Why do you think God isn't answering YOUR prayers?

Itagaki · #21 8th June 2012, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Catherineanne

Fine. I don't do that; I trust God.

My daughter doesn't need to continually whine to me about what she wants; she knows that if she wants anything and I can provide it, then I will. Sometimes I will ask her what she wants, and then she tells me. Mostly she does not ask, because our relationship is about far more than what she can get out of me, or me out of her for that matter.

I try to behave towards God as I would prefer my d to behave towards me, and focus on the relationship rather than on getting what I want.

Good for you for being more logical and rational than the rest of us.

Congratulations.

Where did anyone say that?

For a logical and rational person you are being a bit illogical and irrational there, and reading what is not written, I. I think it comes under the heading of 'irrational presuppositions'.

You're projecting how you are with your kids on to God.

On what basis do you have to believe God acts in any way in comparison to how flawed human beings act towards their kids? The religious are very quick to point out God is in no wise like us at all. So why project on to Him?

And you said you pray because Jesus did, so I assume you do so simply because you feel it is your obligation to do so. That is illogical? Ok.

parsley · #22 8th June 2012, 09:03 PM

Prayer is about spending time with God and getting to know him; I do that a lot, but I do not ask him for stuff a lot

This ties in with what has been on my mind lately. I go through the day with God on my mind a lot, and get a lot of nudges and messages so I feel like I've been praying. But every once in a while I realize that I have not been petitioning -- only resting in Him.

That has been on my mind all week, and He has been showing me some areas I'd been wishing for change, but forgetting to come out and ask Him for it. I was reminded of how frustrated my family would get when I was little, me obediently waiting for people to figure out what I wanted, or do what they were supposed to do, and then suddenly bursting out in tears when nobody tended to it.

Whether you'd consider that shyness, sulking, or passive-aggressive behavior-- if you look at it from the Father's viewpoint, He would assume that we knew we could ask, because He told us we could ask.

I doubt that represents a majority of unanswered prayer, but there must be some people who can relate. Jesus told us to ask in faith, believing. I agree that we don't need everything we imagine we need, and that sometimes we need to wait. But we also need to make sure we actually ask, because that's one of the prescribed procedures.

mandelduke · #23 8th June 2012, 09:23 PM

I don’t know God always answers my prayers, he may not answer the way I want him to, but he always answers my prayers. Now if God stopped answering my prayers, I would ask him why are you not answering me. Have I done something wrong?

Strider1002 · #24 9th June 2012, 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by Itagaki

I disagree, dude.

I had no say or part in the apple-eating incident. I did not choose to be born into such an f'ed up world. That was not my will. So why am I accountable for what some goof-balls did way back when...?

I don't know if you're accountable for Adam and Eve's sin, but you are accountable for your own. You have rebelled against God--everyone has. "All have sinned and fallen short..."

Catherineanne · #25 9th June 2012, 05:21 AM

Originally Posted by Itagaki

If death is so good, what is honestly keeping you (or anyone) here? I do not understand this way of thinking.

Can you explain it to me?

Certainly. It is God's will that I am here. When it is no longer his will, then I will enter eternity.

Either one is fine with me.

Catherineanne · #26 9th June 2012, 05:23 AM

Originally Posted by parsley

But we also need to make sure we actually ask, because that's one of the prescribed procedures.

When we say the Lord's Prayer we say; 'Give us this day our daily bread.'

That is sufficient, imo.

Catherineanne · #27 9th June 2012, 05:27 AM

Originally Posted by Itagaki

You're projecting how you are with your kids on to God.

On what basis do you have to believe God acts in any way in comparison to how flawed human beings act towards their kids? The religious are very quick to point out God is in no wise like us at all. So why project on to Him?

And you said you pray because Jesus did, so I assume you do so simply because you feel it is your obligation to do so. That is illogical? Ok.

That is a non standard use of the term projection.

Meanwhile, I regard God as my Father because Christ told us to call God Father. His parenting is a lot better than mine, but there are certainly things I can learn from being a mother, which help me to understand him better.

Such as, that my d is not defined by what she does wrong, but by what she attempts to do, and how she does it, and that a loving relationship is more important than anything else.

None of which constitutes projection. Projection would be assuming that God hates (insert minority of choice) because I do. Actuality is learning from God, and changing my attitudes to fit with his, rather than the other way round.

StoneWater · #28 9th June 2012, 05:49 AM

Originally Posted by Itagaki

We all have something we are praying for, wanting to come to pass.

But often times, we do not see God respond to these things. Why is that?

What is it that is keeping God from answering your prayers?

Why do you think He is holding out on you?

What are YOUR reasons, as to why God is not answering? Sin? To "teach you a lesson"? Because suffering makes you "more godly"? Or some other reason entirely? Or perhaps, you don't know why God is seemingly, or perhaps very well is, ignoring you?

Why is God not answering YOUR prayers?

I really do not know... God --shoot,where are you???

tturt · #29 9th June 2012, 07:14 AM

When prayers aren't answered - it's a good time to take inventory such as -
Are things well between my husband and I? Am I asking with the right motives? Are there sins that I haven't repented of? Am I asking amiss? ETC

1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” KJV James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." I John 5:And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

If nothing is revealed, then I know it's His timing to answer as He wills, and wait with continued prayer. Biblical examples to keep praying is to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psa 122:6) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5). Also, sometimes He closes doors and we have to accept that He has our best interest at heart.

parsley · #30 9th June 2012, 10:21 AM

In the Lord's prayer, we sometimes skim over, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Well of course. Of course we want God's will to be done, and of course it should be. And we should express that to God.

But why did Jesus feel it so necessary in such a condensed prayer, to include believers spelling that out?

I believe that in addition to showing our yieldedness and trust in His benevolence, there is a matter of activation. He leads us beside still waters and restores our soul, but He also asks us to pray without ceasing, shout around the walls of Jericho, and keep knocking.

God created the world with the spoken word. He might have imagined His plans for a long time beforehand, but when He spoke, the transformation began. We are made in His image.

I am not trying to promote a Secret-like approach, or greed-based doctrine. The train of thought is simply that what is on our mind can need the activation of voicing our requests to God. Not so much that we make things happen, but we ask God to make things happen. He wants our open, continual communication.

Php 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Matthew 18:18-20
Assuredly, I (Jesus) say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.

(Showing God valuing people gathering to say actual prayers over issues...and also another solution in asking for others to join in prayer.)

Now if God stopped answering my prayers, I would ask him why are you not answering me. Have I done something wrong?

Lol, sometimes we forget that option.

Are things well between my husband and I? Am I asking with the right motives? Are there sins that I haven't repented of? Am I asking amiss? ETC

And unforgiveness.

Lu 6:37 Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Mr 11:26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.