Do you think we have to be practicing Christians in order to pray for forgiveness, strength, and burdens? Or to just thank God for His infinite mercy, love, and blessings?

Well the only way to God is through Christ, Jesus. You don't have to be "Christian". That's just a title man has made. God doesn't care about "religion", he wants a relationship with you through his only begotten son Jesus Christ. And no need to specifically "pray" for forgiveness, you were already forgiven many many years ago before you or anyone else ever committed their sin(s) through the blood of Jesus.

No...

Of course not, do Muslims pray, do Hindus, do Satanists pray, do men in foxholes? In fact for many of you it is probably the only chance you have.

Apologies... I should have been more specific by saying... do we have to be outwardly practicing our religious beliefs in order to pray and expect to heard by the deity we're addressing?

I know for me I haven't gone to church in years which could lead people to believe I've lost my religion. Yet I still pray to thank God for His love and forgiveness of my human frailties, as well as to uplift the burdens of mine and others for His strength and wisdom to bear and show us the way to overcome them.

Sometimes I doubt that He's listening because of how I've turned my back on Him publicly by not professing my faith in action. (Going to church every weekend) But then I choose to believe His mercy and understanding is so vast and profound that He hears my silent heart felt pleas simply because He's my father who created me and His love won't allow Him to shut me out of His heart so long as He knows mine is in the right place.

Christianity... our relationship with God, His son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is such a private, personal and powerful experience and no other human being can experience theirs in exactly the same way.

And I was wondering if others who don't outwardly practice their faith believe their deity still loves and hears their voices when they lift them up to be heard.

Thank you for reading and taking the time to share your beliefs Cowboy. It appears that we are on the same page in some things.

When I said "Christians" I was referring to those who consider themselves to be united with Christ through the Father in a one on one personal relationship with them.

I also believe that I'm not once saved always saved. Nor that I can live however I please because Jesus died to forgive my weaknesses and sins only in history. But that I do have to continually ask for His and others forgiveness if and when I err and need to make amends.

So if my Christian connection (personal relationship with Christ) isn't what it should be then I wonder if He still hears me when I pray to Them for whatever reason. And also wonder if others think similarly about their prayer ability.

Take a look at 12 step programs, they are not religious programs, but spiritual based programs and produce positive results every day. 12 step programs say you can choose any god of your understanding, so to some it could possibly be the door knob...

If prayer is not working for one, perhaps one should stop praying selfishly... And fox hole prayers typically do not produce grand results either.

Per your suggestion... in reviewing the 12-step program definition online, it appears to be a set of spiritual principles used to help overcome one's self destructive addictions and the adverse consequences resulting from the possibly errant behavior towards others corresponding to the use of the drug or substance of choice.

It also appears to be a program that requires a level of codependence on others whose goal it is to assist the addicted in remaining foreign substance free.

These are the original twelve steps as published by Alcoholics Anonymous:

1) We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable.
2) Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3) Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4) Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5) Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6) Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7) Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8) Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9) Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10) Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
11) Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12) Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

In some cases, where other twelve-step groups have adapted the AA steps as guiding principles, they have been altered to emphasize principles important to those particular fellowships, and to remove gender-biased language.



Obviously, for those who don't have any type of religious base that includes a church family and concepts to help direct their steps back to the path of positive well being after carelessly partying too long and too hard without thought of consequence, this program and the related steps appear to be an adequate substitute in the rebuilding of one's life process.

But I don't see what the 12-steps program that was created out of necessity to change possibly harmful dependent behavior and simple prayers of thanks or for spiritual guidance to the higher power we believe in have to do with each other.

As for prayers not working due to one's selfishness...

NO ONE can read the mind or motives of God, nor of other human beings... so just because prayers may not seem to be answered in the way we want them to be or think they should be, doesn't mean we are asking with an incorrect mindset or with ill intention.

