Patricia Heaton tells atheist to 'dig a little deeper' in Twitter exchange about God and prayer

Actress Patricia Heaton recently had an interesting discussion about prayer and God's existence with her followers on Twitter.

The exchange stemmed from a quote that the star of "The Middle" shared on Twitter, which came from a Carmelite nun. Heaton wrote, "You come to realize very soon, that prayer isn't something you do, it's something that God does that you're open to. And so the more you try to be open to God, surrendered to Him, His life flows into us in prayer."

"The Middle" actress Patricia Heaton ABC

Non-believers replied by asking questions or sharing why they didn't believe in God, and thus didn't feel they had a need to pray.

One Twitter user wondered why Heaton, who openly shares her Christian faith to her nearly 400,000 followers, believes so much in God's existence when this hasn't been "100 percent" proven. Another Twitter follower claimed that the idea of God was perpetuated to instill fear in people, "that if they didn't do as they were told, bad things would happen."

Heaton interjected that she believes there's more evidence about God's existence than there is about His non-existence and she told her followers to "dig a little deeper." But when the atheist suggested it was best to stop digging, the actress replied, "Never stop digging."

Heaton has had a number of exchanges with non-believers on social media in the past but she always responded with kindness. Last year, an atheist also challenged the actress' belief in God and it elicited a heated discussion among her followers. Nevertheless, Heaton didn't take offence.

Meanwhile, the TV mom recently returned from a humanitarian trip to Uganda with World Vision. She helped prepare meals and shared hundreds of prayers from her followers for the refugees.

News
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame

Over 323,000 people have signed a petition in opposition to new stained-glass window designs for Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God
Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God

Rapper Nicki Minaj opened up about her recently reignited relationship with God and what inspired her to speak out for persecuted Christians, suggesting that her rise in the music industry made it more challenging to maintain the spirituality of her youth. 

Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events
Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events

The Christian Institute has initiated legal proceedings against Keir Starmer in a bid to end civil service participation in controversial Pride marches. 

National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches
National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded more than £7.3 million to help maintain four historic churches.