Comments on: Praying in Churches, Mosques, Temples and Synagogues

By: Mollie Lyon

Mollie Lyon — Fri, 16 May 2014 05:36:00 +0000

In reply to Anita Mathias. :) Thank you.

By: Anita Mathias

Anita Mathias — Thu, 15 May 2014 10:07:44 +0000

In reply to Mollie Lyon. Thanks Mollie. "I really respect your writing and honor your friendship." And vice-versa! :-)

By: Mollie Lyon

Mollie Lyon — Sun, 11 May 2014 17:13:59 +0000

In reply to Anita Mathias.

I deep thought and prayed about my response. I loved that quote from Lewis, writing it down when I read it a few months ago. I felt the Lord tell me to use it in response. I read how dreams lead people to Jesus. I don’t think we follow a system of beliefs, but the Man Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross opens Heaven and a relationship with Him to us. Yes, I believe He honors the seekers. But the Truth is Jesus.
I didn’t think you were wrong. Yet, I know the Holy Spirit leads to Jesus. Our response is what our Father honors. And I do think it breaks His heart to see us struggling and posturing that we are right or somehow we can build our bridge to Heaven. He so discourages that. We only have Christ’s righteousness as our clothing before God.
This is very complicated and yet simple. Sometimes I think we evangelicals got some of it wrong. I heard that God is the Hound of Heaven, chasing us down. Still, in the parable of the Prodigal son, the Father waits for his son to come to his senses.
I hope you take this in love, as I really respect your writing and honor your friendship.

By: Anita Mathias

Anita Mathias — Fri, 09 May 2014 17:34:53 +0000

In reply to Ann Johnston.

Thank you, Ann. I am sure I am right in believing that God hears the prayers of all people.

I too belong to the charismatic/evangelical tradition and so prefer to seek answers in Christ “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” as it says in Colossians.

However, I too believe God scatters abroad his gifts to all people, and do yoga with a clear conscience, and am inspired by and use some ideas and principles from Zen.

But Christ is central in my thinking and life. I do yoga because Jesus hasn’t given a specific indoor exercise system to Christians, and use ideas from Zen because God has not given Christians a specific interior decoration aesthetic that I know of 🙂

By: Ann Johnston

Ann Johnston — Fri, 09 May 2014 17:04:48 +0000

Love this post as a mother-in-law of a Hindu and grandmother of 2 boys being brought up with both Christian and Hindu influences. A very charismatic/ evangelical friend once told me that by even going into a Mosque or a Temple it would expose me to being demonized. I’ve done both but feel that God will honour his promise that those who seek will find.

By: Anita Mathias

Anita Mathias — Wed, 07 May 2014 14:46:41 +0000

In reply to Mollie Lyon. Thanks, Mollie. I totally love that quote from CSL. Haven't read that book. The post was just a thought based on my own experience of the Father Heart of God, and I could well be wrong!

By: Mollie Lyon

Mollie Lyon — Tue, 06 May 2014 17:20:01 +0000

From C.S. Lewis’ book, That Hideous Strength: “‘Sir,’ said Jane, ‘I know nothing of Maledil. but I place myself in obedience to you.’
‘It is enough for the present,’ said the Director. ‘This is the courtesy of Deep Heaven: that when you mean well, He always takes you to meant better than you knew. It will not be enough for always. He is very jealous. He will have you for no one but Himself in the end. But for tonight, it is enough.’ ”
God’s desire is that none shall perish-2 Peter 3:9.
The Holy Spirit leads into Truth and Jesus is Truth- John 14:6.
Why one man will walk one hundred miles to seek the truth. Why Muslims are having dreams of Jesus when they pray for the truth to be revealed.
Prayers are the start. God knows the heart.

By: Anita Mathias

Anita Mathias — Sat, 03 May 2014 21:32:10 +0000

In reply to Colin Waldock.

I too was deeply opposed to both Iraq wars, equally opposed to both. I lived in American during both wars and found them very upsetting, and found it upsetting that my sentiments were so different to those held by most Americans.
I love the title of the book by Tutu, “God is not a Christian.” What a bold title and idea! I hadn’t heard of the book. And I agree. He’s even larger than the largeness being a Christian brings to our lives.

By: Colin Waldock

Colin Waldock — Sat, 03 May 2014 17:34:27 +0000

Thank you Anita for another thoughtful piece. More people should realise the universality of God, who no doubt meets Moslem, Bhuddist, Hindu, Sikh, Jew and Christian in equal mercy and humility. For me, of course I experience Jesus. Would I interpret God in that way if I had been brought up in a devout Moslem family. It reminds me of the title of one of Archbishop Tutu’s books; “God is not a Christian”. I remember treating a father of someone once, we sat in the lounge, Christian, Jew, Moslem all meeting together to try and help someone. The father came from a village in Iraq. When the second Iraq war started I found myself opposed to war totally, and prayed for his safety. War was no longer impersonal, there was someone I knew potentially at the end of a bomb. May we follow the way of the Prince of Peace.

By: Anita Mathias

Anita Mathias — Fri, 02 May 2014 18:19:22 +0000

In reply to mari howard. Wow, that was quick! Thanks, Mari!