Feeling cut off from God

[Anonymous]

During the pandemic, with no church and so many daily challenges, my relationship with God lapsed. I’ve been trying to reignite it, but it’s just not happening. I’ve been praying on and off for a year but I feel no answers. I’m discouraged and starting to feel hopeless. I can’t find a church that feels right. I’m struggling to get back on track by myself and it’s not working.

How have you dealt with spiritual lapses? Do you have any advice for re-connecting with God?

[Anonymous]

I think it's different for different people but I would try spiritual music and singing not just listening (contemporary praise or hymns, whatever is your cup of tea), maybe a spiritual retreat in nature, hearing others' testimonies of how God has worked in their lives, continuing to pray and asking God to show Himself to you, to draw near. If you have a close friend or group, you could ask them to pray that you'd be able to reconnect with God. Re-read your favorite Bible verses. I also like to read spiritual writings - The Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen and The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning always help me feel more spiritually connected.

^ I am assuming Christian God but if not, maybe similar ideas can still apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:During the pandemic, with no church and so many daily challenges, my relationship with God lapsed. I’ve been trying to reignite it, but it’s just not happening. I’ve been praying on and off for a year but I feel no answers. I’m discouraged and starting to feel hopeless. I can’t find a church that feels right. I’m struggling to get back on track by myself and it’s not working.

How have you dealt with spiritual lapses? Do you have any advice for re-connecting with God?

So did the church you attended before the pandemic never open back up?

What church did you attend? Did your church close and now you are unable to find a church?

Do you know where your previous pastor is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's different for different people but I would try spiritual music and singing not just listening (contemporary praise or hymns, whatever is your cup of tea), maybe a spiritual retreat in nature, hearing others' testimonies of how God has worked in their lives, continuing to pray and asking God to show Himself to you, to draw near. If you have a close friend or group, you could ask them to pray that you'd be able to reconnect with God. Re-read your favorite Bible verses. I also like to read spiritual writings - The Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen and The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning always help me feel more spiritually connected.

^ I am assuming Christian God but if not, maybe similar ideas can still apply.

Are there different Gods for different religions? I assume there is one god with different ways of worshipping him.

Interesting point, though. OP could attend synagogues and Buddhist temples, etc. and see what happens.

[Anonymous]

OP, I get where you’re coming from. My health counseled a stricter and longer lockdown than many others had. I continued my personal devotions and watched services on television that helped me maintain at least some feeling of community. Together, these also helped me maintain a sense of God’s presence in my life.

I’m now back to “live” worship in community. It is hard. I’m still “three years ago” in my mind and still taking precautions and wearing a mask. Everybody else seems to have moved on long ago. All my “jobs” have been taken over by others and nobody seems inclined to invite me to return to them. I feel much more a spectator and much less a participant than before covid. It is very hard.

I’m trying to remember that it takes time for a fire to reignite. I’m trying to be more outgoing than it would be my normal nature to be, to reconnect (or connect in the first place with new people). I want to get back to the after-service social, but I’m still wary of covid. I could ask for a “job” but I’m timid, partly because of the weakened sense of connection.

Most of all, I’m trying to be patient and do things in God’s time. The way to handle “spiritual desolation” is to just keep showing up and asking God for a better connection. Sometimes it is better for things to go slowly. When Muslims break the Ramadan fast they often start with soup so as to not shock their system with too-heavy food. The spiritual life can be the same.

I’d suggest you pick a place and keep showing up. Try to identify in. Try to get to know people. Try to get involved. Pray on your own. Ask God for Faith, which is a gift. Give it a reasonable time, say six months. If it isn’t working then you can try somewhere else while remaining connected to the first place at least until you’re well-established in the second.

[Anonymous]

I'm old enough to have had several lapses. But I always wind up coming back. A few things:

1.) Try having a personal, private conversation with your minister or priest. I was really scared to do this, but he was very gentle and encouraging and didn't make me feel bad about my lapses.

