I’m seriously struggling with doubts

[Blade]

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 am truly sorry. I think you might be more confused then when 1st posted this. I use to wonder so many years ago how do you witness? You just share what He did for you. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Stay in His word. I first read the book of John so many times before I read anything else. I'm not good with words.. I .. I struggle should I keep talking because .. well which post are you going to run with? I can only share what I know and what I have experienced. The only time I wanted to walk away was I read in the margin of the bible ...if your heart convicts you .. you won't get anything from God.... I got up and told Him "I quit. My heart convicts me 24/7 of sin". I go to read for the door and I was really done. He asked me "what is righteousness?" I turn and answered "its right standing with God". He then asked "how do you get righteousness?" I said by believing in Jesus.

It was like being blind then you can see. For me to be in right standing with God is not based on if I never sin. Its because I believe in Jesus. God sees you through Christ. We all sin we get up dust off keep going. We repent and keep going and we forgive our selfs and we do not look back.. we forget the past.

I am not here to debate anyone. Isa 41:10 just popped in to mind when I saw your post and its not just a random thought. It is for you
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"."

Feelings ooh man those can really do a number on you. There are so many "thoughts" that come into our mind that are not ours. The enemy can only lie. The thought about unanswered prayers and the thought all in vain. Just take a step back so to speak and look at what was said. If the enemy is telling you its in vain... that's a lie so flip it. Your unanswered prayers. We do tend to pray for things then look at our watch and .. if its not done when we wanted it .. we tend to think He never heard or Him not answering is the answer.

If we get lost... go back to the start. Read John again.. this time ask Him to take over. Just that...trust me. He left heaven for you.. He did all of this for you as if you were the only one that would believe. He did this for ever one of His children. Christ said or really God through Christ what every you desire.. ask the Father in my name. OT delight your self in the lord He will give you the desires of your heart. We do tend to stop there but it keeps going "commit your way to Him trust him and He will bring it to pass".

Prayer.. what ever I need I look to see what His word says about it. The easy one is fear..I say no.. God has not given me the spirit of fear but of power love and a sound mine. I have the peace of God which passes all understanding.. Christ gave me His peace not as the world gives. So at first.. fear never left .. no peace what so ever and to be honest .. it got allot worse. Yeah the moment we start to stand on His word the enemy comes right away to steal it. So you stand.. you do not go by how you feel. He said.. He never gave me the spirit of fear He said I have the peace of God .. I am strong in the power of His might.

See the word says if I doubt I won't get anything. It says if I know He hears me then I know I have the petitions I asked for. So at the start...,. its doubt well for me at least .. alway doubt and you think.. I won't get anything. Frist part of that is the enemy using Gods words against me. That doubt did pop up.. I have a choice now.. do I take that thought and run with it.. or just say.. no.. I wont listen to that. He promised.. He didn't give me the spirit of fear.. I have His peace. It becomes mine that doubt when I take that thought and run with it understand?

Now asking for prayer things.. if other people are part of it.. He will never go against mans will. He won't make someone like me listen to me.. help me. He will not go against mans will. He does whisper really good. By that I mean my boy was 4y old and at preschool he really realy liked this girl Adena who would never have anything to do with him. So I told him were going to pray but.. God cannot make her like you.. but He really whispers really good. When were children we lsiten but as we get old we don't we listen to self more. So a week or two pass one day I go to pick him up.. Adena gets up and comes over and hugs him.

Know no matter what you hear think or feel. No matter what anyone else says He loves you He is for you.. He is opening all the doors.. windows. Just don't put Him on some time clock. Not how this works. I don't know what your asking for..

Going to really go crazy here.. I can't ask for fame.. I can't ask for a new Porshe, I can't ask for 15,000,000 dollar home or the like in say NY. I can I ask for a car .. if that is what I need. I can ask for new home. New just means anything I don't have now. What we forget is.. faith. We look what we are asking for as if that moment is when He heard us. There is one prayer He answered faster then any other in my 50+ years of walking with Him. I have only told my wife....she was there. I thought i was helping her faith yet it was for me. So I wanted to help her faith so I asked for something impossible to answer with in 10min. I started to ask then stopped. I got this thought I never get when I pray.. .. I said "you already know what I was going to ask. You already set in motion the answer before I even finished the prayer". HAHA I still sit here and.. oh amazed.. Then you remember.. He said that in His word.

