Have you guys ever heard the phrase "GOD helps those who help themselves?"

when I was a kid hundreds of years ago it went like this "God helps those who help themselves; but God help those who get caught helping themselves. " Merry Christmas

This was a common saying ... in my growing up years ... in my part of the country.

It's not Biblical, BTW. Something more Biblical might be ...

"God helps those ... who turn to Him to help them."

Which doesn't absolve us from following and obeying His will ...

For He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you ... but to do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God ? Micah 6:8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all of your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

JacquelineDeane55 said:

Think about it. When we pray, not all of our prayers get answered. Its like GOD sometimes tells us no.And if one of us is genuinely suffering and needs help, refusing to actually get that help can be heartbreaking.I think praying is OK, but we also have to pick our own selves up and help ourselves out. Because GOD is not going to do everything for us like we expect HIM too. I know the Scriptures say to trust in him, but that can only get us so far...

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Every single prayer is answered 100% better than your request.

Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

God did this before you were even conceived. When you are in prayer, in full faith, God will inform you that it's already been taken care of. If you don't pray in full faith, you don't get the message. But God continues with His perfected plans. What Does the Bible Say About Omniscience?
Your gift from Him, is knowing.

Who Else Wants to finally SEE Gods Answers to Prayers?

I have always asked God to bless my efforts, if it was his will to do so. Apparently he has approved of what I set out to do (or at least not disapproved). My prayers are now mostly of thanks, and for the needs of others.

If you need a reference, "God helps those who help themselves." Hezekiah 6:66.

It reminds me of another one: Pray as though it all depended on God, act as though it all depended on you. Sometimes attributed to Augustine, sometimes to Ignatius of Loyola, but that one comes from the book of Hezekiah as well.

JacquelineDeane55 said:

Think about it. When we pray, not all of our prayers get answered. Its like GOD sometimes tells us no.

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God does tell us "no" sometimes. Just like my parents when I was growing up ...

A_Thinker said:

God does tell us "no" sometimes. Just like my parents when I was growing up ...

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I know what you mean. For a while I thought my name was "No."

Often quoted by those who lack a personal experience of God breaking into their lives, so they advocate being self made...

The truth is that He will lift the lowly who seek Him with a pure heart.

Self help is self centred and instead of honouring Him - honours self.

How can one help ones self without the abilities He has given???

In all things Honour Him and do your best for Him with His gift of life.

Life then will be a celebration of His great love.

Lord bless JacquelineDeane55, and this prayer request, in Jesus loving name, Amen!

public hermit said:

If you need a reference, "God helps those who help themselves." Hezekiah 6:66.

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Just for clarification, I'm sure you know this isn't a real scripture, but thought others may not. HERE

jacks said:

Just for clarification, I'm sure you know this isn't a real scripture, but thought others may not. HERE

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I appreciate that. I didn't even realize this was on the Prayer Wall. I'm sure my little joke was everything but helpful.

Carl Emerson said:

Self help is self centred and instead of honouring Him - honours self.

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Most self-help adherents don’t think like that and I certainly don’t. The majority feel an internal compelling to use the gifts and talents they’ve been given. The need for assistance doesn’t set aside our contribution. It is the difference between trying and a pity pot.

We’re more cognizant of blessings, more likely to practice gratitude and thankfulness as a way of life, and maintain a positive mind and disposition.

~Bella

LaBèlla said:

Most self-help adherents don’t think like that and I certainly don’t. The majority feel an internal compelling to use the gifts and talents they’ve been given. The need for assistance doesn’t set aside our contribution. It is the difference between trying and a pity pot.

We’re more cognizant of blessings, more likely to practice gratitude and thankfulness as a way of life, and maintain a positive mind and disposition.

~Bella

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Yes I appreciate your comments... I guess I was referring to 'self made christians' who operate in the power of the flesh and judge others who fail to meet their self imposed standards...

Have you guys ever heard the phrase "GOD helps those who help themselves?"

JacquelineDeane55 said:

Think about it. When we pray, not all of our prayers get answered. Its like GOD sometimes tells us no.

And if one of us is genuinely suffering and needs help, refusing to actually get that help can be heartbreaking.

I think praying is OK, but we also have to pick our own selves up and help ourselves out. Because GOD is not going to do everything for us like we expect HIM too. I know the Scriptures say to trust in him, but that can only get us so far...

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This is NOWHERE in the Bible and it's the antithesis of ANYTHING of God.

In verse after verse we are admonished to seek GOD and to TRUST Him in all that we say, think, and do.

There is a REASON for verses like THIS one:

"without me ye can do nothing." ~Jn 15:5

When we seek to do things in our own strength, we are essentially insulting and in essence saying "we don't NEED You God."

We are attempting to glorify "ourselves", rather than the bottom line of "knowing" and "loving" and "fearing" God, and we are in essence, idolizing ourselves, which God abhors.

This is clarified and repeated all throughout His Word.

Since this is in the Prayer Forum, as requested, praying for you, Jacqueline.

JacquelineDeane55 said:

Think about it. When we pray, not all of our prayers get answered. Its like GOD sometimes tells us no.

And if one of us is genuinely suffering and needs help, refusing to actually get that help can be heartbreaking.

I think praying is OK, but we also have to pick our own selves up and help ourselves out. Because GOD is not going to do everything for us like we expect HIM too. I know the Scriptures say to trust in him, but that can only get us so far...

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Hello:
Merry Christmas
That phrase is not in the Bible.
As you say, there is a balance.

Funny, I was just reading it in a book that God does not help those who help themselves because when we turn it over to God, we are to rely solely on Him. But most of us, take the reins back into our hands and think we are doing God a favor by doing it ourselves.

the problem is that is no where in the word. Well its written God always hears the righteous. He answers before we even finish. Daniel is a great example. For God answered the moment Daniel prayed. And we know its written if we KNOW He hears us we "And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him." Gods WILL? A its His word.

And if you "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." See Gods word.. by Christ what ever you desire when you pray believe you receive it and you will have it. What ever you ask the Father in my name He will do it.

Again God helps those who help themselves is not any where in the word. One has to get passed 1st all the verses where GOD says just ASK! We really need to think about our FATHER. He made the streets FOR US our of? Yeah..not dirt or brick or stone or asphalt.. but GOLD! Thats asphalt for God.

Man will never glory in Gods sight "That no flesh should glory in his presence.". Its ALL HIM. Never us. Now its not wise to see a grown man/woman crawling around huh? Yeah.. we need to grow up. Its not God saying no. We need to walk by FAITH when we cant see hear feel Him. He still ANSWERS. But if we ask with doubt. The word is clear "For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." For to many times we also ask wrong. Things that are not in the word or go inline with the word. As long as we doubt.. we wont get anything. Is it WRITTEN? Thats HIS WILL.. as I read and understand

Yes, not Biblical. On the other hand, we have to take a leap of faith, not sit down when there is work that needs to be done. And I agree with other we cannot do anything on our own, we need God's help!