If you pray, I need your prayers!

[kpang78]

I know I'd written about this on another post here, but I really need some help, advice, and prayers.

I've been struggling with the issue of plastic surgery and what the Bible says. My walk with God has not always been strong but I have regained my faith. I spoke with a friend who is very blessed with the gift of prayer and who I definitely feel is a megaphone for the Lord, and she is against the surgery. She showed me scripture where it actually says that you shouldn't cut yourself. She also thinks I'm just making excuses or twisting the words of the Bible to justify my surgery. I mentioned how it's just an adornment, about blessing the PS with the gift to repair us, etc. She said I'm just making excuses.(sigh)

In any case she's praying for the Lord to intervene so I won't be able to go with my surgery. I asked her to stop praying for that because I so badly want this, but she said that it's not God's will for us to alter our bodies in such a way. We should respect it as God's creation and how dare we say what he created for us isn't good enough!

I'm really sad because I respect her so much, and she is blessed in such a way that when she prays for something in the Lord's name and that she knows is his word, it happens. I've seen it time and time again. So now I'm so scared that her prayers will come true and I would've waited my whole life for this and it won't happen. I'm nervous and wish the days would go by faster.

Is it wrong for me to pray that he give me his blessing to go through? Is it wrong for me to ask you all to pray that my friend's prayers aren't answered? I'm wondering if this in itself is a sign that I shouldn't go through with it. I really, really, REALLY want this to happen.

I know some of you aren't Christians and therefore can't empathize with my dilemma, and that's okay. DH is an athiest, which makes us an interesting couple! We all have different spirituality on this board, and I welcome the opinions from non-Christians, just as long as you don't bash or imply that there's something wrong with me for being Christian. But for those who are, what is your take on this? Don't get me wrong, I'm not uber-religious by any stretch, I don't even pray in a church. I pray alone and I feel that's enough for me. But I feel guilty about this, and I'm wondering since it's bothering me so much then maybe it's a sign that I shouldn't go through with it? I don't know...

[zephyr love]

i've been raised catholic but i'm not a die-hard or practice very religiously....i have faith and i do believe in being a good person but there are some issues w/the church i just do not agree with.

I am not too familiar with the bible as i should be but i think that you should do what makes you happy as long as its not hurting anybody else or yourself and this is not hurting yourself.

I feel like your friend should be praying that you find happiness within yourself and that whatever you do- you will be happy.

[bridetobe]

i'm a practicing Christian and just got my BA today. in fact, i was a missionary for several years too. i can see the tension between both perspectives. i am, however, one to go against the flow too. i have a tattoo as well, which a lot of Christians are against. i'm able to hold up my side of the arguments for it though. i think there are so many grey areas in the Bible...and i guess it leads back to "everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial." perhaps a BA for your friend wouldn't be beneficial...but maybe it would be so for you. that being said, i think it also goes beyond just being at peace about it (because being at peace with a decision is more subjective and not necessarily Biblical).

perhaps you should analyze WHY you want this BA. i feel like, yes, it is an adornment in some ways. and while i did this a lot for myself, i also did it for my future husband (i am getting married in november).

so i think my post is not going in any particular direction. perhaps you can tell your friend that while you respect her as a person and sister in Christ, would she be able to accept your decision and support you too? do you feel like she is judging you in any way?

[Jesseliz]

I am a Christian, and like you pray by myself all the time. That is enough as I am close to Him. Closer than most people I know who claim to go to church all the time. I love to go to church to learn, but that doesn't connect me with Him. Prayer does. I will pray for you to be happy. He always answers my prayers too. You can pray for yourself. I don't think that she is praying wisely when she prays against someone and I think she is being very hurtful. Did she also read in the Bible that thou shall not judge? That is what she is doing to you. God is the only one that can judge you and I don't really think he will be focused on your boobs. I know God loves me and wants me to be happy and blesses me every day. He was the one I prayed to about this and he provided me with the money. I saved $7000 in a few months, with the help of another cool job and a few other things. I think if He was against it, it wouldn't have been so easy. I know He wants me and you to be happy and lead good lives... They are just boobs! There is nothing wrong with wanting to be normal. Just my two cents... I am praying for you, for you to be happy. I am quite certain that alot of PS are Christians too, they change lives. What a gift they have!

[Xiola]

I answered in this thread, so I'll just link that post.

I'm afraid I may not be much help on a spiritual level as I am a pretty staunch atheist but I can understand on a basic level. I do wish you the best with this and hope you can make peace with the decision and this 'friend' of yours.

