Summary of Challenge: Pray for five minutes, daily, for a month.
Status as of Oct. 18: Accepted
As readers will be familiar with, I have an open request to Christians to convince me of their faith. I am not offering this request to show why I don't believe; I am offering it because I genuinely want to be convinced that it is true -- but only if it is true. If Christianity is true, then that's something I definitely want to know.
Brittany, a regular reader here, has given me a challenge on this request. Her submission is as follows:
I've been trying to find the proof of God's existence(besides the obvious, which I have found that many non-believers will not accept) that many non-believers seem to want/need beore they accept Christ.She says she thinks I may find it childish, but what if I find that I'm wrong? I had the following questions for her:
[...]
Therefore I have a proposition for you JT, and any other atheist/nonbeliever:
Would you take 5 minutes of every day, for a month (give or take 30 days) and talk to God. Yeah I know you don't believe in Him, but could just try. [...]
I'm willing to pray daily for a month, and I'll be sincere in the prayers, too. I have a few questions first, though.Finally, she has replied:
* What should I pray about?
* When should I pray?
* Where should I pray?
* Is there anything I need to pray?
* Do I need to read when I pray?
I want to be sure I do it correctly. I don't want to spend over two hours in a month's time only to find out I wasn't praying correctly. Also, should it not work, I don't want to be told that I didn't do it correctly. So, any advice you have, I'd like to hear it.
I do have a pertinent question, though. Ray has stated, categorically, that God won't listen to atheists' prayers. So, why should I even bother trying?
"* What should I pray about?"While I did pray often when I was younger, I will try it again now. I have no intentions of just going through the motions; that would be a waste of two and a half hours of my life. I'll give it my sincerest attempt. So, if I come away unconvinced of the Christian God, I don't want to be told it was because I wasn't being honest. If you're a Christian and you have any advice or feedback about an atheist praying to God, please comment.
You seem to have alot of questions about Christianity, heaven, hell, sin, proof that God even exists, etc. So why not start from the beginning. Just talk to Him, from my experience He has always listened.
"* When should I pray?"
Whenever the urge hits you. Christianity is not like the Islamic faith. We don't have certain times in the day where we have to pray. I personally talk to God throughout my entire day, where ever or with whatever I am doing.
"* Where should I pray?"
Anywhere. As I stated earlier I talk with God where ever I am; either it be outside at the grocery store, etc.
"* Is there anything I need to pray?"
You can pray about anything you want; as long as it is not evil. Just remember that while God listens to your prayers sometimes His answers to your prayers will be No. God knows what is best for you and if what you pray for is not in His plan for your life, He will not allow it.
"* Do I need to read when I pray?"
I assume that you mean reading the Bible. In my experience, I have found that after talking to God, I find the answers to my questions in the Bible. Remember that the Bible is the main way God talks to His people.
"I do have a pertinent question, though. Ray has stated, categorically, that God won't listen to atheists' prayers.
I beleive that what Ray was trying to say is that those who specifically talk with God with a PRIDEful heart will not be answered by God. You previously mentioned that you would be sincere in your talk with God, so ray's statement would not apply to you.
I accept the challenge and I will pray daily for a month.
3 comments:
Hi,
"The only other question I have, should I be asking for proof of his existence, or should I be asking about things in my life (like guidance, strength, etc)?"
Talk to Him about your dailiy needs.
Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily bread.
Also, ask in Jesus name;
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask anything in my name, that will I do.
Last but not least; even after the month is over; perhaps the most important thing I can tell you is to ask and keep asking; keep talking with God, even if you don't think he exists or hears you.
One of my favorite verses:
Luke 11:9-10
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
I hope that helped...and I hope you have a fantastic day.
In Christian Love,
Brittany
p.s.
I forgot to ask how your dog is doing. I hope she is recovering well.
In Christian Love,
Brittany
"I personally talk to God throughout my entire day, where ever or with whatever I am doing."
I've heard that God is a bit of a voyeur. Maybe you'd have better luck convincing Him to come for a chat if you whipped out some porn, you know, got your jollies on, kicks after six and all that. Word is He's got a thing for redheads and their flaming bushes.
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