I see many posts on social media claiming that we need to pray. Pray to heal the sick and pray to God because he is in control. I often reflect upon how this God is in control? In what way?

If God is in control, why would this God allow the coronavirus to spread so wildly and rapidly? Why would God want to have so many people panicking and acting irrationally? Why would a God who is in control have leaders saying so many different things that are confusing? Why would God want this virus at all?

Let me guess, if we repent for our sins, and believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and he’s our personal savior, we will be saved if we die from COVID-19. Is that how this is supposed to work?

I never really understood any religious faith. Religions often ask believers to subscribe to a doctrine that defies logic. I understand how humans have questioned the existence of God since day one, but I’m asking my readers to explain things to me in the comments below.  Why you feel God, whether it is a he or she (or THEY), is all powerful. If God is omnipotent, why can’t God do away with this virus? If God isn’t powerful, why even bother praying to this entity?

Other questions; is this a test for those who believe in him? Is this a test of your religious faith? Is this the devil running around trolling God? If so, why can’t God stop the devil from creating chaos and send him back to hell?

I wrestle with the concept of God being the same one that Muslims and Jews worship. If so, maybe all believers should pray together. Maybe the collective power of humanity can miraculously cure all who are afflicted. I don’t know. I’m seeking answers from believers in any God, in any form.

I sincerely hope that all illnesses are eradicated. I want no one to be sick. It would be amazing if everyone could grow old and die at age 98. I gather this isn’t going to happen any time soon. I realize that humans are not perfect machines. In my many years of observation, I’ve discovered the world is full of randomness. One never knows what is going to happen from day-to-day. None of us know precisely when we are going to die.

If the last statement is true, why not live in the moment? We are powerless to control much around us. Humans have to live in a world full of uncertainty and unpredictability. If we live for now, we can’t be worried about what happened in the past and certainly cannot be concerned about future events.

Since we subconsciously know we can only control certain things, we can conclude we are relatively powerless. Praying to a “God” must be comforting. Convincing our brain that a God is going to protect us and is in command of events which render us impotent, it seems as if prayer supports us from moment to moment.

What if we just let go of the concept of “God” and accepted reality? What if no one or no-thing is in control? Could we live each day to the best of our ability and be at peace with our own mortality? Our dying day can happen at any time. Live as if today is the day our God comes for us. If God isn’t ready for us at this time, why not enjoy each person place or thing that surrounds us if possible? If things aren’t good for us at the moment, work at making things better. Do what we can to improve things.

Life is short. Live for today. I can’t wait for an unknown date in the future for some God to come and save me.

 

Bob Marley had a great lyric in is song Get Up Stand Up. I found these profound:

Most people think

Great God will come from the skies

Take away everything

And make everybody feel high

But if you know what life is worth

You will look for yours on earth

Wise words.

 

Clayton Craddock is an independent thinker, father of two beautiful children in New York City. He is the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University’s School of Business and is a 25 year veteran of the fast paced New York City music scene. He has played drums in a number of hit Broadway musicals including “Tick, tick…BOOM!,Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical and Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar and Grill. In addition, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

Clayton is the chair of the New York chapter of the National Parents Organization and is focused on promoting shared parenting, where both parents have equal standing raising children after a separation or divorce. He is writing a memoir and writes for various local and national publications.

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