Why don't prayers work?

[Bellicus]

I've prayed about a lot of things during the last years, and I have always felt that this have been thoughts I have sent to God, but returned empty. And the same things when I've asked others to pray for me or someone I want prayer for. Always just the disappointment to see nothing happen. So my conclusion have been that prayers don't work. And this is really a big hole in my faith, where I miss to see that God is actually working in my life. It really make me sad.

What I do believe is that sometimes people get help from God, but it seems to be totally random who gets the help, and the majority of those that ask for help, get no help at all. And with my usual bad luck in life, I guess that I am among those that randomly get no help. For example when it comes to various illnesses, then modern medicine seem to be a far better choice then praying for healing.

I see different kinds of explanations about why prayer don't work

1.The prayer is not always answered at once
2.You don't have enough faith
3.You pray for things that only are about satisfying personal needs
4.The days of miracles ended with the apostles
5.You need someone to put their hands on you
6.Your trouble is a "thorn" like Paul had
7.You are not as righteous as you should be

And there is probably more answers like that, but really these are no answers at all when it comes down to what God have promised trough his prophets and I see the promises are just empty words. I feel bad about writing that it is empty words, but when I see all the sheep scattered around and no one caring for them, then I wonder if I can live a whole life and just watching this and trying to close my eyes and not see it.

To give a summary: I know that God is real and I truly believe he got the power to do anything, but I can't be honest and say that anything really have changed in my life, other that that I've met Him and that I try to live close to him, because I think that is the way to heaven. So on my inside I got something good from my faith because I feel filled by the Spirit every day, but I feel my faith just get smaller and smaller the more I try to believe that anything will ever change in my life. I know that it is all my fault and I know that it is utterly selfish of me to ask God to help me with it, but I just want to good life, a life I can be happy about. I am starving to see the power of God in my life, but it just continue like it have been, with a God that is hiding from me. I want to see that I follow a living God, that is all. Is that too much to ask?

 

[Elijah2]

It all comes down to good old fashion faith, that HE will keep His Promises.

As sad as it is, many of us lose faith in praying, and many of us "pray amiss".

Be blessed in Jesus' Name.

 

[Bellicus]

Well, that didn't help me much Elijah. Do you mean that I should feel satisfied with "I have too little faith, so I just have to live without seeing anything from God"?

 

[Nilla]

I'm sorry to hear about your struggle and believe me I've been there. BUT I do know that prayer works. If not I wouldn't be here. (PM me if you want the long story)

I know it seems unfair that some seems to always get answers to their prayers and so on...but what we have to remember is that God sees the WHOLE picture where we only see and tiny tiny fracture of it. And the prayers might be answered in a totally different way then we expect or think...or even wish.

God sees you and He knows your needs, trust Him to fill them.

I don't know if you know the song "SHout to the Lord" but in the end of that song there's a line that speaks a lot to me..."Nothing compares to the promise I have in You." but translated to norwegian (sp?) it's even stronger..."Inget kan rokke ved löftet jeg har i Deg" meaning, nothing can move that promise, it's solid, not going anywhere.

God is with you!!
Nilla

 

[Bellicus]

Nilla: If you got anything extraordinary to tell about things that have happened to you because of prayer and have a clue how and why it happend, then I would love to hear from you. English or Svenska, up to you, whatever is most easy.

How do I trust God to fill my needs? I've really had a bad life, and I can't just trust that suddenly things will change. It not about will, it is just how I feel. And I have really been trusting God earlier in life, but when I've seen that my trust have given nothing, that is really what has made it hard for me. I've been trusting him with my life, and giving myself completely to him, but no real changes. In what other ways can I trust God then this? I have nothing to offer Him, that could satisfy Him.

 

[Nilla]

I'll PM you tomorrow...ok. Need to get some sleep.

 

[Bellicus]

I'll PM you tomorrow...ok. Need to get some sleep.

