Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think God changes situations based on what we want and pray for. I think of prayer as something that strengthens me to cope with- and even learn to accept -things that happen that I don't like. I don't see praying as a way to beg God to smooth my path I just ask him to help me learn to walk it as it is.

I think that sometimes we pray for things as a last resort, as a change of heart, or at a crossroads. In my experience prayer can happen in crisis when you know the way you have been doing things isn't working and you are ready to change and seeking guidance to change - a thy will not my will be done moment. And in my life good things happened after those times of humbled (by life) prayer.

It sounds like a personal change of focus that could be done with or without appealing to a supernatural being.

A believer would turn to his or her faith. Makes sense to me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think God changes situations based on what we want and pray for. I think of prayer as something that strengthens me to cope with- and even learn to accept -things that happen that I don't like. I don't see praying as a way to beg God to smooth my path I just ask him to help me learn to walk it as it is.

I think that sometimes we pray for things as a last resort, as a change of heart, or at a crossroads. In my experience prayer can happen in crisis when you know the way you have been doing things isn't working and you are ready to change and seeking guidance to change - a thy will not my will be done moment. And in my life good things happened after those times of humbled (by life) prayer.

It sounds like a personal change of focus that could be done with or without appealing to a supernatural being.

*Claus

Anonymous wrote:True story:

When I was about 8, I believed in God and prayer. My best friend and her parents did not believe in God. Both my best friend and I wanted American Girl dolls. I prayed and prayed for one, and she did not. We both got the dolls.

Perhaps the lesson there is life isn't all about stuff and stuff comes just comes and goes. What if you were god and were hoping your child would develop a relationship with you, but she came along and made the whole thing into an all-or-nothing one-shot Santa Clause test?

Anonymous wrote:I don't think God changes situations based on what we want and pray for. I think of prayer as something that strengthens me to cope with- and even learn to accept -things that happen that I don't like. I don't see praying as a way to beg God to smooth my path I just ask him to help me learn to walk it as it is.

I think that sometimes we pray for things as a last resort, as a change of heart, or at a crossroads. In my experience prayer can happen in crisis when you know the way you have been doing things isn't working and you are ready to change and seeking guidance to change - a thy will not my will be done moment. And in my life good things happened after those times of humbled (by life) prayer.

I don't think God changes situations based on what we want and pray for. I think of prayer as something that strengthens me to cope with- and even learn to accept -things that happen that I don't like. I don't see praying as a way to beg God to smooth my path I just ask him to help me learn to walk it as it is.

Anonymous wrote:I prayed for 4 years for God to please take me home because I was in such pain I no longer wanted to live. Suicide was not an option. Then one day when I could no longer stand the pain, alone, crying, scared, I accidentally found the answer. An answer that came from out of the blue.

Since then I have made a complete and nearly pain free turn around. I do believe it was a divine intervention.

have you wondered why God answered your prayer when he refuses so many others? DO you think he's going to answer all your prayers from now on, or maybe he's done granting your wishes?

There are a lot of other people who need to have their pain removed, who are praying and who hear nothing from god.

Anonymous wrote:I prayed for 4 years for God to please take me home because I was in such pain I no longer wanted to live. Suicide was not an option. Then one day when I could no longer stand the pain, alone, crying, scared, I accidentally found the answer. An answer that came from out of the blue.

Since then I have made a complete and nearly pain free turn around. I do believe it was a divine intervention.

What was the answer and do you give god credit for it?

OP, I feel like God listens to me. I don't always get the answer I want to hear, but He has my back.

I have explained it thusly to my atheist friends and family: I decided a long time ago that it didn't matter if God was a figment of my imagination. Praying and talking to God calms me down and makes me feel better, and gives me peace and hope.

I prayed for 4 years for God to please take me home because I was in such pain I no longer wanted to live. Suicide was not an option. Then one day when I could no longer stand the pain, alone, crying, scared, I accidentally found the answer. An answer that came from out of the blue.

Since then I have made a complete and nearly pain free turn around. I do believe it was a divine intervention.

OP here- thank you for your responses.
Yes sometimes I think God is trying to make me more close to him and trust in him, not to take what he gave me for granted. When everything goes smooth, sometimes we tend not to give him as much time as we should but now I am getting more close to him through my prayers. That is the only positive thing I can see through this but I have trust that God will take care of this and give us the peace ,

Anonymous wrote:My mother had stage 4 breast cancer when I was a teen. The doctors have her six months and told her to get her affairs in order. We prayed. She has been cancer free 25 years, thank God!

That is wonderful, pp. I am sure you have cherished every day you have had with her.

My mother had stage 4 breast cancer when I was a teen. The doctors have her six months and told her to get her affairs in order. We prayed. She has been cancer free 25 years, thank God!

Our family was once going through a huge challenge involving one of our adult kids. I prayed for the strength to endure the challenge, and prayed for others in my family including my kid. In the end, things were resolved in a wonderful way.
Sometimes I think that we are presented with challenges to help us appreciate the little things in life.
I truly believe that we went through this challenge to fully understand what true joy is...

OP - Pray for strength. You cannot control others and you have little control over what happens in your life, other than choices you make.
But, you can overcome challenges with the strength from our Lord Almighty.
Keep the faith, OP!

Anonymous wrote:Wondering why I don't even get a single response.

Religious people on this forum get mocked so many stay away. Do not take it personally. God is listening so keep praying. Blessings to you!