Perhaps one day you'll me someone whose lives has been changed due to a 12 step program. The principles behind those 12 steps can be found in any religion and can be adapted to anyone's life whether there is a substance abuse problem or not. If you do further research into Alcoholics Anonymous, certain religions give praise to these principles and how they work in peoples lives whereas religion does not. Furthermore, check out a book called, the Road less traveled. Is it coincidence that they reference the 12 steps as being a direct pathway to God? Or check out a book called the seven habits of highly successful people by Stephen Covey. He also acknowledges the significance of twelve-step programs as being a pathway to God and interdependence.

Better yet, check out the St. Francis prayer. Whether one is of Catholic religion or whatever it is a phenomenal outline for selfless prayer.

It is great that we have the ability to copy and paste off the Internet and choose not to speak from our own experience but then again, you certainly cannot translate something you haven't got.

Thanks, hope you have a fantastic day!

^^ All meant in good gesture, not intended as a personal attack on your thoughts and opinions.

No...

Take a look at 12 step programs, they are not religious programs, but spiritual based programs and produce positive results every day. 12 step programs say you can choose any god of your understanding, so to some it could possibly be the door knob...

If prayer is not working for one, perhaps one should stop praying selfishly... And fox hole prayers typically do not produce grand results either.



Perhaps one day you'll me someone whose lives has been changed due to a 12 step program.



The principles behind those 12 steps can be found in any religion and can be adapted to anyone's life whether there is a substance abuse problem or not.



If you do further research into Alcoholics Anonymous, certain religions give praise to these principles and how they work in peoples lives whereas religion does not. Furthermore, check out a book called, the Road less traveled. Is it coincidence that they reference the 12 steps as being a direct pathway to God? Or check out a book called the seven habits of highly successful people by Stephen Covey. He also acknowledges the significance of twelve-step programs as being a pathway to God and interdependence.

Better yet, check out the St. Francis prayer. Whether one is of Catholic religion or whatever it is a phenomenal outline for selfless prayer.



It is great that we have the ability to copy and paste off the Internet and choose not to speak from our own experience but then again, you certainly cannot translate something you haven't got.

Thanks, hope you have a fantastic day!

Seems to me that one's conscience wouldn't have guided them to post an explanation of their behavior or intent if all was meant from a place of good will to start with.

It was actually a sarcastic disclaimer joke... Not so much an explanation. ..

No, if such was the case, how could you ever invite "Christ " into their life? Before you make that conscience decision to do so, one is not a practicing "Christian" right?

I know exactly how it was meant. And it's apparent by this position that being a disruptive element is much enjoyed. It certainly shows the weight of character it takes to employ such a maneuver.

Has nothing to do with your "Christian" connection, it has to do with your connection to God. And he hear's everybody. God's grace and love isn't "earned" it's freely given to those who want it and or desire to have it. And unfortunately I'm sure there is, it's Satan trying to make you give up, just throw in the towel and say whatever.

As everyone can see just how narrowminded you actually are as well...

It's funny how you quickly discard responses that you know nothing about and write it off as it does not apply to your topic. Then try to brush it off by saying you will stick to the things that interest you... If you already have a preconceived notion as to what everybody should say, why even ask a question? I think you're hardly in a position to attack anyone's character lady, you allow five second Internet searches to formulate your opinions and do not possess the ability to let passionate responses stimulate your brain. Your ignorance is preceded by your contempt prior to investigation... Is it any wonder that the only source of entertainment you can possibly find is the countless hours that you spend behind the computer screen every day? If you have so many answers great wild one, why don't you go help someone less fortunate, why don't you try putting someone else ahead of you, why don't you forget about yourself and your feelings, why don't you stop trying to be so understood? Surely this will lead you closer to God than a simple prayer? I am sure that you already knew that though. Why don't you try to go be a productive member of society instead of being a leech on peoples feelings and insight that you know nothing about....

I think its amazing that you've been allowed to use this platform to personally attack and insult me. And I'm sure you're just lurking in the shadows waiting to read my response so you can gear up for another shot at me.

You obviously need a whole lot of prayer to help you focus your eyes, mind and heart on your higher power instead of on me and what I do or don't do with my time online.