Thats OK. Sweet dreams.

 

[kat69]

I wasn't sure quite what to say but wanted you to know that I care.

Kat

 

[Bellicus]

I wasn't sure quite what to say but wanted you to know that I care.

Kat

That is odd, because I were just thinking about writing something in anger about that no one cares.

Hmm..

 

[kat69]

That is odd, because I were just thinking about writing something in anger about that no one cares.

Hmm..

Perhaps it was divine timing???

Blessings to you Bellicus,

Kat

 

[drich0150]

Prayers, and there answers are always a matter of perspective.. If you look at them as God being a magic genie and your prayers are unlimited wish list then yeah, prayers don't work. There must be a balance, one of faith, circumstance, impact, and God's over all will. If you pray in the way scripture teaches us then there isn't a prayer that doesn't get answered in the way you have prayed for it. Mt.6 starting at verse 9, but pay close attention to verse 10. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. If you pray for God's will be done, then your prayers are answered every time..

I know one can say that's sort of cheating. of course God's will be done, he the one answering prayers, why wouldn't he full fill is own will. This verse goes alittle deeper than God's will be done. Jesus is telling us how to pray, meaning you should want God's will be done over your own will. If you think about it, Why would you will/pray for something, that God doesn't want anyway? What could be so important? Your comfort? your financial situation? Your love life? Your health? In the scope of eternity what does any of this really mean anyway? Better to loose your life than your soul right?

I know this is not the answer your looking for right now. largely because your prayers reflect you wants and desires. If you want to change then ask God for change, ask him to open your eyes, ears and heart to his will his wants in your life. ask him to learn to want the things HE wants for you to have.. Do this and change your perspective, and every prayer will be answered in the exact way you joyfully wish it to be!!

 

[MyBlueDog]

To the OP:

Read: Habakkuk 2:3

 

[Bellicus]

I know this is not the answer your looking for right now. largely because your prayers reflect you wants and desires. If you want to change then ask God for change, ask him to open your eyes, ears and heart to his will his wants in your life. ask him to learn to want the things HE wants for you to have.. Do this and change your perspective, and every prayer will be answered in the exact way you joyfully wish it to be!!

I have really been trying to do what God wants for me, but like I said it haven't brought me anything better in life. I am still living in chains, and I just can't live like this the rest of my life. I can't serve God like this. I can't worship him if I just continue to see nothing in the faith I have.

God let me know what you want for me. Amen

And then lets see if there is going to come more whining from me in some other topics soon...

To the OP:

Read: Habakkuk 2:3

I am sorry, but it made no sense to me. It is about God telling a prophet about a vision, and the "wait" thing there, is because there is things in the vision that will come in the future.

I can't remember seeing in the bible that prayers take time. Did Jesus say "Take your bed and just continue to lie there for some years, and then you maybe (if you got faith enough) can stand up and walk around"?

 

[drich0150]

I am still living in chains, and I just can't live like this the rest of my life. I can't serve God like this.

The apostle Paul spent the loins share of his ministry to Jesus Literally in chains, infact most of the books of the new testament that he was a credited to writing were while he was in prison.

There is an old hymn that has a line: What ever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, It is well With My soul. As a "christian" this is what we all should strive for, I know it's easier said than done, infact I'm one of the first to complain to God when things get tight, but eventually when that "thorn" doesn't go away I humble myself and ask that God teach me to be well with my new situation, and I ask for peace and wisdom to deal with it and any other hardship that I may face.

Instead of asking God to rid you of this trial, this thorn. Ask him to help you cope with it. To allow you to persevere in your faith despite any or all of the discomfort your chains bring you. Ask him to make it "well with your soul" no matter what your lot in life. Keep praying, and seeking this enlightenment till your "cup runs over" with this blessing. If you don't think you can sincerely pray for any of these things and if you even think you may want them, then ask God to give you the sincerity to want this for yourself. You will find that most prayers that involve you strengthening your relationship with him will be answered, but not always in a manor in which you might choose for yourself.

