Not wanting to pray anymore

I think you really need to spend time learning what the Bible says, you are loved, and your sins are forgiven when you give your life to the Lord and accept his forgiveness

Ok . . . so prayer for his daughter > love "hopes all things" (in 1 Corinthians 13:7). Whatever happens to his daughter, have hope; and be ready for love with whoever is involved, whatever happens.

Included in prayer is how we submit to God so He is ruling us in His peace >

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

Be ready for love. Prayer is for helping us to stay ready for love with each and every person, whether they function in love or not. You can be each person's best friend by being God's example to help each person to love.

So, in prayer trust God to change you and all of us to be more how He has us ready to love.

derpytia said:

I've come to accept that my prayers won't change God's mind or won't spring him into action on my behalf. Everything goes according to his plan (including the horrible awful things) and he has planned out every instance where he will help us and where he will not help us.

I know prayer is supposed to bring us closer to God's will. But I just feel like accepting that his will may be for me to continue to suffer immensely (and I'm not exaggerating. I know how easy it is to exaggerate but I am not doing so here) and for others just like me to continue to suffer with only crumbs of grace to subsist off of for some cosmic purpose of his that we will never know in this lifetime. It's a hard reality for me to accept for myself and others.

So I just don't feel like praying anymore. I feel like everything I pray for that I think is good will be rejected with a no from him and the only prayers he'll answer are ones he's already decided to answer ahead of time.

What is the point of the whole "persistent widow" thing? If God says no, then he says no and that's that. No point in trying to pray for whatever it is your praying about anymore.

A man who was a former vicar (he's now a pastor at another church) has a baby girl with Down Syndrome and she's in the hospital because she got very ill with the flu and pneumonia and he asked everyone to pray for her because she seems so close to death. And all I could do for a prayer is say, "God you've already decided her fate." That's all I could pray. I really hope she gets better and lives

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Have you ever simply prayed to God just to spend time with Him? I know as a father, I wouldn't like it when my kids only called me when they wanted something from me.

derpytia said:

I've come to accept that my prayers won't change God's mind or won't spring him into action on my behalf. Everything goes according to his plan (including the horrible awful things) and he has planned out every instance where he will help us and where he will not help us.

I know prayer is supposed to bring us closer to God's will. But I just feel like accepting that his will may be for me to continue to suffer immensely (and I'm not exaggerating. I know how easy it is to exaggerate but I am not doing so here) and for others just like me to continue to suffer with only crumbs of grace to subsist off of for some cosmic purpose of his that we will never know in this lifetime. It's a hard reality for me to accept for myself and others.

So I just don't feel like praying anymore. I feel like everything I pray for that I think is good will be rejected with a no from him and the only prayers he'll answer are ones he's already decided to answer ahead of time.

What is the point of the whole "persistent widow" thing? If God says no, then he says no and that's that. No point in trying to pray for whatever it is your praying about anymore.

A man who was a former vicar (he's now a pastor at another church) has a baby girl with Down Syndrome and she's in the hospital because she got very ill with the flu and pneumonia and he asked everyone to pray for her because she seems so close to death. And all I could do for a prayer is say, "God you've already decided her fate." That's all I could pray. I really hope she gets better and lives

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It’s not just prayer that’s important but the relationship as a whole. That is: Reading God’s Word with the Holy Spirit: the renewing of your mind (to allow Him to communicate/teach through scripture), prayer/giving thanks/praise, and by walking in the Spirit.

I don’t know what it is you are suffering from, but it actually sounds like to me God is pulling you closer to Him. Sometimes when He does that it doesn’t “look” good on the outside. Then Again, what surgery does when He is working on the heart of someone?

God brought me out of a life I was in by tearing it down by hardening someone’s heart. I was homeless, and I’ve been homeless since I was a child. But through God’s Grace did He allow me to stay with my parents who gave me food and shelter wen they truly lacked anything else. I thank God for that everyday because it could have been so much worse.

So please, don’t give up the good fight of faith. Remain in relationship to God and ask Him to help you rebuild that Foundation.

I posted in your other thread (hopefully you read it as you didn't acknowledge my post) but I'll post something small here.

No, praying won't turn God into a fairytale Santa Claus or a wish Genie, but praying helps with far more than you imagine it does.

God heals us, but He heals our souls first and foremost.

Every single physical healing in the Bible showed us an important spiritual truth. The physical healing was used to show the spiritual, not vice versa. It's not a physical healing we desperately need, no matter how sick we are.

When your soul is healed, you can bear the physical trial for the limited amount of time we are on this earth, accepting the physical as the trials and tribulations that strengthen our faith and draw us ever closer to God.

