I don't pray

[MooCow]

Whenever I pray, I never feel any comfort like others claim to feel. I feel like I'm praying to a brick wall and no one is listening.

So, I gave up on prayer about 2 years ago, and I haven't prayed one time since then.

I just feel so "anti-Christian" since prayer is one of the main beliefs of this religion.

Help.

 

[Olga]

Did you tell G-d about this problem? I think there must have been some misunderstanding from the beginning. Prayer isn’t sort of punishment for every true Christian, it’s just a nice talk. BUT it’s ok even if you don’t feel like talking to G-d. Feel free and things will change in the most miraculous way, no matter when. I’m praying for you

 

[MooCow]

Did you tell G-d about this problem? I think there must have been some misunderstanding from the beginning. Prayer isn’t sort of punishment for every true Christian, it’s just a nice talk. BUT it’s ok even if you don’t feel like talking to G-d. Feel free and things will change in the most miraculous way, no matter when. I’m praying for you

Why are you leaving the "o" out of God?

 

[Olga]

Why are you leaving the "o" out of God?

it's just my old habit as I'm Jewish

 

[MooCow]

it's just my old habit as I'm Jewish

Your little profile thing says you're Christian :-D

 

[newlite]

i use prayer to excape from the world. i sometimes feel alone and depressed (my past...). prayer is a way to clear my head. i can figure out whats happening to me. i can take to someone who cares and listens. i always feel better.

i used to think it was pointless. i thought it was a pointless waste of time, no one was listening, i was an idiot. i also thought i was a chirstain. ask god to help you and strenthen your relationship with him. someone is listen. are you listen to him though?

*prays for ya*

 

[Olga]

Your little profile thing says you're Christian :-D

I know So how are you feeling right now?

 

[MooCow]

I know So how are you feeling right now?

In regards to what?

 

[Sketcher]

I feel like I'm praying to a brick wall and no one is listening.

Why?

Whenever I pray, I never feel any comfort like others claim to feel.

Not every prayer I've prayed was offered up feeling all nice either. Sometimes my sole comfort is the Scriptures that say God loves me. And I have to force myself to believe them, even though it makes no sense at all why He'd bless me.

Let me tell you a story from my life. Just over a year ago, I was unemployed. I was looking for jobs, praying for them, and not finding them. I went to a job fair and got a preliminary interview. It didn't go badly, but I was desperate and very pessimistic. I prayed something like "Lord, I know You probably won't get me this job, BUT I REALLY NEED IT!" And I gave Him my reasons. I didn't really expect to get the job, but I was surprised a few days later when I was called and given a second interview. And then some time later, I was overjoyed because I got that job. I've been there for over a year, and it's still not a bad job.

So, I gave up on prayer about 2 years ago, and I haven't prayed one time since then.

I just feel so "anti-Christian" since prayer is one of the main beliefs of this religion.

Help.

Well, you are missing out. Prayer for me, at it's absolute worst, is a stress reliever. At its best, it can be good worship or it can make a real difference in my life or the lives of others.

God wants you to pray to Him. If this sounds like something you want, pray for it . Pray for God to draw you closer to Himself. He will answer, He will give, you just have to recieve. Easy, huh?

 

[Jessica Lauren]

Some nights I don't pray either. But I do read scriptures and that makes me feel better in itself. But I do know, that when I DO pray, I feel like a load has been lifted off me.

 

[MooCow]

Some nights I don't pray either. But I do read scriptures and that makes me feel better in itself. But I do know, that when I DO pray, I feel like a load has been lifted off me.

THAT'S what I'm talking about. You feel like a load has been lifted when you pray. See, when I try my best to pray, I feel no load lifted at all...it's like I'm talking to myself (or a brick wall, as I said earlier).

 

[TheListener]

Have you ever seen "The Lion King"? When Simba thinks his father abandoned him, and his father talks as a voice and face in the sky to him and says "I have always been here for you, always been with you". Its kinda like that. Tell God how your feeling, be honest but respectful. Most of all know that he is listening wether you feel it or not. Do not let the devil thwart your feelings and try to consume you. Keep your heart true.

 

[Jessica Lauren]

THAT'S what I'm talking about. You feel like a load has been lifted when you pray. See, when I try my best to pray, I feel no load lifted at all...it's like I'm talking to myself (or a brick wall, as I said earlier).

Well, why don't you read the bible more often?

 

[MooCow]

Well, why don't you read the bible more often?

I do. I read it all the time. What I DON'T do is pray.

 

[Jessica Lauren]

I do. I read it all the time. What I DON'T do is pray.

I don't know anything you can do besides try your best to get a better connection with God, and then the praying won't seem like you're talking to yourself.

 

[MooCow]

I don't know anything you can do besides try your best to get a better connection with God, and then the praying won't seem like you're talking to yourself.

*sigh* Yeah

 

[Olga]

In regards to what?

to your everyday mood

 

[KleinerApfel]

Maybe you find it hard to be honest with God because you think He won't want to hear your complaints?

I find the psalms helpful in this. They remind me that God's chosen poets and musicians, even his beloved king David among them, had some very bad days.

There are some psalms which we read in church but leave huge chunks out, because we think they're "not very nice."
But they're in the Bible for a purpose.

God made sure they got put in, because they show us that all human emotions are acceptable, even the horrible ones, SO LONG AS we bring them to God for help, rather than letting them fester.

There are some really vengeful thoughts vented there, but when you continue on reading, you find that the writer speaks his mind, then works through the issue.
By the end, even if all is still not resolved, the writer has still managed to say something along the lines of : "Oh Lord, life is just so awful, but You are God and I will trust you even so."

Don't know if that's any use to you, but I hope so.

Another thing I enjoy when I can't pray is to sing a worship song or hymn, or even listen to others doing so. I suppose the best of them are modern psalms!

You are showing a willing heart by coming here and asking.
Do you realise; that in itself is pleasing to God?
Now just don't give up and let it drop. He is holding on to you.

God bless, Susana

 

[love-life]

I have only recently started praying and it does make me feel better , it feels like someone is listening to me and giving me guidance on what i should do.

 

[Dr.Phil]

Whenever I pray, I never feel any comfort like others claim to feel. I feel like I'm praying to a brick wall and no one is listening.

So, I gave up on prayer about 2 years ago, and I haven't prayed one time since then.

I just feel so "anti-Christian" since prayer is one of the main beliefs of this religion.

Help.

What I feel is that maybe you havent prayed enough? :crosself: But That "feeling" doesnt come over-night...