Must a deity’s statue be worshipped before the deity will help?

A statue is not always required before divine help. At Sheng Zhen Men, deities sometimes came first and statues followed when circumstances matured. Those are our experiences of affinity, not a rule promising identical perceptions for everyone.

When Zhong Kui first came, statues of Guan Sheng Dijun and Xuantian Shangdi were present, but none of him. The energy was strong, with stomping steps and distinctive shoulder and neck postures. Some unprepared students stood frightened against a wall. His image was acquired later when conditions matured.

Lord Bao also descended to help before his statue was worshipped. Guan Sheng Dijun descended in the form of a large statue when we had only a small one. Through these experiences, I understood divine compassion recognizing need without necessarily being limited by an existing statue.

Especially in early matters involving ancestors or deceased relatives, some problems exceeded my understanding and ability, and Lord Bao descended through me to assist. This deeply moved me: beings’ needs and the presence of a statue are separate matters. Yet this cannot create an expectation of perceptions without worship or of scheduling divine descent by acquiring a statue.

There were similar experiences when inviting the Northern and Southern Dipper Star Lords. Earlier recitation and prayers had already created a faith connection before preparing statues. Limited worship space also required rearranging existing statues to make room.

I felt affinities gradually maturing while practical human arrangements remained necessary. Understand needs and placement before inviting statues rather than skipping space and care because of perceived divine affinity.