My best advice looking back to say to myself would be.. don't be moved by what you see or hear or what others say. Find out what GOD said in that BIBLE and you speak that. You hold on to that. Know that He is for you He is never against you. Talk to Him.. no.. I mean talk to Him.... happy or really mad at Him.. talk to Him.. again trust me.. He can take it. He understands. We have to get the thought He is for us.. He will always help us. He loves to give.. yes I know what some "believers" say. I can hear Him laugh when I remember laying hands on some new car claiming it to be mine. I read what ever I desire. HAHA . Never got the car... you keep walking with HIm and.. you learn.. that anything you desire.. it always comes for Him. And that desire will always be line with His word.

We just don't truly know what makes us happy. So He does answer people don't think He does but He does and so many times if we just relax He will give you the desire of your heart. Just know He loves you is for you and .. I truly am so so sorry. I don't want to add to confusion. Its hard to really walk away.. its not that easy. Meaning.. He knows whats going on around you.. the people.. . so many other things.. and we blame Him.. He is not like man. He will never leave you... there will be a moment in your life.. when.. He lets you know.. ..you don't feel it.. but.. someone has been with you since the start.. so much closer then any one. OOH if we could just feel that ever day..

 

[studentoftheword]

my friend do you know how long I have prayed for my eyes to be healed?

just a suggestion here Blain ----try praying ---thanking God for your healing which is already done -------according to
Isaiah 53 ----the suffering Servant AMPC

3 He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and like One from Whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him.

4 Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

Do you believe this Scripture ------

Matthew 8:17

Expanded Bible

17 He did these things to ·bring about [fulfill] what Isaiah the prophet had said:
“He took our ·suffering [sicknesses; weaknesses]
and ·carried [bore; removed] our diseases [Is. 53:4].”


It says ------WE ARE __PAST TENSE HEALED and Made WHOLE ------

I was told I had cataracts starting in my eyes ------I prayed Thanking God for His Son's Healing Faith that now embodies me as I have Christ in me and my next report from the eye doctor was Good ----no signs of cataracts ---


This is an important scripture here from Jesus Himself about answered Prayer ---there is protocol for answered prayer ---as I posted -------it is God's will for us to be well and whole so we can serve Him -----

 

[studentoftheword]

My prayers for a job and for my friend Aiden’s salvation. . So it’s like my prayers were in vain.

How many Jobs have you applied to ??????
and what action have you taken to follow up on the jobs you have applied to -----

 

[Kainos]

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.

Ask yourself this? How can a man pray for his friend to receive the Spirit of adoption, while harbouring the conflicting thought to turn his own back on the Lord of glory?

You hope to see your friend come to the fullness of faith, because you know there is nothing or no one else Aiden can turn to for the redemption of his soul.

In ruminating over stepping away from the Lord, you're giving thought to entangle yourself in the very bondage you hope to see your friend set free from.

That's a self-contradicting intention, an illustration of double-mindedness. Banish the thought to withdraw from the Author & Finisher of your faith, and then take up prayer for your friend again. 🙏

 

[aChristian2]

Not sure how my post led you to believe I think we can make people believers in Christ.

sorry, I addressed to redeemed soul, maybe under your comment, I cannot seem to find it,,, it read thinking about walking away from GOD because of unanswered prayers...and I believe looking for a job ( very serious, on the surface) & that they were praying for there friend and he was not becoming a Christian, but was studying another faith...in good faith....my bad....( replying wrong spot I assume)... I cannot even seem to find where you posted,, I will go back and try to find it!

 

[aChristian2]

🙏

I was thinking something along these lines,,, yet you put it to words.... nicely done... saying

In ruminating over stepping away from the Lord, you're giving thought to entangle yourself in the very bondage you hope to see your friend set free from.

 

[GWH]

I encourage you to struggle with your doubts of GW by doubting them--seriously!

 

[Blain]

just a suggestion here Blain ----try praying ---thanking God for your healing which is already done -------according to
Isaiah 53 ----the suffering Servant AMPC

3 He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and like One from Whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him.

4 Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

Do you believe this Scripture ------

Matthew 8:17

Expanded Bible

17 He did these things to ·bring about [fulfill] what Isaiah the prophet had said:
“He took our ·suffering [sicknesses; weaknesses]
and ·carried [bore; removed] our diseases [Is. 53:4].”


It says ------WE ARE __PAST TENSE HEALED and Made WHOLE ------

I was told I had cataracts starting in my eyes ------I prayed Thanking God for His Son's Healing Faith that now embodies me as I have Christ in me and my next report from the eye doctor was Good ----no signs of cataracts ---


This is an important scripture here from Jesus Himself about answered Prayer ---there is protocol for answered prayer ---as I posted -------it is God's will for us to be well and whole so we can serve Him -----

yes this is true perhaps we all should do this in our prayer life,

 

[Leastofall]

We pray according to the will of the father. To pray for someone's salvation is a beautiful thing and is in his will.
For one to pray for employment also is in his will.
Now be reminded that God's ways are not our ways. Don't fall into the trap of hinging yourself to your prayer. Just because God hasn't answered them in your time limit doesn't mean it's gone unanswered or not heard it just might be a work in progress.
Why would God deny your prayer for he knows what we have need of before we even ask, but by being a good father perhaps he's gonna give you more than you asked.
Is anything to hard for the Lord?
Keep on keeping on my friend let there be no doubt but rather expectations in your requests.
I pray the Lord teaches and comforts all who struggle with this matter .
Be still and know that I am.

