Your thoughts on prayer

Why call who God?  Who's "him?"  LOL!  To whom is Epicurus referring?  Surely he doesn't believe in a creator, or does he?

John, I don't think you'll ever have an answer from any human being that will satisfactorily answer the question of why suffering?  For nonbelievers and believers alike, it's a question we all wrestle with. 

I suppose one of the ways I've tried to work it out is this:  As I said before, I believe that God created this universe to unfold as it will, with natural, physical and biological laws, that even include evolution.  And creation in all its beauty is quite violent.  But if we're simply biological units, why the need for emotion, thought, speculation, music, talent in other areas besides adapting to our habitat and propogating the species?  I believe that the mind and soul do continue to exist after death.  I don't know why, John, I just do.  But sadly, there is no proof.   But suffering is a part of this life on earth, because we live in this physical world.  And you have to admit, that a lot of our suffering is self-inflicted.  It would be nice if God just made us his little puppets in paradise, but he didn't.  It would also be nice if all people embraced the teachings of Jesus, but they don't.  I remember even thinking as a small child, why can't everybody be like Jesus?  As many times as someone asks, "If there is a God, why does he allow suffering," there's another to ask "why and how can so many people find meaning in suffering?"  You mentioned earlier on that passion was a good thing.  That's another word that we've lost the original meaning of.  It's from the Latin word that means "to suffer."  And isn't it the things we're most passionate about that cause us the most suffering sometimes?

I guess the nutshell version of everything I've tried to express in this thread is this:  God is mystery, John.  We can't figure Him out.  We have no "tangible" proof that He exists.  We can only have faith.  Faith is a gift from God, offered to all.  To accept that gift is a choice made through one's free will.  Prayer is how we establish and maintain that connection with our creator and gives us the chance to be continually a work in progress, and that requires an open mind, an open heart and a spirit of humility.

That's that little piece of Himself that God planted in all of us, John. 

I guess the nutshell version of everything I've tried to express in this thread is this:  God is mystery, John.  We can't figure Him out.  We have no "tangible" proof that He exists.  We can only have faith.  Faith is a gift from God, offered to all.  To accept that gift is a choice made through one's free will.  Prayer is how we establish and maintain that connection with our creator and gives us the chance to be continually a work in progress, and that requires an open mind, an open heart and a spirit of humility.

I would like to say, beautifuly said Ruth, I admire your convictions.

I find comfort in trying to be the best person I possibly can be.

Why thank you, Wolf.  It means a lot to me to have you say that.  Yes, I'm kind of outspoken when I feel stongly about something, I guess.  Sometimes too much.  And you are a wonderful, caring person, absolutely no doubt in my mind.  Thank you, again, my friend. 

Yes, I'm still here.  A lot to read around these parts nowadays.

Ain't he the sweetest little thing?  And he's as good as gold.  And getting back to the thread, if dogs don't have souls, I don't know what does?  Love is another of the intangibles, and the Bible teaches that God is love, so how can a dog give such unconditional love if it's just a pile of biological parts?