My heart is so harden, dry, cold and empty and I really want to go back to God and repent but no heart, how can I soften my heart again?
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- Thread starter Blessing James
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The only way is to go to Jesus and let His loving grace fill you to overflowing so you can love again. That is the problem when we leave Jesus our hearts grow cold.
Bring Him your cold heart and repent of it. Accepting His grace will give you a humble heart that can love again.
Peace
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OK thanks, but I don't really know how to do it cause I prayed for a new heart and a new spirit, my heart is a stone I don't even feel the heart anymore
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Yes i know what you mean it is about giving that heart to Jesus and get His good life back in return.
You may have to keep giving the bad life as it comes up for a long time, it all depends how much you have digested.
Do you read Scripture? Let Scripture find what is bad in your heart and let God's love dismantle it.
Psalm 18:3 "I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies."
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Ezana
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I find it helpful to use the words of others when my own cold and deadened heart has nothing good to offer God. Here's a collection of prayers that you can go through that might be able to stir your heart:
Prayers of Repentance
As you go through them, try to be as mindful as you can about how you feel. Read slowly and prayerfully. If there's a certain phrase or prayer that really hits you, just focus on those words and cry out to God. Constantly ask Him to give you a spirit of repentance, a "broken spirit" and a "broken and humbled heart" (Ps. 50:17). And never stop asking—even when it seems like there's no change or difference in your heart. It might take some time before your heart becomes "soft" again, but the key is to always come before Him in prayer, humbly and honestly. Keep in mind the words of our most-merciful Lord in Luke 11:
Jesus said to them, “If one of you has a friend and goes to him in the night and says, ‘Friend, give me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine is on a trip and has stopped at my house. I have no food to give him.’ The man inside the house will say, ‘Do not trouble me. The door is shut. My children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give you bread.’ I say to you, he may not get up and give him bread because he is a friend. Yet, if he keeps on asking, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. I say to you, ask, and what you ask for will be given to you. Look, and what you are looking for you will find. Knock, and the door you are knocking on will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, will receive what he asks for. Everyone who looks, will find what he is looking for. Everyone who knocks, will have the door opened to him."
Our Lord is so kindhearted toward us, and loves the earnest prayer of a repentant sinner. Heck, my heart is full of wicked things and still He takes pity on me! Whether you're praying a psalm or a written prayer, singing a hymn or offering a simple plea for help in your own words, as long as you're humble and acknowledge your need for His mercy, Christ our God will forgive you, and grant you His most-sweet grace. Remember these words too, from Luke 18:
Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
God bless you.
Prayers of Repentance
As you go through them, try to be as mindful as you can about how you feel. Read slowly and prayerfully. If there's a certain phrase or prayer that really hits you, just focus on those words and cry out to God. Constantly ask Him to give you a spirit of repentance, a "broken spirit" and a "broken and humbled heart" (Ps. 50:17). And never stop asking—even when it seems like there's no change or difference in your heart. It might take some time before your heart becomes "soft" again, but the key is to always come before Him in prayer, humbly and honestly. Keep in mind the words of our most-merciful Lord in Luke 11:
Jesus said to them, “If one of you has a friend and goes to him in the night and says, ‘Friend, give me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine is on a trip and has stopped at my house. I have no food to give him.’ The man inside the house will say, ‘Do not trouble me. The door is shut. My children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give you bread.’ I say to you, he may not get up and give him bread because he is a friend. Yet, if he keeps on asking, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. I say to you, ask, and what you ask for will be given to you. Look, and what you are looking for you will find. Knock, and the door you are knocking on will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, will receive what he asks for. Everyone who looks, will find what he is looking for. Everyone who knocks, will have the door opened to him."
Our Lord is so kindhearted toward us, and loves the earnest prayer of a repentant sinner. Heck, my heart is full of wicked things and still He takes pity on me! Whether you're praying a psalm or a written prayer, singing a hymn or offering a simple plea for help in your own words, as long as you're humble and acknowledge your need for His mercy, Christ our God will forgive you, and grant you His most-sweet grace. Remember these words too, from Luke 18:
Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
God bless you.
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Ezekiel 36:26
Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
It helps to pray and meditate on this verse and continue going to church. We all have issues that may keep our spirits closed and our hearts hardened. God bless you.
Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
It helps to pray and meditate on this verse and continue going to church. We all have issues that may keep our spirits closed and our hearts hardened. God bless you.
