Does God answer your prayers?

[toLiJC]

1 John 5 says:
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

this would seem to be saying that if we are saved and we ask anything of God according to his will He will give it to us. Well, I know this is true for me. I know that God gives me just about everything I ask for, the things He doesn't give me he either alters to what I really want or He corrects me in asking for something that is a sin.

So I'm curious, how many of us get the things we ask God for?

I know I've heard people say things like Well, someone prayed to be healed and they weren't healed so this isn't true. Paul asked God to heal him and God responded that He finds strength in weakness, in other words, it wasn't God's will that Paul be healed.

So I would ask two things, 1. Does God give you what you pray for? 2. Are you living according to the foundations of the bible?

faith is for overall salvation in the true One, so if there are harmless enough people that are sick, why not be healed?! - remember how Jesus and His true disciples healed every sick they met

Blessings

 

[Jim Langston]

faith is for overall salvation in the true One, so if there are harmless enough people that are sick, why not be healed?! - remember how Jesus and His true disciples healed every sick they met

Blessings

I'm sorry, I don't have any idea what this has to do with the question. Can you elaborate please?

 

[victorinus]

Is it your opinion that all you have is from your own accord and that you owe nothing to God?

no
-and-
no
-so-
I repeat what I said earlier when quoting one of your posts -
first I thank God for what I have -
then I ask forgiveness -
then I ask for help -

 

[Jim Langston]

no
-and-
no
-so-
I repeat what I said earlier when quoting one of your posts -
first I thank God for what I have -
then I ask forgiveness -
then I ask for help -

Okay, let me try this another way. If is wrong to ask God for thibgs why does He give them to me? Why does God answer my prayers, like the bible says, if it is not God's will?

Where, by the way, do you get this position that it's wrong to ask God for things? Is it taught in your church or is it your own opinion?

 

[victorinus]

Where, by the way, do you get this position that it's wrong to ask God for things? Is it taught in your church or is it your own opinion?

it was your decision to get a town car, not God's -
you have to understand that -

 

[Jim Langston]

it was your decision to get a town car, not God's -
you have to understand that -

There was never a question as to who's decision it was to get a Towncar (ignoring the possibility that God put it into my mind to want a Towncar because I was going to get one anyway). If it was God's decision what does that have to do with anything? Just as it was your decision to want a sports car. That does not answer the question, why would God get me these things if it was not His desire for me to ask for them?

 

[victorinus]

That does not answer the question, why would God get me these things if it was not His desire for me to ask for them?

it looks like you want God to be responsible for you wanting a town car -
does that make it okay for you? -
do you understand free will choice?

 

[Jim Langston]

it looks like you want God to be responsible for you wanting a town car -
does that make it okay for you? -
do you understand free will choice?

Again, what does me asking God for a towncar have to do with making God responsible for me wanting a Town car?

Let me say again, I, me myself wanted a Towncar. I asked God to own a Towncar, God made it happen. As far as I know God didn't care one way or the other before I asked Him. I have absolutely no problem acknowledging that I was the one who wanted the Towncar that God provided. Free will doesn't come into play one way or the other.

Again, you are ignoring the question and I believe you have no answer. If God did not want me to either ask for or want the Towncar, or any of the hubdreds of things I've asked him for, why did He arrange it so I could get them?

 

[victorinus]

Let me say again, I, me myself wanted a Towncar.

this is a good start
-now-
can you take the responsibility for getting that car?

 

[ToBeLoved]

So I would ask two things,

1. Does God give you what you pray for?

2. Are you living according to the foundations of the bible?

I would answer Question 1

God does give me what I pray for, but honestly, not tooting my own horn, but I do not pray for physical things or to have things. God usually always answers my prayers if they are questions, but it is in His time and timing. Not always or even usually tomorrow or next week, many times in faith He makes me wait. But I am astounded by some of the direct ways He has answered me. Not audibly but through a strong means that makes me gasp.

Question 2

I believe that I am. Seeking things from above more than of this earth, but spirituality is a process. God works usually in chunks, one may not just get to a point next week or next year. Listening to God for things and walking in faith where He leads are the important things. When we have real faith, we can rest in it and hand our worries over to God because we know His will will be done. But that's kind of a long process usually because we don't want to do things on our own to please God, we need God to work in us. It's hard not to confuse the two.

We want to do for God what we choose to do for God. We do not many times wait for God to choose and then do that. If that makes sense.

 

[Jim Langston]

In contemplation I think you may be saying that God had nothing to do with me getting what I ask for, like the Towncar. So let me give you an ancedote as to why I believe God is providing these things.

