frankly is impatient with all things to do with "God-talk".Because God did NOT answer his prayers for proof of His existence at a critical time in my husband's life, he believes no longer that there is a God.
So what should I make of that? I do not know--yet.