My friend has been having trouble feeling the presence of God in his life. I've always thought of him as a stronger Christian than I (and I still think so), but now he has confronted me with this problem and I'm not sure how to help him. He says he prays, and that is great, but he is having trouble receiving an answer. He is getting discouraged and is starting to wonder "what is the point of prayer?" Anyone know a verse I can tell him to help him get through this?
2007-02-02 06:47:22 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thanks Chakuta, I didn't think about that verse. These are great verses, people. Thanks, and keep them coming.
Some of these answers are what we already told him (my friends and I have a Bible study every Friday morning before school), but most of them are right.
He also said that he thought that since he had worked on certain...problems?...that he would become closer to God, but he said it has only made it worse. Does anyone know how to help him there?
2007-02-02 07:06:34 · update #1
Sho'nuff, there is no relevance between Exodus 12:29 and his problem...at all.
2007-02-02 07:09:46 · update #2
I don't think he is having trouble accepting that God doesn't do what he wants Him to do, but that he doesn't feel anything at all.
2007-02-02 07:14:10 · update #3
Paul prayed to have the thorn in his flesh removed yet God allowed him to suffer so he could become strong.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10.....Therefore, that I might not feel overly exalted, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan, to keep slapping me, that I might not be overly exalted. In this behalf I three times entreated the Lord that it might depart from me; and yet he really said to me: “My undeserved kindness is sufficient for you; for [my] power is being made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast as respects my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may like a tent remain over me.Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in cases of need, in persecutions and difficulties, for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.
2007-02-02 06:59:52 · answer #1 · answered by papa G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, I`ve been a christian for about 9 years. I have had many times like that. I think everyone will in their walk with God. Thats when we have to walk by faith and not by sight. Also, I learned a while back that when i can`t feel God, i switch the channel. Instead of asking, and asking, i start Thanking the Lord, or praising Him, singing to Him, or worshipping Him, and soon Gods Spirit flows over me and I can feel Him again. Sometimes we just need to switch channels. God Bless~
P.s. This is the best time to just pray for your friend and carry him through!It will be okay! God loves him and You! Your such a great friend for caring!God bless!!
2007-02-02 08:56:45 · answer #2 · answered by Carrie Bear 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem may be in what he's praying for. If he's praying to hit the lotto....he's probably in for a long wait. If his prayers concern finding his way in life, or for help with some issue...he has to keep his eyes open for the solution God provides. It's not likely God is going to tap his shoulder...more like a seemingly random event that holds some other meaning for him, and him alone.
2007-02-02 06:53:49 · answer #3 · answered by mzJakes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Helpful verse? How about: "When in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout."
Okay seriously, your friend's issue is not one you cure by using the Bible like a fortune cookie. The "holiest" men and women of every age have lamented over the silence of God at some point in their lives. Most of the Psalms of David contain this kind of lamentation over a God who seems at times silent and distant. You might point him there. I would add that when people think God is talking it's usually that they're talking to themselves, and otherwise it's them jumping to conclusions about the supernatural import of perfectly natural and coincidental events. I think the guidance for the Christian life is already pretty extensive and complete unless you're looking for a winning lotto number. What else would God have to say? Seriously, if your friend's a Christian it should be obvious to him that in all of human history, God's put in a personal appearance one time in the incarnation of Jesus. he doesn't show up every time someone's girlfriend cheats or husband comes home drunk. God's not a waitress that comes around when you're ready to place an order in any version of Christianity, except in the Word of Faith movement. What's your friend waiting for, a sign? None shall be given. For God to pass a test? God doesn't do tests. He has his faith, he has his Bible, he has his friends like you. That might have to do.
2007-02-02 07:09:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I Thessalonians 5:17 says "Pray without ceasing." This is not a request of God for a Christian, it is a command.
So first, pray because you are commanded to. Second, you pray because you love God, and you want to get to know Him more so that you can better glorify Him.
Your friend needs to realize that prayer is not just about him, it's about Him. You know what I mean?
And just because your friends prayers are not being answered right away doesn't mean that they won't be or aren't being answered. They are not always answered how we want them to be when we are requesting of God for ourselves because our prayers may be out of His will. God will always answer prayer, just don't expect it to always be the way you anticipated it to be. His answer to your prayer may be NO. We must still love Him though for all that He has done for us.
2007-02-02 06:56:56 · answer #5 · answered by chakuta 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What answer is he looking for? The discipline of prayer realizes that there are at least three answers that can expect when we pray:
Yes.
No.
Wait.
When God says "no" as he did to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12, we should accept that answer as the will of God. Why? Because God knows best. Maturing believers must be willing to accept God's answer "no" as willingly as we accept His "yes."
2007-02-02 06:55:40 · answer #6 · answered by mediocritis 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Micah 7:7
But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
And "Greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world" -1 John 4:4
2007-02-02 06:54:01 · answer #7 · answered by Mandolyn Monkey Munch 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would go with Psalms 101:3
3 I will set before my eyes
no vile thing.
The deeds of faithless men I hate;
they will not cling to me
That way he will know if he looses faith God will hate his deads and not look at him. Let him know that his feelings are Vile.
That should do the trick, scare em to death.
2007-02-02 07:00:32 · answer #8 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't know wot you've got ...Till it's Gone. and when its gone u can never get it back
Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.
2007-02-02 06:53:09 · answer #9 · answered by mixraceQT 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell him read Exodus 12:29.
2007-02-02 06:51:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