Prayer for unbelief?

[snowpea]

Mark 9:24

New International Version (NIV)

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Do you have to already believe, even a little, to say this prayer?

Looking for a prayer that would help me believe when I am not sure I believe at all

Thanks

[John Carlton]

By all means, pray. You don't have to be a believer. For those of us that believe in a transcendental god, your unbelief will not impede the Existence of God. It helps, to believe in prayer, but what can it hurt? I prayed that prayer throughout my exiture from Atheism. I still pray it on occasion. I can tell you from experience, for one coming out of unbelief Faith is more an act of endurance. It is a choice. You obviously would like to believe. Might I recommend supplementary reading in addition to your prayers?

If you're interested, I can provide links to Apologetics resources and wat-have-you. I'm sure the oter good folks on this forum can provide you with other links as well. Is there a specific aspect of belief you struggle with, or is it a lack of defining religious feeling that hampers you (?) if you don't mind my asking. If the latter, prayer may help put your feelings in touch with the Creator, if the former, than research and development is in order.

God bless,

[snowpea]

Originally Posted by John Carlton

By all means, pray. You don't have to be a believer. For those of us that believe in a transcendental god, your unbelief will not impede the Existence of God. It helps, to believe in prayer, but what can it hurt? I prayed that prayer throughout my exiture from Atheism. I still pray it on occasion. I can tell you from experience, for one coming out of unbelief Faith is more an act of endurance. It is a choice. You obviously would like to believe. Might I recommend supplementary reading in addition to your prayers?

If you're interested, I can provide links to Apologetics resources and wat-have-you. I'm sure the oter good folks on this forum can provide you with other links as well. Is there a specific aspect of belief you struggle with, or is it a lack of defining religious feeling that hampers you (?) if you don't mind my asking. If the latter, prayer may help put your feelings in touch with the Creator, if the former, than research and development is in order.

God bless,

Thank you-it is definitely the latter-no defining feeling. Probably a little of the former as well, but I would have to think about specifics on that one,

So praying "“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”" would still be beneficial even if I don't think I believe?

I would love reading recommendations.!

(I hate typing all these "I"s, hopefully someday I could help someone out instead of asking so many questions)
Thank you for your reply!

[fred conty]

Originally Posted by snowpea

Do you have to already believe, even a little, to say this prayer?

Looking for a prayer that would help me believe when I am not sure I believe at all

Thanks

Just say now and then thru the day,
"Bood and water gushing forth from the heart of Jesus as a font of mercy, I trust in you."

Do not try to force faith on yourself, but let it come from God.
Just keep saying the prayer over and over whenever you have a moment.
Say that prayer no matter how you feel, or even tho you may feel like your lying.
Keep at it for as long as it takes for Jesus to answer that prayer.

The worst thing you could do is to quit.
The temptation to quit will be come.
Then you will think, what good is it to pray this silly prayer?
Then you think its not doing any good and not working.
Don't you believe it. Keep saying that short prayer over and over.

That prayer tells Him how dependent you are on Him and how weak
you are and in great need for his assistenance. You are admitting
that you need His help and love, that without him you are helpless.
That is a strong prayer.
He loves that kind of prayer. He now has your attention and
will answer you because you are trusting him.

"Bood and water gushing forth from the heart of Jesus as a font of mercy, I trust in you."

Just a thought about the one who hung for you from a tree. Who else would do that for you?

[Justice_Mercy]

God will give you everything you need for faith and salvation, if you will heed him:

"[Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners]


I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life."

(1 Timothy 1:12-16 ESV)

[Julia Mae]

Originally Posted by snowpea

Do you have to already believe, even a little, to say this prayer?

Looking for a prayer that would help me believe when I am not sure I believe at all

Thanks

You can just talk to God. You can ask Him, if He's there, to let you know. You can ask Him every day. You don't have to believe, yet.

Here's what happened to one atheist who asked: http://mahlou.blogspot.com/2009/08/m...ion-story.html

[timotheos]

Originally Posted by fred conty

Just say now and then thru the day,
"Bood and water gushing forth from the heart of Jesus as a font of mercy, I trust in you."

Do not try to force faith on yourself, but let it come from God.
Just keep saying the prayer over and over whenever you have a moment.
Say that prayer no matter how you feel, or even tho you may feel like your lying.
Keep at it for as long as it takes for Jesus to answer that prayer.

The worst thing you could do is to quit.
The temptation to quit will be come.
Then you will think, what good is it to pray this silly prayer?
Then you think its not doing any good and not working.
Don't you believe it. Keep saying that short prayer over and over.

That prayer tells Him how dependent you are on Him and how weak
you are and in great need for his assistenance. You are admitting
that you need His help and love, that without him you are helpless.
That is a strong prayer.
He loves that kind of prayer. He now has your attention and
will answer you because you are trusting him.

"Bood and water gushing forth from the heart of Jesus as a font of mercy, I trust in you."

Just a thought about the one who hung for you from a tree. Who else would do that for you?

Fred, this is great.