How to find God in your life ?

paddyzk

This question has been going through my head the past few days.I thinks its wrong of me to look down on people who have supposedly 'found' God or a higher power.I've never really tried myself or believed in anything like that,which has in turn made me agnostic.But theres something inside me that wants to find God or a higher power,whatever you call it.Can anyone explain this ?

Onesimus

paddyzk wrote: »

This question has been going through my head the past few days.I thinks its wrong of me to look down on people who have supposedly 'found' God or a higher power.I've never really tried myself or believed in anything like that,which has in turn made me agnostic.But theres something inside me that wants to find God or a higher power,whatever you call it.Can anyone explain this ?

Sounds like your making the first steps to finding God. The door is always open so keep looking and asking him to guide you. Might I extend the invitation to come down to Blessed Nicholas Parish, Holy Cross College, Clonliffe road, Dublin for Byzantine Liturgy tomorrow at 17:00? Come down and see what its all about.

If not then just try by reading the Gospels, and attending a local Mass in your local Roman Catholic Church. Take small steps and ask him to guide you along the way.

I was like yourself at one stage. I just began praying Our Ladys Rosary and took it from there.

Thanks for the post and your honesty by the way. I'm 27 and always still struggle to open up. :D

By the way there is a great book you should buy called ''The Way of a pilgrim'' when I was like you and searching for God this true story of a pilgrim travelling through Russia looking for God really took me by surprise and aided my pilgrim journey too.

Onesimus

El_Duderino 09

Hey Paddyzk

As with anything you might want to find, the first thing to do is find out if there is good evidence to support the assertion that 'it' exists in the first place. From there you could look at various methods of finding 'it' and see how reliable they are and pick the most appropriate one to try and see if it works.

Another approach is to believe on faith that it exists. If you take that approach you might as well believe on faith that you have found it too.

Brer Fox

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Hey Paddyzk

As with anything you might want to find, the first thing to do is find out if there is good evidence to support the assertion that 'it' exists in the first place. From there you could look at various methods of finding 'it' and see how reliable they are and pick the most appropriate one to try and see if it works.

Another approach is to believe on faith that it exists. If you take that approach you might as well believe on faith that you have found it too.

The scientific method, devised by Catholic scientists, depends on faith in the scientific method.

God cannot be proven or disproven by the scientific method. And that's a fact.:)

paddyzk

Onesimus wrote: »

Sounds like your making the first steps to finding God. The door is always open so keep looking and asking him to guide you. Might I extend the invitation to come down to Blessed Nicholas Parish, Holy Cross College, Clonliffe road, Dublin for Byzantine Liturgy tomorrow at 17:00? Come down and see what its all about.

If not then just try by reading the Gospels, and attending a local Mass in your local Roman Catholic Church. Take small steps and ask him to guide you along the way.

I was like yourself at one stage. I just began praying Our Ladys Rosary and took it from there.

Thanks for the post and your honesty by the way. I'm 27 and always still struggle to open up. :D

By the way there is a great book you should buy called ''The Way of a pilgrim'' when I was like you and searching for God this true story of a pilgrim travelling through Russia looking for God really took me by surprise and aided my pilgrim journey too.

Onesimus

Thanks but I live down the south. :pac:
Anyway heres what I have to say.I'm looking for a more alternative form of seeking if that makes sense ? Praying just doesn't do 'it' for me.It doesn't make me feel anything and it sure doesn't change anything.But I'm going to have to take on board what you said.I'll give it a go ! I'll be sure to check out that book as well,sounds interesting.
Thanks for the reply.

Brer Fox wrote: »

The scientific method, devised by Catholic scientists, depends on faith in the scientific method.

God cannot be proven or disproven by the scientific method. And that's a fact.:)

He not be able to be proven or disproved but some of his supposed methods/teachings can be debunked and written off.

Brer Fox

paddyzk wrote: »

Thanks but I live down the south. :pac:
Anyway heres what I have to say.I'm looking for a more alternative form of seeking if that makes sense ? Praying just doesn't do 'it' for me.It doesn't make me feel anything and it sure doesn't change anything.But I'm going to have to take on board what you said.I'll give it a go ! I'll be sure to check out that book as well,sounds interesting.
Thanks for the reply.

He not be able to be proven or disproved but some of his supposed methods/teachings can be debunked and written off.

Many beliefs can only be received in faith and are beyond scientific analysis, but others, particularly moral teachings, appeal to the Natural Law, which is supported by the best of modern science, including biology and human psychology.

