Are there any Jews on this board?

Actually, in the vast majority of my prayer life I tend to focus on and address God the Father, while depending on the Holy Spirit to speak on my behalf (Romans 8:26). Often times, I don't have the words to communicate what I feel or want to say, and I lean into the Spirit to do that for me.

"Tapping into" the Spirit to hear God's voice is something I'm still learning how to do more effectively. It's pretty hit-and-miss for me right now (more miss than hit). Since we began this discussion, I've actually started to consider looking into the rosary, to see if it's something I can use to grow closer to God and improve my ability to listen for Him and to Him.

I totally and completely agree.

We do. Or I should say, the Protestants who are faithful to the Bible do. However, I would guess that the heaviest emphasis is on Christ first, God the Father second, and the Holy Spirit a distant third. I get the feeling that Catholics probably acknowledge the Spirit far more often.

Again, I totally and completely agree. The only idea I would add is that in Protestant practice, I think the assumption (for a lack of a better word) is that when we pray -- whether speaking or listening -- it is to the triune God simultaneously, not necessarily singling out one specific manifestation, although that does happen as I've pointed out in my own prayer life. There have been occasions when I have prayed to each -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- individually, but that is not the norm for me.

 

Again, thank you.

Substitute the word "communicate" with "dialogue" and add "as much as they should", and I'm in agreement.

I totally agree. But I tend to think that to develop any relationship into something extraordinary, fervent desire is a requisite. I'll agree that some religious methods can increase the efficiency of that growth process when it comes to a relationship with God, but without the desire, all the religious practice in the world won't make that happen. Nothing can.

I would not disagree. My relationship with God has been the only unwavering positive aspect of my entire life. That being the case, there is a definite hunger to draw ever closer to Him that has been frustrated in part by the physiological effects of my anxiety and depression. In other words, sometimes I have trouble hearing God through all the "noise" in my heart and mind.

I've not been as dedicated to developing that aspect of my faith as I should have been, no. That is something I'm working on now, and for the reasons you cited.

That was tactfully put.

But that contradiction is not exclusive to Protestants, is it? It could be said of many who would simply call themselves Christians, denomination or affiliation notwithstanding.

I think we may differ on how we're using the word "receive" in this context. There is a difference between hearing a prayer, and accepting and acting on one. I was referring to just hearing it.

 

I totally agree. As someone who is fighting this three-headed monster, I concur with your first point that depression is as much a spiritual malady as it is a physiological one. It's not an "either/or", it's a "both/and".