- Manju
S.
Susan's response:
Hi Manju, Good to hear from you and thank you for your query. I conceived Prayables as a safe place where God-loving people of different religious beliefs can come to pray together. I rarely discuss theology. Still, you ask a reasonable question.
I'll share my view on
kismet - which by definition means fate or destiny.
I believe in a Divine plan for my life, determined by God. I can't see my future, I don't know my fate. I can only see this day and this moment, and I can rightfully use my God-given free will to make good choices and sound decisions, which I pray will affect my destiny favorably.
In my religion, we observe the High Holy Days. It is said; on Rosh Hashannah, God writes one's fate for the year in the Book of Life. We begin ten days of penitence culminating in Yom Kippur.
In those ten days we pray, fast and ask forgiveness with particular intensity, to reverse any evil decrees. In a dramatic conclusion to the ten days of awe, the Book of Life is sealed, and we know we've done our best to merit God's favor for another year. It's a lovely, centuries old tradition that I follow and draw inspiration from.
Do I truly believe that my
relationship with God is transactional in this way?
Not so much.
That's where my faith sustains me. I have faith that if I do good, if I live gratefully, and I pray often, I have done my best to serve and honor a God of grace.
Love and blessings, Susan
