Two questions

[dhh712]

The first question is simple and I've been wondering about it for a few days now. If God does not answer your prayer with a yes or no or maybe at the present time, is it righteous, Godly, and proper to continue to pray about the same thing every day for even up to a year or more?

Definitely. Pray for it all your life, if it is applicable. We do not know the time-table of the Lord. As long as it is not something sinful to pray for (like, to pray that your neighbor has something bad happen to him because he was mean to you), as long as it is a godly prayer (such as for employment--since God wants us to labor for our goods--or that someone will be converted--since we are to pray for the advancement of his kingdom) pray for it your whole life if God delays for that long.

Second question is, even though I am Christian I have 2 male friends who are not Christian and are practicing homosexuals. They know I'm Christian and respect that about me and they are some of the kindest people I've met and have been there for me when I've been sick or down and have been extremely loyal. But the problem is, lately I've been wondering if it is good to be close friends with them even though I follow Christ. (I have few friends who live near me now and there are no Christian people near my age (23) in the area I live in.

If he does not lean upon Jesus for forgiveness of sins and acknowledge himself as a sinner in the sight of a holy God, his god is Satan. I would stay away from intimate friendship. Continue to interact, but do not get too involved. Such relationships are more likely to lead you away from God than to lead them to the Lord. Pray for them continually, but do not fool yourself into thinking you are wiser than the worldly. You are only as wise as God gives you the ability to be, and it is He who keeps you on the straight path. Do not be presumptuous with his grace.

 

[lastofall]

"And He spake this parable to the end that men ought always to pray and not to faint [give up]". (Luke 18:1-8)

"Be ye not unequally yoked [joined] together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14)

 

[Darren81]

Hi derpytia,

1. My personal experience is that when we pray earnestly, God immediately listens to your prayer just like He is right next to you. However, God will grant your prayer only if its appropriate according to His Will. Sometimes, it is given quickly. Otherwise, God gives you something that He thinks is more suitable for you, and it is given according to the time and situation set by God.
Giving is not difficult for God, but more important is how much will people understand the value, and be consistently thankful and joyful for the rest of their lives to God for giving it.

2. Gen 4:5-7 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

When God rebuked Cain for what he did wrongly, he asked why is Cain not doing what is right?
I think that as stewards of faith, we have the role of influencing and leading others in the right direction. It is ok to be friends with them, but it is important to discern what is right and wrong. Do pray for them a lot also. But importantly and fundamentally the ultimate partner of all mankind is God

 

[Lily76_]

1st if you waited that long its looks like a no
2nd if they have accepted you you should accept them

 

[Blade]

You will get all kinds of answers here. ME.. God is not a light switch.. He is always on. Faith is what pleases Him. What does HIS word say about your need? Jesus said what ever you disre when you pray believe you receive it and you will have it. Jesus said.. what ever you ask the Father in my name He will do it. If two of you agree as one.. touching anything.. (know what that means?) the Father will do it. If we know He hears us we know we have the petitions we asked for.

This works ALWAYS. We walk according to HIS word which is HIS will. I .. ME am hard pressed to ever hear my Father say no. EVER.

Friends.. its one thing when we have been trying to shine share Jesus. But.. what has light to do with darkness? We are not be to be hanging around them. There is no middle ground here. People still want to be IN this world part of it and with Christ. Nothing wrong with seeing them now and then but to hang out all the time no its wrong. To think we wont be easily deceived. For most are not grounded in the word or Christ or praying HOURS every day. Where every thought is HIM. Every song.. on and on. JESUS IS REAL!

This wont help but .. I am always trying to live be trueful. Me and my best friend growing up TOM.. did everything together.. we eat together drunk together spent time in jail haha you name it. Yet one day JESUS found me. Yet.. never bothered him. Where I should have left him alone I didnt. And I did get caught back up in things because I did not walk away. Yet.. one night where I did drink.. yet.. in the dark he gave his life to Christ. That was NOT GODS way of doing things. I could have really fell and never made it back.

We give up ALL not some things.. all. So let HIM use you as a LIGHT in that darkness to show JESUS. Take a stand ..HE WILL NEVER EVER EVER EVER fail you. Claim them FOR CHRIST and rejoice!

 

[danstribe]

The first question is simple and I've been wondering about it for a few days now. If God does not answer your prayer with a yes or no or maybe at the present time, is it righteous, Godly, and proper to continue to pray about the same thing every day for even up to a year or more?

Second question is, even though I am Christian I have 2 male friends who are not Christian and are practicing homosexuals. They know I'm Christian and respect that about me and they are some of the kindest people I've met and have been there for me when I've been sick or down and have been extremely loyal. But the problem is, lately I've been wondering if it is good to be close friends with them even though I follow Christ. (I have few friends who live near me now and there are no Christian people near my age (23) in the area I live in.

So many great answers to consider! It could be that the answer to your first question is no, but also that it is yes but not the right time, in any case keep asking and also ask if you should keep asking! He will give you an answer. I've found that a lot of times you just have to figure out the right question.
I used to clean for a homosexual couple for many years, even house sat for them and took care of their animals. They were the kindest people and well respected in the "straight" neighborhood. They also knew I was (still am!) a Christian and never once did they exhibit any behavior that I would feel was in conflict with my beliefs. Had they ever displayed anything I would have had to sever our relationship out of my own conscience. If you are around them as a friend and they are showing their affection for each other your silence may be seen as acceptance. This is my opinion anyway. But I can tell you that the two ladies I knew were two of the most upstanding citizens I have known. Even Christ told the religious leaders of His time that it will be better for the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah in the judgement than it will be for them! Why? because the religious leaders were self-righteous and they knew who He was and yet condemned Him. Anyway, you can perhaps sway them to God by your own conduct when you are around them.

 

[derpytia]

Thank you all for the many many answers!

In regards to my second question, Satan must have been watching because after I asked this question, one of my friends started trying to have in depth (and very inappropriate/uncomfortable) conversations about his sex life. For a whole week now, knowing that I am Christian, he doesn't talk about anything else but that while my other friend still acts as he normally does and talks about other subjects with me. So I may actually have to stop hanging out with one of them because Satan is using him to unnerve and mock me.

Thank you all once again for the answers!