Today is the day that created Christianity. The day that Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus after the crucifixion. It is only fitting, then, that April be the month dedicated to Christianity in the Year of Prayer.

Today, Christianity is the world’s largest religion. It encompasses many denominations including, but certainly not limited to Catholicism, Protestants, Lutherans, Presbyterian, Christian Science, and Unity. The spectrum of denominations cover a belief in Jesus as the only Son of God and the only path to salvation to Jesus as an example of someone who lived in complete harmony with the Divine. There are few doctrines that govern all Christian denominations.

The Life of Jesus - Jesus is the central figure in Christianity. Little is known about his life before he started “ministry” - in the form of healing and teaching - around the age of 30. He was a Jewish carpenter, born in what is now known as Palestine, and crucified by the Romans.

Christians believe that Jesus is God incarnate and the prophesied Messiah of the Old Testament.

The Death and Resurrection of Jesus - Christians believe that Jesus was resurrected from the dead by God. His Spirit is believed to have appeared before his disciples 3 days after he was killed. This is the cornerstone of the Christian faith.

The Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - Most Christians believe in God as Father in Heaven, God as Son on earth, and God as Holy Spirit. The idea of the Holy Trinity stresses God manifesting as the different entities, not the 3 entities being a part of the whole.

It is important to not that not all Christian denominations adhere to the idea of the Holy Trinity.

The Bible - Christians use the Bible as their central text. It is made up of the Old Testament, most of which is contained in the Jewish Torah, and the New Testament, the part of the Bible that documents the life of Jesus and the early church.

The level of adherence to the Bible as a literal, historically accurate text varies among Christian denominations.

From the days when Jesus walked the earth to present day, Christianity has undergone an evolution in interpretation. The teachings of Jesus are often in conflict with the teachings of the Old Testament, and later books in the New Testament. The idea of Jesus as the only incarnation of God is still the main belief in Christianity, but some denominations seek to reconcile it with the idea that man was created in the image and likeness of God. Many wars have been fought in the name of Christianity. On the other hand, Christians extend generosity and goodwill through missionary programs. Spirituality within the context of Christianity can range from the idea of deliverance and salvation to the experience of God in daily life. In short Christianity is a complex tapestry.

In Spirit,
Nneka

In 2004, 4 months behind on the mortgage, the bank threatening to foreclose on my house, the electric company one day away from cutting off the electricity, numerous collection agencies calling, and a business on the verge of collapse, I felt the squeeze of desperation. In those moments, it was essential for me to ask for a way out.

Asking did not change God’s mind so that my wish of the perfect job could come to me. Asking got me to the point from which I departed, the point where I returned my focus to God. I returned my focus to the abundance of the Universe, the guidance that was always available to me, and the resources that were readily available.

This is the last installation in Petitioning Prayer during the year long series, Year of Prayer. I thought I would pose the question, “Why are we still asking God for stuff?” All religious texts point us to a life staid on God. They all say in some form that when our attention is on God we don’t have to worry about material things. They all say that, in fixing our gaze on God, all the things that we need will be provided. This is not to say that we do nothing. It means that we direct our attention and awareness to the Presence, the Spirit, the one Consciousness that is always available, and that we are guided to our highest good.

Those who surrender to God all selfish attachments are like the leaf of a lotus floating clean and dry in water. Sin cannot touch them. Renouncing their selfish attachments, those who follow the path of service work with body, senses, and mind for the sake of self-purification. Those whose consciousness is unified abandon all attachment to the results of action and attain supreme peace.

– Hinduism: Bhagavad Gita 5.10-12

How many animals do not carry their own provision! God provides for them and for you. He is Alert, Aware.

– Islam: Qur’an 29.60

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

– Christianity: Bible Matthew 6:25-27

The Master said, “What need has nature of thought and care? In nature all things return to their common source and are distributed along different paths; through one action, the fruits of a hundred thoughts are realized. What need has nature of thought, of care?”

– Confucianism: I Ching Great Commentary 2.5.1

In all of your asking, be sure to ask for guidance, for courage, for willingness. Ask that you remain open so that you can be a full expression of God, so that Spirit can work through you.

In Spirit,
Nneka