Start relationship with god?

[superwhit2003]

I've grown up in Christianity. My grandfather is an old school fire and brim stone preacher. I've only read the old testament and the majority of religious teachings I've experienced are derived from the old testament. When I went to college I subconsciously rejected Christianity because I disagreed with the idea of original sin, and the fact that we are all inherently too sinful to ever deserve god's love, and you can't have premarital sex, and everyone that gets abortion is going to hell... etc... then I talked with someone I would never have considered christian... but he is... and he was talking about hod God is about Love... and how I need to cultivate a relationship with god because he will be a constant anchor in my life... and the "rules" in the bible are suggestions by god because he thinks in most cases we will be happier following them but we are not eternally condemned if we don't.... and now I want a relationship with god... but I don't know where to start... i've tried praying... i've tried just saying "hey big man... i want one" but I'm not feeling it... and I'm rather ignorant of new testament love stuff... i've actually been spending a lot of time with Wiccans...so i'm confused... help.

 

[Shiranui117]

EDIT: Whoa, just saw that this is an old thread :O Hopefully my advice still means something!

I've grown up in Christianity. My grandfather is an old school fire and brim stone preacher. I've only read the old testament and the majority of religious teachings I've experienced are derived from the old testament. When I went to college I subconsciously rejected Christianity because I disagreed with the idea of original sin, and the fact that we are all inherently too sinful to ever deserve god's love, and you can't have premarital sex, and everyone that gets abortion is going to hell... etc... then I talked with someone I would never have considered christian... but he is... and he was talking about hod God is about Love... and how I need to cultivate a relationship with god because he will be a constant anchor in my life... and the "rules" in the bible are suggestions by god because he thinks in most cases we will be happier following them but we are not eternally condemned if we don't.... and now I want a relationship with god... but I don't know where to start... i've tried praying... i've tried just saying "hey big man... i want one" but I'm not feeling it... and I'm rather ignorant of new testament love stuff... i've actually been spending a lot of time with Wiccans...so i'm confused... help.

Just sit down and reflect for a bit. Try and figure out exactly where your confusion is coming from. What are you confused about?

Just be honest with yourself, and be honest with God. If you end up screaming and cursing at Him, that's okay; He knows what you're going through already, so you might as well let it all out and lay it at His feet, whether it be praises or curses, joy or anger, faith or doubt. If you want to try praying again, don't feel like there's only one way we're allowed to talk to Him. The best prayer is an honest and heartfelt prayer. Tell Him exactly what you think and exactly what's going on.

And as far as being Wiccan/hanging out with Wiccans go... Don't worry about that for now. If it takes you a while to reach God, then that's what it takes. Don't pick up and leave for anywhere unless it's what God wants for you at that time. Get your bearings first: Where are you now? Where do you want to go? Where does God want you to go?

Don't even worry about denominations for now. Whether it be Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jehovah's Witnesses or anything else... Leave that for later. Get your bearings first. Get to know God. Get to know the Gospels. Get to know Jesus and the Apostles. The different denominations can wait until you begin to learn the basics of Christianity.

Now, my next question for you: What concerns do you have about Christianity? How can we help you along the way? What questions do you want answered? Feel free to ask anything.

 

[Brinne]

Just be honest with yourself, and be honest with God. If you end up screaming and cursing at Him, that's okay; He knows what you're going through already, so you might as well let it all out and lay it at His feet, whether it be praises or curses, joy or anger, faith or doubt. If you want to try praying again, don't feel like there's only one way we're allowed to talk to Him. The best prayer is an honest and heartfelt prayer. Tell Him exactly what you think and exactly what's going on.

Sorry to come back to an old thread, but I had a question about this certain section. In Matthew 6:6 it states "Do not babble on and on like the Gentiles do." and continues to give a guide of how one should pray up unto Matthew 6:13. This portion also states "...for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." So wouldn't that mean letting it all out to God and being emotional would go against these teachings? I've always had this question in my head and It'd be nice if I could get an answer about this.

