Faith, is it something accessible to everyone.?

Question

For the past two months, I have been performing an experiment of sorts. I have gone to Church, I have prayed to God, and asked Jesus into my heart.

People state free will is something that we all have. I disagree. Regardless of the amount of time I have prayed, or despite spending 5 + hours a week with other religious people I feel nothing.

You can say I am not trying but that would be a lie on your part. I honestly want a relationship with God, and have put forth effort in an attempt to have one. I will continue to do so but honestly it seems pointless at times.

So do you think faith is something anyone can have? Do you think those of us that do not have it are not trying hard enough? Do you think if I spend more than the hour of prayer I spend every day begging for some sign of faith I will receive it.

I eagerly anticipate any answers. Keep an eye out for me. I plan to keep up this search, and will ask questions monthly along the way.

I mean faith in God, I know we can have faith in other things. Like I have faith that the sun will rise tomorrow. I do not have faith that God exists, or that Jesus is my savior.

ima_irish_hick,

But don't you need to have faith in the first place in order to believe in it. It is like a Catch 22.

Pegacita,
Thanks for the answer. He has everything I know of to give him. But without my belief in him at the level most people have, I am not sure what to give. I say experiment of sorts because it is one, I want to try to believe in God. I am approaching it in ways I have been told work.

Thanks J T,
That is what I figured; I know a lot of people must have faith though. They seem pretty happy about it, and I want to give it a shot.

Answer 1

Religion is not something you should feel pressured into. If you don't feel anything, it may not be right for you (or perhaps another religion would be more suited to you... do some research).

Don't let anyone bully you into a faith.

Answer 2

listen , cz u dnt have faith u dnt see god if u have faith in him truth to him he will enter ur heart
so i will give u a plan :
Go to a priest ( a trusted good one ) n ask him to help u , tell hiim what u feel , n he will help u
Also try to have faith just alittle bit n he will enter ur heart, n maybe u will be a saint , it happens i am not kidding
Pray , dnt trell me u did alright do it again but with faith .
If u want to knw proofs that jesuus is nthe savoior ok , read in tawrah n u will find that there was a lot of signs that the savior will come from a virgin in betlahm , n jesus was borned from virgin mary n in betlahm , also god came up from death n the proof is the tomb n the towels that they put on his body the image of his body were printed on these towels n it still hereb (it's in rome i think ) to print soeone picture like that u need an energy of a nuclear bomb n in jesus died since 2000 years so there was no such thing so how do u explain this print how a dead body be printed on cloth that way , thay did researches on that cloth n they said there was no other way to have print like this one but to have an ebergy of a nuclear bomb n they were sure the cloth was 2000 yrs old n they admitted that the body was to a man in 33 yrs old ....., the same describe of the bible to jesus ( i cant complete the hole story but make sure of it by reading about it )
Also why would christians say god came up from death n he didnt why would they die for a lie all the propthets v( peter , paul ,....) have suffered n met their death cz they were telling a bout jesus would they die to tell a lie what will they gain from that money they sold everything n went to make ppl see god the lord , tell me why they will do that did they all have a death wish , i dnt thing so it's not logical , no one will ever bear all this if he wasn't sure n completly believe in what he says also when peter n the others talk they could in many languages , a lot of languages they didnt knw before , how can this come without the holy spirit , the holy spirit made them talk in all the languages of the earth ( read to make sure ) , so what else , a lot of saints died did they die all cz they were dumbs all these millions of ppl died for nothing , also paulism there is no such thing some ppl say it should be called paulism not christianity but that's wrong cz what did saint paul say more what the bible said did he say anyrthing more than the bible or what peter n the other prophets said , tell me on eword he said more ( he didnt write any of the 4 bibles so if u find in his word something mre than the bible said tell me )
Also the proof christianity is real the 4 bibles they were all one thing even there were 4 writers ( read them u will find them talking about same things same scens , same way ) this means tgere was only one writer it was the holy spirit .
if u still dnt believe tell me again , n dnt forget get some faith n go to apriest n ask himj help i will pray for n i am sure u will see god like me . have faith

Answer 3

God is ecstatic you are seeking Him and that you are keeping up the search. I don't know what the answer is, but I do know when the Holy Spirit takes over, you got it. It took a while for me, too, but it happened when I least expected it. It took a great deal of humility one afternoon. The next morning I was new. I've learned that "religion" didn't help. I'm in a church that only preaches the Bible & Jesus Christ. It's a "community church" associated with Willow Creek and not a "denomination". The denomination I was a member of, only confused me and TOLD me what to believe. Now, I trust the Bible, my spiritual teachers & the Holy Spirit inside me. It's the same thing Billy Graham teaches.
People say that Christians only want your money, etc. I think Billy Graham is an example of what a true Christian is. He is an evangelist, but he doesn't tell anyone what church to go to. He's not getting ANY money from your personal commitment to Christ when you're watching TV. They have a number 1-888-NEEDHIM that is free if you want to know more.
If you go to www.evidencebible.com it will help you understand where you're at. It's my favorite Bible because it explains logically what God is all about and why you need Him.
The biggest thing I've learned that is a roadblock to many people is that they don't understand why they NEED a saviour in the first place. A lot of people experience the deep seeded joy and want to share that with people (and it is awesome, let me tell you), but you will never really accept Jesus unless you truely know and believe deep in your heart why you NEED him. Please keep seeking Jesus, because you will find Him. God promises that you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart.

Actually, when I re-read your question, the answer came to me. God wants your WHOLE heart, He doesn't want an "experiment of sorts". He wants full devotion, he wants marriage....it sounds like you're only "dating" Him.

Answer 4

I am an atheist, but I was a practicing Christian for over thirty years. Here is the most common answer to that question:

"Pretend you have faith until you do."

I'm serious. That is the answer I heard given more often than any other and your question is not uncommon. Even amongst so called "believers."

Answer 5

I think that faith is accessible to all. I, for example, am filled with faith - I have faith in my wife, I have faith in my parents and those I love, I have faith in my own conscience and my sense of right-and-wrong, and I have faith that the future will be a better place.

But there are things that I do not have faith in. I do not have faith in the Bush administration. I do not have faith in the lottery. I do not have faith in my personal dress sense. And I do not have faith in God.

We just have to choose carefully where we put out faith.

Answer 6

Anyone can have faith. some have faith in the lotto others have it in religon. It does not matter how much you pray a week a day. it only matters if you belive in what you have faith in.

Answer 7

faith is not something to be acquired or gained by praying hard it is something which developes by itself. this holds truth for anything. instead of wasting that much time, try to do what GOD would have liked you to do for the society. the society will start developing faith in you which in turn will bring you closer to god. and please DO NOT picturise GOD as someone who sits there in heaven fulfilling wishes and listening to prayers. try this and your faith will automatically develop in GOD.

Answer 8

I think that faith is accessible to all. I, for example, am filled with faith - I have faith in my wife, I have faith in my parents and those I love.
BUT NOT Ä°N GOD.

Answer 9

yes. i think you should read the purpose driven life by rick warren to help you. and i read this somewhere : we might never find God, it is He who finds us.