[mayaonearth]

I am an ordained, and licensed inter-faith and spiritual minister. I do not have any church affiliation, but work with individuals helping them find their path to God, and deal with life stress and crisis.
I do not feel that we can simply "read" the bible and then apply that to life as it is today. Life is so different, from the time the good book was written.
I do not feel that someone who drinks, or swears, is going straight to Hell or anything like that.
I believe that God does judge, but this judgement is based on our "intentions" and most importantly how we treat other people. Having a ba does NOT cause any harm to others. The fact that you have much conflict and struggle over this shows your true "intentions". No one can tell you what is the "right" choice for you, only YOU can do that. I do not believe that ANYONE has the right to interpret God's word to such specific things as having a ba, or wearing make up, coloring out hair etc.
I also do not believe that we are judged by God, or defined by one act, or even two or three. Its where our heart and our spirit lie, and what we believe that defines our "spirituality". Before my second ba, my redo, I spent a great deal of time praying on this, not because I was seeking an "answer" of whether the ba in theory was wrong, but, that I was not making a personal selfish choice, in lieu of my family. I am ok with my choice. I do not feel that I have abandoned my beliefs because I made this choice. Some of the religious types that quote scripture, are contradicting themselves even. For instance, in the bible you will find reference, that our body is the "temple", yet in another section we read that our body is only a "shell" and our true self is our spiritual self, not our physical body.
If you decide NOT to go ahead with this ba, it should be because its not right for YOU, not because you are making this into a sacrifice to prove your love of the lord. That one small choice, is NOT going to define your spirituality.
Sending peace that you reach your decision and feel good about it. Feel free to pm anytime.

[Dragonomine]

Ya know, somehow I think God is more concerned about your soul and not about your flesh.

If your friend is a Christian and you decide to have this surgery for yourself (and wouldn't God want you to feel good about yourself?), if she IS the Christian she claims then she shouldn't judge you. If you lose her friendship over it she's not much of a Christian.

Sorry I sound a bit bitter. I DO have a relationship with God but I can't say I'm a devout Christian. In my opinion, if you hold everyone to a higher standard because of your Faith, you better walk the walk and not just talk the talk. Sounds like that's what she's doing.

And as for prayers being answered, they're ALL answered. Sometimes just not in the way you hoped for.

[Bella2215]

I am a Catholic and I see where the dilemma could arise in your faith by getting plastic surgery. You are not crazy for thinking this, but there is a point where you have to come to terms that in no way are you sinning by getting a BA. My mother (who is a DEVOUT Catholic) had similar concerns as your friend and was praying for a "conversion" for me until she realized what my true reasons for getting a BA was.

As long as you are getting a BA for yourself and NOBODY else than you are perfectly just in that! There was a time when nobody in my church could get tattoos and be buried in a Catholic cemetary- which at this point in time seems insane because the cemetaries would be pretty empty then-LOL!!

Keep your head up and know that God is with you and will continue to be with you before, during and after your BA.

I will keep you in my prayers that you have a fast and speedy recovery and truly enjoy your BA post surgery!!

Good Luck!!!

[Bello]

Originally Posted by mayaonearth

I am an ordained, and licensed inter-faith and spiritual minister. I do not have any church affiliation, but work with individuals helping them find their path to God, and deal with life stress and crisis.
I do not feel that we can simply "read" the bible and then apply that to life as it is today. Life is so different, from the time the good book was written.
I do not feel that someone who drinks, or swears, is going straight to Hell or anything like that.
I believe that God does judge, but this judgement is based on our "intentions" and most importantly how we treat other people. Having a ba does NOT cause any harm to others. The fact that you have much conflict and struggle over this shows your true "intentions". No one can tell you what is the "right" choice for you, only YOU can do that. I do not believe that ANYONE has the right to interpret God's word to such specific things as having a ba, or wearing make up, coloring out hair etc.
I also do not believe that we are judged by God, or defined by one act, or even two or three. Its where our heart and our spirit lie, and what we believe that defines our "spirituality". Before my second ba, my redo, I spent a great deal of time praying on this, not because I was seeking an "answer" of whether the ba in theory was wrong, but, that I was not making a personal selfish choice, in lieu of my family. I am ok with my choice. I do not feel that I have abandoned my beliefs because I made this choice. Some of the religious types that quote scripture, are contradicting themselves even. For instance, in the bible you will find reference, that our body is the "temple", yet in another section we read that our body is only a "shell" and our true self is our spiritual self, not our physical body.
If you decide NOT to go ahead with this ba, it should be because its not right for YOU, not because you are making this into a sacrifice to prove your love of the lord. That one small choice, is NOT going to define your spirituality.
Sending peace that you reach your decision and feel good about it. Feel free to pm anytime.

I think all of the advice you are receiving is wonderful but really loved the way that Maya put it.

As others have already said, If your friend is truly wanting the best for you and wanting the power of prayer to work for you then she would pray that god be with you in your decision rather than praying against you.

Good luck to you.

[oliveskinlover]

Can I tell you a little bit about one of my BIGGEST pet peeves??

IT'S PEOPLE WHO GO AROUND BLUDGEONING OTHERS WITH THE BIBLE.

