I’ve been struggling with doubts and was very tempted to walk away from the Lord. It has to do with prayers going unanswered. I’m starting to feel like it’s all in vain because He’s not answering.
I’m seriously struggling with doubts
- Thread starter RedeemedSoul
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This is the time to exercise your faith, not abandon it. Cling to Jesus like your very life depends on it (which it does). Don’t let the enemy discourage you. God is good, and He is faithful.
I hope these thoughts about prayer are helpful:
The privilege of petitioning God should not be viewed as a blank check, nor is the primary purpose of prayer to persuade God to do our will like a genie. Rather, in prayer we should express our agreement with the perfect will of God. As 1 John 5:14 says, “if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” Although agreement with God is not always mentioned (cf. EPH 3:20, JN 16:23), Jesus exemplified this principle when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane (MT 26:36-46).
Again, we should approach God’s “throne of grace” (HB 4:16) not to ask Him to do some good He otherwise would not do, but rather to remind ourselves of His presence and that He is the source of all blessings (JM 1:17). In order to pray in accordance with God’s will, we must know God’s Word (JN 15:7). Like bread and butter or romantic love and spiritual marriage, prayer and LGW go together. Pray for God’s will to be done.
God may answer a petition in various ways: 1. He may grant it as requested (1KG 18:37-39), 2. He may grant the underlying desire in a way different than requested (GN 17:18-19), 3. He may grant the request, but it will not satisfy our desire (NM 11:4-34, PS 106:15), and
4. God may say “no” or “not yet”, perhaps but not necessarily because we are committing some sin, including: a. lack of faith (JM 1:6-8), MT 21:21-22), b. disobedience or lack of love (1JN 3:21-23, PR 21:13, JOB 35:12-13), c. marital strife (1PT 3:7), and d. selfishness (JM 4:3).
Knowing God’s will is necessary in order for us to pray more specifically than “Thy will be done”. Much of God’s will is prescriptive or stated in clear moral teachings such as the Ten Commandments (EX 20:1-17, MT 19:17-21, GL 5:22-23). We may not know how to pray, but we can “live up to what we have already attained” (PHP 3:16). That we pray is more important to God than our wording (EPH 6:18a, 1THS 5:17, RM 8:26-27). Not praying would be like giving God “the silent treatment”.
The power of prayer is God’s, and Believers should not talk as though God would not act if they did not pray! In brief, prayer is like surfing: One does not need to ask God to send waves, but rather for readiness to ride them.
The way God has chosen to answer our prayers for the kingdom of heaven to come on earth in our lifetime is for us to partake of the bread of truth (MT 6:10-11). We cannot live by physical bread (or prayer) alone; our souls need every word God speaks (MT 4:4). Jesus said that He is God’s way and the word/bread of life (JN 14:6, 6:35&63). He also said, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.” (JN 14:23) In order to obey, we must learn, even as Jesus did (HB 5:8).
This is the reason Believers should attend a local church (fellowship) where the pastor/lead learner is a good Bible teacher (HB 10:25, RM 10:14). The numerous practical problems we experience in this pre-heavenly life—poverty, war, disease, divorce, crime and so forth—find their solution to the extent that as many people as possible LGW as soon as possible.
Again, we do not live by prayer alone but need all Scripture inspired by God (MT 4:4, 2TM 3:16-17), although some parts are purer or yield more helpful truth per chapter than others (e.g., RM versus ECC or EZRA).
I have survived over seven decades at this point in my life, and one thing I can tell you is that life is quite often, not easy. I can honestly say that believing that God only wants what’s best for you, and each one of us here — is absolutely true.
Sometimes it takes a little hindsight to see how God has gotten us through some of the trials we all face. Almost every figure in Scripture has struggled with their faith and trust in God. I especially look to the book of Job whenever I feel as if God seems distant from me. There are many ways our prayers can affect us and those around us, but primarily they are to teach us what our priorities should be.
Me and my cancer-surviving grandson recently spoke to a church about how we are often referred to as sheep. We talked about the 23rd Psalm and touched on what Job went through. Please continue to pray, and know that your fellow Christians will also be praying for you.
Don’t give up.
What prayers have not been answered?
'It should be clearly understood, that effective prayers require persistence and most likely will not
come about the way one wants or expects. I have learned over the years that prayers are often answered in
ways never thought about, but in ways that ultimately address the original prayer, believe it, this has happened
and left me totally unprepared.'
'One should never be without personal time and a feeling of a connection with the gift of the Holy Spirit. This I
have found to be essential. A time to reflect on one's life under the influence of the inspired teachings of Jesus Christ.
The 'fruits' (attributes) of the Holy Spirit, when diligently applied and acted upon, I have surely learned my life
and those around me have greatly improved...believe it!