El_Duderino 09

Brer Fox wrote: »

The scientific method, devised by Catholic scientists, depends on faith in the scientific method.

Ah this probably isn't the thread for this discussion but I would distinguish between faith and belief. On that basis I would say it takes belief in the scientific method based on the evidence of its success rate at arriving at reliable information.

Belief can be based on reason such as good evidence or bad evidence. Faith on the other hand is belief without evidence or in spite of evidence. After all if there was overwhelming evidence for a position there would be no need for faith.

Brer Fox wrote: »

God cannot be proven or disproven by the scientific method. And that's a fact.:)

That puts your god in the same category as the nessy, the celestial teapot, fairies, ghosts, satan, thor, dragons.
Of course I would say the scientific method only deals with reality so your point is fair enough.

To the OP I say good luck.

Approach the existence question with the honesty of your opening post and see where the evidence takes you.

Supermensch

Without wanting to derail the thread or anything, but, what made you want to seek out a higher being or a benevolent force in the universe? Your description of your beliefs are similar to my own, I'm just wondering why you decided to 'find God', in a manner of speaking.

Again, if this is inappropriate, I apologise.

paddyzk

Supermensch wrote: »

Without wanting to derail the thread or anything, but, what made you want to seek out a higher being or a benevolent force in the universe? Your description of your beliefs are similar to my own, I'm just wondering why you decided to 'find God', in a manner of speaking.

Again, if this is inappropriate, I apologise.

Because I think there's something bigger than me and I never even tried the whole finding God business.

In reality why not ?

Onesimus

paddyzk wrote: »

Thanks but I live down the south. :pac:
Anyway heres what I have to say.I'm looking for a more alternative form of seeking if that makes sense ? Praying just doesn't do 'it' for me.It doesn't make me feel anything and it sure doesn't change anything.But I'm going to have to take on board what you said.I'll give it a go ! I'll be sure to check out that book as well,sounds interesting.
Thanks for the reply.




He not be able to be proven or disproved but some of his supposed methods/teachings can be debunked and written off.

Thats interesting Paddy. What form of prayer have you tried and how long have you tried it out for before you decided to hit it on the head so to speak?

Yes the book you will enjoy I hope.

Onesimus

Benny_Cake

paddyzk wrote: »

This question has been going through my head the past few days.I thinks its wrong of me to look down on people who have supposedly 'found' God or a higher power.I've never really tried myself or believed in anything like that,which has in turn made me agnostic.But theres something inside me that wants to find God or a higher power,whatever you call it.Can anyone explain this ?

It's a difficult question to answer as everybody's journey is slightly different. In the Bible we read of people who had a very direct experience of God,but equally there were others who encountered the divine in a much more subtle way. In Luke the two disciples shared a long conversation with the risen Christ and it was only when they sat down for a meal with him that they recognised him! I think most of us are like those disciples - no visions and no burning bush, but perhaps seeing God through other people, or through the natural beauty of the world we live in. My own view on it is that there is a small voice that speaks to the heart - the Quakers call it the "Inner Light" or "that of God in everyone". I like that because of it's universality, God forsakes no one, and none of us are alone. So that small voice may be something you are experiencing now?

You say that prayer doesn't do anything for you, but there are many ways of praying, centering prayer, Lectio Divina, and so on, and various forms of prayer which are closer to meditation. I'm no expert but I'm sure other posters here would have plenty of reading suggestions for you on that subject. I would suggest that even if you don't "feel" anything, try to say a daily prayer in your own words, just even to ask for guidance. You may be surprised at the answer and the form it takes! You could also visit some churches in your area to see what denomination or expression of Christianity (if any) that you might be drawn to. Whatever happens, the very best of luck to you.

paddyzk

Onesimus wrote: »

Thats interesting Paddy. What form of prayer have you tried and how long have you tried it out for before you decided to hit it on the head so to speak?

Yes the book you will enjoy I hope.

Onesimus

I wasn't really saying 'types' of prays just speaking if you get me ?
I tried it for about 6 months when I was having a hard time in school but nothing changed so I stopped.

Onesimus

paddyzk wrote: »

I wasn't really saying 'types' of prays just speaking if you get me ?
I tried it for about 6 months when I was having a hard time in school but nothing changed so I stopped.

Ah well there are plenty of forms of prayer and that is surely one of them.

Consider this interesting story I heard.