Though back on topic, if you still need advice I'd say that getting back into prayer is odd at first. I used to be pretty Atheistic in my early days but times got pretty bad and I just knelled down and prayed in my room and it felt nice. Don't ever force yourself to pray, only do something if it gives you a spiritual benefit or when you feel the urge to pray.

 

[Shiranui117]

Sorry to come back to an old thread, but I had a question about this certain section. In Matthew 6:6 it states "Do not babble on and on like the Gentiles do." and continues to give a guide of how one should pray up unto Matthew 6:13. This portion also states "...for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." So wouldn't that mean letting it all out to God and being emotional would go against these teachings? I've always had this question in my head and It'd be nice if I could get an answer about this.

Letting it all out to God is not at all in contradiction with Matthew 6:6! Let's look at this in context

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.[b] 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

In context, it's saying that we should not use repetitions or drag on and on so that people would look at us and say, "Oh, that guy's holy and pious!" There is nothing wrong with letting it all out to God--we just can't make a show of it to draw attention to ourselves.

 

[Brinne]

Letting it all out to God is not at all in contradiction with Matthew 6:6! Let's look at this in context

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

In context, it's saying that we should not use repetitions or drag on and on so that people would look at us and say, "Oh, that guy's holy and pious!" There is nothing wrong with letting it all out to God--we just can't make a show of it to draw attention to ourselves.

The main part I was questioning is the following part in Matthew 6:9-13. It states:

"Pray then in this way;
Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallow be your name.
Your Kingdom come.
Your will be done.
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil [For Your is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen]"

What I was confused about is that it states previously to not fall victim to repetition in prayer but then directly after states that one should pray in that way. Previous to that it says that one does not need to state what he needs as God already knows what you need.

Edit: By the way, this is from my "New American Standard Bible: Updated Edition" so there might be subtle differences in translations or wording.

 

[Shiranui117]

Edit: By the way, this is from my "New American Standard Bible: Updated Edition" so there might be subtle differences in translations or wording.

Alright, no problem with the translation. JSYK, I'm using the New King James.

The main part I was questioning is the following part in Matthew 6:9-13. It states:

"Pray then in this way;
Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallow be your name.
Your Kingdom come.
Your will be done.
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil [For Your is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen]"

What I was confused about is that it states previously to not fall victim to repetition in prayer but then directly after states that one should pray in that way.

As far as repetition in prayer goes, it says vain repetitions. That is, repeating prayers to draw them out and make it seem like you're a good holy person who makes good long prayers to God. The "vain repetitions" bit is in the same context as not standing on street corners in prayer to be seen by people.

In prayer, it's important to speak one's mind. I know I sometimes have to repeat or rephrase one thing several times before I can convey my exact meaning, even in normal discussion. So the same thing can apply: We may have to say or repeat something until we feel that what we say and what's in our hearts line up.

Previous to that it says that one does not need to state what he needs as God already knows what you need.

Let's take a look at the Scripture in question:

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

In other words, our material needs aren't important, and we shouldn't worry about them while we still have our spiritual issues to deal with. So when praying to God, we should concentrate on what we need spiritually.

 

[heksesang]

Sorry to come back to an old thread, but I had a question about this certain section. In Matthew 6:6 it states "Do not babble on and on like the Gentiles do." and continues to give a guide of how one should pray up unto Matthew 6:13. This portion also states "...for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." So wouldn't that mean letting it all out to God and being emotional would go against these teachings? I've always had this question in my head and It'd be nice if I could get an answer about this.

Though back on topic, if you still need advice I'd say that getting back into prayer is odd at first. I used to be pretty Atheistic in my early days but times got pretty bad and I just knelled down and prayed in my room and it felt nice. Don't ever force yourself to pray, only do something if it gives you a spiritual benefit or when you feel the urge to pray.

I have always read it as "Just get to the point, will you?"

 

[Desert Snake]

Hi Whitney
Do you think that your beliefs are more suited to Bible teachings though? I mean, if really you don't think that is the way you want to go I certainly wouldn't try convincing you otherwise.