2.) Love someone else's suggestion of music.

3.) You could try a different church, or a different service at your current church.

4.) Do some volunteering.

5.) Take inspiration from someone whose faith is very strong. I have a family member dealing with a significant health issue right now, and ALL she wants is for people to pray for her. That is really meaningful. Maybe prayer "works" and maybe it doesn't, but I am moved by that level of faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm old enough to have had several lapses. But I always wind up coming back. A few things:

1.) Try having a personal, private conversation with your minister or priest. I was really scared to do this, but he was very gentle and encouraging and didn't make me feel bad about my lapses.

2.) Love someone else's suggestion of music.

3.) You could try a different church, or a different service at your current church.

4.) Do some volunteering.

5.) Take inspiration from someone whose faith is very strong. I have a family member dealing with a significant health issue right now, and ALL she wants is for people to pray for her. That is really meaningful. Maybe prayer "works" and maybe it doesn't, but I am moved by that level of faith.

Good advice, until the end. Religious people believe that prayer works. Sometimes the answer may not be what was prayed for, but it's what God in his wisdom wanted. That's a basic belief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is definitely a troll post.

I wish the Muslim hadn't jumped on to proselytize because there's so much that can be said about how Jesus in the NT and the Quran are NOT the same people. It's hard to let the simple "we're the same it's just that you guys got it wrong" pass without comment.

For one thing, the Quran's Jesus endorses that book's general position against nonbelievers, Christians and Jews. Including violence, which is something the NT Jesus never endorses.

Quran (9:29): “Fight against Christians and Jews until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.”

Quran (5:51): “Don’t take Jews or Christians for friends. If you do, then Allah will consider you to be one of them.”

Quran (2:65-66): “Christians and Jews must believe what Allah has revealed to Muhammad or Allah will disfigure their faces or turn them into apes, as he did the Sabbath-breakers.”

Quran (5:51): “O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.”

Quran (9:30): "And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!"

I could quite a bunch of crazy stuff from the Bible as well.

Religions were created by man.

I don't think that anyone disputes the fact that the various holy books (e.g., Bible, Koran) were written by humans, but they were inspired by God.

They were inspired by the same god.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is definitely a troll post.

I wish the Muslim hadn't jumped on to proselytize because there's so much that can be said about how Jesus in the NT and the Quran are NOT the same people. It's hard to let the simple "we're the same it's just that you guys got it wrong" pass without comment.

For one thing, the Quran's Jesus endorses that book's general position against nonbelievers, Christians and Jews. Including violence, which is something the NT Jesus never endorses.

Quran (9:29): “Fight against Christians and Jews until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.”

Quran (5:51): “Don’t take Jews or Christians for friends. If you do, then Allah will consider you to be one of them.”

Quran (2:65-66): “Christians and Jews must believe what Allah has revealed to Muhammad or Allah will disfigure their faces or turn them into apes, as he did the Sabbath-breakers.”

Quran (5:51): “O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.”

Quran (9:30): "And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!"

I could quite a bunch of crazy stuff from the Bible as well.

Religions were created by man.

But you can't post violent stuff against nonbelievers from the gospels, in fact the best you're going to do is "turn the other cheek." Too bad you're so desperate to fight religion in general that you're unable to follow simple points.

+1

ridiculous people who claim to know more than everyone else, but really don’t know anything at all.

op has never replied to their original comment ✅

comments about God not existing ✅

comments about God and Allah being the same ✅

comment about God and “free will” from an atheist who doesn’t even believe in God ✅

Troll post 101 is here for the weekend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is definitely a troll post.

I wish the Muslim hadn't jumped on to proselytize because there's so much that can be said about how Jesus in the NT and the Quran are NOT the same people. It's hard to let the simple "we're the same it's just that you guys got it wrong" pass without comment.

For one thing, the Quran's Jesus endorses that book's general position against nonbelievers, Christians and Jews. Including violence, which is something the NT Jesus never endorses.

