Why is it when we talk to God we are praying, but when God talks to us we are put into the loony bin?
535070
Love the question.\n\nGot me thinking and this is what I've come up with:\n\nBecause it cannot be proved without a doubt that God actually exists (if it could be, it would probably be illegal to not be a Christian), to say "God speaks to me" is the equivalent of "I saw a real life dragon yesterday! It lives in my cupboard!"\n\nWhile both statements COULD be true, the essential fact of the matter is that if these kind of people are running around town screaming that God is speaking to them, they WILL cause mass panic and hysteria in their community.\n\nIn general, they are locked up in loony bins to be safe.\n\nSecond, Jealousy. "Why would God speak to that nutjob? I'm a better person than him-he MUST be crazy."\n\nThird, punishment for such claims used to be jail for being a heretic. I think a padded room is much better.
1098989
If a person really had faith, he wouldn't bother praying. Praying indicates a person believes his God is really stupid.
478909
I really, really, really believe that there aren't rules as far as prayers go.  If you want to say something to God then go for it, I don't think God will mind what you say first as long.  I find it unfortunate in some organized religions that there is an "outline" for reflecting with God...or when one isn't even "allowed" to talk to God directly, but through a priest.\n\nI'm not overly religous but I do pray and find it soothing.  So if you want to ask for forgiveness, be thankful or as for blessing just go for it!   If you feel it in your heart and practice goodness (i.e don't be hypcritical! I can't stand that - have  a few of those in my life, ick) I think you're all set!!
914370
it is said in Deuteronomy that when we keep still, we'll here God's voice. often it is the chaos and clamour of the outside world that we hear and distracts, really annoying. as you are asking, you're seeking something spiritual. maybe stopping at a moment, reflect and open your heart. inviet GOd to talk to you. i'm sure He wont ignore you. just listen. stay out of the noisy world. be in silence with God, He'll speak to you..
503491
why would "god" pray? that is the stupidest thing ive ever heard, i dont even believe in god but if god prayed he wouldnt be god, whomever he prayed to would be considered god. Prayer implies asking and thanking a divine being higher than you.
266094
when you are Christain and you pray about something , you will know when he puts the answer in your heart. but you have to remember he answers prays when he feels it is time,not right when you want them you must have faith and lots of it and truly believe in him.God Bless You
1003440
more importantly, what kind of supreme being creates people to Pray to him, to feed his ego. Praying isn't for God, it's for you, to teach you humility.
301728
I was raised to fear and respect the God I serve. Some people don't. I find it rather disrespectful, but not everyone serves the God I serve. So just like how we put our God in proper case, and their god in lower case, they do it to us. Us disregarding their beliefs is not different from them disregarding ours. You cannot push your beliefs on others (speaking generally of course). So, for me and you its like, "How can they stand to do that?" but for others, its like nothing. take care to look at it through their eyes also. Lastly, in spite of the way we refer to our God in writing does not make it any easier or us any more divine in our walk of Christianity, nor does our intolerance of others make us any better. It actually makes us a bit worse. Live how He wants you to live and show others your joy through the life you lead in Him. And don't get to Holy to laugh. I feel that will persuade others more than anything. much luv and stay safe.\n\nAngel
577815
Nope.  At the very least it shows that I am important enough to that person that they are willing to make the effort to remember me in their prayers.  Why would anyone get upset that another person is concerned about them?  It's not like they're trying to convert me to their religion.  They are simply appealing to their beliefs to help me.
1005088
People mostly pray when asking for something. Praying to a saint is meaningless. Asking God for anything but protection is disrespectful. God is not our servant. We are His. People pray for the wrong reasons.