But when your soul isn't healed, you can't see that so easily. As long as you have your eye set on the physical you'll miss out on the great and miraculous things God has in store for you, far greater things than being healed physically I can tell you.

God hears us, walks with us, even carries us in our illnesses. But the illnesses that He heals aren't always physical and you have to be able to recognise all your illnesses before God can begin healing you..

(Revelation 5:8) The Angels and the Elders are holding golden bowls… What’s inside them? The prayers of the Saints. They are not clay jars, they are ‘Golden bowls’. This shows that God keeps our prayers in Golden bowls to show how much He values, loves and treasures them all.

Don’t ever hesitate to pray specifically. When you are obeying God’s instruction manual – the Holy Bible, you will not ask for things that do not glorify God. When you are completing trusting in the sovereign plan and choice of God for your life, you are not going to be adamant that God must see it your way.

God never promised us a smooth sailing in the sea of life. On the journey to Heaven, we were never promised row row row your boat gently down the stream. God did NOT promise us that we will never ever have problems, trials, difficulties, illnesses, sickness and diseases in this life. But He PROMISED to be with us in the midst of it all until He calls us home. He never promised an easy ride, but He promised a safe arrival.

Fall Upon Your Knees…

derpytia said:

I've come to accept that my prayers won't change God's mind or won't spring him into action on my behalf. Everything goes according to his plan (including the horrible awful things) and he has planned out every instance where he will help us and where he will not help us.

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Proverbs 3:5 says to trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

I don't underestimate what you're going through and how hard it may be to bear but I know that the promises of God are always true.

Whatever Gods word says is true, and when you pray in faith God listens. When you please God with your life He draws near to you. He provides for all of your needs. Maybe you don't see how that is true, maybe what you're going through is too much to bear, but if you bring Jesus Christ into the middle of it I know He will help you bear it up. I can't explain everything that happens but I do know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

derpytia said:

hat is the point of the whole "persistent widow" thing? If God says no, then he says no and that's that. No point in trying to pray for whatever it is your praying about anymore.

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No, that isn't it. God doesn't tell us to do pointless things. You are talking about fatalism but we have a living hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. If He says persist in prayer, then that is what you should do. By not doing it you are losing out on benefits made freely available to you through Christ.

derpytia said:

I've come to accept that my prayers won't change God's mind or won't spring him into action on my behalf. Everything goes according to his plan (including the horrible awful things) and he has planned out every instance where he will help us and where he will not help us.

I know prayer is supposed to bring us closer to God's will. But I just feel like accepting that his will may be for me to continue to suffer immensely (and I'm not exaggerating. I know how easy it is to exaggerate but I am not doing so here) and for others just like me to continue to suffer with only crumbs of grace to subsist off of for some cosmic purpose of his that we will never know in this lifetime. It's a hard reality for me to accept for myself and others.

So I just don't feel like praying anymore. I feel like everything I pray for that I think is good will be rejected with a no from him and the only prayers he'll answer are ones he's already decided to answer ahead of time.

What is the point of the whole "persistent widow" thing? If God says no, then he says no and that's that. No point in trying to pray for whatever it is your praying about anymore.

A man who was a former vicar (he's now a pastor at another church) has a baby girl with Down Syndrome and she's in the hospital because she got very ill with the flu and pneumonia and he asked everyone to pray for her because she seems so close to death. And all I could do for a prayer is say, "God you've already decided her fate." That's all I could pray. I really hope she gets better and lives

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He says to pray without ceasing

derpytia said:

I've come to accept that my prayers won't change God's mind or won't spring him into action on my behalf. Everything goes according to his plan (including the horrible awful things) and he has planned out every instance where he will help us and where he will not help us.

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With all due respect you're wrong on two things.

1) that prayer won't change circumstances and,

2) that God has a mindset which is opposed to your being healed

Let me share with you something one is not allowed to share anymore. It's one of the instructions Jesus gave about prayer that Christians generally speaking have closed their ears from hearing.

Oh they pray and pray and pray....they plead and plead and plead and even beg. Used to do that myself so I'm not condemning anyone. But you've said you've prayed.

I don't doubt it but let me share with you what I've said....a thing about prayer that Jesus said that one is not allowed to teach anymore. If one does people get mad at call them insensitive. It's Mark 11:24

Therefore I say unto you, whatever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you shall have them. Mk 11:24

1) Yes it says to pray
2) Yes it says to believe

No it does not say just to believe God is able. That pretty much is the sum total of what Christians at least many or most of them consider that's what FAITH is. Sorry they're wrong. Look again what Jesus said about the prayer to change things.