Quran (9:29): “Fight against Christians and Jews until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.”

Quran (5:51): “Don’t take Jews or Christians for friends. If you do, then Allah will consider you to be one of them.”

Quran (2:65-66): “Christians and Jews must believe what Allah has revealed to Muhammad or Allah will disfigure their faces or turn them into apes, as he did the Sabbath-breakers.”

Quran (5:51): “O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.”

Quran (9:30): "And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!"

I could quite a bunch of crazy stuff from the Bible as well.

Religions were created by man.

I don't think that anyone disputes the fact that the various holy books (e.g., Bible, Koran) were written by humans, but they were inspired by God.

They were inspired by the same god.

What is your religion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is definitely a troll post.

I wish the Muslim hadn't jumped on to proselytize because there's so much that can be said about how Jesus in the NT and the Quran are NOT the same people. It's hard to let the simple "we're the same it's just that you guys got it wrong" pass without comment.

For one thing, the Quran's Jesus endorses that book's general position against nonbelievers, Christians and Jews. Including violence, which is something the NT Jesus never endorses.

Quran (9:29): “Fight against Christians and Jews until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.”

Quran (5:51): “Don’t take Jews or Christians for friends. If you do, then Allah will consider you to be one of them.”

Quran (2:65-66): “Christians and Jews must believe what Allah has revealed to Muhammad or Allah will disfigure their faces or turn them into apes, as he did the Sabbath-breakers.”

Quran (5:51): “O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.”

Quran (9:30): "And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!"

I could quite a bunch of crazy stuff from the Bible as well.

Religions were created by man.

But you can't post violent stuff against nonbelievers from the gospels, in fact the best you're going to do is "turn the other cheek." Too bad you're so desperate to fight religion in general that you're unable to follow simple points.

But we could post Bible verse about acts of violence against women.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is definitely a troll post.

I wish the Muslim hadn't jumped on to proselytize because there's so much that can be said about how Jesus in the NT and the Quran are NOT the same people. It's hard to let the simple "we're the same it's just that you guys got it wrong" pass without comment.

For one thing, the Quran's Jesus endorses that book's general position against nonbelievers, Christians and Jews. Including violence, which is something the NT Jesus never endorses.

Quran (9:29): “Fight against Christians and Jews until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.”

Quran (5:51): “Don’t take Jews or Christians for friends. If you do, then Allah will consider you to be one of them.”

Quran (2:65-66): “Christians and Jews must believe what Allah has revealed to Muhammad or Allah will disfigure their faces or turn them into apes, as he did the Sabbath-breakers.”

Quran (5:51): “O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.”

Quran (9:30): "And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!"

I could quite a bunch of crazy stuff from the Bible as well.

Religions were created by man.

But you can't post violent stuff against nonbelievers from the gospels, in fact the best you're going to do is "turn the other cheek." Too bad you're so desperate to fight religion in general that you're unable to follow simple points.

But we could post Bible verse about acts of violence against women.

Women and children did not have any rights or protections or freedoms in any society or culture; not because the Bible said so-but simply because that’s how the world worked at that time. Jewish society and culture worked in a way that the only time men and women were allowed to be together was in bed.

Jesus wanted to change that, and did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is definitely a troll post.

I wish the Muslim hadn't jumped on to proselytize because there's so much that can be said about how Jesus in the NT and the Quran are NOT the same people. It's hard to let the simple "we're the same it's just that you guys got it wrong" pass without comment.

For one thing, the Quran's Jesus endorses that book's general position against nonbelievers, Christians and Jews. Including violence, which is something the NT Jesus never endorses.

Quran (9:29): “Fight against Christians and Jews until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.”

Quran (5:51): “Don’t take Jews or Christians for friends. If you do, then Allah will consider you to be one of them.”

Quran (2:65-66): “Christians and Jews must believe what Allah has revealed to Muhammad or Allah will disfigure their faces or turn them into apes, as he did the Sabbath-breakers.”

