How can I pray to God, when I know He knows I'm not sincere?

Question

I believe in God, and yeah, his son did exist, but I just have no faith. No faith in his healing power. I don't have the peace of mind that I've been searching for. I've asked Him to come into my life, but I'm not going to lie to myself; He's not there. Where do I begin?

Hey, believe what you want, but let ME believe what I want.

Dolly, you fool. Don't be so god damn righteous. Jesus, I'm asking a simple question, and if you can't be civil about your answer, by all means, DON'T GIVE ME AN ANSWER. Perhaps you should reread my question, and if you can't understand it, don't assume you know. You see what happened when you did.

Answer 1

ronidl76
Like you, I too asked for God to come into my life some 20 years ago, but for a while I didn't feel His presence. It wasn't until I started truly learning about His truth the bible that I finally found Him. You should try doing what I did. I began with the Bible, no one preached to me, as I do not go to any church, I studied the bible, and did my research, and believe me when I say, if you truly want Him in your life and you seek and learn the bible, He will enlighten you so that you can understand the bible as you read on. It can be difficult to understand His word the bible if your heart isn't all in it. Once I truly seeked Him out, the bible was clear to me, it helped me build a relationship with Him, He will guide you and even steer you to the right people to help on your journey to understand Him. It doesn't mean though that once you find Him that bad things won't come your way as this world and the system of things currently are satans so we will face some hard times, but in the end, if we persevere and stay true to God, we will be rewarded, once you learn and apply God's words the bible into your life, you will see what I am talking about. You can email me if you want, I'll be more than Happy to share His word with you. Salvation does not happen in groups. It is an individual reward that comes from our Heavenly Father by acquiring accurate knowledge of Truth from his word, the Bible, by applying this Truth to our daily life, and by helping spread the good news of His Kingdom. I will be happy to help as much as I can, because I can see that you are honest in how you feel, and you seek Him. Begin my friend, with the Bible when you are truly ready to do the hard work involved. It's like anything else. Start in genesis and read on. You asked one of the most honest and rare questions, and in your question alone, it shows that you aren't that far off from attaining a relationship with God, for it sounds like you seek Him. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

I think that is a question that could take more than this space to answer, but it might not be as difficult as it seems if you are willing to take a few steps........

I have been a christian for all my life and I have weakened and stregthened in my faith over the years. God knows that is true of you and me just like he knows that of everyone. Read about King David in the Bible (He had some serious issues) Whenever I have a thought enter my head that I don't think is "good" when I am praying, I just confess it to Him. He knows it so you confess it and ask for His help in it.

About taking "steps", I think that getting Him in your life requires nothing more than just accepting Him in to your life like you mentioned, but if you want to really "feel" it you may be able to do some things that have worked for me. I got involved in a Bible study after church and made some really Godly friends. They didn't have the same secular outlook and it really changes your point of view. Getting to know people at church is important, but also living the Word throughout the week.

I will not go on and on like a "chicken soup for the soul" answer but diving in will make a difference. If you are not in a church or there is not one near you, etc.

Try a few books that I felt were good at reminding us of the practicality of the Bible and the way God is present in our daily lives:

Redeeming love - Francine Rivers (Romantic)
Screwtap letters - CS Lewis (Scary!)

Answer 3

First off, if you believe in God you have faith. Remember, God cannot be proven or disproven beyond the shadow of a doubt, so your belief in God is faith.

God says that 'If we confess our sins he is faithfull and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Believest thou this? If you believe that than you have eternal life. Period. Why? God said so. If you are truly seeking the Bible for God's will and purpose in your life it is because you have faith in him. If you take the Bible for it's word even though you personally might not agree that is faith. Any type of fear or anger is self-inspired. Are you still clinging onto the things of your own life? I would strongly suggest reading the Bible, especially the Gospels as well as Hebrews Chapter 11.

Answer 4

I learned a long time ago to be honest in prayer. Tell God what you just wrote>Tell God exactly what you dont feel. David in the Bible was called a man after God's own heart. I think thats because he told God exactly what he thought good and bad-even anger and bitterness. Also, I learned to fake it til you make it. Keep praying and eventually the rest of your heart will catch up.

Answer 5

I was in the same place you were for a long time. I BELIEVED, but yet...I didn't believe. My prayers usually went like this: "Okay, I WANT to believe...no wait, that isn't true. Okay, I WANT to want to believe...no, wait...okay. I WANT to want to want to believe...."

Be honest with God. He knows your heart. If you sincerely want to believe (or even WANT to want to believe), tell Him.

Read Mark 9, with emphasis on verses 21-24, and ESPECIALLY on verse 24:
"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

Then pair it with Matthew 17:20.

God understands if we have no faith. I think that's why those passages are there. Just be honest with God, even if you have trouble believing He can help you. I can honestly say...that not only CAN He help you, but He WILL.

Answer 6

A simple prayer asking Him to do whatever it takes in your life to ignite your faith in Him is a good, but admittedly scarey, way to gain the peace you are looking for.

Answer 7

What you said reminds me of the Bible story of Jesus and the father of a demon possessed boy who did not have much faith. Because of his lack of faith, Jesus' disciples were not able to cast out the demon. Jesus challenged his lack of faith, whereupon he said "Lord i believe, help thou my unbelief", and so Jesus did, and the demon was banished from his son.

So, you need to have at least a little bit of faith, and God gives everyone faith, we just have to use it. Then with that little bit of faith, use it to call on God and ask him to help you where your faith is not enough, and he will.

Answer 8

You have the first part. Desire

A desire to believe in His healing and a desire for Him to be in your life.

Next is to follow Him. I think to start just choose one thing to change. Let's say that you pray every day -- sincere or not -- He has asked you to pray/communicate with Him everyday.

Pray for yourself, pray for your family, pray for your town, country and world, -- search your life and find things to thank Him for.

Then be quite and listen -- not so much with your ears -- but with your heart.

Anyway -- just a suggestion from me to you

good luck and God Bless

D

Answer 9

Use the model of some of the prayers in the Gospel:

"Lord, teach us how to pray."

"Lord, I believe; help my lack of trust!"

Admitting your difficulties is a good starting point, especially since it requires so much humility.

Answer 10

Sounds to me like you could use a break.

Try stepping back for a bit -- look at the big picture, read some books that aren't on your church's "approved" list.

You never know WHAT you might find out...