Therefore I say unto you, whatever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you shall have them. Mk 11:24

He said believe that you receive them, not just believe that God is able BUT believe that you receive them...that is the answer to your prayer....and you --->SHALL (that's a future tense consideration) and you shall have them. The answer will manifest into the physical realm after you believed that you receive. Presumptuous to do so? Not when you based what you've receive on the word of God. They're not merely just promises but declarations of fact.

I am the LORD that healeth thee. Ex 15:26

For I am the LORD, I change not... Mal 3:6

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Heb 13:9

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:16

What actually is HEALING? It's a manifestation of mercy! God calls it mercy.

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” Matt 9:38

Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him. Matt 20:34

There above you see what HEALING is defined as....MERCY

Therefore consider Psalm 23 says, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life" That is for those who are bold and reach up by faith to receive it and declare it's done and then with FAITH and PATIENCE you continually offer up praise to God for what you believe that you've received....BASED on the WORD.

I've read you said in another place making a point that you being a parent would want to be help and deliver your children. And Jesus says how much more does the Heavenly Father want to give good things to those who ask him. God is more merciful than you or I ever could be. Don't let anyone strip that away from you here by their unbelief. They may be dear Christians and yes mean well but still be wrong on this particular subject and theme. God Bless!

You have much good advice above so I will just add that I am praying for you friend and I fully believe God answers prayer.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Prayer can take many forms, and doesn't need to follow a particular formula. It can evolve over time and can include dialogue, poetic words, wordless feelings, mere silence, and other expressions. If we believe that God knows what's in our hearts, the best mechanism of prayer may have more to do with what fits our comfort level.

Peripatetic said:

Prayer can take many forms, and doesn't need to follow a particular formula. It can evolve over time and can include dialogue, poetic words, wordless feelings, mere silence, and other expressions. If we believe that God knows what's in our hearts, the best mechanism of prayer may have more to do with what fits our comfort level.

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I agree with you to a point. There are different types of prayer! Any communication with God is prayer but there's different things that apply. There's praise and worship which isn't a type of request therefore there's no need to believe you receive anything, there's intercessory prayer for others, there's prayers of commitment of seeking the will of God there's praying in the spirit.....Prayer is like sports.....there's different type of sports and yes for want of a different word different rules or principles apply. When it comes to receiving things from God, one MUST do what Jesus said....believe you receive WHEN you pray. Mk 11:24

derpytia said:

I've come to accept that my prayers won't change God's mind or won't spring him into action on my behalf. Everything goes according to his plan (including the horrible awful things) and he has planned out every instance where he will help us and where he will not help us.

I know prayer is supposed to bring us closer to God's will. But I just feel like accepting that his will may be for me to continue to suffer immensely (and I'm not exaggerating. I know how easy it is to exaggerate but I am not doing so here) and for others just like me to continue to suffer with only crumbs of grace to subsist off of for some cosmic purpose of his that we will never know in this lifetime. It's a hard reality for me to accept for myself and others.

So I just don't feel like praying anymore. I feel like everything I pray for that I think is good will be rejected with a no from him and the only prayers he'll answer are ones he's already decided to answer ahead of time.

What is the point of the whole "persistent widow" thing? If God says no, then he says no and that's that. No point in trying to pray for whatever it is your praying about anymore.

A man who was a former vicar (he's now a pastor at another church) has a baby girl with Down Syndrome and she's in the hospital because she got very ill with the flu and pneumonia and he asked everyone to pray for her because she seems so close to death. And all I could do for a prayer is say, "God you've already decided her fate." That's all I could pray. I really hope she gets better and lives

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Just praise Him even in your sufferings. Its called the sacrifice of praise, i.e, when you don't feel like praising Him, you still do.

My heart goes out to you because, I too, have been where you are and it does feel like a dry and hopeless place! However, we sometimes feel like giving up on God, but He NEVER gives up on us! In seasons where it seemed like God didn't seem to hear or answer, I struggled, but I sought out encouragement from programs, articles, and Bible word studies talking about prayer (this pastor explains his struggle with unanswered prayer and I hope you listen to it as he talks about his journey of doubt after a serious diagnosis). I learned more about the act of prayer and then I determined to not give up (because that's exactly what the enemy of our souls would want). I also learned that God is God and sometimes the answer I wish to have isn't His perfect will for the situation. I now believe in the amazing power of prayer and how God delights in my time petitioning and praising Him and will be praying you find your way back to hope in prayer!!

derpytia said:

I've come to accept that my prayers won't change God's mind or won't spring him into action on my behalf. Everything goes according to his plan (including the horrible awful things) and he has planned out every instance where he will help us and where he will not help us.