There was a day I was walking along a highway talking to God, as I normally do. I then said (in my mind) God, if this is you tgen please let me find a pack of cigarettes. I took a few steps and I found a pack of Marlboros on the ground. I opened it up, there was about a third of a pack with most of them wet. I took out the three or four good ones and thought, coincidence. So I then said, thank you God but if this is really you let me find a pack of my brand, a full box and only a few wet. I took a few steps and my heart started beating fast as I saw a pack if Marlboro Menthol Light 100's, my brand. I picked up the box and opened it and rhere were only two cigarettes missing and about three wet, exactly what I asked for.

Now, I hear many of you shouting at your screens, "God would never give you cigarettes!" Later I remembered another time I was talking to God. I was in the backseat of my car with my brother driving. I prayed to God and said God, I want you to perform a miracle but even more I want to see how you perform miracles. At that point my brother took his pack of cigarettes and threw them out the window. I asked him why he did that, he said he just decided to quit smoking. I said good idea and took my pack of cigarettes and threw them out the window. Yeah, i found the same packs of cigarettes my brother and I threw out the window. God simply gave me back my own cigarettes! So God performed a miracle, had those cigarettes there when I asked for them, and showed me how he performs miracles, puts it into people's mind to do things. Think of God hardening pharoh's heart.

Over the years I have asked gor many things from God and received them. I have absolutely no question in my mind that God provided my Lincoln Towncar the same way I have no doubt that God provided those cigarettes.

 

[ToBeLoved]

My faith is weak, I admit. My hopes aren't ever realized and so I just keep holding on to hope. It's especially difficult to trust when my own earthly father never ever hugged me or told me he loved me..EVER! Why should a child have to beg for a hug from their parent? Yes, God provides for me. I need and yearn to be loved unconditionally. Even when my daughter did something wrong, I didn't remove my love from her. So, the only way God will love me is IF I obey everything perfectly? I am easily confused by some Scriptures. I'm in my Bible every morning, I listen to gospel music every day, I pray everyday and I show love to my boyfriend, my neighbors and even strangers in the store, and of course, my daughter. I write Scriptures so that I can be sure they are being grounded in my soul. And all I have really and truly wanted is for Him to hug me. All things are possible so isn't giving a hug possible?

I understand what you are saying and I've also hoped for a hug from God. It is not how God works though, we must be happy with His rest, just handing things over to Him and knowing that He is King. He is perfect, His Word is true.

Jesus loved us first, while we were enemies. So, He loved you before you loved Him. KNow that!

 

[ToBeLoved]

In contemplation I think you may be saying that God had nothing to do with me getting what I ask for, like the Towncar. So let me give you an ancedote as to why I believe God is providing these things.

There was a day I was walking along a highway talking to God, as I normally do. I then said (in my mind) God, if this is you tgen please let me find a pack of cigarettes. I took a few steps and I found a pack of Marlboros on the ground. I opened it up, there was about a third of a pack with most of them wet. I took out the three or four good ones and thought, coincidence. So I then said, thank you God but if this is really you let me find a pack of my brand, a full box and only a few wet. I took a few steps and my heart started beating fast as I saw a pack if Marlboro Menthol Light 100's, my brand. I picked up the box and opened it and rhere were only two cigarettes missing and about three wet, exactly what I asked for.

Now, I hear many of you shouting at your screens, "God would never give you cigarettes!" Later I remembered another time I was talking to God. I was in the backseat of my car with my brother driving. I prayed to God and said God, I want you to perform a miracle but even more I want to see how you perform miracles. At that point my brother took his pack of cigarettes and threw them out the window. I asked him why he did that, he said he just decided to quit smoking. I said good idea and took my pack of cigarettes and threw them out the window. Yeah, i found the same packs of cigarettes my brother and I threw out the window. God simply gave me back my own cigarettes! So God performed a miracle, had those cigarettes there when I asked for them, and showed me how he performs miracles, puts it into people's mind to do things. Think of God hardening pharoh's heart.

Over the years I have asked gor many things from God and received them. I have absolutely no question in my mind that God provided my Lincoln Towncar the same way I have no doubt that God provided those cigarettes.

I'm not judging you so do not take this personally but this is scripture.

Matthew 16

(Mark 8:11-13; Luke 12:54-56)

1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. 2He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 4A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

If it worked for you there was probably a reason for it, something God wanted to do or show you, but for almost everyone else, God does not give signs like that.

