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Original poster

Talking to God

24 replies

hugebelly · 01/01/2011 01:59

Sounds silly, but I've become religious in the last couple of weeks.

I haven't been baptised (am in 30s) and, in the past, I haven't been all that religious, but I do believe in God.

Recently, I've started having conversations with 'God' in my head. Nothing major, just everyday stuff. Sounds stupid doesn't it?!

With awful things happening in the news, I've also started praying to him to ensure that the families involved will be okay, that the old man won't be left alone in the cold, the child will have a protector etc.

I haven't had a vocation in life, but have been fortunate enough to just saunter along. I'm now seriously questioning what it is I'm supposed to do - what is God's plan for me?

Lots of daydreaming and I keep asking him to help others. Is there a 'right' way to pray/ talking to him?

Not sure what I'm asking, but after guidance.

OP posts:
Nyx · 01/01/2011 02:09

I don't have much in the way of guidance, I'm afraid - especially not at this time in the morning after all the booze (!) however, I just wanted to say that: I pray like you, and it gives me lots of - not sure what - comfort? As for a right way of praying, well in the bible we're told that the disciples asked Jesus that question and he taught them the Lord's Prayer.

CS Lewis wrote a book dealing with prayer; I haven't read it but DH bought it ages ago and I have speed-read some - it's called "Letters to Malcolm - Chiefly on Prayer" or something; it's v interesting.

I've not been baptised either, wish I had been (for some reason - don't know why!)

Happy 2011, hope you have some more replies which might be more helpful! Take care x

YamadahasaHugeAss · 01/01/2011 03:48

Better to bypass the misery of Christianity at this stage and become a miserable and cynical old woman directly .... cheaper and less time wasted in church

WingDad · 01/01/2011 04:34

If you find comfort in talking to God, then that's absolutely fine.

I have to say I usually feel incredibly close to God when I'm out on deployment and often say little prayers at times to time and gather the courage and determination to get through something. However back home, I might as well be an atheist. Sometimes I feel guilty about not attending Church regularly, sometimes I think He is content with me only talking to him in my time of need.

But there's no doubt in my mind that talking to Him made more relaxed in dire situations, and that's a good thing!

DietYamada · 01/01/2011 08:42

No Honestly! don't do it! it is a load of old cock

HallelujahHeisBorntoMary · 01/01/2011 09:01

Sounds as if you're talking to God just fine, there isn't a right way particularly, but a lot of what Jesus was about was the every day stuff. Like cooking for his followers after a long day's fishing for instance. I would definitely keep on doing what you're doing, and when you feel ready, maybe explore church? Perhaps something not too formal, what are your options where you live?

AMumInScotland · 01/01/2011 10:45

There isn't a right or wrong way to pray - some people do it more formally, some just "chat". Whatever works for you is just fine.

If you want to know what God wants, the important thing is to "listen" as well as "talk" when you chat - that way you'll leave a quiet space for God to respond and make suggestions. With practice, you'll find that you get an idea of what God would like you to do - you don't have to go along with it if you don't want to, but if you feel after these chats that you're getting an idea of something practical that you could be doing that would help people, then that may well be from God. (For the cynics, yes it could also be your subconscious, but if it suggests good and positive choices in life, it has value whatever the source)

You might want to go along to a church to see if what they're talking about seems to match up with what's important to you, or just carry on separately - but most faiths point out that while belief and prayer are good, taking action to make the world a better place (even in tiny ways) is also an important part.

MankyPissFlaps · 01/01/2011 10:46

might as well write a letter to Father Christmas Grin

madhairday · 01/01/2011 14:25

Sounds like you're being nudged to pray for others which is a real privilege. Like Mary and AMIS say there is no one 'formula' and it sounds like you are beginning a journey and will find out more as you go, but what you are doing is great. Would you be interested in talking to others about what you are experiencing, perhaps having a look into local churches or something like an alpha course or similar? All the best. :)

jaffacakeaddict · 01/01/2011 19:09

I don't think you sound silly at all. As others have said, I don't think there is any set way to speak to God. I believe he wants us to pray to him and is happy for us to do so in any way we are comfortable with. I also don't think that God wants us to be baptised before we pray to him - he is happy for us to pray to him just as we are.

TotallyUnheardOf · 01/01/2011 19:27

Hello hugebelly

I don't think you sound silly either, and have been through a similar journey relatively recently (except that I was baptised as a baby and confirmed too, but wandered away from belief as a young adult). I second what everyone else has said about there not being a single correct way to do it.

I am struggling a bit at the moment with finding a church where I feel comfortable, but for me that is really important. I can pray in my own time too, but I find that the structure of a church service helps me to pray in a different way... That is, it reminds me (not necessarily in this order) to thank and to praise God, to pray for others - both known to me personally and in general -, to affirm what I believe in, to say sorry for the things I've done wrong, and so on. So the prayers which may seem formulaic and repetitive (I mean, always the same - or always following the same pattern - week after week) actually help me to pray more - not sure what the right word is? - more 'completely', perhaps, than if I just sort of shared the contents of my own head (which I also do outside of the church context). Does that make any sense? I also find that the 'spaces' in the church service help me to 'listen' to God better and not just to kind of babble on... (not that I am suggesting that that's what you're doing, of course... hope you know what I mean).