A wise old hermit Christian monk living in the forest in a simple wood cabin, once had a young boy seek him out because he wanted to learn how to pray.

The Monk taught him how to say the Jesus prayer which is simply: ''Lord Jesus Christ, Son Of God, have mercy on me the sinner''. After a couple of weeks the boy came back and said ''this is doing nothing at all for me and nothing has changed, I have not felt the power of God''.

So the Monk gave the boy a fragile wooden bucket. It was all dirty and smelly and he said ''take this to the local river down there and fill it up and bring the bucket of water back to me''.

So the boy did as he was asked whilst at the same time wondering what this could all be about. So he filled the wooden bucket up but by the time he got back to the Monks cabin the wooden bucket was empty with just a pool of mucky water at the bottom.

The boy became frustrated but the Monk sent him back to the local river with the instructions to fill it up again. The boy came back really tired and annoyed by now ( as you could imagine ) and the same process happened.

So the monk sent him a third time down to the local river and the boy came back and was like: ''WHAT? WHAT IS THIS ABOUT? THERE IS NO WATER IN IT'' :mad:

''Look again'' replied the Monk so the little boy looked again and the little water that was left in the bucket was ''clean'' and the bucket was ''clean'' and no longer stinked.

Whats the whole point? Well the whole point is that prayer is never always a one off prize when we begin. The whole point of prayer is that it cleanses the soul and this can take a lot of time.

So I would invite you to say the Holy Rosary in the privacy of your bedroom each night. Even if it's just ''One Our Father and ten hail marys'' to begin with or say the prayer ''Lord Jesus Christ Son Of God Have mercy on me the sinner'' 33 times at night and then again in the morning and see what happens. Stick it out. Dont expect anything, just simply do it and see.

Again it is like you have a fungus on your foot. You need to apply the oinment on a constant basis not missing a day until it is gone. The same it is with prayer we need to pray and allow God to cleanse our soul from all the dirt we have accumulated from the world from not knowing him over the years.

I hope this helps.

Onesimus

paddyzk

Pretty interesting man thanks.
I'll report back here with my findings.

lmaopml

paddyzk wrote: »

I wasn't really saying 'types' of prays just speaking if you get me ?
I tried it for about 6 months when I was having a hard time in school but nothing changed so I stopped.

I hope the hard time is finished and done with Paddy. There is nothing wrong with just sitting still and speaking, actually I think it's a really good way to pray and also to know yourself too a little better and anything that might be troubling you to be able to put it in perspective - you just hand it over, and rather than ask for God to change others, or perform a task for you, ask him to change you, ask can you lean on him, and he will carry you. Remember, you have people in your life too who can help you through hard times - we've all been there at one stage and most things only make us stronger.

I was called a name in school for years that was a half compliment in many ways, I only understood that much later - we were a group of friends that were really interested in learning and did well, put lots of hard work and effort in to do well too - but some people won't like that. As I got older I realised that some people will never like that, but it doesn't matter too much because you like yourself and find friends who you have lots in common with - and with a bit of luck you realise just how precious you are.



You are always welcome here

HamletOrHecuba

My family, in particular my grandmother.

Onesimus

paddyzk wrote: »

Pretty interesting man thanks.
I'll report back here with my findings.

I am not electing myself as mr.know it all or anything but feel free to Pm me at any time at all or reply here on the forums.

my last bit of advice is just whisper the prayer aloud and soft ''Lord Jesus Christ Son Of God, have mercy on me the sinner'' in your own quiet time. Whispering helps to calm down the intellect ( you know when your mind is as busy as Dublin city centre on a Saturday afternoon ) and it helps to settle the muddy jar our minds can sometimes be.

And if you dont mind I will pray for you also in your search.

Onesimus

Gumbi

If you truely wish to find a "higher power", don't leave out the plethora of other sources where one might find such entities.

I see that you've posted in a Christianity forum, though you haven't specified in your post if it's Jesus, or what have you, you wish to "find".

Which God do you wish to find?

paddyzk

Gumbi wrote: »

If you truely wish to find a "higher power", don't leave out the plethora of other sources where one might find such entities.

I see that you've posted in a Christianity forum, though you haven't specified in your post if it's Jesus, or what have you, you wish to "find".

Which God do you wish to find?

I just want a higher power thats it.
Where should I have posted this ? A&A ?

Gumbi

paddyzk wrote: »

Gumbi wrote: »

If you truely wish to find a "higher power", don't leave out the plethora of other sources where one might find such entities.

