On the topic of if prayer works...........

[Truth_Faith13]

but I didn't want to take up someone else's thread!

As some of you know (especially by my title), I am rather confused at the moment regarding religion! So, the other day, I did something, I have not done in over a year! I prayed. I asked for guidance, to be patient with me and that I knew I was too critical, too analytical and downright stubborn, and a point in the right direction wouldn't hurt! . This was on the Sunday evening.

I was away from home the following two days or just didn't go out but on the Wednesday, I for some odd reason, decided to go into town. I went into HMV to find a DVD I had found the weekend which was £16.99 (of which I do not have at the moment!). I am not joking, I picked up that DVD and put it down about ten times!!!! So instead of being in the shop for ten minutes I was in their for half an hour!!!! Anyway I decided to take a look in Woolworth which was on the other side of the street (I should add if I had brought the DVD, I would have left the shop through the opposite side and not gone on the main street) and guess who was the first two people I saw!!!!!!!

.................Only two very lovely girls whom I miss dearly from the LDS church I went too! We chatted for a while and got interupted by a drunken homeless man with an interesting maths quiz - long story!!!! Anyway I am now friends with them again on facebook! YAY!!! That lifted my day!

I have also been dreaming about them and the church a lot!

Now I am not saying this is a miracle and its made me want to go back or jumping to any sort of conclusion. I made the mistake of rushing into it before, I will not do it again! However it is a step in the right direction I suppose.....

I have a long way to go (esp with parents whom at the very mention I had bumped into them, flipped!)

Whats your views on this?
If you were in my shoes and it happened to you, how would you feel? how would you take it?

Many Thanks
DA

PS I got the DVD from Woolworths for £9.99!

 

[Charity]

God works in mysteious ways.....Sounds like you are getting some answers
Blessings
Charity

 

[Katzpur]

but I didn't want to take up someone else's thread!

As some of you know (especially by my title), I am rather confused at the moment regarding religion! So, the other day, I did something, I have not done in over a year! I prayed. I asked for guidance, to be patient with me and that I knew I was too critical, too analytical and downright stubborn, and a point in the right direction wouldn't hurt! . This was on the Sunday evening.

I was away from home the following two days or just didn't go out but on the Wednesday, I for some odd reason, decided to go into town. I went into HMV to find a DVD I had found the weekend which was £16.99 (of which I do not have at the moment!). I am not joking, I picked up that DVD and put it down about ten times!!!! So instead of being in the shop for ten minutes I was in their for half an hour!!!! Anyway I decided to take a look in Woolworth which was on the other side of the street (I should add if I had brought the DVD, I would have left the shop through the opposite side and not gone on the main street) and guess who was the first two people I saw!!!!!!!

.................Only two very lovely girls whom I miss dearly from the LDS church I went too! We chatted for a while and got interupted by a drunken homeless man with an interesting maths quiz - long story!!!! Anyway I am now friends with them again on facebook! YAY!!! That lifted my day!

I have also been dreaming about them and the church a lot!

Now I am not saying this is a miracle and its made me want to go back or jumping to any sort of conclusion. I made the mistake of rushing into it before, I will not do it again! However it is a step in the right direction I suppose.....

I have a long way to go (esp with parents whom at the very mention I had bumped into them, flipped!)

Whats your views on this?
If you were in my shoes and it happened to you, how would you feel? how would you take it?

Many Thanks
DA

PS I got the DVD from Woolworths for £9.99!

Hey, Angel! Okay, so most of the LDS here will tell you that this was an answer to your prayers and a clear sign that the Church is true and you need to return. Most of the non-LDS here will tell you that it was just a coincidence and not to read too much into it. (I know a couple who would probably tell you that it was Satan trying to influence you. ) I'm not going to tell you either of those things, because I honestly don't know whether your meeting your two old friends was a coincidence or an answer to your prayer.

My only suggestion is that you keep an open mind, ask God to help you come to terms with some of the things that were bothering you about the Church when you decided to leave and then listen intently for His answer. He would not promise to give us wisdom when we ask Him and then fail to do so. Sometimes it just takes awhile. Don't jump into ANYTHING too quickly. You probably joined the Church too quickly, before you were really converted (I sort of blame the missionaries for that), and I suspect that you left it too quickly, too. Even long-time members go through periods of doubting and confusion. Don't be in too big of a hurry to come back to the Church but don't be in too big of a hurry to reject it either.

Don't let your parents influence you too much either. I have a 28-year old son and a 26-year old daughter. Both were raised LDS but neither one is currently a practicing member of the Church. When they decided they weren't interested in being part of the Church any more, it made me feel pretty bad. It didn't destroy my relationship with them, though. I raised my kids to make their own choices. It wouldn't make much sense for me to get too awfully bent out of shape over the fact that they didn't make the same choices I wish they'd made. They're adults. They have the right to choose for themselves. So do you. You need to understand and believe that, and so do your parents.

