Surely you’ve been there. And you just might be “there” at this moment in time. How many times have you prayed for a breakthrough in your finances, or maybe your health. So, why hasn’t there been some recognition from God, a little intervention here and there? Are you really listening? Ahh, but I’ve led you astray today. I am really not asking if God is “listening” or even if He is “hearing” your prayers. I want to take this little leg of the spiritual journey a bit deeper. And, it just might help you get some of your prayers answered. You ready?
Here’s the real question.
You’re visiting a grocery store in Southwest Houston where Anglo-Americans are by far the minority, as well as the Hispanics, and African-Americans: we’re in India-laden territory. Hindus abound, as well as Buddhists. And there standing near the apples in the produce department, you see a woman who is obviously praying. Does she have enough money to purchase a luxury such as apples, or should she stick to the basics?
More importantly, as she is obviously praying to Vishnu (her Hindu God, also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being or Ultimate Reality of Brahman in the Smarta traditions of Hinduism). Say what? Are you kidding me?
Hold on now.
>If God is NOT listening, what kind of God would He be who created her?
>If God is everywhere (omnipresent) isn’t He there by the apples WITH her?
>Since God is Spirit, and so is she, isn’t God IN her as well?
But, dear saint, of the Western Christian community, IF God is indeed listening what’s that say about this “special relationship” that the Catholics especially proclaim (defining even the billion Protestant Christians as LOST) that they (we) have? What’s up with that now: IF God is listening? Ahh, now here’s the crux of this little detour that I took you in to.
The core question isn’t IF God is listening or not, but one of of perception of “our God“. You know, the one that just so happens to be “the God” that we embrace, the true God. How convenient! My, my aren’t we the lucky ones. Do tell! Surely God isn’t listening to the communal prayers of millions of Muslims on Holy Night. How insane is that? Let’s get ‘em saved (ah, but from what or whom?)!
Many who loved C.S. Lewis turned around and called him a heretic when he wrote, “I think every prayer which is sincerely made, even to a false god………..is accepted by the true God, and Christ saves many who think they don’t know Him.”
Tell me it ain’t so Martha! 
In the Fall of 1999, the Southern Baptist Convention asked its members to pray for 900,000,000 hopeless lost individuals in the darkness of Hinduism, (and I now quote) “who worship gods which are not our God.” Is there any wonder American Hindus carried posters decrying such divisiveness in front of Second Baptist Church of Houston.
Can’t we allow others of a different faith worship as they choose, and maybe say a prayer (of all things) that God would answer “their prayers“.
You know God Listens, and you didn’t have to read that on a bumper sticker to affirm it!
Yep, he’s listening. And, if I would have been at said grocery & that ever present voice whispered in my ear how to meet her need, the God in me would have helped the God in her answer the prayer. Regardless of her religion!!!
The bigger question is: Are we listening to Him?
Yep, the bigger question!
That question Melana was the one I kept looking for in this article, and I feel it was though not spoken (uh,I mean written). I kept seeing it as a “read between the lines” question throughout the entire article. Ernie, you are so good at getting people to ask the right questions, as you prode and lead, encouraging all to seek the answers to their questions. You make one enjoy this journey even in the times of struggling with an old belief or new question. Thanks!
Someone enjoys this journey? Will miracles never cease!
This journey we’re on has a few similarities with a lifetime covenant. One of the lifetime covenants that I have made is with my husband. When my thinking was, “I’ve got this guy all fiqured out, the way our relationship plays out is now set in stone and now I’m secure and nothing will ever change,” I got bored and was tempted to look for a little excitement somewhere else. Then my thinking changed to, “I’m changing and he’s changing and we’re discovering something new about each other every week, if not every day. We must communicate constantly to keep tweeking our relationship.” It can be so exciting to wake up every morning expecting to discover something new about my husband! It can be so exciting to wake up every morning expecting to discover something “new” about my GOD!!! Enjoying the Journey?? Love it!!!
The way LIFE should BE, instead of critically judging those who don’t think as we do. What a waste of life.