how do i get a hunger for the bible, i have heard many people say that reading the Word is spiritual food, and i do feel starved. I have allowed myself to be a victim to my own feelings, thoughts, and doubts and ofcourse satan's lies. I watch christian television shows and listen to christian music, i go to church every sunday and i fellowship with believers, but i dont pray often because i dont have the discipline,im so busy, i get tired fast because im a college student with a major in biology. I go straight to sleep after im done with homework and even during the times where i have breaks between classes, i just take naps or just watch christian television programs and sometimes i dont. I dont have a desire to pray, only before i go to sleep, and i dont have a desire to read the bible even though i need too. Whats wrong with me? i thought a chrisitian was supposed to have a hunger and desire for the Word and especially a desire to talk to God. I feel like i only really talk a long time to God when things are going wrong, like in my family, within myself, and just in life, and for others. But when things are going okay i really dont spend that much time praying. Lately things have not been okay, so i do try and talk to God more but its not disciplined, its just when i feel like it or when i think i really need to. I feel far from God sometimes. i believe that He does watch over me and I believe in Jesus as the Son of God and i do try to live how God wants me to. Sometimes i feel like God has not been active in my life or He is doesnt see my struggles, but mostly im confused and i feel far off. How do i get a hunger for the bible and prayer?
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how to have a hunger for the Word and prayer?
- Thread starter knw1991
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I know your schedule is filled. Here's a few suggestions - You could incorporate listening to His Word, prayer and giving thanks more throughout the day. You know, getting up, we thank Yahweh (this is the day He has made I will rejoice and be glad in it - Psa 118). On the way to get a cup of coffee, we thank Him for our families and friends - and the coffee. We pray for our enemies. Getting dressed, listen to audio Bibles at websites such as biblegateway.com. Pick a verse to think about during the day and ask Yahweh to help you. Listening to the news, we learn of families that need His help so we pray for them and reminded to pray for our leaders, nations, military and all those involved in protecting our country and other nations. Seeing an accident, we pray for the victim & their families and friends, emergency & hospital personnel, law enforcement, etc. Notice a bag lady, alcoholic, or someone else in need, we pray for them. ETC.
I know that your schedule is full but it’s best to have a scheduled time for your prayer closet (Mat 6:6) even if it’s just for a few minutes to spend time with just Him. This is where we get our minds off ourselves and others. Something that helps me is a list of His titles, names, and attributes and think about 2-3 of those at a time and/or read Scripture such as Psa 145 and/or play some songs that are just about Him.
Spending time with just Him results in a deeper relationship which causes us to want to pray and read His Word even more. (I Thess 5:17; Matt 6:6; John 4:24; Psa 69:30; 71:23; 96:1 and 100:4, ETC).
I know that your schedule is full but it’s best to have a scheduled time for your prayer closet (Mat 6:6) even if it’s just for a few minutes to spend time with just Him. This is where we get our minds off ourselves and others. Something that helps me is a list of His titles, names, and attributes and think about 2-3 of those at a time and/or read Scripture such as Psa 145 and/or play some songs that are just about Him.
Spending time with just Him results in a deeper relationship which causes us to want to pray and read His Word even more. (I Thess 5:17; Matt 6:6; John 4:24; Psa 69:30; 71:23; 96:1 and 100:4, ETC).
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thank you. I pray for other people that I see, but like how you said I dont devote a scheduled time to prayer. Maybe this is happening because of what im currently going through. before it was school but now its more spiritual issues that keep me from praying and reading the bible.
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chilehed
Veteran
Ask God to help you have the discipline to have a regular prayer life, and then act as if he's given it to you.
Mother Teresa insisted that the Sisters spend an hour in prayer at the start of each day. I guarantee that they aren't less busy than you. They all found that their days were more productive when they spent that hour with God than when they didn't.
If we bring God our meager loaves and fishes, he'll multiply them.
Mother Teresa insisted that the Sisters spend an hour in prayer at the start of each day. I guarantee that they aren't less busy than you. They all found that their days were more productive when they spent that hour with God than when they didn't.
If we bring God our meager loaves and fishes, he'll multiply them.
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"... but now its more spiritual issues that keep me from praying and reading the bible."
I know - that's why I was encouraging you to increase your awareness of prayer opportunities and rely on Yahweh and His Word more throughout the day by praying and thanksgiving as your day unfolds plus have a scheduled, uninterrupted time to hallow His name.
We have many promises with one from James 4:8 that states if we draw close to Him and He will draw close to us. Sometimes we have to be persistent but He will draw close to you.
I know - that's why I was encouraging you to increase your awareness of prayer opportunities and rely on Yahweh and His Word more throughout the day by praying and thanksgiving as your day unfolds plus have a scheduled, uninterrupted time to hallow His name.
We have many promises with one from James 4:8 that states if we draw close to Him and He will draw close to us. Sometimes we have to be persistent but He will draw close to you.
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heymikey80
Quidquid Latine dictum sit, altum viditur
Often people don't get involved until they're confronted with an event where it matters -- and they don't succeed in getting through it very well.
Jesus gave us the Beatitudes starting the Sermon on the Mount. I've often thought that this isn't some "happy" list from Jesus, but actually a list of the people who will actually, seriously consider Jesus and His claim to be from the God of the Universe for our salvation.
