Prayer

Erin gave me a topic and I promised to post. So, here it is.

Most people think about prayer as a way to ask God for the things they need or want. I have a bit of a different view thanks to one of my Sunday School classes. We were watching this dvd series called 'Nooma.' They are awesome and all about spiritual perspectives. If you are interested in watching these awesome and thought provoking dvds, let me know and I can borrow them from my youth leader.
Anyone, there was one about prayer. I can't describe it well, so bare with me. It talked about the questions people always ask about prayer, especially the most common question, 'If God hears my prayer, why doesn't He answer it?'
People!!!! He does!!! If may not be the answer you want. You may not even see that He is answering it. But, you have to have the faith to know that He has the best interest for not only you, but eveyone in mind.
And prayer isn't just about asking for things. Prayer is a way to thank God for everything He has given you. The friends that are in your life are there to help you because He put them there. He is the reason that you have the loving people around you. It's a way to praise His awesomeness and power and love for you. Everything in your life that is amazing is there because He wants the best for you!
Some people question my last statement. 'If He wants the best for me, then why does He let bad things happen?'
This is a hard question and I struggle with it sometimes when I'm in grief. I'm sad to say, but when things are down, I question Him, too. But, I'm wrong when I do that. There is evil in this world. Because of that evil, we have illness and betrayal and murder and adultry. He can't take that away because He gave use a very powerful gift. The gift of free will. We have the option to chose what ever we want. We can do good or evil; pick right or wrong. We can believe in Him or believe in false gods.
This doesn't mean that He doesn't want us to believe in Him. He loves us and everytime we turn our backs on Him, deny Him, He hurts. He loves us and wants us with Him always; want's us to love Him always. But, He doesn't want it to be a forced love. If doesn't mean anything if it is. He wants us to love Him because we have the choice and we choose Him above all else.

I've strayed from the topic. Back to prayer. Prayer is also a way to just think about God and see what He has in store for us. In a time of hardship, prayer can help you choose the path that is right be praying about what God would want you to book. A great book that would show this is 'This Present Darkness.' I just recently read this book and it shows how powerful prayer is.

Ok. Erin is complaining that I'm taking too long typing this. I have read her post yet. So, please comment about prayer and give me another topic!!!!!!