I know prayer is supposed to bring us closer to God's will. But I just feel like accepting that his will may be for me to continue to suffer immensely (and I'm not exaggerating. I know how easy it is to exaggerate but I am not doing so here) and for others just like me to continue to suffer with only crumbs of grace to subsist off of for some cosmic purpose of his that we will never know in this lifetime. It's a hard reality for me to accept for myself and others.

So I just don't feel like praying anymore. I feel like everything I pray for that I think is good will be rejected with a no from him and the only prayers he'll answer are ones he's already decided to answer ahead of time.

What is the point of the whole "persistent widow" thing? If God says no, then he says no and that's that. No point in trying to pray for whatever it is your praying about anymore.

A man who was a former vicar (he's now a pastor at another church) has a baby girl with Down Syndrome and she's in the hospital because she got very ill with the flu and pneumonia and he asked everyone to pray for her because she seems so close to death. And all I could do for a prayer is say, "God you've already decided her fate." That's all I could pray. I really hope she gets better and lives

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Derpytia, I have come across several prophecies already this year stating that this is The Year of The Lord's Favor. That is to say that if you were walking with the Lord, doing His will, living righteously and you are on God's side then you will be blessed starting this year. A lot of them are prophecying that you need to declare and decree over your life. So if you need healing you have to declare and decree healing over whatever condition you want to be healed from in Jesus name, "I declare and decree I choose life and not death in Jesus name. I declare and decree I will prosper in my job and family in Jesus name". Try it and do it everyday. You have nothing to lose.

derpytia said:

I've come to accept that my prayers won't change God's mind or won't spring him into action on my behalf. Everything goes according to his plan (including the horrible awful things) and he has planned out every instance where he will help us and where he will not help us.

I know prayer is supposed to bring us closer to God's will. But I just feel like accepting that his will may be for me to continue to suffer immensely (and I'm not exaggerating. I know how easy it is to exaggerate but I am not doing so here) and for others just like me to continue to suffer with only crumbs of grace to subsist off of for some cosmic purpose of his that we will never know in this lifetime. It's a hard reality for me to accept for myself and others.

So I just don't feel like praying anymore. I feel like everything I pray for that I think is good will be rejected with a no from him and the only prayers he'll answer are ones he's already decided to answer ahead of time.

What is the point of the whole "persistent widow" thing? If God says no, then he says no and that's that. No point in trying to pray for whatever it is your praying about anymore.

A man who was a former vicar (he's now a pastor at another church) has a baby girl with Down Syndrome and she's in the hospital because she got very ill with the flu and pneumonia and he asked everyone to pray for her because she seems so close to death. And all I could do for a prayer is say, "God you've already decided her fate." That's all I could pray. I really hope she gets better and lives

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Jesus taught us to pray, "thy will be done". If this is how you are going about praying, then it WILL happen, that is a promise from God. The only thing that is left to do is work out if what we are praying for is God's will, or if it is our own.

The persistent widow shows a good example of someone who REALLY wants God to answer their prayer. That doesn't mean if someone wants 1 million dollars and they continue to ask for it they will get it (because that is most likely not God's will), but it shows the sincerity in someone's heart to continue to lay their prayer before God. Sometimes God wants to see us be persistent not for His benefit, rather for our OWN. People tend to want or say things without thinking, so they can ask for something without really wanting it. But, when someone really wants something, then they will continuously ask in faith that they will receive it. They won't give up because they know they will be heard if they keep on seeking, knocking, asking.

But remember, "not my will, but your will be done". If that is the attitude we have towards our prayer life to God, then that is the attitude that will cause God to hear us.

In peace

derpytia said:

I've come to accept that my prayers won't change God's mind or won't spring him into action on my behalf. Everything goes according to his plan (including the horrible awful things) and he has planned out every instance where he will help us and where he will not help us.

I know prayer is supposed to bring us closer to God's will. But I just feel like accepting that his will may be for me to continue to suffer immensely (and I'm not exaggerating. I know how easy it is to exaggerate but I am not doing so here) and for others just like me to continue to suffer with only crumbs of grace to subsist off of for some cosmic purpose of his that we will never know in this lifetime. It's a hard reality for me to accept for myself and others.

So I just don't feel like praying anymore. I feel like everything I pray for that I think is good will be rejected with a no from him and the only prayers he'll answer are ones he's already decided to answer ahead of time.

What is the point of the whole "persistent widow" thing? If God says no, then he says no and that's that. No point in trying to pray for whatever it is your praying about anymore.

A man who was a former vicar (he's now a pastor at another church) has a baby girl with Down Syndrome and she's in the hospital because she got very ill with the flu and pneumonia and he asked everyone to pray for her because she seems so close to death. And all I could do for a prayer is say, "God you've already decided her fate." That's all I could pray. I really hope she gets better and lives

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A solid pastor preaching regarding our prayer life.
M-Bob