Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!uupsi!njin!paul.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: CONS.ELF@AIDA.CSD.UU.SE (Ake Eldberg) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Prayer and Paradoxes Message-ID: Date: 25 Dec 90 05:57:31 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Lines: 27 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu It is my understanding that prayers are not simply messages that pass between us and God, like letters or telegrams. Prayer is an integral part of a Christian life, of faith itself. When someone believes in God, he talks to God, communicates and seeks the presence of God. This can be done in many ways. I can say a prayer out loud or pray silently in my heart. I can do it alone in my room or together with others in church. I can meet God in the sacraments. It's all a matter of living with God. He is always there. It may happen that I leave Him for a time, forget Him and turn away -- but He does not go away from me. He knows what is in my heart, and will seek to draw me back, He will call me and provide opportunities for me to come back. I'm trying to say that I find questions like "does God hear a prayer before it is said" or "does God control what I pray?" are missing the point. Prayer is not just those messages we form with our conscios minds or our mouths. Faith and prayer are part of a community with God in which I stand, being His child and baptized to Him. It is a oneness where the mechanisms of communication are something I don't need to worry about. All I have to do is strive to love God. The best book on prayer I have ever read is Sheila Cassidy's "Prayer for pilgrims". I recommend it with all my heart. Ake Eldberg