Good luck, and know that whatever direction you end up taking, I'll always be your friend.

 

[FFH]

Great story DA...

God works all things together for our good.

Rom. 8: 28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.


God will cause certain people to be in our lives so that we will be able to progress in this life, in the right direction, if we are willing and have a desire for the things God wants to freely give us.

This life is a time of testing, to see what we want and to prove ourselves worthy to live with our Heavenly Father.

I've had a taste of the things of Heaven and it's beyond what we could ever experience in this life.

Things in Heaven are amplified 100 fold to anything compared to this life. All that we want as humans is available for the asking from God, whom is the giver of all good gifts.

 

[FFH]

I have a long way to go (esp with parents whom at the very mention I had bumped into them, flipped!)

Christ has made it very clear to us...

Matt. 10: 36
And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.


Don't expect your family members to be overjoyed to see your progression in this life. They will be jealous and angry, be an example to them and show love towards them, you never know what decisions they'll make concerning the LDS faith in the future, they're looking to you for answers and a strong example of what they should do themselves.

I've struggled with my relationship with my family because I'm considered a bit extreme in my beliefs and they are all LDS too, but there are varying degrees of belief within the LDS members of our faith. We are all at different levels of progression, whatever faith we proclaim.

 

[Xaxyx]

So, the other day, I did something, I have not done in over a year! I prayed.

Who did you pray to?

Whats your views on this?
If you were in my shoes and it happened to you, how would you feel? how would you take it?

Since you asked... I would view this as a coincidence. Coincidences happen. But the real question, of course, is how you feel about it. Have you ever heard of the phenomenon known as confirmation bias?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias

It's a peculiarity of the human condition that we'll sometimes go out of our way to ensure that we find what we're looking for -- especially when we're unsure of ourselves and are looking for guidance from, well, anywhere. So, I suggest for now let's just set aside whether or not your experience is perhaps some sort of supernatural sign or instruction, and focus on what really matters.

What is it that you want, Dream Angel? Do you miss the church to which you belonged? The social circle? The friends, the reassurances? I for one don't see anything wrong with that, irrespective of your current religious stance. There's no sin (if you'll pardon the term) in desiring to participate in the culture of Christianity but not the religious trappings. In this case, for example, you rediscovered some lost friendships and intend to keep in touch. I think that's great news. And the next step from there, as always, is up to you.

But the mere fact that you made this post and posed this question implies very strongly to me that you would not want to go back to your church under false pretenses. So again, I would suggest you consider the distinction between the friendships and relationships of the people you knew while in your church, and your own, personal religious convictions and questions. They are not one and the same. You can have one without the other. And there is no shame in desiring it.

- Xaxyx

 

[mohammed_beiruti]

Muslims pray for guidance Five prayers aday
each prayer we have to recite the following verses
we paray for Allah the Sustainer of the worlds to gide us the staright way which leads us to truth:
The "Opening" ch.1 verses 1-7
[1] In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

[2] Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;

[3] Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

[4] Master of the Day of Judgment.

[5] Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek,

[6] Show us the straight way,

[7] The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.

Amen

 

[whereismynotecard]

If that happened to me, I'd say "Yay!! That was lucky." Then I'd go home and watch that DVD. But of course, you know I wouldn't find anything religious about it... I would have never prayed in the first place though. I did find a DVD at walmart today, which was The X-Files season 1, and I bought it. Yay for DVDs!!

 

[Truth_Faith13]

If that happened to me, I'd say "Yay!! That was lucky." Then I'd go home and watch that DVD. But of course, you know I wouldn't find anything religious about it... I would have never prayed in the first place though. I did find a DVD at walmart today, which was The X-Files season 1, and I bought it. Yay for DVDs!!

Oh and did go home and watch the DVD!!! It was Bloodrayne 2 by the way!

 

[Truth_Faith13]

Who did you pray to?

Since you asked... I would view this as a coincidence. Coincidences happen. But the real question, of course, is how you feel about it. Have you ever heard of the phenomenon known as confirmation bias?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias

It's a peculiarity of the human condition that we'll sometimes go out of our way to ensure that we find what we're looking for -- especially when we're unsure of ourselves and are looking for guidance from, well, anywhere. So, I suggest for now let's just set aside whether or not your experience is perhaps some sort of supernatural sign or instruction, and focus on what really matters.

What is it that you want, Dream Angel? Do you miss the church to which you belonged? The social circle? The friends, the reassurances? I for one don't see anything wrong with that, irrespective of your current religious stance. There's no sin (if you'll pardon the term) in desiring to participate in the culture of Christianity but not the religious trappings. In this case, for example, you rediscovered some lost friendships and intend to keep in touch. I think that's great news. And the next step from there, as always, is up to you.