 

[GaryA]

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.

At the time of this post, I have not read the whole thread - so, I do not know if anyone else has mentioned this...

Remember that "No.", "Not yet.", etc. are actually answers - perhaps just not the kind of answers you want to hear.

One of the things that can be very difficult to do is wait on the Lord's timing.

Try to be patient. Get/Stay close to God. Pray for knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Listen carefully for His instruction. Look for doors being opened that may provide options/opportunity for you.

Do not let the world [system] shake your faith - believe [God] no-matter-what - trust [God] no-matter-what.

 

[G00WZ]

if your prayers go unanswered pray and pray with all your might until it does perster him enough and he gives in

Most times the answer isn't to pray again and again because you think God didn't hear it the first time. When you pray like that all you're doing is just burning yourself out while increasing your doubt. Praying like that is like talking to a wall because there is either no answer or the answer you recieve is "no".

When i was sick i prayed like you described and nothing happened to change the situation i was in. Eventually i just quit asking for healing and read where it said that we are already healed through Christ and i chose to just walk it out and prove God right. After a few days of choosing to go in that direction i really was healed so in retrospect all of my praying was meaningless. If i just chose to walk after the belief that i was already healed based on what God said from the start i could have saved myself from so much wasted time and suffering.

 

[aChristian2]

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.

a witness of real life experience, walking in faith, usually very impactful... a helpful example....

 

[Beckworth]

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’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.

There are several reasons why your prayers may not be answered, according to the Bible. James is a good book to go to to study “why”.

James 5:17 says the prayers of a “righteous” man avails much. So our first point is that you must be in a proper relationship with God. The righteous person is one who is a child of God. He has been “born again” into the family of God. AND, he is living righteously according to God’s word. You don’t ask your EARTHLY father for favors if your relationship with him is bad; the same is true with our HEAVENLY Father.

Many people think that God is OBLIGATED to answer our prayers. As if God OWES us something. No. God does not OWE us anything. He is gracious, merciful, and kind, but He alone has the right to make “conditions” for prayer.

Here is a point that probably most people will be shocked to hear, and many not willing to believe, but the Bible teaches that God does not “hear” sinners.

Isaiah 1:15- “When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear you. Your hands are full of blood.”

Proverbs 15:29- “The Lord is far from the wicked. But He hears the prayers of the righteous.”

1 Peter 3:12- “The eyes of the lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

In view of these verses, if we are living a life of sin, God will not “hear” our prayers. That does not mean that God does not “hear” them but that He does not answer them. God is aware of our prayers. He knows what we are saying—He just does not answer. Cornelius prayed to God, but he was not a Christian. God was aware of his prayers. It does not say that God answered his prayers, but God knew what Cornelius needed, and He sent Peter to “ tell him words by which he and all his household will be saved.” Acts 10:14.

I’m sure you know that there are many different teachings about how people are saved. Some say all you have to do is believe (faith only), and there are many scriptures that say faith is necessary but not one that says we are saved by “only” faith or faith “alone. Then there are those who say you must repeat a “sinner’s prayer.” You should be aware that there is no such thing in the scriptures nor of anyone being saved by prayer. Remember that Saul of Tarsus prayed for 3 days and Ananias told him to “be baptized and wash away your sins.” So he still had his sins after praying for 3 days. Some teach that you are saved by the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit is never said to have saved anyone. In fact, in Acts 8:12-17, the people in Samaria were “saved” before they received the Holy Spirit. So you see, many people THINK they are saved but if they have not been saved the way people in the first century were saved, they may still be in their sins and not realize it. So, examine yourself. Were you saved the way the Samaritans were in Acts 8 or the Ethiopian eunuch? Or like Saul of Tarsus was in Actsc22:16, or Cornelius or the Philippian jailer was in Acts 16? They were ALL saved exactly the way Jesus tells us in Mark 16:16. A close examination of their conversions will reveal this—every time.. all the same way. That’s how we need to be saved, too. Then God has assured us that His ears will be open to our prayers.

To be the “righteous “ man whose prayers are “effectual” ( James 5:16) we must make sure we are saved GOD’s way. (More in another post.)

