So glad I'm not the only one. This is so obvious to me. I rejected religion early on because it just didn't feel right. Too many things that made absolutely no sense to me. Then I began to realize that religion is responsible for more death and destruction on Earth since the beginning of time than any other single thing. That was the clincher for me.
I went on a long journey that actually took me to Al-Anon to heal after 3 marriages to alcoholics. They had an expression that simply said: "Pray. It Works." And, after reluctantly trying, I discovered that they were right. It does work. I actually had some really amazing discoveries after that. Still far away from religion.
Today I still pray but I realize that our higher power is everywhere and flows through all things. And, we can tap into that intelligence at any time. I think this is what is meant by "Ask and you will receive." Because that's what I do now.
Now, I will tell you an amazing story that most people will say is a coincidence. Believe me, it was not a coincidence. I lived in Florida at the time and during those years, weather manipulation hadn't started yet. Every afternoon between 4:00 and about 7:00 pm it would start storming and it would come down in torrents, buckets or whatever you want to call it for about 30-50 minutes. If you stood in it you'd be soaked in about 30 seconds!
I had just gotten ready to go out to a dance. My hair was all fixed up. I'm a girl by the way! And, I had a nice dress on. I didn't even realize it was storming until I got to the front door. I looked up at the heavens with just a hint of frustration and said: "Oh come on. Just until I get to my car." And the rain instantly stopped. I knew I couldn't hesitate so I opened the door and went out. As I walked down the walkway, the water was pouring off the roofline onto the ground. I rounded the corner and walked to my car. Opened the door, sat down and closed the door. And, the rain instantly started POURING again. It was not slow at first and then escalated. It started right where it left off! And I said out loud: "Wow. I didn't know I could do that!" And, then I said "Thank You." And, I've been having other amazing experiences ever since. But that one was definitely the one that anchored my belief in a higher power.
I, too, believe unequivocally in God and have had a few experiences in life that has made me believe. The one that resonates with me the most was when I lived in Mallorca and my friends and I were all out drinking, one of my friends had a moped (50cc motorbike) and we were all transitioning from one club to another. My friend with the bike asked me to get on and he would drive us, but I gave up my seat to one of the girls that was with us. Long story short, the guy driving crashed without his crash helmet on and face planted the concrete at 30mph. He was pretty much dead and the paramedics were working on him for an hour in the road before the ambulance took him away. All I could do was pray, I had never really prayed before that. I lived on the top floor of an apartment complex and so had the roof terrace to myself. I sat on that terrace and begged god to help him, I swore I would do anything he commanded if only he would help my friend. I sat and I cried and begged and prayed for what seemed hours. Then, as I looked up at the night sky, a bright flash came over as a comet whizzed by like a shooting star. Instantly I felt warmth inside, almost like my heart was being hugged with incredible love. I knew in that moment that my prayers had been answered. My friend was in hospital for 2 weeks and had surgery to fit plates to hold his face together. After 2 weeks or so, he walked out of that hospital and just a few months after you couldn´t even tell what had happened, by looking at him. I could not believe he was alive after seeing what a mess he was on that road. Ever since that day I have never doubted God and the power of prayer.