A confession to make ...

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Whistle Pig

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When our former Midshipman was but a lowly HS freshman, and ramping up his run for a shot at a room in Bancroft Hall, his mother and many friends concurrently ramped up a plan of praying that his dream might be clear, correct, and honored by his Creator. Many years after those 2 concurrent plans went into play, we've not ceased in that practice, watching the progress, praying for doing his best, keeping him safe. And so far, so great!

Along the way, our now USNA alum and his parents experienced many seeming "miracles", coincidences, serendipitous meetings and events, monumental moments of “good luck”, and amazing answers given in more-than-timely way. It has been crystal-clear that an indescribable force has been responding to this calling and its praying partners in the process.

“What's the point, where you headed lil piggy”, you ask?

Well, it's not always popular or “correct” to pose such possibilities in our secularized "multi-culturalized" society. But that ignores the facts as well as being thorough and complete in its possibilities and potential for guiding people along this path. I don’t like it when my MD tells me the cure for my condition is counting calories and counting the times I exercise. Still, it is the truth.

And so it is, several possibilities seem eminently clear and at least possible in this particular issue for candidates, families engaged in this extremely complex, competitive, confusing, and in some cases, controversial pursuit.

1. We've done it, i.e. prayed all along the way, gratefully joined by a whole bunch of USNA parents and others. And it seems to work as we’ve prayed for opportunities, good results, recovering from “toe stubs” and missteps, for just the right people at just the right time. Unfailingly, it’s brought only good results.

2. I'm confident many have chosen NOT to take this step in the appointment process, and have found this promised land with equally good outcomes, regardless.

3. Did I mention, “Prayer works!”? It has been absolutely stunning how apparent it has been that there is Outside consideration and intervention in our experience. I plan to write a book one day, even though I doubt it will ever be included as a final chapter in “The U.S.N.A. Candidate’s Handbook.”

Now, we all know that USNA is a public, secularized institution despite enlisting a diverse chaplain staff and having a beautiful synagogue and Navy rabbi along with one of the world’s most awesome chapel/churches and even a host congregation. Still, safe saying the 10 Commandments won’t be engraved on Herndon anytime soon. Still, let’s hope (and pray?) PC never, ever “separates” God from the Yard!

But what this site is about is identifying key, critical steps and activities to aid and enlighten budding USNA candidates, parents, and interested parties. And so …

Whatever your view of “prayer” and seeking godly guidance in this, pro, con, or otherwise … what role if any has it played for you? Has it worked? Why? Is it important for others? Please share. Whadya think? :confused::smile::help:
 
I definitely agree with you WP. The conclusion I came to was that I would pray that if God wanted me to attend an academy, I would receive an appointment, and if not, that I wouldn't. I ended up with an appointment to USAFA and an offer for NAPS, each within a day or two of the other. :thumb: Then it was a much easier matter to pray that I would select the right place. The journey has really just begun for me, but it will involve prayer the whole way.
 
Every encounter with a Navy-associated person, every post that answered a question or eased one of our minds or motivated our DS to get on the stick about something; every move we've made; every little everything has revealed, as is always true, that God's hands have been in this and on us each and every step of the way. And if the answer to the prayers for an appointment is "no," we will also understand that to be His intent, as well. But, my DS said Saturday, upon returning home from an admissions event, "God must really want me at the Naval Academy." Amen.
 
You know, I'm persuaded God loves all of us, prayers and non-prayers alike. But our Creator-Heavenly Father really loves it, just like I love when my kids REALLY talk to me, when His children REALLY talk to Him. And I think He honors those conversations with His responses and blessings. And I believe He always and specially honors his children who are nurturing hearts for serving others in a way that could one day require these young people to give their lives for the sake of others of His creations.
 
I will never forget September 26, 2011.
My DS finished his application on August 15 and the waiting started and we thought that our journey was going to be a long one.
So, on Monday September 26, I went to my son's school to drop off the picture CD for the year book and I decided to drop by the school chapel and prayed. My DS did everything he could for his application and I did everything I could to raise this kid. I prayed thanking God for this opportunity and wished that my son would receive an appointment. On the same evening, my DS received a phone call from his BGO norifying about his LOA. I could not believe it. The Board was having the meeting at the same time I was praying at the school church.
We are having a roller coaster year as something not good also happened to us, but we accepted it and we are moving forward.
Life is fair, sometimes things happen which is out of our control, but God is always watching us.
 
I've seen prayer work for other people. That's cool for them, but it's not my bag.

Different strokes for different folks.
 
Amphigory

One word posts, especially after several in a thread, can be less than perfectly clear.



That said, after some serious struggles in UPT, I was starting to doubt if being a pilot was going to work out. I had a less than decent record, and needed to have several good flights in a row to not face elimination. I did some serious thinking and praying. On the day of my checkride, it was just about clear and a million, with winds straight down the runway at 10kts (which all our maneuvers happened to be based upon). Did I mention it was a comfy 70 degrees in West Texas?! :eek::confused:
When I walked outside, I literally thought, "Well, Somebody set me up for success today!"
 
