I have been saved since March. And I have had periods of ups and downs in my closeness with God. Here lately, it seems like I can't get back close with him. I prayed just a few minutes ago, and I will pray again. But does this always happen and is there anything you can do to avoid it?
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closeness
- Thread starter Etienne
- Start date
Have patience. You said you had just prayed and next you online.
That would be the same as inviting a close friend over talking with them a few minutes and then doing your own thing online. 
God won't compete for your attention. The more quality and concentrated time that you spend with Him, the more you will be aware of His Presence! Sometimes though, God will withdraw the feeling of His Presence as a test of faith and to see if you notice and how much you miss Him! He whispered in my eager ear: "Me hide, you seek!" Whether you feel God near you or not, He is with you now and foreva!!!!!!!
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Psalm 121:8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
Matthew 26:40-41 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Matthew 28:20 ...lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
That would be the same as inviting a close friend over talking with them a few minutes and then doing your own thing online. God won't compete for your attention. The more quality and concentrated time that you spend with Him, the more you will be aware of His Presence! Sometimes though, God will withdraw the feeling of His Presence as a test of faith and to see if you notice and how much you miss Him! He whispered in my eager ear: "Me hide, you seek!" Whether you feel God near you or not, He is with you now and foreva!!!!!!!Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Psalm 121:8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
Matthew 26:40-41 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Matthew 28:20 ...lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
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I read once, that our relationship with God is like a pendulum. Sometimes we are close and other times further away. But be sure that, no matter where you are, you'll swing back soon enough.
Distance from God can come from you pulling away from God or separating yourself in sin; but also God can make it seem as if He's distant to test our faith. Know that He's always there and that He loves you... you will feel close again.
Distance from God can come from you pulling away from God or separating yourself in sin; but also God can make it seem as if He's distant to test our faith. Know that He's always there and that He loves you... you will feel close again.
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etienne this is just God's way of showing trust in you. He's confident that you can make your way in the world, even if you don't feel him near. He knows that you will make the right choices-- though now the choices become much more difficult because you are doing the work of making right and good choices.
The Path to Christ is a struggle. Just because you are saved, does not mean that the work is over. Take the challenges in stride, do you best, love yourself unconditionally, but hold yourself to a high standard. All is well.
The Path to Christ is a struggle. Just because you are saved, does not mean that the work is over. Take the challenges in stride, do you best, love yourself unconditionally, but hold yourself to a high standard. All is well.
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Hello etienne and welcome to CF. God is to me a mystery. He is something I cannot get to know wholly. I cannot ever get answers to everything what I wonder agout Him. He is a mystery and so it should be. One thing which is quite usual for me and many Christians is that one you are talking about. It feels like God has gone away or is hiding or seems not to be present... You just cannot feel His presence. But anyhow God does what He promises. He has not promised that each one of us always can feel His closeness. But He has promised to be with us always, to the very end of the age. And we can trust on Him.
To avoid our feelings? Might be that we cannot totally get rid of them. Jesus on the cross felt that God had forsaken him. But it might help if we go on praying. A swedish emeritusbishop Martin Lönnebo tells how he can pray all the time when he's walking "Let every thought and work of mine be a joy for you, my Lord". Every step includes a prayer. It's possible to pray whatever you do - although you need also times when you concentrate on praying.
Of course it's good to have intimate prayer times where you can enjoy being close to God. But it's also important to be in front of God with other people, praying, singing, listening his word...
Shortly: It happens, keep praying, reading bible and attending services, bible groups or something else with other Christians.
May God bless you.
To avoid our feelings? Might be that we cannot totally get rid of them. Jesus on the cross felt that God had forsaken him. But it might help if we go on praying. A swedish emeritusbishop Martin Lönnebo tells how he can pray all the time when he's walking "Let every thought and work of mine be a joy for you, my Lord". Every step includes a prayer. It's possible to pray whatever you do - although you need also times when you concentrate on praying.
Of course it's good to have intimate prayer times where you can enjoy being close to God. But it's also important to be in front of God with other people, praying, singing, listening his word...
Shortly: It happens, keep praying, reading bible and attending services, bible groups or something else with other Christians.
May God bless you.
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