I am a student of process theology. I believe that we co-create our existence with God, but that God does not have the ability to intervene in the physical world or to override the consequences of our choices and actions. I believe that God has persuasive power, but never coercive power. So I no longer believe in prayer. God and I have a conversation, we have a conversation without ceasing. But I do not ask God for things. I am grateful and I worship God, but I do not ask God for things. When there are choices that need to be presented, when my consciousness needs to be directed in a particular direction, God gently persuades that to happen. But God cannot answer my prayers for resolving the hate in my heart. That is on me to make the right choices and to walk it out until I make progress in that direction. Which I have no doubt I will, because it is clear that I am making positive changes and I am on a positive trajectory. Sometimes healing is not sequential, but it is iterative. For a synopsis on my theology, check out the book God Can’t, by Thomas Oord. God it’s not omnipotent. God is Amipotent. Plus, it makes me sick to hear evangelical Christians say “thoughts and prayers“ for someone in a tragic situation. Because it does nothing and it means nothing. People need to step up and take a stand for truth and goodness. They need to put their money where their mouth is. Thoughts and prayers do not solve the problem of poverty, gun violence, sexual assault. These things are epidemic. From the stance that I co-create with God, I am always provided with an array of choices, every moment. I don’t pray for deliverance from a particular situation, because that’s not how it works. I can’t sit back and pray for something and have it come to be. Change requires action.I do not ask God for things that God cannot provide. I choose to act in a way that honors the teachings of Jesus Christ. Not always, obviously, but that is my goal. Again I would urge you to look into process theology. I’m also a universalist. There is no hell. It is a misinterpretation and it is the means by which evangelicals, particularly church leadership, have attempted to control Christians through the use of fear. And it’s wrong. It’s an abomination. I can’t sit back and pray for something and have it come to be. Change requires action. So do not pray for me. Do not pray that I will change. Take action. Take a stand against Trump and Trumpism because that is the root of the pain, division, and hate that is infecting our country.