 

[Jim Langston]

I would answer Question 1

God does give me what I pray for, but honestly, not tooting my own horn, but I do not pray for physical things or to have things. God usually always answers my prayers if they are questions, but it is in His time and timing. Not always or even usually tomorrow or next week, many times in faith He makes me wait. But I am astounded by some of the direct ways He has answered me. Not audibly but through a strong means that makes me gasp.

Question 2

I believe that I am. Seeking things from above more than of this earth, but spirituality is a process. God works usually in chunks, one may not just get to a point next week or next year. Listening to God for things and walking in faith where He leads are the important things. When we have real faith, we can rest in it and hand our worries over to God because we know His will will be done. But that's kind of a long process usually because we don't want to do things on our own to please God, we need God to work in us. It's hard not to confuse the two.

We want to do for God what we choose to do for God. We do not many times wait for God to choose and then do that. If that makes sense.

I also pray for spiritual things and ask questions and get them answered. Like you I find that God is not a respector of time. Everything is in God's time, not ours.

I am starting to see the trend I thought I would see here. Everyone who says God answers their prayers tries to follow God's commandments.

 

[Jim Langston]

I'm not judging you so do not take this personally but this is scripture.

Matthew 16

(Mark 8:11-13; Luke 12:54-56)

1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. 2He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 4A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

If it worked for you there was probably a reason for it, something God wanted to do or show you, but for almost everyone else, God does not give signs like that.

Well, the bible says ask and ye shall receive. The bible says that God hears our petitions. The bible gives hundreds of examples of people asking things from God and God providing them. Think of the fleece that was wet when the ground was dry then the fleece that was dry when the grass was wet (or vice versa). I simply follow the examples given in the bible.

You may be under the impression that I was asking for the sign to prove God exists. That is not the case. I was asking for a sign to prove that the voice I hear in my head was God. I believe that if I didn't believe God existed in the first place he would not have answered my prayer.

We, as believers following God's commandments can ask God for anything, anything and if it is according to His will He will provide it. And I believe that things are according to His will as long as they aren't against His will.

Why would the bible say that we can ask God and He will provide if it was against His will?

 

[ToBeLoved]

Well, the bible says ask and ye shall receive. The bible says that God hears our petitions. The bible gives hundreds of examples of people asking things from God and God providing them. Think of the fleece that was wet when the ground was dry then the fleece that was dry when the grass was wet (or vice versa). I simply follow the examples given in the bible.

You may be under the impression that I was asking for the sign to prove God exists. That is not the case. I was asking for a sign to prove that the voice I hear in my head was God. I believe that if I didn't believe God existed in the first place he would not have answered my prayer.

We, as believers following God's commandments can ask God for anything, anything and if it is according to His will He will provide it. And I believe that things are according to His will as long as they aren't against His will.

Why would the bible say that we can ask God and He will provide if it was against His will?

I was specfically referring to the part in your post where you asked God to show you a sign through your finding ciggarettes. Saying that God does not usually give in to provide signs. That was specfic to God giving you things through signs.

I think you are applying the verse broadly about your entire post.

 

[Jim Langston]

I was specfically referring to the part in your post where you asked God to show you a sign through your finding ciggarettes. Saying that God does not usually give in to provide signs. That was specfic to God giving you things through signs.

I think you are applying the verse broadly about your entire post.

I am not sure what point you are trying to make. If you think that anyone asking God for a sign is evil, I think you are applying what Jesus said about an evil generation seeking a sign too broadly.

I will ask the same question I did about miracles, if it was evil for me to seek the sign why did God provide it?

So many people are saying Hod wouldn't do that when He did. I think it is better to ask yourself why God did something you didn't think He would, where is your understanding wrong?

I am not giving theoreticals here. I am not giving what ifs. I am saying I asked God for things and He provided them, just like the scriptures said He would.

In the same way an evil generation seeks a sign an evil generation doesn't believe a sign when it happens. I'm saying look people, I ask God for things and He provides them just like the bible says and am hearing God wouldn't do that. He is, He does and He will.

 

[ToBeLoved]

I am not sure what point you are trying to make. If you think that anyone asking God for a sign is evil, I think you are applying what Jesus said about an evil generation seeking a sign too broadly.

I will ask the same question I did about miracles, if it was evil for me to seek the sign why did God provide it?

So many people are saying Hod wouldn't do that when He did. I think it is better to ask yourself why God did something you didn't think He would, where is your understanding wrong?

I am not giving theoreticals here. I am not giving what ifs. I am saying I asked God for things and He provided them, just like the scriptures said He would.