'I can only hope and suggest perhaps it's time to be willing to change!
will you read or re-read the book of Job please
Put your name in place of Job as you read it
You are saying in your post you are at the point to deny God, Give up on God.
I see, by evil, you are being tested, to have tragedy to deny God. you feel as you need to, I have been there too, and many others here as well here on CC
I am telling you to wait is the best you can do, and please be willing for it to take a life time here on earth to see through it all. God is speaking, you are not hearing, God's voice is small in volume. It takes going into your own closet, shutting the door, everything else left behind you, and speak, tell God exactly what you are feeling and you will hear truth over error in this world from God personally to you
We are given two ears and one mouth to listen to God in God's spirit and Truth twice as much as we speak
trusting the best for you to see through it all in trust to Father and Son as Won for you too
Read the parable about the sower, the slower spreading seed, stony ground, thorny ground, good ground.
When we pray, we assume we are ready to receive what we have prayed for. This is often not the case. Sometimes we are not.
I remember when my son asked me for an electronic device. The moment my son asked for it, I wanted him to have it. But my son was not very responsible, and had I gotten him the device, he probably wouldn't have cared for it correctly, and it would have been ruined and he would not have gotten the benefit of the gift. So I purchased a cheaper device and taught him to care for it properly and monitored his care of the device. He did a good job with it, and eventually got what he had asked for.
Sometimes it is like this with God. We ask for things we are unprepared to receive. It isn't that God doesn't want us to have something. He has already given us His Son. What will He now withhold if it is good for us? But because He wants us to receive the fulness of His gifts, sometimes they are withheld until we are ready to get the full benefits of them.
Be thankful for the things you have already received, and use what you have for the kingdom of God. He who is faithful in little will also be faithful in much.
Just a suggestion and one persons opinion . But look into scripture regarding what Jesus and his apostles actually taught us to believe about prayer . There’s a lot of random ideas about it but the bible says a lot to us as to why prayer isn’t answered .
many different points are made but often instead of getting what God actually said and taught us to believe about something like this , we’re getting just random peoples ideas about it and so we never really hear what the lord said about prayer and the effectiveness of it for his followers.
I would suggest first the things Jesus taught believers about prayer in his sermons and parables and teachings in the four gospel accounts.
And then the things his apostles further revealed in more detail about prayer. There’s a whole understanding Jesus wants us to hear and believe about prayer and our prayer life found in the gospel message of the Son to believers who are the children.
but it’s found by a person seeking it by hearing his word and co ringing after it following the understandings the lord gave us when he came and sent with his chosen apostles who completed the scripture so we could hear nearly 2000 years later and still believe the message they saw and heard and touched and believed and then lives and preached to the world.
sorry to run on there but Gods word has the right answers we don’t always get it by the opinions of others but we always get it when we really sincerely look into his word about our questions
sometimes the answers are hard to hear they sting a bit but he’s always faithful to uphold what he said in the gospel and he promised alot about prayer and his apostles writings help
Us firther understand things also like prayer and the results of it
This is just a random example
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
James 5:16-20 NIV
again there’s so much more to it but just an example that there are things written in the Bible about prayer that make sense but they often aren’t what we have heard beforehand or what we hear others say so it’s hard for us to accept the things the Bible teaches about subjects like prayer
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.””
Mark 11:25 NIV
There’s a lot of doctrine about prayer and often it reveals why our prayers aren’t being answered when we look into it and pray for that answer from the lord first
We don’t hesr it alot today but the truth is to Jesus , the things he taught in the gospel are really important to keeping his promises
Your first Problem is your Doubt ---Doubt comes from Satan Not God ----if Satan has you doubting your prayers are hindered -----as will fear based prayers be hindered ---unforgiveness ----unbelief ---all hinder prayers -----
Satan can block your prayer ----
In Daniel 10:13, we read of the faithful servant, Daniel, who prayed to God. Though his request was delivered by Gabriel the Princes of Persia, his prayers were—by satanic involvement—disallowed for days
Many do not understand there is Protocol for answered prayer ----you need to learn the Scriptures and follow them --Obedience is key ---read all here
14 Conditions of Answered Prayer
https://www.georgemuller.org/blog/14-conditions-of-answered-prayer
by the editor of www.georgemuller.org
1. HAVE THE GLORY OF GOD IN MIND
Ask yourself: “Is what I am praying for going to bring glory to God?” If it will not bring glory to God, God will not answer.
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13).
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).
2. GO TO GOD IN PRAYER THROUGH JESUS
God will not accept you unless you go to Him through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5).
3. ASK IN JESUS NAME
Ask in the name and authority of His Son, the Lord Jesus, who alone is worthy.
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it" (John 14:13-14).
4. ASK ACCORDING TO HIS WILL
Ask according and in submission to perfect His will by saying “Not my will, by thy will be done” (Luke 22:42).
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14-15).
5. OBEDIENCE
If you live a life of disobedience and rebellion, God will not answer.
