Sometimes.... no, most of the time, I would rather talk ABOUT God than

[GreenPartyVoter]

to Him.

It's so much easier to intellectualize than get personal and emotional.

[intheflow]

1. Yes.

But then I remember who gave me my intellect and it turns in to the personal and emotional anyway! :rofl:

You can't escape intellectualizing the unknown, the human brain seems to be hardwired to dwell on what's beyond human understanding.

Personally, I believe in the 60-second Zen approach to prayer. When a bell goes off in my head (as in, I remember who I got my intellect from), I do a kind of "shout out" to The Divine One. While I often wish I had a deeper prayer life, I revel in believing that I have life at all thanks to God. And I revel that that's my entire life, not just the times when I'm pious and remember to pray deeply. This approach has served to keep me both happy and humble. :)

And intellectually engaged with humanity.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Ah. But I intellectualize to avoid that personal contact with Him. Cause

it hurts, you know, to reveal what wrongs I did today or what is breaking my heart.

[RevCheesehead]

3. I'm sure God would love to hear your thoughts.

Don't focus on the wrongs/sins. Confess and drop it, because JC already paid for them.

I tell God when my heart is breaking. It kind of helps, you know, in having someone to talk with so intimately. This path of ministry gets kind of lonely and discouraging.

But you know, you're right. I spend much more time talking about God than I do talking with God. I'd say it was an occupational hazard, but that would be a cop-out.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Well, I do know it helps but that doesn't make it any easier. To lift the

veil to the innermost me is so raw and hurts so much. I miss my mom, I don't like myself, I hate my failings.... Frankly I don't like to spend time with myself at all, which is what I would have to do if I open up to God.

It's "easier" to talk about Him, or overindulge in: sleep, food, the 'net, daydreaming, not doing my housework... You know... avoid reality.

[RevCheesehead]

5. I hear ya.

I've been thinking about you and your mom's death. (My mom has been having some serious health problems recently, and it's always on my mind.) I know it can't be easy, looking to the approaching holidays, and the pain, stress, and immense grief that washes all over you. Please know you're in my prayers, and I'm here if you need a friend, or just a hug. :hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Thanks. I need that. It's hard to lose both a mom and best girlfriend

all at once. Plus, too, it kills me to watch my dad suffer through this. She's all he had in a lot of ways.

Next week is the 9 month-aversary. So I suspect my dad will be very upset again next Friday.

I hope your own mommy will be all right. And please keep on enjoying her company and telling her that you love her. I wish that I had said that to my mom during our last call, but instead I just told her that no, we didn't want ham for supper on Superbowl Sunday and sorta tuned out while looking at the tv. :cry:

[boomboom]

7. I try

I try to keep a running conversation with God throughout my day. As a friend, a child, a student. The more you "talk" to God, the easier it is to pray. He knows your heart. Sometimes it works to just be still.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. I hate being still.. cause all the uncomfortable stuff comes up. But yeah

I need to do it.

[boomboom]

9. Sometimes

All the uncomfortable stuff coming up leads to better things. I've had some tough nights, but awoke with joy. Our God truly is awesome...and wants to hear from us. Try it for a week.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

10. I was always a GD talker, he was the only one to listen. When I

was commuting 2-3 hrs. a day we talked alot (no he didn't talk back).

Now, with the accumulated challenges in my life I am so PO'ed at Him that I talk more about Him then to Him.

I know for sure, He exists, I am just angry that those who suffer here the most, seem to also follow His teachings the most. (Which implies living much harder than the rest.)

It's like this world is Satan's playground, and we either suffer now or for eternity.

[elshiva]

14. Yes, boomboom, that is very helpful.

God is always there listening. ;)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

11. One thing I learned from Japanese spiritual practices is

maintaining an attitude of thankfulness.

When you feel yourself sliding into depression, give thanks for whatever tiny blessing you can think of: when you wake up in the morning, be thankful that you've been given a new day. When you eat breakfast, give thanks to God and also remember the farmers who grew your food. When you do chores, thank God that you have a place to live and also remember the people who built your house.

It's REALLY HARD to do, but I find that it can stop a slide into despair if I'm not too far gone.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

12. Lydia, I appreciate your positive slant., but after reading the book

of Job, four times in less than four months, I take a different stance.

God, chastised Job's friends for even implying that Job (chosen because He was the most righteous man around) was responsible for his own suffering. God also challenged Job for for his challenging God.

It is a difficult and narrow journey, if one chooses to take, I just figured, JC took the OT out of the main stream, but apparently suffering is still a requirement!

[UrbScotty]

13. So do I

I just find it harder to pray. I don't know why, but I do.

[elshiva]

15. GreenPartyVoter, ever try the Jesus Prayer?

This prayer is one that is like a chant or mantra, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Have mercy on us (me)." It can be offered up at all times to God...

[I_Make_Mistakes]

16. I actually believe that whenever you talk to the Lord it is in the

form of a prayer. I still, in my anger talk to Him throughout the day.

I think, you say a prayer out of respect (like respect your elders) but He is Our Heavenly Father, so, He wants us to speak to Him as a Father also. I think that was one of Jesus's missions, to humanize, the Holy realm, remember Jesus spoke to, tended to, loved and chastised those who followed Him, just as a loving father does with his children on earth.

[elshiva]

17. Yes, everything you say to him is a prayer, but

I find that the formalized prayers lead me into talking with him, like saying "Hello, how are you?"

[I_Make_Mistakes]

18. I am quite the opposite. I was not formally brought up in a Church,

but I always talked to Him. I sometimes feel that saying formalized prayers become rote and one becomes less aware of what they are saying.

I guess that's whats meant by a personal relationship, we are all different and therefore, different forms of prayer work differently for each of us. Thank God, that God was so creative when he formed this world and all it's creatures!

[elshiva]

19. Amen. Rote prayers and personal prayers are both wonderful.