Question regarding prayer

Hi, I have a question. I don't know where to post it so I figured Miscellaneous was a good choice. I gave my life to Christ in my 20s and I am rapidly approaching 50. Due to my ongoing mental health, I have a difficult time consistently studying the bible. I struggle with faith in my salvation because of it. There are days when I know I am saved and have assurance and days, I question if I am really saved because I struggle so much. Because of this, my prayer life is not the best. I'm not excusing myself but just giving some background. The thing is, every time God answers my prayer I am so astonished. Even when I pray I am questioning why He should answer me. A lot of the times He doesn't answer and I take it as a sign of my lack of salvation. And, when He does I feel it is a miracle and I can spend hours thanking Him. I have to ask myself why should God answer my prayers when even as I am praying I don't believe He will? Can anyone offer any advice?

I have friends. I understand computers. If a friend has a computer problem, I am happy to help.

Shoot, I'm happy to help people I don't even know. I like to make their computers run right. I like it that I can make them happy this way.

Why would God be any different? Bible says we are made like Him.

"Lord, I believe. Help me with my unbelief". Somewhere along the line, we have to take God at His word. We have to quit treating God as if He was a more powerful version of fallen man. God is love. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. The gospel is for the broken hearted, the captives, the weak and those in bondage. (Luke 4:18). Jesus came to set us free from the weaknesses that bind us, not to punish us for them. Tell the spirit of doubt and unbelief where to go and declare that you trust God. Say that even if you are not sure that you mean it. First, confess that your doubt and unbelief is sin. Let's not drag God down to our level.

God always answers prayer if prayed correctly. It will be, "Yes, No, or Wait". Some of my prayers are answered positively immediately, some come to pass years later and some are just "No." God will never give us something harmful. Sometimes we ask for something that God knows will hurt us.

Get into the psalms. David went through terrible times before he wore the crown on his head. He was anointed as a youth, yet sat on the throne when he was 30. He was about 15 when he was anointed by Samuel. I'd start with psalm 139. It was a great comfort to me when I was wrestling with the same issues as you are.

You are a wonderful sister in Christ! So thankful you are here and sharing your truth.

You started by indicating some degree of difficulty studying the bible. That should not trouble you at all. If you accept Yeshua as your Lord and Savior and the Son of the Living God, you have His truth written in your heart. You know Him.

I am surely NOT saying to stop doing your best to study the bible. Continue on to the best of your ability and trust Him to reveal what He wants you to know. He will, but he has also written His natural law in your heart. Have no fear.

I'm going to basically echo something others have already said but it's an important lesson and I don't want it to get missed.

Satan and his fallen angels are very real and very common pests. Their favorite tools are pride, fear, and doubt. It sounds like you are getting messed with by doubt for sure and possible by spirits of all three. You don't actually have to know which one or ones are bothering you, but you do need to rebuke all unclean spirits that might be pestering you, as well as forbidding any others from replacing them since they often work in teams. Stand on the fact that God did not leave you helpless and you have the authority to do this. If for any reason you can't get there, though, you can also stand on Jesus' authority and rebuke in his name. Recognizing your own authority would be better, though, because it would be a stronger place of faith in him to choose faith in his love and consequent provision.

Realize, though, that while it is wise to kick out your drug dealer, it is always your choice to choose to take the drug or not. Doubt is like this. Faith, like sobriety, is a choice. Also, the Bible says resist the devil and he will flee from you. If the drug dealer knows you won't buy the drug any more he will eventually give up and move on. Don't try to be a hero though, as the Bible says to flee temptation. The more you fight to win, though, both by resisting the drug and kicking out the dealers, the less likely they are to return and try again.

I asked Bible Chat this question… I too have mental health issues I go to therapy for, also being neurodivergent, I tend to stick with the Bible when it’s read to me (using Bible Study Tools’ audio on the NLT version) I just do my best to snap out of my personal ‘moodiness’ and just practice gratitude, including the gratitude for not being moody anymore. I think just finding the best way to hear His word and talk to Him will keep you in His good graces and stay saved. It’s just the mental illness lying to you, I kind of like thinking of it as fighting demons, if you take it on and just find the time (doesn’t have to be perfectly done, every day) I personally believe it will be all okay, God doesn’t give us what we cannot handle. He understands what our problems are putting us through, fighting it when we can find/create the moments to and get into His Word is all we’re capable of doing sometimes.

BizBo and Agape, it is good dto see you here. Keep sharing , it is very helpful for so many others.

foods such as blueberries, fish & spinach are "brain" foods. start on a diet of this. also, use color, number & letter association for memory & the 3 "R's". (record, retain, recall). always know that the devil can & will tempt you to fall away from Jesus. he may have a hold on you now. you can know you are saved: 1st John 5:13. another possibility is you may be enduring what is called "a season of suffering" to grow in grace. "pray & believe & you'll receive, pray in doubt & you'll do without"!!! "sin & you will live thin, pray & obey & you will not pay"!!! blessings to you Agape49!