 

[Blain]

Most times the answer isn't to pray again and again because you think God didn't hear it the first time. When you pray like that all you're doing is just burning yourself out while increasing your doubt. Praying like that is like talking to a wall because there is either no answer or the answer you recieve is "no".

When i was sick i prayed like you described and nothing happened to change the situation i was in. Eventually i just quit asking for healing and read where it said that we are already healed through Christ and i chose to just walk it out and prove God right. After a few days of choosing to go in that direction i really was healed so in retrospect all of my praying was meaningless. If i just chose to walk after the belief that i was already healed based on what God said from the start i could have saved myself from so much wasted time and suffering.

Seek and you find knock and the door will be answered these are analogies of persistance not because he didnt hear you but he sometimes requires diligence

 

[Beckworth]

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.

Being in a right relationship with God is essential as we have already seen but there is more.

(2). We must ask in FAITH. James 1:6 says, “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. (7) for let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all of his ways.”

(3) we must ask for the right reason. James 4:3 says we ask but do not receive because we ask amiss “that you may spend it on your pleasures.” We must please God before ourselves. Even Christ prayed “thy will be done.” to the Father. God abhors self-centered prayer. Remember the prayer of the Pharisee in Luke 18:11? The Lord’s Prayer begins with God, not man. We are required to consider our MOTIVES for praying.

(4) James 5:16-18 teaches us to ask specifically and earnestly. Elijah is used as an example and his prayer is called a “petition” . It says he prayed EARNESTLY. Specific prayer is encouraged. It sounds like you have been doing this.

Thankfully, God has encouraged us to pray. James says that God will give to all LIBERALLY AND WITHOUT REPROACH. If God had not invited us to pray, we as sinful men might not have dared to come into His presence. But He has urged us to come BOLDLY before His throne. Hebrews 4:16. But we must come as righteous people seeking to obey His will.

Please do not give up or turn your back on God. I will be praying for you.

 

[GaryA]

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.

Did you know that the 'spiritual' realm is more real than the 'physical' realm that we now experience as mortals?

There is a spiritual warfare going on. The devil knew that Aiden might/would be discouraged from believing God if he read the writings of Nietzsche. So, he saw to it. And, Aiden needs to understand this - that the writings of Nietzsche only serve as a deception and a distraction from the truth concerning Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross. Aiden needs to understand that the Bible is Truth and everything else is something less - even 'false' to its core in some cases.

Tell Aiden that the Bible knows him better than he knows himself - and that - if he really is interested in truth - the Bible is the only place he will find it.

Tell him that the whole world is full of deception, greed, and evil in general. Tell him that God is real - and good - and that He is the only source of truth.

Aiden needs to understand that there is no other truth but God's truth - that "the devil's truth" is a lie.

 

[Adstar]

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.

Trust God..... The Answer to your prayer may be No.. Or it may be Later.. Don't assume God does not hear your prayers because He has not granted you the object of your prayers..

 

[GaryA]

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.

About the job...

I know what it is like to be homeless, jobless, penniless, and hungry - all at the same time. Very trying times indeed!

If you are not currently homeless, penniless, or going hungry - count your blessings! God is providing for your needs.

And - of course - by all means - be diligent in searching for a job - all the while believing and trusting that God will deliver!

Before I wrote this, I prayed that God will help you in your present need according to His will.

Do not doubt that God will see you through it all - He is already doing that!

Believe God! Trust God! Be encouraged! Be courageous!

 

[GWH]

Most times the answer isn't to pray again and again because you think God didn't hear it the first time. When you pray like that all you're doing is just burning yourself out while increasing your doubt. Praying like that is like talking to a wall because there is either no answer or the answer you recieve is "no".

When i was sick i prayed like you described and nothing happened to change the situation i was in. Eventually i just quit asking for healing and read where it said that we are already healed through Christ and i chose to just walk it out and prove God right. After a few days of choosing to go in that direction i really was healed so in retrospect all of my praying was meaningless. If i just chose to walk after the belief that i was already healed based on what God said from the start i could have saved myself from so much wasted time and suffering.

Or, pray for God's will to be done and then, like you said, walk it out in accordance with what you already have learned from GW.

 

[lrs68]

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 wanted to add another thought to what I have already posted.

Struggling and doubting is a sign of spiritual maturing and growth. Read the poetic chapters of Psalms. The same LINEAGE that Jesus CHOSE and was born into, King David, was a man that struggled desperately. Even his own son, Solomon, had his issues but we all know him as the wisest man to have ever lived.

You are going to survive. Just keep God in your continual thoughts and Praise Him for answering your prayers and how amazing He's been to you. You got this!