Don't Mock the Prayers

There was a statement made in class this week that went something like: the idea of prayer as a fantasy is held by cynics who consider any belief a weakness or at best, a cheap tranquilizer for anxiety.  This struck me as I was accosted by a similar statement years ago by someone close to me I will call Harry.  I was a blossoming “spiritual seeker” and rather enchanted by the whole idea of God guiding my life and helping with the tough issues I might encounter along the way.  Suddenly I felt weak and ineffectual as I considered the implications of what Harry said. Maybe he was right. 

Growing up Catholic I have never been without God, praying at bedtime and going to church were just part of life.  But it was just like a sort wallpaper of my life.  There was the ritual but not much real consciousness in application.  Oh, it was deeply imbedded, I was scared to pieces I was going to hell if I let out a profanity but that belief actually weakened me by teaching me a fearful position in life.

The issue was that I realized that I had to take a stand not with Harry so much as with myself to commit or not to this thing called God.   Was I weak?  Was God and prayer panaceas for the wretched, ignorant people of the earth?  Or better (or worse) yet, did what passed for education of mainline Christians make us weaker by teaching about this being outside of ourselves who had all the power and living a life in subservience to this power and therefore to any other perceived authority outside ourselves? 

When I heard Harry’s words I automatically defaulted to “hmm, he’s older and more educated (read God-like) than I am so he must have an insight about this prayer thing I don’t have.”  I didn’t fall back on my faith, it wasn’t that strong.  I’ve been trying to figure this out ever since.  When I came upon new thought it opened a door for me.  Yes, I did get involved because I thought I could get the money I needed and the stuff I wanted by learning the right prayer process.  But I have a more insight now.  That stuff sucks you in but as I began to truly practice Spiritual principles my perspective about God changed. As I have sunk into a deeper understanding of who I am as a unique expression of God it has empowered me.  I realize that I am not weak for having my beliefs but am stronger simply by practicing this thing called prayer.  Can I explain this to Harry? Nope, he’s got to do it for himself.  Standing on the outside looking in just doesn’t work.  Can I, after 9 weeks of Metaphysical Theology, tell you what God is or isn’t?  Maybe a little.  What I have learned is that God is an experience and until one has experienced IT they should not mock the prayers.