161212
There are so many ways for you to talk to God, He understands your way of thinking, He created you and even before the foundations of the earth were laid, He knew you, how awesome right? So just ease up and speak to Him as though you were speaking to your very Best Friend. I talk to him all the time, sometimes I even think He might say o.k. Bettylu, enough already, but no He doesn't He loves for us to spend time with Him either in silence or in prayer or just jiving along and telling Him what a great mountain He formed over there beyond that gorgeous Ocean, and How in the world did He come up with the idea to create so many gorgeous colors and designs in flowers, there are so many things to talk to Him about but most importantly, just be you, He knows you so well.
652041
Why does there have to be so much bickering? I do not think that God will question the manner in which you worshiped his name! Where you Muslim, Christan? And if your God does, I do not want to know your God.  You praise him in your way, I shall praise him in mine. Let that be the end of it.
747863
I know what you mean. In this country is is the Christian way or you are thought of as a Sinner or Worse. I find that slowly as more and more people of all different faiths get to see that just because someone is not Their faith does not mean that they are bad. Often not even different. Really it is all the same just some are more devoted to theirs than others. That can be a good thing or a bad thing. I do think you would like it more if religion was left in Private life and not so much in public life. IE not shoved down our throats. I have friends who wonder how I can say it is everywhere. They are so use to it that they don't see the 8 christian channels on 24/7 or the Sunday mornings where that # just tripled. They don't see the people saying oh I will pray for you and so on. It's not that I say no don't pray for me. I just smile and go on knowing they mean me well but not knowing it bothers me.\nThat is being tolerant. I think we should all remember to be tolerant in all we do not just the bucket of God we have dumped on us at any given day or time
600254
I talk to God as if he were a friend talking a walk with me. I start off kinda formal and then get friendly and casual. "Dear God/Lord, Please do this or that if it's what you know is best, but if not....or how can I reach so and so and help him...oh, I know I can show them that passage in the Bible. Cool, thanks for bringing that to my mind." \n\nSometimes I get a revelation during the conversation. Yes I said conversation. I don't think of it as me talking to God, but us having a conversation with each other. Cuz if you aren't planning on listening to him, then you are wasting your time.\n\nOthers I may not hear or feel the answer right away. It may take days, weeks, months or years. Sometimes the answer doesn't come in a feeling or revelation but in the form of an action from someone else....certain circumstances will show me why God did what he did or why he led me in a certain direction.\n\nGod Bless you\nby the way: I am a Christian and I thank God for sending His son to die for us in my prayers too.\n\nP.S. I pray silently if I'm in public or around others. If I by myself, I talk out loud a lot. I really like to pray when I am walking alone or driving.
169401
Gosh! It has nothing to do with that. This is the third time someone has asked that question. Just pray for Goodness sake! Pray naked if you want to, just as long as your sincere in your heart just pray, standing, sitting, hats on or off, it doesn't matter! I prayed while I was sitting on the toilet once and God still answered the pray. He isn't worried about all of our crazy thinking! And I am a christian, but I'm frustrated with all of this religious stuff! No wonder people don't want to come to church, they think the church is CONFUSED!
1012753
I have found that the answer to our prayer is a lot closer that you think. You can not pimp God. He is sovereign. He will answer your prayer. Maybe you feel like he's not answering you 'cause your focus is on the answer and not him. When you put your focus totally on him and continue to live a life that is pleasing to him, your answer will be sitting at your feet. Focus on God and getting all the mess people can't see like envy, anger, hate, jealousy, covetousness, and the list goes on. We are all a work in progress, but when we take the time to build our relationship with him, instead of asking or "praying" for things, all our desire will be met. Now don't get me wrong, pray.... ask God for what you want and need. Just be prepared and ready to accept ,if he say not now or NO! You are not crazy or confused; life and death are in the power of the tongue. You are Godly person seeking Godly wisdom. Focus on you and everything will have changed because you have..............When what's important to God becomes important to you then what's important to you becomes important to God!=) tRust God even when he feels far away because you know he is always there never to leave you nor forskae you....BE Blessed
967751
Because satan teaches and entices a man/woman not to pray.  Praying brings one nearer to God and to the truth, and most do not want this because they are "enjoying" their sinful lives.