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Prayer
Topic Started: Nov 27 2006, 05:23 PM (295 Views)
Christine1912
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I feel really confused about prayer. how are you meant to know whether your prayer is heard or not?
I know that it is all to do with faith but sometimes I just wonder whether God really wans to hear my prayers. They seem so selfish and unimportant and it makes me wonder if God is just disgusted with my repetitive prayers or whether he still listens.
On one particular topic I have prayed for ages and he does not seem to be answering it at all and then that makes me wonder whether he cares anymore. Can anyone tell me how to make sure your prayers are meaninful?

On a related topic, I never seem to feel passionate the way other Christians do and that makes me wonder on whether I have done something wrong and am not a Christian at all. Does anyone ever feel discouraged? On the last weekend the speaker talked about how some people just didn't feel the passion in the outspoken way others do and that gave me hope for a while but then when I see all these new Christians so filled with passion it just makes me wonder what I'm doing wrong. I have been a Christian for quite a long time but I don't think my fire has gone out. I think I'm just unenthusiastic.
With all the world around me offering distractions, it is easy to feel that you are in the minority. Right?

Hope to hear from you
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huggy
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help yourself to my msn, it'll be nice talkin to new people
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Tricky question, but i'll give an answer, i hope its useful.

Yes being a Christian is mainly faith, and i really have to agree with you here, because i feel the same. We just have to realise that God does want to hear our prayers, mainly because he like talkting to us. I'm sure you have heard this before but i'll say it again, 'it is like sending God a text', and God will not care what you say to him, because he already knows it, he is glad to know that you are able to admit you feelings. And we as Christians are to be aware of what is going on around us, so when you ask God for something he will answer, after all he is you father, he did create you.
Just sometimes he won't answer you in the way you want, he will answer in what is best for you.

Hoped that helped.
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Link 16
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must agree there, I say the lords prayer before going to sleep every night, I just do, I ocassinally say another prayer, if someone is ill for example. I have to agree with huggy that your prayers may not be answered the way you want, but an answer could come at any time, anywhere.
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Gareth H
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Christine, about the whole not feeling passionate, I wouldn't worry. Up until the weekend I hadn't really experienced it either and I was worried. However, when Neil showed the video of Jesus being crucified I couldn't help but cry and that stirred a massive sense of passion in me that has made such a difference.

As long as you stick with God through thick and thin, you will get the passion sometime.
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Christine1912
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Thanks guys, that does help quite a bit to know that I'm not the only one who ever experiences these things. Everyone just seems so together all the time and I feel so weak in comparison.
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Claire
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I know how you feel. I can get so down and feel like God is a thousand million miles away! But at the end of the day, whether you feel it all the time or not, he's always there. You have a love for him, never let that fade.

Unanswered prayers are so hard to deal with. But sometimes the answer might be.. wait.... or it might be a test of faith. I know from times I've been really low and even frustrated with God, He can bring you through the other side a stronger person.
Hope this helps
xxxxx
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Christine1912
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Thankyou to everyone who has replied, it is very encouraging as I have said before. You are all wonderful :)
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CATHY
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i just pray because i know my prays will be answered, its just a matter of faith. He will answer you no matter what, i usually just pray to keep my family and friends safe and they are safe, nothing really big happens to them, i think he listens to our prays no matter how small they are, and he will always be beside us, no matter what
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Rachel J =]
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Christine, my dearest, when you're down, think of those happy people i made you =]


I want you to know that you're in my prayers and thoughts everyday!

after reading that comment from you, i wrote you a letter....i'll give it to you on Monday....i hope you read this before then, or it might shock you to be getting this random thing from me....which may lead to sudden death etc etc which woudldn't be desirable =p

anyway! Some lyrics for you....hope they help - love you always x x x :


Voice of Truth - Casting crowns [in context to your passion crisis]

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat and then
on to the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand

But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy, you never win!"
"You never win!"

Chorus:
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes
to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone

Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"


But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
On top of them lookin' down
I soar with the wings of EAGLES
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me...


Anyways, next lyrics....also from Casting Crowns, this one's called; Who I am...you've probably heard it before...this helps me when i feel insignifigant, i hopeit helps you too =]

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Bridge:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,(ocean)
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am. (I am)
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Bridge&Chorus 2x

I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am yours.
I am yours.



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jonny2shoes
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ahh yes 'Who am I'... Love that song... reli tells you how much God reli does love us. :D
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Rachel J =]
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mhm =] it's really class =]

that song on iPod, a flask of tea, a rug, and a bible is awesome =]
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Christine1912
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Thanks for the lyrics Rach dear! They are lovely! :) Really inspiring! I also look foward to receiving your letter and now I have read it so do not fear, I shall not die of heart failure! The happy people are still alive and well and i have named them so that they feel more loved. I think they still miss the little tiny crown I made though! It made them feel less insignificant paper people, more significant paper people!! :)
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Kyle
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goin back to something Christine said earlier, never feel that God isn't answering your prayer. He will always answer it in one of 3 ways... Yes, No, or wait(ie. keep praying about it).

Just because he says no, or to wait, doesn't mean that He isn't answering.
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Rachy
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yup kyles right, God ALWAYS answers prayer, he is incapable of not doing so, it may not always be the answer we want, but he knows best. i think also for him to answer in a way you would prefer,your life should be saturated with him, but thats not to say oh if Gods not answering my prayer the way id liek im not living right, that make sense? im such a confusing little girl.lol plus he could also be testing us, making us to completely depended upon him and closer to him. the Bible says "pray without ceasing" so dont give up the good fihgt. aslo, prayer is not all aobut him not answering or us asking, for he is our Father, therefore we should be in daily contact with him, we should start and end the day wiht him, jsut knowing he is with us and thanking him. prayer is one of the most important things for a christians spiritual life ot grow.
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PhilyG
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Yes, Rachel well put there. :D

I agree that prayer should be the main and one of the most vital parts of the Christian life. If we do not pray then we cant expect things to go well in life as we are not telling and discussing our matters with God. It should also be a daily act and not just a emergency call when we are in trials and difficulties. We should pray all the time, (in NT it says 'pray without ceasing') We cant do without God.

When we pray we might not always get the answers right away, sometimes God wants to test our faith or develop our lives into better christians. If the answer isnt the right one we were expecting we cant blame God for it as everything is done according to his will.

Phil :P
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