 

[ghostly]

Bellicus, I pray that you receive no less strength and blessing and favor than others who deal with your same feelings.

 

[LuminousFive]

I just wanted you to know that I said a prayer for you. I asked that God would provide for you and bless you in ways that will bring Him more glory. Not that your life would be made easy but that, if it is His will, you would be blessed so that he would receive the glory. Hope things get better for you!

 

[kellyc]

it's really really hard to not pray for things that you want to happen, even things that seem like they SHOULD happen for things to work out. the problem is you are praying for your way, not God's way (it seems).
when i stopped asking for anything and started thanking and praising God, my prayers changed and i changed. ask God to help you pray in the way you should and for the results to be evident to you, if it's his will that you see them. sometimes we don't immediately experience the answer to prayer, it doesn't mean God didn't hear you. also he might be saying 'no' or 'wait'. no answer is sometimes the answer, know what i mean?
are you reading the bible every day? that is a good start.

 

[~Amped88~]

it's really really hard to not pray for things that you want to happen, even things that seem like they SHOULD happen for things to work out. the problem is you are praying for your way, not God's way (it seems).
when i stopped asking for anything and started thanking and praising God, my prayers changed and i changed. ask God to help you pray in the way you should and for the results to be evident to you, if it's his will that you see them. sometimes we don't immediately experience the answer to prayer, it doesn't mean God didn't hear you. also he might be saying 'no' or 'wait'. no answer is sometimes the answer, know what i mean?
are you reading the bible every day? that is a good start.

I am in the process of doing that now. I also am reading the bible x2 days in a row now It does help, and opens your eyes. So far it has opened my eyes on how to be a better person. I havent quit seen what he wants me to do yet for him. Im still searching what Gods will is for me.

 

[Jesus.saved.me]

Hey Bellicus, I sorry to hear that you feel this way. But remember that God sees the bigger picture and although you feel like your prayers aren't being answered, something bigger might just happen when you least expect it. A long time ago when I was in a bad state, I prayed for what seemed like ages and it often seemed as though I would never be heard, but deep down I had faith that God would pull through and he did. Please don't give up! God is always there and I guarantee that he always hears you.

Sometimes it can also be about perspective. Perhaps he has already blessed you with many things within, but because these things aren't evident you might have missed them. If we motivate ourselves, sometimes this can set God's plan/will into action. I used to pray that God would give me confidence with people because I severely lacked it. And everytime I went out, I would shy away from people away think, "Why hasn't it happened yet?". It was as if I expected God to turn up and magically sprinkle fairy dust on me at my time of choosing, so that I would instantaneously be confident a la Popeye with his biceps and that spinach.

What I didn't realise, was after months of praying for God to bestow confidence, He had already put that in my spirit. And when I did latch onto it, I became more confident and have praised God ever since! Now I'm not paranoid and by God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit I don't think twice about talking with people, nor do I think about what I want to say lol.

Ultimately God has a plan for your life, but we have to play our part too. Are your prayers in line with his will? If so, don't lose hope. Have faith, as God always keeps His promises!

I John 5:14-15
"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him"

God bless you Bellicus

 

[rob64]

And the same things when I've asked others to pray for me or someone I want prayer for.

From your words here, I'm getting the impression that you dont believe God will answer your prayer. So, you feel the need to go through some one else. Am I right? Jesus said, "Ask whatsoever you will, IN MY NAME, and my father will do it". Period. He did not say, "Ask someone else to ask in my name..." He will answer your prayer, just like He does anyone elses.

There are reasons in the Bible that would hinder prayer from getting answered. And it does not matter how much faith you have. It's true.

But, let me ask you this;
Let's just say (hypotheticly) you died tonight, and went to the Judgement seat, and you were asked, "What makes you think you can go to heaven ?" What would your answer be?