“And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight" (1 John 3:22).
6. ABIDE IN CHRIST
If you abide in Christ, you will surely have the “mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16) and ask things pleasing to God.
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7).
7. BELIEVE
We must believe that God is able to do what we ask Him. God does not like unbelief.
“So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:22-24). ---------
I say ----Very Important verse here FOLKS ---and a hard one ----
believe that you receive them, and you will have them-----your pray is already answered -----God already knew what you were going to pray for ----
“Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23).
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" (James 1:6-8).
I say ----Double mindedness hinders Prayer
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Heb.11:6).
8. DON’T ASK AMISS (IN THE WRONG WAY & WITH WRONG MOTIVE)
If we ask for something that is not for our spiritual good and for the glory of God, God will not answer.
“You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:2-3).
9. DON’T HARBOR SIN
If we have unconfessed sin, God will not hear.
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18).
"Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2).
"When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood" (Isaiah 1:15).
10. FORGIVE OTHERS
Make sure you are not harboring unforgiveness towards someone before coming to God in prayer.
"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses" (Mark 11:25-26).
11. ABIDE IN THE WORD OF GOD
If you abide in the Word of God, you will surely ask things that are in the will of God.
“One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination" (Prov. 28:9).
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7).
12. BE PERSISTANT
Persevere and be persistent in your prayers!
“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (Luke 11:5-10).
13. DELIGHT IN GOD
Delight in Him! Let Him be your chief delight and the joy of your heart.
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4).
14. WAIT ON GOD
Wait on God! His timing is best!
"For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him" (Isaiah 64:4).
"Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14).
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass" (Psalm 37:7)
Unanswered Prayers many times are 1 of 2 things we discover as time passes by.
1. It's not answered because it would lead you away from God or it is protecting you from a bad person (dating), bad situation or job.
2. It makes you grow closer and learn to depend upon God more.
I will be praying for you but I believe if you just be patient and keep trusting God that better things will happen that you are praying for now. And should you be praying for someone's health that's close to possible death. Remember, if that person believes in God their death immediately takes them to God which is the whole reason to live for God.
my friend do you know how long I have prayed for my eyes to be healed? try being nearly blind for nine years all the while believing and asking for healing that is a long time to go with unanswered prayer but still even so we must believe why must we believe because his word says to
doubt has many times crossed my mind wondering if it is just pointless but something inside me says don't give up grasp your miracle
be encouraged and stay strong your not alone trust me
My prayers for a job and for my friend Aiden’s salvation. Aiden at one point told me he believed and wanted to be baptized but now says he doesn’t believe because he read Nietzsche. So it’s like my prayers were in vain.
Dear Father, where two or three agree together You are there. You are the Healer and not only believe you CAN heal but you WILL heal. Give us the faith of a mustard seed. Please heal my brother and touch his eyes so he can tell of your marvelous works. And I know he will!! Let it be done in your name. Amen.
yes eventually faith will break the barriers that hold against us I always recommend to people when doubt comes against you sing praises to God with all your might and the walls will evetually shatter
Redeemed, can I share a few stories with you? I had two uncles, one on my fathers side, one on my mothers. As young men they both left the faith. One was a lifelong alcoholic. My grandmothers were prayer warriors and they faithfully prayed for their sons for many years, never seeing either come to the Lord. My mothers brother came down with cancer. It got to a point there was nothing they could do. My mother feared for his salvation and we lived too far to be with him. But what she didn't know is that he had a lifelong friend who was a born again Christian. He had led him to the Lord. When my mother asked about his salvation he said " I will see you there". My mother was surprised and he said " I am going to be with the Lord." My other uncle, my father despaired of his salvation, but a mutual friend had been visiting my uncle in the hospital. This man is a bold Christian! And he led my uncle to the Lord before his death. The moral of these two stories, my grandmothers could have given up, but the didn't. Their prayers were answered after they had passed away. God was faithful even though they never saw it. We walk by FAITH not by SIGHT! This all hit me about a month ago when I was praying. Do not give up, don't turn back, God is faithful!
My husband got fired from his job, a horrible boss, he fired my father too. Both were the hardest workers he had but he didn't want to pay them. My husband did everything he could to get work and for two yrs he could find no stable work. We prayed and God gave him a job that is only miles from our house, which helped so much with the gas so high, and gave him a born again boss. When my hubby has to take time off for sick days his boss says he's praying for him!! He has gotten 3 raises since he has been there, about 5 yrs. God answers prayer!! Hold on, believe and do not doubt!! Read His promises, meditate on them, receive and believe He will keep His promises to you.
Amen, walking by faith! Not letting doubt and fear hold us back! God will not let us down.
I'll be praying for these myself. Maybe the jobs you're applying to aren't what God has in mind for you. And we know God is willing to accept anyone to be saved so we will believe this will happen
