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The "problem" is, I think, that it wouldn't test if something is true so much as it would test how well you could do without something that churchgoers consider close to essential. They do not see "church" as just an emblem, like hanging a crucifix on one's wall or wearing green on St. Patrick's Day. An atheist who attends church against his preference is just annoyed by it. While it might possible change something in the way he thinks, he's not compromising his belief system by being there...but the churchgoer who cannot attend worship services is.
The "problem" is, I think, that it wouldn't test if something is true so much as it would test how well you could do without something that churchgoers consider close to essential. They do not see "church" as just an emblem, like hanging a crucifix on one's wall or wearing green on St. Patrick's Day. An atheist who attends church against his preference is just annoyed by it. While it might possible change something in the way he thinks, he's not compromising his belief system by being there...but the churchgoer who cannot attend worship services is.
This would be a terribly detrimental thing for a believer to do. We call church involvement, prayer, bible reading, etc "means of grace". God's presence with us is easy to forget or close our "spiritual eyes" to because it's not physically sensible. The church, prayer, scripture, and sacrament are the ways that believers get a sense of God's actual presence. They maintain and sustain faith. If we were to dispense of them then our faith would shrivel up and die.
It is exactly what you have proposed.
Yes, I stopped the format of praying.
I did not really care about that.
Your point is not valid. If a Christian turned into a non-Christian due to the lack of religious formalities, then the person is probable never a Christian. Human's recognition does not change so easily. There are many people who were not Christians for tens of years and become Christian suddenly or gradually.
A true Christian never go backward regardless the living environment. I could live in Lhaza many years. But I will go right back to a church when I left there.
Again, I didn't realize that casual conversation with god was considered prayer as well. I meant it in the common usage of the word meaning-to petition/ask something from god. I don't see any need to end your talks with god about the weather (unless you're asking him to change it lol). Certainly asking god for stuff isn't required to have faith, is it?
In the Lord's Prayer Jesus tells us that we should ask for our daily bread. Why ask for daily bread? Surely this is something we can get on our own, right? Plenty of people don't pray and they still get daily bread. So why ask for it? Asking for anything, even something as simple as bread, is part of faith because it's recognizing that everything we receive ultimately comes from God. So what do we gain by asking him? We don't gain the thing itself because that apparently will come to us anyway. We gain an awareness of his love and a thankfulness for his gift. When asking for food, the reception of food becomes more than food, it becomes a sign of God's love. We have this food because God loves us enough to provide it. So yes, asking is part of faith.
This doesn't have anything to do with whether or not you remain christian. I don't know what you mean by "I stopped the format of praying." can you explain?
Just out of curiosity, why did you stop going to church/praying? Did it have a noticeable effect on your life?
That's not really the same.
Asking god for things is essential?
How would you know?
I lived in a small village at that time, and I did not like the only church in the village. So I stopped going. Yes, I did not like it. So I moved at the end.
Pray is a way of communication. I don't have to bow or to knee and close my eyes to do that. So, if I am thinking of things related to God, I am praying. How do you expect me to stop such a communication? Impractical.
God wants His people to stop asking to favors under the guise of prayer. The cliche example is a parent that longs for their child to tell them about their day, instead of asking for money for college.
God wants us to talk to Him, not prayers when we are in trouble. Prayer is more than, "zOMG I need help because of circumstances." Imagine the disconnect of people that only call on God when they are in trouble!
Your OP is much more complex than you may realize.
I realize that not everyone reads the responses to other people's posts...some people only read the responses to their post. I'm guessing you're the latter because I've already answered/clarified this for you. Since I'm a nice guy though, I'll clarify it again just for you...
Did I say ignore and cut off all communication? Absolutely not. I said stop praying. I meant "praying" in the common meaning of the term (you know, the meaning that's used 99% of the time here on CF) which is "to request/ask/petition for something of god". Now, since I created this thread, I've learned that "praying" can also mean simple communications where no requests are made at all. I'm not asking you to stop those communications though....just the ones where you request something of god.
You'll have to forgive my mistake and I hope you can see how easy it was to make. I've only ever seen anyone on CF (christians and non-christians alike) use the word "prayer" to mean..."a request made to god". Whenever I've seen a believer talk about holding a casual conversation with god (I had a middle aged christian woman tell me that god helps her pick out clothes at the store) they simply say it as "I spoke to god..." or "I was discussing this with god....". They never refer to such conversations as "prayers".
I hope that clears things up.
Then you haven't read my post >I've only ever seen anyone on CF (christians and non-christians alike) use the word "prayer" to mean..."a request made to god".
I was not a faithful Christian. I did not have a habit to "ask for" things from God until a few years ago. I thought it is not a useful way of praying. More likely, I was reasoning with God. Just like what Job did in the Book of Job.
I changed my attitude dramatically now. Because I finally asked for something, and I got it and am continuously getting it. It is simply amazing.
I don't think it is. You can have a relationship with god without asking things of him, can't you?
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