How do you know?

[Nikoel]

How do you know that a prayer has been answered?

Some of mine have been very blatent and I have no doubt it was the answer... but this time around I'm just not sure

I have had some financial troubles as well as a crummy work situation that I've been praying on... and recently an offer came up that seemed too good to be true, and I'm debating taking it... but part of me is wondering if it was God trying to answer my prayer or someone else trying to trick me.

 

[Rage4Christ]

nikoel You'll think yourself into circles if you continue this way. This is the same sort of thinking that psychics and astrologers exploit. Don't fall for it.

Some conclusions I've made that really have helped me pray:

#1: God is not going to do my work for me. I cannot ask God for special favors, nor ask him to make life easy for me. Prayer is not about getting divine favors from God. God is not your magical "get out of hard work for free card."

#2: God has created everything perfectly. For me to ask God to change reality, is to insult God-- basically saying: Hey God, you really screwed this up over here, can you come over and fix it? Who am I to judge God??

#3: God is incredibly helpful when you ask him to help you give unconditional love to others and yourself. Prayer is a way to feel God's love and an example of how you can reflect and give that love to others. We face earthly challenges not by asking God to do it for us with divinely controled boons, but with love in the face of adversity.

Basically what I'm saying is. If you're in a "crummy" work situation, then it is your responsiblity to face up to in and improve it. If you can do this while still being loving to yourself and others, that is all God asks of you.

Life is hard.
Life was designed by God to be hard.
Don't ask God to change his designs just so you can have an easier go of it.

Through these challenges we can grow. Look at this "crummy" situation, not as an obsticle, but as an opportunity to challenge yourself and grow, and give unconditional love to those around you along the way.

 

[Nikoel]

I understand that and never thought God would fix it for me, I am not someone who sits around and does nothing until it is handed to me.

I am looking (very actively) for employment elsewhere and this opportunity popped up but it's one of those that seem too good to be true.

 

[silentpoet]

Would the offer be ungodly in any way? Could it lead to sin? Can you best serve God in this new job? Ask this in prayer and listen quitely.

 

[Rafael]

How do you know that a prayer has been answered?

Some of mine have been very blatent and I have no doubt it was the answer... but this time around I'm just not sure

I have had some financial troubles as well as a crummy work situation that I've been praying on... and recently an offer came up that seemed too good to be true, and I'm debating taking it... but part of me is wondering if it was God trying to answer my prayer or someone else trying to trick me.

God answers prayers and promotion comes from the Lord, but you said the situation was "too good to be true". If it is from the Lord, it will stand up to test and be available long enough for you to give two weeks notice and do things in proper order without making undue risk. Test the spirits, as the scripture says, and follow up with prayer. If it is from the Lord, it will remain. Check into it and use common sense along with your faith.

 

[junebugz]

Something that just popped into my head. A lot of times we ask God for something but in general terms. Many times, I believe, God wants to hear specifics though. He already knows the specifics of what we would like, but I can tell you it is really cool to pray specifically for something (ie- a Christian boss and work situation which is family oriented ... not easy to find today) but you can see Him provide that. While Rage is right in saying that God is not a "hand-out" God, He does give to all liberally who ask Him for wisdom when going through trials. I am currently going through some and have asked ... His wisdom is given in His timing ... it is killing me because I would like to just be done with it, however, I know I can trust Him and His timing. Doubt is one of the biggest guns (if not the biggest) that the devil uses. Trust God that He will provide and if it seems to good to be true, then check this verse out ...

Ephesians 3:20 - Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

God loves to give good gifts to His children. We definitely do not deserve them, but that is the type of Father that He is.

May God give you wisdom and peace in your decision.

 

[Nikoel]

Thank you all for your advice and thoughts!

I am going to a meeting with the potential employers this evening and I am very excited about it! I know that the man who would be my boss is a Christian (he is on the church council with one of my current co-workers...I live in a small town!) But I'm asking all kinds of questions to find out if they will work with me and my family and faith. My current job won't allow me Sundays off, I'm hoping this one will, that is a big part of my decision.

 

[eviltangerine]

praying everything goes well

 

[Evie]

How do you know that a prayer has been answered?

Some of mine have been very blatent and I have no doubt it was the answer... but this time around I'm just not sure

I have had some financial troubles as well as a crummy work situation that I've been praying on... and recently an offer came up that seemed too good to be true, and I'm debating taking it... but part of me is wondering if it was God trying to answer my prayer or someone else trying to trick me.

Lord,I pray for her job situation,Father God show her where she is be.
We thank you for this and give you the glory and believe in Jesus name,
Amen

 

[TheMainException]

I think that you should follow your guts and test it out....how will you know if you don't get out there and take a chance? We can't sit in the harbor all day and night and rot our ships out can we?