While I was there, I developed an on-line friendship with one of the ladies there. She was a Lesbian atheist, and at first was embarrassed by me, and wished that I would go away. But, she was friendly, and ultimately came to be viewed, in the atheist website, as the member who would talk with patience and friendship to "that Christ-er Pete" who liked to read "The Babble."
One day, my atheist friend announced on-line that she had some kind of personal problem chasing her down the street like a huge, deadly junk yard dog ...
http://www.sportwaffenk9.com/images/teeth.JPG
She said that the problem, which she did not want to describe on-line, had nearly caught up to her, and would shortly knocked her down and rip-out her throat.
I commented, "Look, God doesn't view problems as problems. For God, your problem is not a problem. It is a talking opportunity -- it is a chance for relationship.
"I know that you don't believe in God, but you can't be absolutely, positively SURE that He isn't out there, in the darkness.
"So, do this: First, say a brief prayer for the strength to at least have doubts about the non-existence of the 'Unprovable Loving One Who Might Be Out There in the Darkness.' You HAVE TO do this with at least that much faith, kid, otherwise it just doesn't work. When you say that prayer, that much faith WILL jump into your heart. I promise.
"Then, say a single prayer for help to the 'Unprovable Loving One Who Might Be Out There in the Darkness.' Tell Him your problem, and ask Him for help. Don't tell Him how to help you. He doesn't need your instructions. Just ask Him for help.
"But I want you to do two more things. First, I want you to promise that you will make a public announcement, here in this atheist website, that the prayer I am telling you to pray worked, when it works.
"And, I also want you to ask God to tell you WHEN your help arrives, that it has arrived. When He tells you, you will hear a voice jump into your head, using your own mind's voice and your own first name, saying, 'This is the help you prayed for, [name].'
"And at that moment, your problem will evaporate magically. I swear this."
She agreed to do exactly as I instructed.
One week later, my on-line Lesbian friend posted, "Everybody, greetings. I am going to keep my promise. I had an utterly terrifying problem. You all read Peter's advice to me. I agreed to do what he said. I did it.
"Well, it worked. I did exactly what Peter told me to do. When my giant problem caught up with me, everything happened exactly as Peter said it would. It was a miracle. I thought that I was about to die. But ... the problem just ... evaporated. I can't tell you more. All I know is, the prayer worked."
Try it yourself. Give it a shot.
Just remember that God doesn't solve your problems to solve your problems.
He wants Relationship.
And there's no better way to do that than through the Catholic Church with its sacraments.
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