Straying from God and proof of God

[an anarchist]

I’ve strayed from God recently. What I mean is I’ve stopped my daily prayers, meditations, and rituals. I’ve lost my motivation, which is a cycle of spiritual practice I believe. While I go through this, I experience something that reinforces my faith in God.
I feel a lack of peace. I feel God’s presence absent. I am curious if other believers can attest to feeling the presence of God. Is that sufficient proof of God?
God’s presence is something that is felt and experienced; do you agree? We can remove ourselves from His presence by our own freewill, and the difference is felt in the heart and soul. For me, this is sufficient proof of God’s existence

 

[Kooky]

If God is omniscient then what's the point of daily prayers?

 

[Lain]

I’ve strayed from God recently. What I mean is I’ve stopped my daily prayers, meditations, and rituals. I’ve lost my motivation, which is a cycle of spiritual practice I believe. While I go through this, I experience something that reinforces my faith in God.
I feel a lack of peace. I feel God’s presence absent. I am curious if other believers can attest to feeling the presence of God. Is that sufficient proof of God?
God’s presence is something that is felt and experienced; do you agree? We can remove ourselves from His presence by our own freewill, and the difference is felt in the heart and soul. For me, this is sufficient proof of God’s existence

Sounds like spiritual aridity which is a common thing that happens. Perhaps you would be interested in what St. Ignatius says (begins with third and fourth rules) to do when this occurs.

As for God's presence, it can be, although I tend to be distrustful of my feelings in general (the world, the flesh, and the devil can cause various ones in my opinion) and just look at the effects according to God's Will to know whether it was the Lord or not.

 

[an anarchist]

If God is omniscient then what's the point of daily prayers?

I think daily prayers are important because I feel like a relationship with God is an interactive one. Praying is how we can directly interact with God, which builds a personal relationship with Him.

 

[Kooky]

I think daily prayers are important because I feel like a relationship with God is an interactive one. Praying is how we can directly interact with God, which builds a personal relationship with Him.

What personal relationship could you possibly have with an all-powerful, literally inhuman entity that exists outside of this world?

 

[an anarchist]

What personal relationship could you possibly have with an all-powerful, literally inhuman entity that exists outside of this world?

I think this is the point I’m sort of alluding to in the OP. It is a relationship that is felt, and leaving it is felt as well. God cares and nurtures those who seek Him, and that is something that is felt I believe. So I ask, if this experience is proof of God. I’m sure an atheist would say no, as I assume they don’t have this experience. I wonder if other believers feel this way in their relationship with God. He is a father, that is how to answer your question I think. Perhaps it sounds arrogant, but that is not my intent.

 

[Nakosis]

I’ve strayed from God recently. What I mean is I’ve stopped my daily prayers, meditations, and rituals. I’ve lost my motivation, which is a cycle of spiritual practice I believe. While I go through this, I experience something that reinforces my faith in God.
I feel a lack of peace. I feel God’s presence absent. I am curious if other believers can attest to feeling the presence of God. Is that sufficient proof of God?
God’s presence is something that is felt and experienced; do you agree? We can remove ourselves from His presence by our own freewill, and the difference is felt in the heart and soul. For me, this is sufficient proof of God’s existence

Yes, I've felt God's presence. This seemed enough at the time to justify faith.
However as I've learned more about the brain, I no longer trust feelings as I once did.
I don't see God as a necessary part to feel at peace. The absence of feeling "Gods" presence? I don't see any getting around that.
It's comforting to feel God's presence isn't it?
I suppose I now find comfort elsewhere.

 

[sun rise]

God’s presence is something that is felt and experienced; do you agree?

Not necessarily. It can be but not always as "Footprints in the Sand" illustrates:

 

[Brinne]

I feel like for me as a feeling it’s less obvious (other than a sense of calm and relief at times). But it’s definitely very obvious to me when I feel away from God for one reason or another.

