God creates us out of love, but we don't want God, or we don't believe in Him, or we pay very poor attention to Him. Nevertheless, God continues to love us-at least, He continues to try to get our attention. Pastor Merrill made religion seem reasonable. And the trick of having faith, he said, was that it was necessary to believe in God without any great or even remotely reassuring evidence that we don't inhabit a godless universe.
In "A Prayer for Owen Meany," the narrative explores the relationship between humanity and God, emphasizing that despite often ignoring or disbelieving in God, His love remains constant. The sentiment is that while many may not actively seek God or show appreciation for His presence, He persistently tries to connect with us, illustrating His unwavering affection and desire for relationship. Pastor Merrill, a character in the story, presents religion in a way that feels rational and accessible.
The essence of faith, as described in the narrative, revolves around believing in God's existence even in the absence of compelling evidence. This challenge to maintain belief in a world that may seem indifferent to the divine reflects a central theme of the struggle between doubt and faith. Through these reflections, Irving conveys a powerful message about love, faith, and the human experience in relation to the divine presence.
