Religion Vs Reality Research Paper

Reality What a person expects of prayer generally reflects what they believe about the nature of reality, and the reality of God. For example, believing in a universal Law of God, I cannot expect my prayer to supersede or intervene in the workings of that Law. After all, if God abides by Its own Law, how can I expect to do otherwise? I couldn’t reasonably expect to circumvent a universal Law through prayer. However, I can abide peacefully by working consciously with the Law, applying Its principles in ways that prosper my life. Some think that because the universe operates according to immutable Law, there is no point in praying for a change of circumstances. They consider prayers to be a vain attempt at magical, wishful thinking perpetuated

They don’t believe in prayer, or God, because they don’t believe that prayers are answered. They do not consider a lucky coincidence to be an answer to prayer, nor do they accept no answer as the answer: “No.” I confess that I agree with them on these points, although I disagree about the premise of prayer: I do not pray for a change of circumstance, but for a change of consciousness. I readily admit that I don’t believe in the same God that they don’t believe in. I too don’t believe that prayers are answered. I don’t believe in a God who answers prayers! I believe in a God who says"… before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” [Is.65:24] I believe our prayer must be the answer to the request we make of Life. It is not that there isn’t a God or an answer, but that the answers have already been given. Prayers fall on deaf ears only when the one praying isn’t

In New Thought we pray because we recognize the law-like nature of Reality and we intend to consciously align ourselves with It through prayer. We do not pray in a vain attempt to undermine or rise above the Law of the universe. We pray so that we might consciously work with it. We do not pray to improve our chances. We do not pray to plead our case. We pray to change our mind, not the Mind of God. We pray because we believe in Law and our ability to work with it. Yet, even though we pray in a principled way, this is still an indeterminate universe of infinite possibility evolving in ways that are beyond our comprehension or control. Before we knew how to apply principles, we prayed for forgiveness, pardon, and the favor of the gods. Now we realize that the sun shines and the rain falls on everyone regardless of how they pray. Now we trust that reality remains unchanged by our beliefs; because, through prayer, we intend to apply a principle, not change the nature of reality. No matter what the prayerful technique is, or whether one believes in a forgiving Father or a Supreme Judge, if they think that prayer is answered at the mercy of God, then their prayer will be an act of supplication, not the application of spiritual principles. If the