I'm assuming that your friend has not gotten her ears pierced, nor wears any makeup, walks around with her head covering on at all times, sits separately from men at church, and leaves town for the seven days she's on her period because she is unclean??

This your decision - one for you to make on your own - God does not CARE about your breast implants, He cares about your love and commitment to/for Him.

It doesn't matter if she prays that God will intervene and stop your BA - do you think that God's going to make your car crash or something so you can't go to the doctor or the hospital?? This woman doesn't have superhuman powers, and God doesn't value this woman's opinion - I re-state OPINION - more than He does His own plan for you.

People like this woman drive me flipping insane. She is simply a busy-body manipulator who has the audacity to use GOD'S WORD to press her own agenda on people.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

You make up your own mind; there's nothing in the Bible that precludes this surgery no matter what this woman says. People use this same argument to not medically intervene with medicine/surgery for their kids and it kills them!! It is not true!! Salvation does not hinge on whether or not you get a BA.

This woman needs to lay off the Judgmental Stew, in my opinion. I'm sorry she's acting this way. But remember - she is just a person, not God's Mouthpiece, even though she seems to think she is. She doesn't have a special pipeline to God, she is just a woman. A bossy manipulating woman, but a woman just the same.

[deannaluv62]

Originally Posted by mayaonearth

I am an ordained, and licensed inter-faith and spiritual minister. I do not have any church affiliation, but work with individuals helping them find their path to God, and deal with life stress and crisis.
I do not feel that we can simply "read" the bible and then apply that to life as it is today. Life is so different, from the time the good book was written.
I do not feel that someone who drinks, or swears, is going straight to Hell or anything like that.
I believe that God does judge, but this judgement is based on our "intentions" and most importantly how we treat other people. Having a ba does NOT cause any harm to others. The fact that you have much conflict and struggle over this shows your true "intentions". No one can tell you what is the "right" choice for you, only YOU can do that. I do not believe that ANYONE has the right to interpret God's word to such specific things as having a ba, or wearing make up, coloring out hair etc.
I also do not believe that we are judged by God, or defined by one act, or even two or three. Its where our heart and our spirit lie, and what we believe that defines our "spirituality". Before my second ba, my redo, I spent a great deal of time praying on this, not because I was seeking an "answer" of whether the ba in theory was wrong, but, that I was not making a personal selfish choice, in lieu of my family. I am ok with my choice. I do not feel that I have abandoned my beliefs because I made this choice. Some of the religious types that quote scripture, are contradicting themselves even. For instance, in the bible you will find reference, that our body is the "temple", yet in another section we read that our body is only a "shell" and our true self is our spiritual self, not our physical body.
If you decide NOT to go ahead with this ba, it should be because its not right for YOU, not because you are making this into a sacrifice to prove your love of the lord. That one small choice, is NOT going to define your spirituality.
Sending peace that you reach your decision and feel good about it. Feel free to pm anytime.

I absolutely agree with this post, and this question has put me at ease as I struggled with the same thing. In the end you need to what is right for you!!
Excellent question

[workoutgirl]

One thing God blessed all of us with is FREE WILL. Also, point out to your friend that there are other surgical procedures in which we "cut ourselves"; would these procedures lead us to the gates of hell? (C-section, heart surgery, etc.) I understand your respect for this friend of yours but I do need to say I too have a very close friend who is VERY conservative and is very active in our Church, the best example of a "Christian" I've ever known. She was nothing but excited for me and even admitted she was a bit jealous! Now that is some walking and talking Christian behavior. She did not judge me, she was happy to see me so excited and happy, prayed that the surgery went well and not once mentioned to me that God was going to judge me b/c of it. And believe me, she is very conservative. If you really believed she was right, your friend, you'd not have even posted this, you'd called off your surgery and prayed for forgiveness, am I right? I do not think Jesus has a problem with this, but I'm betting he has a pretty serious problem with how your friend is using him as a way to get you to call this surgery off. These kind of "christians" are why christians have a bad name, imo.... Good luck sweetie, this is a terrible situation!

[fairycakes]

I'm Catholic too. I want a rhinoplasty, otoplasty, and breast augmentation. Do I feel comfortable in my own skin? Almost... When I was younger I had the cutest nose + ears, but once I hit puberty my ears stuck out, my nose grew a hump, and my breast never really filled out. I don't feel like my exterior fits who I am on the inside.

On the inside, I'm a happy + bubbly person who loves life, is a bit hyper, and wants to help others. On the outside, I think I look cold, goofy, and a little disproportionate? I feel very uncomfrotable with my profile and 3/4 view of my nose, that I hardly *ever* pose for a picture. The pictures I do pose for always look like I'm cold/grumpy, but it's just my nose that blocks the rest of my face.

When I pull my hair back I've gotten comments that I "should stop tucking my hair behind my e