I wasn’t quite raised in the church. While my family always respected religion and religious people, I wasn’t raised with a strong influence of religion in general. We’re the family that goes to church on the holidays; you know, Easter and Christmas Eve. I personally don’t think there is anything wrong with that. My parents raised me to uphold morals, treat people the way I want to be treated, and have a gracious and kind heart. All of those things people can also learn growing up in church, I assume. I have had many friends who were raised with religion prominent in their lives and most of them are some of the nicest people I know. We also have a lot in common in our belief systems and this is in no way a negative hit in their lifestyle.

While I don’t plan on becoming religious or going to church, there is something I have been wondering about. If I haven’t been religious, what do I know about God? I mean, I know the basic Bible stories, sure, but what do I really know? He’s out there, probably - there are quite a few unexplainable things out there. But there have been a handful of things that have happened recently that make me think about Him and what He’s all about. More so, about the idea of praying to God and if I’m even allowed to do so if I’m unsure about the whole thing.

When something life threatening comes up, the one thing that almost everyone says is, “please send prayers” or “I’m praying for you”. And I truly think people do. I think they ask God to please help. But I’m not sure because how do you pray to something/someone that is greater than all of this around us? And how do you know that what you are saying to an empty room or inside your head is actually being heard by some great being? This is where I think church helps people maybe understand. But me, being the girl who never really went to church, is struggling with this because all of a sudden I feel like life has thrown some things that I could probably pray for; to pray for other people to just be okay. Sick parents, grandparents passing away and young adults' lives being threatened. So this is my prayer or thought for a moment.

God, I know you’re out there in some shape or form, whether in good voodoo, good vibes, or heavenly spirit. And I know that maybe I haven’t quite trusted anything I know about you, but I’ve heard you don’t really care about that kind of stuff. A lot of people say that you have a plan for this world, but I’m not too sure about that either. I’m starting to believe that everything is supposed to happen for a reason but I’m not sure what those reasons are. I don’t know if I’m actually asking for anything here other than to just help those who are hurting. Is that how this even works? I’m not sure. I just know that as I grow up I see more hurtful things in this world. More death and pain and it's kind of a harsh reality out there and I just have to wonder, why? Is there a reason for those things? Probably, but I don't think we will ever know the answer.

Anyway, prayer is such an abstract concept that I’m not sure if it can even be taught. But I guess for now I’ll stick with my concept of miracles can happen and sending good vibes is somehow my equivalent of sending prayers because that’s all I really know.

Thanks for listening,

- The Concerned Non-Religious Girl.