I would ask all your pessimistic, heart breaking, difficult to say, kind of questions. The hard ones in your heart.
Good luck...

Of course that's the point of the meeting. But since my mind is so shot, I cannot think of everything I want to ask. Hence I'm calling all beepers to help me think of what those questions are.

Girl, I know what you mean about your mind being shot... My beliefs and everytihg feels like its all been into a mixing bowls. Even though I am feeling, much, much better. I still have lots of things that are disturbing that try to resurfice and I have to push them into the deepest caves of my mind. Bipolar makes you into a very confused and lost person. We just have to enjoy our happiness when we get it and try and pick up the peices and build ourselves back up again, and prepare for the next storm whenever it comes.

First, I have to say..........Your faith is important to you or you wouldnt even care to know why you dont have it. Just be yourself and tell the priest how you feel. He cant give you answers, only advice and direction.

I can tell you what I believe has held me together all these years and helped me keep my faith. For the last 20 years I have been surrounded by very caring christian friends. Most of those people I met in bible studies. NOT church itself. Those same friends have stuck with me when times got tough. For the last 14 years I have been in a small christian community that meets every two weeks. We study scripture and pray and discuss community needs. They are always there for me. With my last breakdown, they brought meals, sent cards, phone calls, and many other things. It really does make a difference what you surround yourself with.

I am not saying there are not some "off" christians out there. I have just made some really good friends that are true to their faith. I believe being with other christians and studying the WORD, makes all the difference.

Better then any "answer" from one person, it is the faith you develope through your experiences with other christians that affirm God in your life. It cant just happen by itself. I hope this helps. Hugs

Sounds cheesy I know butI would suggest writing down all yuor powerpoints and all that you really want to touch base on. So you dont forget . He is there to help you to hopefully have a newer understanding and that is very exciteing !! Just dont leave untill he has answered your questions and ask everything you ever had questions about. He will not JUDGE you ..just try to lead you in the right way ..Love you xoxox good luck

You might ask him what you can do to re establish your faith. Ask him what organizations you can get involved with. What studies or groups exist in the church you belong to that might help you.

I will pray that it goes well and you find the ansers you are seeking.

Another thought, I used to look for the answer to my illness in my faith. It is there but not the way I thought I was looking for. It is there in the form of understanding that God is my comforter, redeemer, friend, companion and that HE knows my pain because He experienced it. He will not take it away short of a miracle. That is for us to accept. That is the most difficult part of faith. Hugs

You do not want to hear from anyone how they have found strength in God but you want...what exactly ?

Thanks for all of the replies. Yes, I want faith. I want to believe that there is a God and that being a good person is enough. I have been nothing but punished for over 2 years. For what?

That's why my faith has fallen. I haven't done anything wrong. I've only become ill, and if there is a God, He has ignored my prayers and punished me for what I don't know.

Hanna, if I were you, I would ask him what I needed to do to start believing in myself again. In my heart that's where it all starts with ourselves. If one doesn't believe in themself, how can one believe in or have faith or anything else. I understand about wanting to have faith again, but I don't think you can have faith without first believing in you again. Just my thoughts.

Pala...I am asking for actual literal questions to ask a priest.

I don't want to hear how everyone has found strength in God b/c I don't have that strength, I don't know what to think of God if there is such a thing.

I'm happy for anyone and everyone that has faith. I'm insanely jealous of you, in fact.

Hana, He hasnt ignored your prayers, He has answered them in His way. We just dont always see what that way is. There are reasons for suffering. I agree that is difficult to believe. I have seen first hand how suffering has become a blessing. However, we dont always know the affects our suffering has for another.

When my sister died a horrible death from cancer, it devastated me. She suffered a great deal. She was an amazing person, very viable and only 39. She had no children or husband and I felt she had suffered her whole life. I learned with time that suffering is the purest form of prayer for others. I learned a great deal in her suffering that has sustained me through the last 9 years.

When my son became retarded at 2 from a ruptured appendix that was not found until too late, I was devastated. That child has brought so many people so much joy. He is one of the happiest people I know. He has taught me so much. And, he has overcome every single challenge put before him and the things they never thought he would be able to do. He believes he was saved from death twice to use his life to be a good person. Those are his words. His courage and strength gives me faith Hanna.

I have to look daily for the things around me that show me God exists. He isnt personally punishing me for anything. He is allowing my suffering and only He knows the reason. Hugs

I am sorry Hanna. I got carried away. Imagine that..............Smile. I sent a briefer hug to answer your question. Hugs

how about? In what ways can I use God to get me through this? what are the positive signs that God is helping me? How can I bring my faith back to restore my life? Is it true that God doesn't give you more than I can handle?

I have plenty of Faith. Her cd's are right next to the Tim McGraw cd's. LOL

For reals though, if you trust/respect this preacher like you said, why don't you ask him just that. "What do I need to do to help restore my faith?"

And it won't happen over night, or all at once. It will require small chunks at a time.

I would ask himwhat is going on to day that are miracles, like God did in the past (like blind seeing, demon ridden pp undemoned etc)

Why do I need God if He continues to just let me suffer?

What could rally happen to me after I die if I denounce God.

Why is there a God?