A Prayer For Owen Meany Religion Analysis

In A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving conveyed religious overtones throughout the novel. John struggles to develop his faith, while Owen has a doubtless belief in his religion. Owen elucidates his view of religion to John by stating, “ ‘WELL, NOW YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT GOD,’ said Owen Meany. ‘I CAN’T SEE HIM--BUT I ABSOLUTELY KNOW HE IS THERE!’ ” (Irving 451). My immeasurable dedication to faith has dramatically changed my life and has molded me into the person I am today.
I was dragged to Catholic church every Sunday as a child. Despite the numerous temper-tantrums, I could not be more thankful for the efforts of my parents. After many Wednesday nights and a hefty amount of volunteer hours, I was confirmed in the Catholic Church. The

first time I understood the value of my religion was when my parents got a divorce. When I had no one to help me through the struggle, I turned to God in my time of need. I began to pray every night. Reading from the Bible became a daily habit. Every second I spent focusing on religion was one less second I was focused on mourning. A firm foundation in religion provides a sturdy backbone for crisis.
I have had agnostic friends try to convince me God is not real.

I struggle to understand their ignorance. Too many miracles happen every day in the world to blame them on luck or chance. One of my Mormon friends was on his mission in Bogotá, Columbia when he pulled over to spread the word of Jesus to a wandering man. The man on the side of the road was contemplating suicide. He prayed for God to send him a message just moments before the arrival of my friend. This miracle is just one example that has solidified my belief in my faith. Some people will not believe in God until they see a miracle. Many Christians and people of all religions have a time in their life when they question their faith.
There was a moment when I doubted religion. An avalanche of tragedies piled upon my life in the blink of an eye. My father moved seven hundred miles away, people died, and family members began to discover the effects of methamphetamine. I began to think religion might be a lie. I asked myself, “Why would God make me suffer through this hardship?” By enduring this oppression, the silver lining became apparent. I grasped the true concept of my series of unfortunate events. The circumstances of my childhood have molded me into a stronger

person.
I take nothing for granted and truly appreciate the magnificent gifts of life. I have an unstoppable force to help others in need.
Religion provides a plentiful amount of qualities for those who choose to believe. My faith has taught me selflessness, integrity, and patience. One volunteer project through the church required me to work in a soup kitchen at a homeless shelter. Working amongst these children broke my heart and made me thankful for all the opportunities I am blessed to experience. My faith was restored only after I became aware of my prosperity. Sitting in two to three church services every Sunday provides me with a time for self-assessment. Any particular week can provide complications that result in a narcissistic and egotistical attitude upon myself. The Sabbath day gives me the opportunity to drain my poor qualities and reevaluate my ambitions to guarantee I am serving others in a positive way.
Many people claim God works in mysterious ways. Through my personal experiences I have become a strong advocate of this saying. Although many people do not understand the actions of God, he is always working in a way to improve lives. Every day I learn something new about myself. I have improved my charisma as a result of my belief in religion. The most important lesson I have learned is that a strong faith and spirituality help me find the true happiness in life.