I also try to say the Lord's Prayer every day, and I have a particular favourite at the moment which is actually an extract from a longer prayer (not very long...) of St Richard of Chichester which we used to recite at school sometimes (you can read the whole prayer here). So I ask God to help me to know him more clearly, love him more dearly and follow him more nearly... which, to me, sums up what I feel that I need to try to do at this stage in my life/faith journey.

Oh, and finally you could use the Bible as a starting point for reflection/prayer. I did this in a very unsystematic way (opening a page at random and reading to see what inspiration it would give me) for a little while. I have a thread on here called 'Take it and read' if you want to have a look. I just did it for a week or so, but it was interesting and, for me, useful.

Good luck.

Original poster
hugebelly · 01/01/2011 20:20

Such wonderful responses, thank you.

I would like to go to Church. My local is Anglican, that practices the Catholic faith.

www.allsaints-eastfinchley.org.uk/

I have a strong desire to help others at the moment, so I shall continue with what I'm doing.

Any 'revelations' and I'll let you know Grin.

OP posts:
ilovemyhens · 01/01/2011 21:18

This is my favourite prayer.

The St Francis Prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

TotallyUnheardOf · 02/01/2011 12:23

That was another favourite one at my school, hens! Smile

hugebelly - no idea where you stand on such issues, but your local church looks to be very much at the conservative end of the CofE (against women priests, etc.). It all depends on your own beliefs and preferences of course, but it's worth remembering that the CofE is a very broad church with a huge range of different service styles. My own local parish church is too 'happy clappy' for my liking, and I'm looking for somewhere where the services are more traditional, but the overall ethos as liberal as possible...! Just starting that journey now, but I am confident that the right place is out there!

ilovemyhens · 02/01/2011 16:15

It's called Church Shopping lol

I go to a middle of the road C/E Church and it's okay, but I don't like the carpet they had laid several years ago because it's completely ruined the acoustics for the choir Hmm

madhairday · 02/01/2011 16:20

I know some people at another church in Finchley called St Barnabas, prob at the other end of the scale to what you describe, but if you're interested in a different style you could have a look. It has great families and kids stuff going on and is very lively :) Like TUO says I'm sure the right fit is there - thank goodness we're all different :) TUO I hope you find something good for you soon too.

MistletoeMush · 02/01/2011 16:26

There is no right or wrong way to pray. In the bible Jesus teaches The Lords Prayer which includes all the thinks that should feature in prayer, Thanksgiving, worship, asking for forgiveness and asking God to meet our daily needs. So its not neccessary to use these exact words every time but these are the 'themes' of prayer. Jesus also talks about praying quietly in your room rather than publicly for others to see and admire. I think that this means that God wants to feel comfortable to come to talk to him just as we are. (although there is also a place for public prayer).

Jackstini · 02/01/2011 16:43

I love the way you describe your talking to God hb - sounds just right.
Like others have said, listen too.
Some guides for different ways of praying are here if you want to try them www.prayerrequests.co.uk/CreativePrayer.html
I will pray for you and keep an eye on this thread too.

ilovemyhens · 02/01/2011 16:51

Look out for a book called Finding Sanctuary by Abbot Christopher Jamison. It's really good and not 'preachy' at all. Easy to read and makes a lot of sense. It gives you a really good insight into how to begin a relationship with God and what kind of things to focus on. How to look for what's important in your faith and how not to get sidetracked by stuff.

suzannetakes · 03/01/2011 00:27

Have just put that book on my amazon wishlist, Hens. Thanks for the tip. And thanks for the thread, OP.

thegauntlet · 11/01/2011 21:33

Just so you know... Just lurking on this thread... I am SO ENCOURAGED by all this, I am a Christian and have been feeling a little blah, now remembering what a big thing I am part of; God is meeting people in lifechanging ways. thanks for the thread. MADE MY DAY!! xx

Rosie47 · 02/02/2011 17:59

ALL the major religions in the world were formed by people who were already religious and who were undergoing a process of fasting and prayer.

Then God spoke to them, and they passed that message on.

Buddhist: Buddah under a tree.
Jewish: Moses on the mountain.
Christian: Jesus in the wilderness.
Islem: Mohammed.

Unless all these were mistaken, God does talk to us.

More info on God Religion website about all these religious leaders / founders.

The sit's also seeking people to submit articles about their own faith, whatever it is, Wikka, Atheist, Christian, Agnostic or whatever. The site covers the lot.

dreamsofsea · 04/02/2011 08:27

Maybe this would interest and help you?

Only about £3 and an amazing book - just read the reviews!

I am currently reading this one which I am greatly enjoying.

Do you have RL support in this? Have you spoken to the local priest or a religious friend? I think having some sort of support would be very advantageous and advisable.

GrimmaTheNome · 04/02/2011 08:42

God spoke to the Buddha?
er, no. Buddists aren't theists.

SunRaysthruClouds · 04/02/2011 13:45

Hi hugebelly

Talking to God is just fine, and it can help alot. And I don't suppose he minds how you talk.

It's if you hear him answering you need to worry Smile

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