But the mere fact that you made this post and posed this question implies very strongly to me that you would not want to go back to your church under false pretenses. So again, I would suggest you consider the distinction between the friendships and relationships of the people you knew while in your church, and your own, personal religious convictions and questions. They are not one and the same. You can have one without the other. And there is no shame in desiring it.

- Xaxyx

I pray to whomever will be listening!

I dont want to go back to the Church under false pretencies. I respect the church and its members, especially my ward - they were all lovely (well some were weird, but you get them everywhere! lol). Hence I am taking my time!

I dont miss the social circle as such, I am very lucky to have a wonderful set of friends. I do miss the members of the Church of course I do. But I am not someone who has no social interaction and those are the only people I saw! I have only just got back from London with one friend from school on a photoshoot - great fun! A couple of weeks back I was in Germany with my best friend.

Its is not so much I am unsure in myself - I know who I am! I am very strong minded...my mother would probably say too strong minded! I do not go looking for things to the point of I will take anything as the "sign". I just found this day particularly interesting. Especially as I hadnt seen them for a year, why was it this day after I had prayed and not before or a few weeks afterwards??? Why after years of impulse buying did I pick up and put down that DVD about 10times???? I NEVER do that!!! Its more I just dont know what to believe religious wise - has nothing to do with my personal development. I have that one well under way!

 

[Truth_Faith13]

Christ has made it very clear to us...

Matt. 10: 36
And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.


Don't expect your family members to be overjoyed to see your progression in this life. They will be jealous and angry, be an example to them and show love towards them, you never know what decisions they'll make concerning the LDS faith in the future, they're looking to you for answers and a strong example of what they should do themselves.

I've struggled with my relationship with my family because I'm considered a bit extreme in my beliefs and they are all LDS too, but there are varying degrees of belief within the LDS members of our faith. We are all at different levels of progression, whatever faith we proclaim.

I wish I had the confidence and certainty that you possess FFH! and the rest of the LDS members!

 

[Xaxyx]

I pray to whomever will be listening!

Interesting. Is there a particular depiction of the sort of entity/entities who might be listening in that you have in mind? I for one have oftentimes noticed a tendency for those of religious or even would-be religious ilk to either actively believe in or otherwise seek out divine entities with worldviews and morals extremely similar to their own. Would you be equally satisfied if your prayers were answered by, say, a flying spaghetti monster?

I dont want to go back to the Church under false pretencies. I respect the church and its members, especially my ward - they were all lovely (well some were weird, but you get them everywhere! lol). Hence I am taking my time!

I find that to be an admirable stance. As I recall, it was this same stance that prompted me to leave my own religious organization. It seems we've an honest streak, you and I -- both with ourselves, and with others.

I dont miss the social circle as such, I am very lucky to have a wonderful set of friends. I do miss the members of the Church of course I do. But I am not someone who has no social interaction and those are the only people I saw! I have only just got back from London with one friend from school on a photoshoot - great fun! A couple of weeks back I was in Germany with my best friend.

Its is not so much I am unsure in myself - I know who I am! I am very strong minded...my mother would probably say too strong minded! I do not go looking for things to the point of I will take anything as the "sign". I just found this day particularly interesting. Especially as I hadnt seen them for a year, why was it this day after I had prayed and not before or a few weeks afterwards??? Why after years of impulse buying did I pick up and put down that DVD about 10times???? I NEVER do that!!! Its more I just dont know what to believe religious wise - has nothing to do with my personal development. I have that one well under way!

My mother is psychic. Well, she tells me so, anyway; and what mother lies to her child, right? Anyway, her powers apparently only work when bad things happen. Whenever someone calls my mother to tell her about bad news -- a death in the family, that sort of thing -- she's absolutely certain that it's bad news, as soon as she hears the phone ring. Every time. Amazing! "I just had a feeling," she'll start to explain, each time she tells me of this marvelous, morbid phenomenon.

But as I mentioned earlier, this is simply a form of confirmation bias. My mother, you see, always expects bad news from a phone call, no matter what; even when she's expecting a call with good news. It's just that she only remembers the times when she was "right" -- i.e., it was bad news. Getting bad news is a memorable enough occasion already. For it to be part of the evidence you're gathering for your theory makes it more memorable still. The other phone calls, on the other hand, are soon forgotten and, thus, are not included in her sample set.

Thus, after a month, the 100+ ordinary phone calls: long since forgotten. But those 1-2 pieces of bad news: she had a "bad feeling", picked up the phone, and -- yikes! Therefore, she's psychic.

But of course, you and I both know that it's silly to presume one's self to be psychic based on this sample set. And she even acknowledges the veracity of my counter-claim, as I point out the flaws in her logic, just as I have done here. But she cannot, or will not, rid herself of the belief. She clings to it anyway. Such is the human condition. It's something we all do from time to time. We all cling to irrationality. And I still love my mom, despite her penchant for psychic telephone predictions.

How's your phone?

- Xaxyx