In Reply to: Thoughts on prayer and how to get close to God posted by Kathy on June 26, 2003 at 19:51:24:
Sometimes it is helpful to examine things from a scientific perspective. It is not so for acts of faith, where reasoning lead us more into temptation than to the understanding of things. Wasn't it Jesus who said to test His doctrine to see if it was God's? We are more inclined to put doctrinal conversations aside because of the other admonition to avoid hair splitting but to ponder things profits the soul sometimes. We are called to meditate in the Word of God and to be circumspect, which implies some sort of reasoning and analysis. Reflecting on our actions, on our words and even on our thoughts may bring on some enlightment when viewed under a supernatural light of divine intervention. We are also told that even before we speak, God already knows our thoughts. His deep understanding and knowledge of the human heart is clearly manifested and also our own limitations are clearly manifested. We are admonished to pray without ceasing and when we pray somehow follow the example of the Lord's Prayer. We are to do something, we are told about the "what", but the "how to" is not very clear.
I agree with you view of prayer as an intimate and personal act, experience. But ultimately is the connection between the natural and the supernatural. As Christians, we think of prayer as a type of communion with God but is it possible for that communion to exist at a different level and for a person who does not believe in Jesus, or even God?
I relate to this question because I used to ask it before I found God's Salvation through His son Jesus Christ. I can also see how many people are asking this very same question, specialy after the faith-killing experience that was The Family.
He certainly gave us free will and He limits His own power so that we may be free to enjoy both the rain and the light and it is our choice to see Him or not to see Him.