Quran (5:51): “O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.”

Quran (9:30): "And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!"

I could quite a bunch of crazy stuff from the Bible as well.

Religions were created by man.

But you can't post violent stuff against nonbelievers from the gospels, in fact the best you're going to do is "turn the other cheek." Too bad you're so desperate to fight religion in general that you're unable to follow simple points.

+1

ridiculous people who claim to know more than everyone else, but really don’t know anything at all.

op has never replied to their original comment ✅

comments about God not existing ✅

comments about God and Allah being the same ✅

comment about God and “free will” from an atheist who doesn’t even believe in God ✅

Troll post 101 is here for the weekend.

Yep.

You'd think OP would post again if they weren't an atheist troll. Or maybe they are busy, or afraid to post given how this thread has shifted, with multiple Christians accusing them of being a troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is definitely a troll post.

I wish the Muslim hadn't jumped on to proselytize because there's so much that can be said about how Jesus in the NT and the Quran are NOT the same people. It's hard to let the simple "we're the same it's just that you guys got it wrong" pass without comment.

For one thing, the Quran's Jesus endorses that book's general position against nonbelievers, Christians and Jews. Including violence, which is something the NT Jesus never endorses.

Quran (9:29): “Fight against Christians and Jews until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.”

Quran (5:51): “Don’t take Jews or Christians for friends. If you do, then Allah will consider you to be one of them.”

Quran (2:65-66): “Christians and Jews must believe what Allah has revealed to Muhammad or Allah will disfigure their faces or turn them into apes, as he did the Sabbath-breakers.”

Quran (5:51): “O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.”

Quran (9:30): "And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!"

I could quite a bunch of crazy stuff from the Bible as well.

Religions were created by man.

But you can't post violent stuff against nonbelievers from the gospels, in fact the best you're going to do is "turn the other cheek." Too bad you're so desperate to fight religion in general that you're unable to follow simple points.

+1

ridiculous people who claim to know more than everyone else, but really don’t know anything at all.

op has never replied to their original comment ✅

comments about God not existing ✅

comments about God and Allah being the same ✅

comment about God and “free will” from an atheist who doesn’t even believe in God ✅

Troll post 101 is here for the weekend.

Yep.

You'd think OP would post again if they weren't an atheist troll. Or maybe they are busy, or afraid to post given how this thread has shifted, with multiple Christians accusing them of being a troll.

Op has not posted again.

op has not explained why they attended a church that closed during the pandemic but now can’t find a church to attend.

Op? Where are you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is definitely a troll post.

I wish the Muslim hadn't jumped on to proselytize because there's so much that can be said about how Jesus in the NT and the Quran are NOT the same people. It's hard to let the simple "we're the same it's just that you guys got it wrong" pass without comment.

For one thing, the Quran's Jesus endorses that book's general position against nonbelievers, Christians and Jews. Including violence, which is something the NT Jesus never endorses.

Quran (9:29): “Fight against Christians and Jews until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.”

Quran (5:51): “Don’t take Jews or Christians for friends. If you do, then Allah will consider you to be one of them.”

Quran (2:65-66): “Christians and Jews must believe what Allah has revealed to Muhammad or Allah will disfigure their faces or turn them into apes, as he did the Sabbath-breakers.”

Quran (5:51): “O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.”

Quran (9:30): "And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!"

I could quite a bunch of crazy stuff from the Bible as well.

Religions were created by man.

But you can't post violent stuff against nonbelievers from the gospels, in fact the best you're going to do is "turn the other cheek." Too bad you're so desperate to fight religion in general that you're unable to follow simple points.

But we could post Bible verse about acts of violence against women.

Again, not in the New Testament.

This thread immediately became a sh!t show. Reporting.

Only when someone said OP. Could not possibly be Buddhist.

There is no reason why OP could not go in that direction.

You cry “shit show” when the answer is anything other that exactly what you believe.