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Mt 5:3-11
So the question I guess I'd have is to look at the list of who these people are, and see if you can find yourself. Do you find yourself identified as "poor in spirit"? Or are you in a good way for that? And if not, you may want to take one on: being really merciful to people might be a reasonable start, or learning to make peace among those in conflict, those might seem reasonable things to attempt.
The second thought would be not to approach the Bible with a standard, "stuff I gotta do" approach. You might need study materials to extract you from the mistakenly "impractical but good to read, builds character" view of the Bible. The Bible is often very practical, but its words have to get through to us. Alternatively, a motivating translation, maybe say the Phillips translation, could help extract you from that vicious cycle.
I've been in both situations, that's why I mention them.
Jesus gave us the Beatitudes starting the Sermon on the Mount. I've often thought that this isn't some "happy" list from Jesus, but actually a list of the people who will actually, seriously consider Jesus and His claim to be from the God of the Universe for our salvation.
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Mt 5:3-11
So the question I guess I'd have is to look at the list of who these people are, and see if you can find yourself. Do you find yourself identified as "poor in spirit"? Or are you in a good way for that? And if not, you may want to take one on: being really merciful to people might be a reasonable start, or learning to make peace among those in conflict, those might seem reasonable things to attempt.
The second thought would be not to approach the Bible with a standard, "stuff I gotta do" approach. You might need study materials to extract you from the mistakenly "impractical but good to read, builds character" view of the Bible. The Bible is often very practical, but its words have to get through to us. Alternatively, a motivating translation, maybe say the Phillips translation, could help extract you from that vicious cycle.
I've been in both situations, that's why I mention them.
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I "talk" with God throughout my day in prayer as I live my life. It's not something I set out to do...it just happens as I go about my business, thanking Him for the things He's given me, asking for protection for my daughter when she leaves for school, praying for the person in the ambulance I hear outside, etc...
Prayers don't have to be long and drawn out or entirely formal, although those are wonderful prayers too. Don't feel that you can't just pray quickly to God throughout the day because you aren't on your knees or your hands aren't folded. Give it a shot!
Prayers don't have to be long and drawn out or entirely formal, although those are wonderful prayers too. Don't feel that you can't just pray quickly to God throughout the day because you aren't on your knees or your hands aren't folded. Give it a shot!
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Peripatetic
Restless mind, peaceful soul.
Remember that life in Christ requires balance. Some people go a bit too far in their desire to put God at the front of mind every moment. Look for time to spend with God (in prayer and in scripture), but don't get caught up in guilt and legalistically measuring your efforts.
Here are some suggestions that have worked well for me: read some kind of commentary or devotional along with the scripture. It helps to get the context and other perspectives on the interpretations. Also, try to read when you aren't too tired. As much as I'm not a morning person, I tend to get more out of it when I read early. If I wait until after work, I'm just not alert enough.
Most of all, be patient. To extend your "hunger" analogy, it is best to eat slowly and chew your food well rather than stuffing it all down in 5 minutes. Likewise, find a good pace so that you don't burn out later.
Here are some suggestions that have worked well for me: read some kind of commentary or devotional along with the scripture. It helps to get the context and other perspectives on the interpretations. Also, try to read when you aren't too tired. As much as I'm not a morning person, I tend to get more out of it when I read early. If I wait until after work, I'm just not alert enough.
Most of all, be patient. To extend your "hunger" analogy, it is best to eat slowly and chew your food well rather than stuffing it all down in 5 minutes. Likewise, find a good pace so that you don't burn out later.
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Dear Knw1991. The hunger grows, as we let prayer and the Word guide us. The strongest and most meaningful word which leads us to life abundant is Love, freely given and no conditions asked. Jesus told us in Matthew, chapter 22, verses 35-40: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds. The second is like it: Love our neighbour as ourselves." Then Jesus gives us this most important advice: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. "Love is what God wants from us, and Love will still any hunger for the Word or prayer. How can we achieve this?
Treat all we know and all we meet as we would love to be treated: with kind and loving words, friendly smiles and helping hands, where needed. We will find that people will treat us the same, and God will notice and bless us. ALSO: God will know that we love Him, because we are following His Commandments to love and care. Jesus told us to " ask and ye will receive," and Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will give us His Love, also. Then we thank God and share all Love and Joy, ( ours included) with all around us. We will stumble and fall, but we ask God to forgive us, and God will forgive us as we will forgive others.
Love is our weapon to overcome all temptations and unfulfilled longings of this imperfect world, Knw. Love will help us to become the loving and caring children/sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.
Treat all we know and all we meet as we would love to be treated: with kind and loving words, friendly smiles and helping hands, where needed. We will find that people will treat us the same, and God will notice and bless us. ALSO: God will know that we love Him, because we are following His Commandments to love and care. Jesus told us to " ask and ye will receive," and Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will give us His Love, also. Then we thank God and share all Love and Joy, ( ours included) with all around us. We will stumble and fall, but we ask God to forgive us, and God will forgive us as we will forgive others.
Love is our weapon to overcome all temptations and unfulfilled longings of this imperfect world, Knw. Love will help us to become the loving and caring children/sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.
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There is a book called Darkness in the Market Place that would be most excellent for you. For me I endeavor to bow my head and listen to God. It is about me letting God be God and being where I am at during these moments. Everybody probably thinks I am asleep on the bus because my head is bowed 
There are many ways and simple yet powerful meditations and prayers you can use to keep in touch with the Lord
There are many ways and simple yet powerful meditations and prayers you can use to keep in touch with the Lord
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