In the same way an evil generation seeks a sign an evil generation doesn't believe a sign when it happens. I'm saying look people, I ask God for things and He provides them just like the bible says and am hearing God wouldn't do that. He is, He does and He will.

Well honestly, I don't know you, so I am not going to judge whether what you say is true or not, but on the internet people say all sorts of things.

It is not God's nature to give after signs. To provide proof that He exists. That is why salvation is through faith.

How many aetheists have you heard say "I asked God to show me that He exists by doing x, y. z and He never did show me He exists".

Now if you want to think this is how God works everyday, you have at it. But He doesn't. It's been shown by so, so many people. The Bible even says that He does not give signs only in certain circumstances. If you believe you are that certain circumstance, then believe that. I won't argue your point.

But I'm sure you do not think your having a Lincoln Town Car is part of God's will? Maybe your doing something in the past or future was or is, but not the kind of car you have.

Are you Word of Faith by chance?

 

[Jim Langston]

Well honestly, I don't know you, so I am not going to judge whether what you say is true or not, but on the internet people say all sorts of things.

It is not God's nature to give after signs. To provide proof that He exists. That is why salvation is through faith.

How many aetheists have you heard say "I asked God to show me that He exists by doing x, y. z and He never did show me He exists".

Now if you want to think this is how God works everyday, you have at it. But He doesn't. It's been shown by so, so many people. The Bible even says that He does not give signs only in certain circumstances. If you believe you are that certain circumstance, then believe that. I won't argue your point.

But I'm sure you do not think your having a Lincoln Town Car is part of God's will? Maybe your doing something in the past or future was or is, but not the kind of car you have.

Are you Word of Faith by chance?

Again, I did not ask God to give me a sign to prove He exists. I asked to make sure that He was that who I was talking to. A believer who already believes in God, a born again Christian trying to follow his commandments. Yes, I know God does not hear the prayers of the unrightous,, that is not me. So, I did not ask for a sign to prove that He exists.

Now, you are claiming that this is not how God works everyday. My point is God would work like this everyday if people let Him. If people actually followed the bible, followed God's commandments like He demands they can, according to the bible, ask God for anything and if it is in His will get it. That's what the bible says. I choose to believe the bible, not man, and so I get the promises in the bible.

I'm not asking you to believe me, I'm asking you to believe your own bible. Open it up. Go to 1 John chapter five. Read it. It says nothing more than what I've done in practice.

Why have others asked for things and not gotten them? Maybe they don't follow God's commandments. Maybe they don't have enough faith.

I would ask you one thing. If you believe the bible why wouldn't you believe someone who said it does what it promises? Are you the one seeking after a sign? I don"t believe the bible is a book of fairy tales, I believe it is the word of God and that everyword is correct. I read where it says God will give us what we ask for if we follow Him and believe. So I do and I receive. Do you not believe the bible is true? If you do then you should believe everything it says, which it seems you doubt.

 

[ToBeLoved]

Again, I did not ask God to give me a sign to prove He exists. I asked to make sure that He was that who I was talking to. A believer who already believes in God, a born again Christian trying to follow his commandments. Yes, I know God does not hear the prayers of the unrightous,, that is not me. So, I did not ask for a sign to prove that He exists.

Now, you are claiming that this is not how God works everyday. My point is God would work like this everyday if people let Him. If people actually followed the bible, followed God's commandments like He demands they can, according to the bible, ask God for anything and if it is in His will get it. That's what the bible says. I choose to believe the bible, not man, and so I get the promises in the bible.

I'm not asking you to believe me, I'm asking you to believe your own bible. Open it up. Go to 1 John chapter five. Read it. It says nothing more than what I've done in practice.

Why have others asked for things and not gotten them? Maybe they don't follow God's commandments. Maybe they don't have enough faith.

I would ask you one thing. If you believe the bible why wouldn't you believe someone who said it does what it promises? Are you the one seeking after a sign? I don"t believe the bible is a book of fairy tales, I believe it is the word of God and that everyword is correct. I read where it says God will give us what we ask for if we follow Him and believe. So I do and I receive. Do you not believe the bible is true? If you do then you should believe everything it says, which it seems you doubt.

Why would you not just follow the Bible and 'test the spirits to see if they are of God'? What you say does not make sense. Testing to see if it is God by asking Him to show you a sign?

How does the Bible say to test the spirits?

You say I lack faith in the Bible, yet you run off with one verse and do not allocate for the contridictions you seem to believe exist. Maybe you think it is God who is giving you signs.