I would say, the one thing that helped our family navigate this unknown path for our DD was prayer. It was incredibly liberating and humbling at the same time. It allowed her to tune out the consistent "what makes you think you can do this?" message she got from friends, extended family, and strangers alike. Her anchor was, in fact, that she was only responsible for giving 110% and, if it was in God's plan , He would take care of the rest. She ended up getting every scholarship she applied for, placed in a Corps she loves, and feels a sense of calm in her freshman year most of her peers do not. I do not think this is because she is lucky, or special. I think it comes from a sense that she is part of a larger plan and that she is not solely responsible for the success of that plan. Her job is to work as hard as she can as long as she can and then to turn it over to God.

It also doesn't hurt that every little old lady I know at church is praying unceasingly for her :).
 
One word posts, especially after several in a thread, can be less than perfectly clear.

We all know perfectly well to which post ED was referring.

If prayer provides some level of comfort - fine; to each his own.

I find it utter nonsense but, heck, pray for me and maybe god will show me the light.
 
I'm suspicious he already has. One has to look to see, listen to hear.:thumb:

A modestly disparate thought ... realizing the remembrance we are resurrecting today ... 9/11 ... Was there anyone(s) who did not offer a prayer of some sort 11 years ago?

When that poor Tulane football player had that horrific, spine-fracturning accident in Tulsa, what did the masses in that stadium immediately do? Precisely what the ACLU had assured them would lead to a lawsuit, done in advance, at the game's start. Right. Pray.

Truly, truly, there are no atheists in foxholes ... or massive terrorist attacks ... or tragic injuries ... or ...
 
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...or let's stop trying to propagate the myth that the poor humble Christian is so persecuted in this country. That's Fox News garbage. It's false and, to those who are not of the vocal Protestant majority, such a notion is frankly insulting. The ACLU, like them or not, has made one simple thing clear: they won't let the gov't sponsor religion.

You enjoy prayer and believe that it has somehow affected your life positively. Good. Let's move on.
 
I'm definitely not anti-god. "I think my screen name says something about my beliefs". However, when it comes to prayer, I've always believed that it was for help when circumstances were outside one's control and/or it was strictly personal and not really involved with others.

Guess what I'm saying is: Suppose everyone, and I mean EVERYONE who applied to the academy took Whistle's position and were all equally committed in their beliefs and expectation of God. There'd be 12,000+ praying for receiving an appointment. Yet, because there is a limitation, approximately 11,000 are not going to have their prayers answered in the manner they desire.

Point is; I believe in prayer. However, praying for a specific outcome because that is what WE WANT, is something I don't believe in. My prayers are usually in the fashion for God to have "HIS WILL BE DONE". So yes, God answers prayers. But sometimes when you pray and the result isn't what you wanted; it's not that God "didn't" answer your prayers. He did. "The Answer was NO".

I only bring this up because "I believe" that just because you want something or a certain result in your life, and you pray about it. EVEN A LOT. Doesn't mean you're going to get it. So not to dis or dog Whistle Pig's enthusiasm for prayer, just that because you asked for it, doesn't mean you'll get it. It may not be "God's Will". In other words, the answer may be "NO".
 
And scout; I definitely don't believe christians in our country are "persecuted". However; i do believe that there is a double standard. Christians are expected to, even to an extent by law, to respect non-christian's beliefs. Even in their speech. However; it seems that non-christians are allowed to be more disrespectful of christians. Then again; I've always said that political correctness is the downfall of our society. Any minority subset of society, whether it's race, religion, ethnicity, etc... is given more latitude and consideration than the majority. I know it's certain people's belief that they are simply making up for inequalities from the past; but two wrongs don't make a right.
 
Christcorp ... you may want to return to post #1, sentence #1. I think you've "misread" maybe. And thus maybe miswrote about your view of mine.:wink:

Ballplayers don't pray to win. They pray for their best performance absent injury that the game's outcome remain with them in lieu of some Preconceived godly "fix." Let the best man win. Not the best god.

My own read on your Christian POV is that may well be yours, but is not your Lord's look at the process. His instruction was to pray without ceasing. For big things and small.

The notion of a 911 god is a convenient human spin, imo.

Iron sharpens iron.:thumb:
 
I find the logical inconsistencies of prayer too much to overcome. Namely, if your god is in fact omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient, what exactly are prayers supposed to accomplish? Your god already knows what your wishes are…and whether they’ll be granted. It’s pretty egotistical to think that kneeling and verbalizing something (or however you do it) will affect what your god has already decided?

But if it makes you feel better have another drink of the cool-aid.

And WP, I can think of 2977 who might have prayed for having a safe day on 9/11.
 
Christians are expected to, even to an extent by law, to respect non-christian's beliefs. Even in their speech. However; it seems that non-christians are allowed to be more disrespectful of christians. .

The law most certainly does not require you to respect non-Christian beliefs.

What do you mean by stating that "non-[C]hristians are allowed to be more disrespectful of [C]hristians"? Who, do you suggest, should disallow such behavior?
 
there are no atheists in foxholes ....

There are plenty.

There are plenty who wear (and who have worn) a military uniform that are atheist or agnostic. This includes those who have been under fire. This includes those who have been killed. The tragic story of Pat Tillman is one of the most public examples.

Knowing that death is coming soon does not automatically translate into developing a belief in a god or gods.

For those who have belief, if it works for you, good deal. It doesn't work for everybody, and that's cool too.
 
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