But I would agree with you, that experiential proof of God is valid. Though it’s near impossible to convey that to someone else, but it’s primarily proof for oneself instead of others.

 

[epronovost]

What personal relationship could you possibly have with an all-powerful, literally inhuman entity that exists outside of this world?

It's called a parasocial relationship. That's also how people can develop empathy or admiration for TV and movie celebrities or even characters.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I’ve strayed from God recently. What I mean is I’ve stopped my daily prayers, meditations, and rituals. I’ve lost my motivation, which is a cycle of spiritual practice I believe. While I go through this, I experience something that reinforces my faith in God.
I feel a lack of peace. I feel God’s presence absent. I am curious if other believers can attest to feeling the presence of God. Is that sufficient proof of God?
God’s presence is something that is felt and experienced; do you agree? We can remove ourselves from His presence by our own freewill, and the difference is felt in the heart and soul. For me, this is sufficient proof of God’s existence

Why not just enjoy the wonders of the natural world?

You don't need a God and there's a wonderful feeling about it all.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I am curious if other believers can attest to feeling the presence of God. Is that sufficient proof of God?

If someone's feeling of God's presence is evidence of God's existence, then presumably those who feel that God is absence is evidence of God's non-existence.

 

[The Hammer]

If God is omniscient then what's the point of daily prayers?

I do a daily devotional.

It's more about me then the Gods. But I think they appreciate it.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I feel a lack of peace. .. God’s presence is something that is felt and experienced; do you agree?

It is like the daily dose of intoxicant. Addiction. I am at peace even without accepting the existence of any God or Goddess. God is like a soother is to an infant. I am not an infant.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

It is like the daily dose of intoxicant. Addiction. I am at peace even without accepting the existence of any God or Goddess. God is like a soother is to an infant. I am not an infant.

Where you raised or "hung around" the abrahamic concept of god a lot?

I notice every time you speak of god it's always in context of a being of some sort which isn't a universal way of the word god even if that term is used.

 

[Firelight]

I’ve strayed from God recently. What I mean is I’ve stopped my daily prayers, meditations, and rituals. I’ve lost my motivation, which is a cycle of spiritual practice I believe. While I go through this, I experience something that reinforces my faith in God.
I feel a lack of peace. I feel God’s presence absent. I am curious if other believers can attest to feeling the presence of God. Is that sufficient proof of God?
God’s presence is something that is felt and experienced; do you agree? We can remove ourselves from His presence by our own freewill, and the difference is felt in the heart and soul. For me, this is sufficient proof of God’s existence

Yes, I agree. I feel and experience the presence of God. It is the most important proof to me that He exists. It is a relationship that must continually be nurtured or it will be lost, as you have said.

Atheists/non-believers will always mock for one reason or another, until they have the desire and the sincerity to develop and nurture a relationship with God for themselves.

 

[Firelight]

It is like the daily dose of intoxicant. Addiction. God is like a soother is to an infant. I am not an infant.

If you wish to see God that way, that is your right. However, that is not who He is.

 

[Firelight]

If God is omniscient then what's the point of daily prayers?

What does omniscient have to do with daily prayers?

What personal relationship could you possibly have with an all-powerful, literally inhuman entity that exists outside of this world?

“Literally inhuman entity“ Why do you say that?

 

[Aupmanyav]

However, that is not who He is.

An imaginary entity can be made in any way you like. You can color Flying Spaghetti Monster green or blue. It is totally your choice.

 

[Firelight]

An imaginary entity can be made in any way you like. You can color Flying Spaghetti Monster green or blue. It is totally your choice.

God isn’t an “imaginary entity,” but I agree a god can be made any way one pleases. Like some people will make god into a terrorist, others make him an essence of little substance, still others make him invisible and non-existent.

I don’t make God anyway I like. It is my place to get to know Him for the way He already is. So far, I have discovered that He is more caring, understanding, supportive, and encouraging than I could have possibly imagined Him to be.