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(Rom 10:8) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
(Rom 10:9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
(Rom 10:10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
(Rom 10:11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
(Rom 10:12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
(Rom 10:13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
(Rom 10:14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
(Rom 10:15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
(Rom 10:16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
(Rom 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Jos 1:6) Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
(Jos 1:7) Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
(Jos 1:8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
(Jos 1:9) Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
(Heb 4:6) Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
(Heb 4:7) Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
(2Pe 1:1) Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
(2Pe 1:2) Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
(2Pe 1:3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
(2Pe 1:4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
hearing and hearing God's voice - God's Words - will soften your heart. focus on what good things God has done for you when reading your Bible (Romans, Hebrews, and Ephesians are good places to start), and as you keep His Words in your mouth, and remind yourself through His Words of what good things He's already done for you, knowledge of His love for you (knowledge of Him) will soften your heart
(Rom 10:9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
(Rom 10:10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
(Rom 10:11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
(Rom 10:12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
(Rom 10:13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
(Rom 10:14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
(Rom 10:15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
(Rom 10:16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
(Rom 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Jos 1:6) Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
(Jos 1:7) Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
(Jos 1:8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
(Jos 1:9) Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
(Heb 4:6) Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
(Heb 4:7) Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
(2Pe 1:1) Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
(2Pe 1:2) Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
(2Pe 1:3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
(2Pe 1:4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
hearing and hearing God's voice - God's Words - will soften your heart. focus on what good things God has done for you when reading your Bible (Romans, Hebrews, and Ephesians are good places to start), and as you keep His Words in your mouth, and remind yourself through His Words of what good things He's already done for you, knowledge of His love for you (knowledge of Him) will soften your heart
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- Mar 22, 2011
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In a situation like this you must rely on faith over feelings. It's forced on us, because we have no feelings. But God can use anything for good (Rom 8.28), and He will use this season to deepen our faith if we let Him.
The basics are repentance, prayer, scripture reading, study, and meditation, worship, fellowship - all done in humility and faith. And to that you must add patience and endurance, because some fruit takes time to ripen. I'm including some verses to encourage you. Do NOT give up; the Lord is faithful and true.
"By your patience possess your souls. - Luk 21:19 NKJV
[I would have lost heart], unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! - Psa 27:13-14 NKJV
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. - Psa 37:7 NKJV
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. - Psa 40:1 NKJV
eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; - Rom 2:7 NKJV
And not only [that], but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; - Rom 5:3 NKJV
But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for [it] with perseverance. - Rom 8:25 NKJV
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. - Rom 15:4 NKJV
Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. - 2Th 3:5 NKJV
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, ... And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. - Heb 6:11, 15 NKJV
For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: - Heb 10:36 NKJV
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. - Jas 1:3 NKJV
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See [how] the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. - Jas 5:7-8 NKJV
[I would have lost heart], unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! - Psa 27:13-14 NKJV
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. - Psa 37:7 NKJV
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. - Psa 40:1 NKJV
eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; - Rom 2:7 NKJV
And not only [that], but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; - Rom 5:3 NKJV
But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for [it] with perseverance. - Rom 8:25 NKJV
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. - Rom 15:4 NKJV
Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. - 2Th 3:5 NKJV
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, ... And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. - Heb 6:11, 15 NKJV
For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: - Heb 10:36 NKJV
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. - Jas 1:3 NKJV
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See [how] the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. - Jas 5:7-8 NKJV
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You don't. It is Jesus through the holy spirit that will soften your heart.
Keep reading the Bible, praying and attending church.
Live as best you can a caring life, praying, for and helping others and your heart will soften.
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aiki
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Did you know that it is actually God who softens our hearts? The Bible says that God moved toward us to save us when we were "enemies in our minds" toward Him by our wicked works (Colossians 1:20-22); the Bible says God loved us when we did not yet love Him (1 John 4:10); the Bible says God moved to bring each of us out of bondage to the World, the flesh and the devil (Ephesians 2:1-6) in order to save us. If God hadn't moved first to draw us to Christ (John 6:44), we would none of us have ever come to Him.
So, if you find your heart has grown hard toward Him, tell Him so and ask Him to soften it again, as He had to do to bring you to Himself in the first place.
Why has your heart grown hard?
You know, many people forget who they're dealing with when it comes to God. They hear terms like "Heavenly Father," and "Saviour," and "Friend" when folks talk about God and they start thinking they have a kind of equality with God, that they stand sort of shoulder-to-shoulder with Him as a partner.
This kind of thinking can really screw up a person's walk with God. You see, the key to fellowship with God is total and constant surrender to Him. But, the Big Struggle we all have with God is who will be in charge. We want to call the shots, to do as we please, but God demands that if we want to know and walk with Him, He has to be our Lord, God and King. He's the Boss; we do things His way all the time. When we don't submit to God, our hearts harden and cool toward Him and He halts His work in us. He won't force Himself on us. We aren't His puppets. Because this is how things are, we can read in the Bible many times the command to put ourselves under God.
Romans 6:13-22
Romans 12:1
James 4:7-10
1 Peter 5:6
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Insist, insist on seeking God through prayer, i think is the only way to solve problems as christians.
pray while you do other things, pray all you can, if you don't know what to pray, cry out to God for help, just ask help and that you want to make things right with him.
pray while you do other things, pray all you can, if you don't know what to pray, cry out to God for help, just ask help and that you want to make things right with him.
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I don't know your situation or experience but maybe you can try fasting from food as a kind of prayer or crying out to God.
Sometimes sorrow is needed to soften the heart.
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