I see that you've posted in a Christianity forum, though you haven't specified in your post if it's Jesus, or what have you, you wish to "find".

Which God do you wish to find?

I just want a higher power thats it.
Where should I have posted this ? A&A ?

I don't know to be honest. It's just that (naturally, I suppose) the posters here are directing you to read the Gospels. I'm just here to say that if it's a higher power you're after, don't be biased There are plenty to choose from.

liveya

Gumbi wrote: »

I don't know to be honest. It's just that (naturally, I suppose) the posters here are directing you to read the Gospels. I'm just here to say that if it's a higher power you're after, don't be biased There are plenty to choose from.

There aren't plenty Gods to choose from, (at least be direct about your intentions here). just different conceptions of God. God is being, not a being. I find it quite sad how atheists still insist on hiding around here, only to slide in attempts at mockery aimed towards the faithful, or the curious. Even after you've been given your own board, where you can talk about God all day, and libel the church.

philologos

paddyzk wrote: »

This question has been going through my head the past few days.I thinks its wrong of me to look down on people who have supposedly 'found' God or a higher power.I've never really tried myself or believed in anything like that,which has in turn made me agnostic.But theres something inside me that wants to find God or a higher power,whatever you call it.Can anyone explain this ?

Hey, what I can recommend is this.

If you really want to know God, and find Him. I would say a prayer like this. "Father God, I've been struggling to find you all this time. Father God if you are truly real please show me who you are, please help me to find out more about you and please help me to obey your sovereign will. Amen."

Then I would advise you to read the Bible. Start with the New Testament, and then read the Old is what I would advise.

Then if you are led to pursue it further, I would encourage you to go look for a church, or ask others about it. I would recommend that you follow a church that follows Biblical principles, this is how you know that they are remaining faithful to God's word rather than that of man.

Also, I would really recommend you listen to these podcasts. I've found them abundantly useful in telling about God's nature.

Please get in touch with me if you want to find out more, I'll be glad to help.

I do strongly recommend going straight to the Bible first.

Gumbi: This is the Christianity forum. Therefore I'll discuss about Christianity.

PDN

Reading the Four Gospels is certainly a great place to start looking for God.

Plowman

This post has been deleted.

HamletOrHecuba

Plowman wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

We find God through other people, as part of a community, and not as isolated individuals; infact that is wrong God finds us through other people and not we him. Coming from this one of the best ways to learn about God is through the lives of the Saints, being Irish the lives of the Old Celtic Saints would be an excellent place to start. The Dialogues of St Gregory the Great are also very informative and inspiring.

The Alpha course promotes grave distortions on both Christology and Redemption; are you not supposed to be Catholic?

Gumbi

liveya wrote: »

There aren't plenty Gods to choose from, (at least be direct about your intentions here). just different conceptions of God. God is being, not a being. I find it quite sad how atheists still insist on hiding around here, only to slide in attempts at mockery aimed towards the faithful, or the curious. Even after you've been given your own board, where you can talk about God all day, and libel the church.

I'd appreciate if you'd not make assertions about my beliefs.

I haven't mocked in any way whatsoever. I have merely pointed out to the OP that there are in fact "other Gods" out there. I think he/she would appreciate it being pointed out to them, seeing as they have come from a neutral standpoint of being agnostic for his/her life thus far, and not to be pigeon-holed into what may seem more "culturally correct".

I did not mention the Church, nor did I libel it.

Regarding your position on Gods/God, well, I just have to disagree. You're also presuming one God, which is something the OP cannot presume, coming from an agnostic background.

Gumbi

philologos wrote: »

Gumbi: This is the Christianity forum. Therefore I'll discuss about Christianity.

And more power to you I just came by this thread and felt like pointing out that there are other "options", if you will, out there. I'm not here to stir anything up, which is something another poster seems to be presuming, inciting that I've mocked anyone, not have I libelled the Church.

liveya

Gumbi wrote: »

And more power to you I just came by this thread and felt like pointing out that there are other "options", if you will, out there. I'm not here to stir anything up, which is something another poster seems to be presuming, inciting that I've mocked anyone, not have I libelled the Church.

I was refering to the A&A board, where they discuss God all day, whilst libeling the church.

If you were on a board with no dedication to Christianity, say a generic religious discussion board then you'd be right. But this is a Christianity board, so your retort goes unnoticed.