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Fading away

TenthAveN

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Hello,

Lately it feels like I’ve just been fading away. My prayers and repentance do not seem sincere. In fact, they’re like poison to my ears, and I find it irritable. I can’t even imagine how much it irritates God. I’ve always been afraid to evangelize, and every time I think about submitting to God, there’s a tightness in my chest that screams “No!” I don’t know what I want or desire anymore, all I know is that I don’t want to suffer for eternity, but I’m afraid I’ve become too hardened towards God to be made new. I’d appreciate any advice and prayers. I don’t think mine are being heard anymore.
 

disciple Clint

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Hello,

Lately it feels like I’ve just been fading away. My prayers and repentance do not seem sincere. In fact, they’re like poison to my ears, and I find it irritable. I can’t even imagine how much it irritates God. I’ve always been afraid to evangelize, and every time I think about submitting to God, there’s a tightness in my chest that screams “No!” I don’t know what I want or desire anymore, all I know is that I don’t want to suffer for eternity, but I’m afraid I’ve become too hardened towards God to be made new. I’d appreciate any advice and prayers. I don’t think mine are being heard anymore.
You are not alone in that experience. It happens even to the very best In My Soul: The long dark night of Mother Teresa
 
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TenthAveN

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God is good

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I’m afraid that I don’t desire God as Mother Teresa did. I don’t know how to genuinely repent and truly say, without reluctance, that His will be done and not my own.
The fact that you are here shows that you love God and that you want to follow Him.
 
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TenthAveN

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The fact that you are here shows that you love God and that you want to follow Him.
I don’t see how I could love God yet be reluctant to submit to Him. A lot of people tell me that I really do love Him, and yet I don’t see how.
 
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Tolworth John

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Lately it feels like I’ve just been fading away
I’m afraid I’ve become too hardened towards God to be made new. I’d appreciate any advice and prayers. I don’t think mine are being heard anymore.

Feels like and I think, not statements of substance about your relationship with God.

Let take an example from your work.
How will your boss respond to your saying, ' I didn't feel like doing that task or job'
Or
' I don't think I can do that job you gave me.'

Well what would your boss say?
Why do you think God will respond in a different way?

Contine to daily read your bible, read it with a set of bible reading notes, read them and pray as they suggest.
Continue to attend church, either in person or online.
Continue to seek to live for Jesus each day.
Read books lie coldcasechristianity, or the case for Christ or the reasonable faith web site.

May I suggest leaving a Christian book you are reading where it can be seen, or read it durring your lunch break.
That will generate conversions, just be prepared to ask why do you belief/say that? And what evidence do you have for believing/saying that?
 
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God is good

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I don’t see how I could love God yet be reluctant to submit to Him. A lot of people tell me that I really do love Him, and yet I don’t see how.
You must love Him if you're here. The other part of you that is struggling to submit to Him is the flesh
 
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TenthAveN

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Feels like and I think, not statements of substance about your relationship with God.

Let take an example from your work.
How will your boss respond to your saying, ' I didn't feel like doing that task or job'
Or
' I don't think I can do that job you gave me.'

Well what would your boss say?
Why do you think God will respond in a different way?

Contine to daily read your bible, read it with a set of bible reading notes, read them and pray as they suggest.
Continue to attend church, either in person or online.
Continue to seek to live for Jesus each day.
Read books lie coldcasechristianity, or the case for Christ or the reasonable faith web site.

May I suggest leaving a Christian book you are reading where it can be seen, or read it durring your lunch break.
That will generate conversions, just be prepared to ask why do you belief/say that? And what evidence do you have for believing/saying that?
I sometimes do school work on my lunch break, and I have a Jesus sticker on the back of it. However, it makes me feel like a hypocrite. I have anxiety about initiating the conversation, but I don’t picture myself doing too terribly if someone else initiated a spiritual conversation with me
 
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TenthAveN

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You must love Him if you're here. The other part of you that is struggling to submit to Him is the flesh
I think I agree with you on that. I’ve always had a heck of a time struggling against the flesh. I struggle with OCD/depression/anxiety (all conditions that focus on the self, in my personal opinion). I, and many that struggle with these, find it difficult to put full trust in The Word, and try to do things to appease Him. It’s difficult to let go and have faith in Christ’s atonement (without feeling the joy of forgiveness), because there’s always that feeling that you’re doing it wrong.
 
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All Glory To God

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If you are a Christian struggling with prayer just persevere and things should eventually improve. Also I wouldn't be too concerned with how God receives our prayers, as the Holy spirit intercedes and makes them acceptable to the father. Prayer is also to praise God, this should set a person up for good intentions to pray to God.

Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered


Maybe try praying the lord prayer, slowly one time, everyday until you are more grounded, there's so much depth to the lords prayer.
 
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TenthAveN

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I think I agree with you on that. I’ve always had a heck of a time struggling against the flesh. I struggle with OCD/depression/anxiety (all conditions that focus on the self, in my personal opinion). I, and many that struggle with these, find it difficult to put full trust in The Word, and try to do things to appease Him. It’s difficult to believe without the feeling, because there’s always that wondering if you’re doing it right.
If you are a Christian struggling with prayer just persevere and things should eventually improve. Also I wouldn't be too concerned with how God receives our prayers, as the Holy spirit intercedes and makes them acceptable to the father. Prayer is also to praise God, this should set a person up for good intentions to pray to God.

Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered


Maybe try praying the lord prayer, slowly one time, everyday until you are more grounded, there's so much depth to the lords prayer.
The problem with that is that I’m not certain I even have the Holy Spirit. I’ve always had salvific doubts. If your trust isn’t fully in Christ alone, then you aren’t saved, right?
 
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Aussie Pete

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Hello,

Lately it feels like I’ve just been fading away. My prayers and repentance do not seem sincere. In fact, they’re like poison to my ears, and I find it irritable. I can’t even imagine how much it irritates God. I’ve always been afraid to evangelize, and every time I think about submitting to God, there’s a tightness in my chest that screams “No!” I don’t know what I want or desire anymore, all I know is that I don’t want to suffer for eternity, but I’m afraid I’ve become too hardened towards God to be made new. I’d appreciate any advice and prayers. I don’t think mine are being heard anymore.
How do you approach God's throne of mercy and grace? Thinking that you have to be or do something? Looking at how you feel? There is only one basis on which we can approach God. That is pleading the precious blood of Christ. God does not look at you in isolation. You need to refresh yourself on the fundamental basis of salvation again. It's not what you do, it is what Lord Jesus has done for you that counts. Righteousness is God's gift to you in Christ. We are prone to turn things around. We think that salvation is conditional. In reality, it is a gift. How you do get a gift? Simply by receiving. Start pleading the blood alone, thank God for calvary, confess Jesus is Lord (even if you don't feel anything), ask God to create in you a clean heart and to renew a right spirit within you. Satan is the accuser of the brethren. If we accept his accusations, we will be defeated. If we try to fight with logic, we will be defeated. We overcome by our testimony as to the efficacy of the precious blood.

In effect, we need to start again. Come back to the cross, see Jesus hanging there for you. See yourself crucified with Him. God has included you in Christ when you believed. Only God can take you out. Why would He? His love is greater than any and every sin. We are already forgiven. All we have to do to get clean is confess. Make God's word your absolute, not your feelings, thoughts or even experiences. God is faithful even when we are not.
 
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All Glory To God

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The problem with that is that I’m not certain I even have the Holy Spirit. I’ve always had salvific doubts. If your trust isn’t fully in Christ alone, then you aren’t saved, right?


Not necessarily, the strongest of Christians doubt their salvation at times that doesn't mean they aren't saved.

If this is more of a salvation issue then it shouldn't be confined to just prayer. Sin can often trouble peoples confidence in salvation or even just a trial from God.

Do you think you had a born again experience to begin with?
 
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Rachel20

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My prayers and repentance do not seem sincere. In fact, they’re like poison to my ears, and I find it irritable.

Then just have a heart-to-heart with him. Don't try to tell him what you think he wants to hear, tell him the truth. He knows your heart better than you do anyway. It's imperative though, I think, that you understand he loves you no matter what.
 
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TenthAveN

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Not necessarily, the strongest of Christians doubt their salvation at times that doesn't mean they aren't saved.

If this is more of a salvation issue then it shouldn't be confined to just prayer. Sin can often trouble peoples confidence in salvation or even just a trial from God.

Do you think you had a born again experience to begin with?
I remember rededicating my life to Christ a couple of years ago, but perhaps it was just an emotional experience without any truth to it. I remember them playing “O Come to the Altar” by Elevation, and I felt pulled to the front. I remember FEELING great, like a great burden had been lifted off my shoulders, but all of that soon went away, and I was left feeling discouraged at my lack of joy.
 
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TenthAveN

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Emotions play a intricate part of the conversion process. Which makes sense when human beings are plagued by their emotions.
Maybe they take part in the conversion, but as many have attempted to press into me, your emotions (especially for someone that suffers from mental illness), can be volatile things. I think many young Christians aren’t taught this early on, and when their faith is tested, they wonder where the joy has gone.
 
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All Glory To God

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I remember rededicating my life to Christ a couple of years ago, but perhaps it was just an emotional experience without any truth to it. I remember them playing “O Come to the Altar” by Elevation, and I felt pulled to the front. I remember FEELING great, like a great burden had been lifted off my shoulders, but all of that soon went away, and I was left feeling discouraged at my lack of joy.

I think when a Christian is born again they should see some changes in their life, the old person is ruined by sin and spiritual death but the new person begins to be renewed and sanctified by God. What has changed in your life over last two years in regard to God? What would the before and after picture look like?
 
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TenthAveN

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I think when a Christian is born again they should see some changes in their life, the old person is ruined by sin and spiritual death but the new person begins to be renewed and sanctified by God. What has changed in your life over last two years in regard to God? What would the before and after picture look like?
Soon after, I decided I wouldn’t curse/cuss anymore, and that I would read the Bible and pray everyday. Unfortunately, when I get in the habit of doing something, it quickly becomes a compulsion instead of something I genuinely want to do, because of my OCD.
 
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