I'm afraid you'll have to be a heck of a lot more specific as it really depends on which gods you believe in and which you'd like to work with. By and large you do just simply ask the deity for their help however depending on the deity offerings and/or acts of devotion of various natures are typically used as a way of thanking the god should they choose to help you.
The best advice I could give if you want to work with a deity is to get to know them first. Read as much about them as possible and try to understand both their character and what worshiping practices are associated with them. Whilst you don't need to adhere exactly to an ancient and half lost half mistranslated ritual it's an idea to draw inspiration from it as it probably grants an insight into what offerings the deity might respond to.
Let's start off by understanding that we are talking about powerful divine beings here. Gods are not a spell ingredient to be " used ". Nor does one try to summon or command them. That would be both foolish to attempt and an insult to the Deity whose favor you are asking.
Many of us who work magic within our religious beliefs do work with certain Gods or Goddesses. We don't pick them on a whim. In fact in most instances our deities choose us. Once we realize that there is a calling to work with a specific deity we go about building a two-way relationship with them. This would include praying to them, making offerings to them, perhaps even creating an altar to honor them. Then when we have great need of their aid we can request it politely. We can invite them courteously to be present in our circle, ask their assistance, and make an offering to them in return for their help.
Think of it this way.. in a relationship such as I'm describing the Gods are our parents and we are their children. Now here's a situation where you need something, so you go to the Gods for help. Who is more apt to aid you? The deity who views you as their child and with whom you have built a loving relationship? Or the random deity who has not relationship to you and who you rudely demanded they do something for you? I would think the outcome is obvious.
Gods can be classified as low level entities which dead on worship, so in order to keeap it going they spend less energy then you give to them in order to store the cosmic energy thirds what you ask just to give you more believe in them which in turn gives them more power, but I wouldn't waste your time, cause unless your a Jesus fanboy sow to speak whose whole existence is focused on them mor/less, than it while have as much power as will power, really not worth it, that's also why wicans have main God's, because than asking for their help might just be useful, which was one of the smartest discoveries that the first wicans made, but to any strong practicer of magic its just if they are to lazy to focus, as for the how just ask something with the question meant for them, because no other entities will car if there is nothing in it for them
wow karlisb,
that's a really unique way of thinking of the gods, though I understand it may be true, I mean I have never heard of a god who grants gifts to those who are not devoted, in fact, personally, i think the christian god punished Job for being faithful even though it was meant to be a test of his faith. I mean, usually, when you call on a god, they're the one that you devote yourself to, or if they aren't because they are specialized in the area you are working on, you leave incense, candles, offerings and the like. But nonetheless, we always give offerings to the god we are devoted to, so I guess it might be that way.
once again, gods and deities are not used, they are not ingredients, they are not servitors, though you shouldn't be treating servitors cruelly and using them either. Learn some respect, I don't know what your path is, but no god appreciates being 'used'.
Please understand I don't plan to have any involement with gods. I was just wondering because of the many things I have read. But anyway thanks for the information.
