Thoughts about God?

Does anybody else here pray? Or have thoughts about God?
I'm not looking to start a religious debate I just wondered if anybody prays and if it genuinely helps them? I pray a lot but don't see a change infact things just get worse and I feel deflated. If I think about God to much I get myself in a mess and start balling my eyes out so I try sometimes to not think and just pray. Would be good to hear some feedback if anybody here has genuinely felt God help them or has a story to tell. Xx

I try not to base my faith within a singular deity. What I view as "God" is a flow of existence itself. I don't pray to any deity in of itself, but I do have a belief there is things beyond what we in humanity can perceive. I view my morality as part of a minuscule wheel thats a part of a grand machine.

I never really ask "God" for anything, seeing as I don't think any thing above us can dictate our lives to that degree. From what I've observed, humans are the makers of their own destiny, and even those with large faith who becoming successful in career, life or have you still thank God for their success, yet these same people know that they themselves also have to play their part and provide for themselves.

Have I heard and bear witness to coincidence that go beyond logical understanding? Yes, we hear these events happen often, and while they can be explained through scientific definition(say people who survive a fatal car crash and leave unharmed), the chances are so slim one has to wonder that there was some sort of force at work besides basic coincidence.

Just my personal advice to you, it seems you put your faith in God and expect a result from the deity. I think the best thing you can do is focus on improving your life regardless of path, and if God is watching you, I'm sure you will be rewarded in some way.

Ever never loose hope and faith on God. Believe that things will happen the way you want,if difficulties are there to reach your goal, that means your about to reach your goal.

I used to pray and think I had an understanding of the term God. Sadly such misconstrued terms were the the driving force of my traumatic past and in many ways still hinders my path.

Thankfully I now find myself with an inner dialogue that feels right enough; one I can trust. As for that term I've only ever know as a preconception, I now strive to see myself as such.

I am an atheist, but it's clear from science that prayer can still help us psychologically. Consider attending church, or trying different ones. Avoid the belief system, but try to just enjoy the spirituality.

Yes, prayer can help. Not the kind of prayer that says "God, please give me _______(fill in the blank)" but the kind that asks for His grace and mercy. None of us are perfect.

Lanny has something right in his reply: it's the spirituality, not the established belief system, that matters.

realityhere wrote:Lanny has something right in his reply: it's the spirituality, not the established belief system, that matters.

Define spirituality - in this context.

I've questioned the existence of both God/Prayer throughout my entire life. I believe if I trust in faith I have lost nothing as it cost nothing to believe. I'm not under the understanding that a God is waiting to fix everything as I believe we also have to play a roll in our own destiny.

Tonight I want to talk about forgiveness and how it changed my perspective about hope and love.

Not so long in my past I was given a very hard lesson what it means to love and forgive, how to manage your ego/heart and soul into forgiving someone who has hurt you deeply. I tried with all my heart - I couldn't. I'm sure if there is a God he was disappointed in my behavior as I wasn't open to giving myself what I needed to heal faster. My future would prove my lesson in forgiveness was not over, I would be tested yet again.

Fast Forward.

Time passed, I felt empty when I wanted to feel full. I was tired of repressing my core emotions, but I felt I lost control and was defeated. If I was to ask God a question mine would be why so many challenges with my heart. My heart had been destroyed to smithereens at times and where I get the strength to move forward IDK, it seems my soul has been tested over and over aga in to the point it makes me numb all over, still I choose hope and one day understanding.

My recent test was revealed to me this week, I had to for give someone who hurt me deeply aNd broke my heart. I managed my anger, I didn"t act out in a way I imagined. I knew I had to forgive this person unconditionally within 24 hours or risk never having the strength, I forgave them and because they were 100% remorseful and sorry I choose to never bring it up or throw it around as a weapon against them.

I asked myself how this time forgiveness came quickly and easy, I knew from past experience I wouldn't be able to deal with the ugly and pain that's comes with not having a forgiving heart.

I felt a sense of relief and kindness towards myself, It felt like I loved myself and was so proud I could let go and choose love and peace. God has chosen me as his teacher and student and although it has greeted me with more pain than I could explain, I have to believe it is for the better good, I took a huge leap through this forgiveness process and hope one day I can understand the meanings and purpose behind our troubles.

Tonight my thoughts are calm. I have to accept my fate and do whatever I can to make that journey a bit easier. I can see progress and growth on the very difficult path in life. I'm not a victim that is for sure, I'm a survivor of some of the most horrific circumstances, I don't say why me, I think try me.

Please God don't take that as a challenge, my heart feels heavy . I need a good night's sleep, a hopeful attitude and a grateful heart . I decide how my story will end and have faith I'm on the right track.

Please ignote spelling errors, I'm exhausted.

I did appreciate the 'Keeping God simple' approach when I entered AA. 12-step programs in general try to keep the concept of God easy for new members because when they first come in, they need not be scared off by thinking that AA is a cult or religion. Some have been hurt badly by organized religion before they enter AA.
Some are angry at God. Some have been damaged by shame and that they have lived in sin. Alcoholism is a damn disease and there should be no shame in getting sick.
AA has to also make room for the atheists and agnostics that enter the rooms looking for acceptance and recovery.
The 'Higher Power' or 'Power greater than ourselves' concept is pretty easy to grasp for most people. A moment of silence followed by the Serenity prayer usually begins the meeting.
It can be accepted by a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures around the world. AA is successful on an international scale and has spawned many other 'anonymous' 12-step recovery programs.
AA's spirituality pretexts originated from the Oxford group:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_Group
Prayer is said to be our highest function as humans. The Call to Prayer in any language for any religion is beautiful to hear.
I came in and believed for the first time that something had interceded in my life. Something lifted my compulsion to drink (and it certainly wasn't me). Something turned hopelessness into hopefulness.
It has been 27 years since my last drink and the journey continues as I trudge along the happy road of destiny.

Wally58 wrote:I did appreciate the 'Keeping God simple' approach when I entered AA. 12-step programs in general try to keep the concept of God easy for new members because when they first come in, they need not be scared off by thinking that AA is a cult or religion. Some have been hurt badly by organized religion before they enter AA.
Some are angry at God. Some have been damaged by shame and that they have lived in sin. Alcoholism is a damn disease and there should be no shame in getting sick.
AA has to also make room for the atheists and agnostics that enter the rooms looking for acceptance and recovery.
The 'Higher Power' or 'Power greater than ourselves' concept is pretty easy to grasp for most people. A moment of silence followed by the Serenity prayer usually begins the meeting.
It can be accepted by a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures around the world. AA is successful on an international scale and has spawned many other 'anonymous' 12-step recovery programs.
AA's spirituality pretexts originated from the Oxford group:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_Group
Prayer is said to be our highest function as humans. The Call to Prayer in any language for any religion is beautiful to hear.
I came in and believed for the first time that something had interceded in my life. Something lifted my compulsion to drink (and it certainly wasn't me). Something turned hopelessness into hopefulness.
It has been 27 years since my last drink and the journey continues as I trudge along the happy road of destiny.

Very inspiring and motivating. God always help those who spent their life with honesty and help people around.