If God’s Will Always Happens, Why Must We Pray?

holy-spirit-dove-320-webIs God’s will unconditional or is it conditional? Does His will just happen, or at times must it depend upon actions by others? This is the big question concerning prayer. What does the Bible say? The Lords prayer says this, ‘your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.’  Prayer is the release of faith, and faith is the release of God’s known and heard will. Apparently, the will of God doesn’t happen on its own all the time. From what the scripture says, at least some of God’s will is conditional on man’s ability to have faith, and his willingness to pray.

Daniel having to pray for the release of the Hebrews from Babylon, even after the allotted time of their captivity had passed. (Daniel 9:2-3)

God encouraging the watchmen to not stop beseeching Him until “Jerusalem becomes a praise and blessing to the world. (Isaiah 62:6-7)

God looking to and fro for a faithful person to stand in the gap, so God would not destroy the land. (Ezekiel. 22:30)

Jesus commenting on how he couldn’t do certain miracles in a region because of people’s unbelief. Which suggests that the reason we don’t see miracles today is that the church lacks the faith required to bring the miracles into effect. (Matthew 13:58)

God’s admonition in 2 Chronicles. 7:14 that “if my people…humble themselves and pray…” God would heal their land. The land’s healing was conditional upon God’s people humbling themselves and praying.

Even though God conditionally binds some of His actions upon the faith and prayers of His people, He is still sovereign. He requirements, and the decision to base His actions on those requirements, are His decision and His decision alone.

We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. John 9:31

…and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:27

Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (15) And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. I John 5:14, 15

If the will of God always happens, then why are we exhorted to pray for it?

“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth. God does nothing but in answer to prayer.” John Wesley

Comments

  1. “If God’s Will Always Happens, Why Must We Pray?”

    The exact same reason that a woman will want a man to chase after her nonstop, despite not being interested in him in any way (and vice versa)–IT IS ALL FOR AN EGO BOOST, NOTHING MORE.

    At least I have the decency to let someone I don’t like know upfront that there is no reason for them to chase after me, because it would be a fool’s errand.

    On the other hand, if I do like someone? I’m not going to put various roadblocks in front them and force them to jump through numerous hoops in order to “make them prove how serious they are”.

  2. How I see this question of why do we pray to ask for things when we know God’s will be done is that in the praying from our hearts and sharing, asking god for our needs we are acknowledging our relationship to him which he wants for us. He is in us as we are in him praying for specific things may not mean it will happen if it dosent coincide with his will but he wants us to pour out our hearts to him, share what we think we need and in doing so we will be given the strength to cope with whatever. God bless you all.

  3. I usually don’t comment on sites but it’s obvious people here don’t study the bible and don’t care to. When the bible talks about God’s will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. What that’s saying is that his will is no soul perish. People just want to be upset and blame God because they didn’t get what they wanted. 1st we need to remember this is not Gods world it belongs to satan and he is here to kill, still and destroy. He will do everything in his power to destroy you and that means telling you lies or confusing you so you don’t trust God. 2nd we all have free will to do, say and think as we want. Remember God will never bless a sin. So If your husband left you for another woman or you wanted trump to win and you prayed about those things so now you say that God doesn’t answer prayer WOW. Maybe your ex-husband was never truly in love with you and found his soul mate and God did you a favor by getting you out of a loveless marriage and has someone better for you. I am a black man living in a raciest country and who feels trump is a raciest and prayed he’d lose but I still pray for him as a person. I also pray that this country would stop being so hypercritical about racism in America but that’s not happening but do I get upset at God? NO. I just keep praying and hope that I can have conversations with people and make a small difference. I know this is not Heaven and we don’t live in a perfect world. 3rd Prayer works on faith and you all think God is some kind of vending machine you just put a coin in and get a blessing. THAT’S NOT HOW GOD WORKS. 4th Remember he knows the beginning from the end and he may not always answer you prayer the way you want because he knows that in the future it will hurt you but you can’t see that. Last God answers all prayer. Sometimes he says yes sometimes he says no and sometimes he says wait but he always answers. YOU JUST DON’T LIKE HIS ANSWER!!!!

    God bless you all,

    1. It’s really hard to like God’s “answer” to the situation of “this little girl was raped by a minister, and because of this, she rejected the minister’s Bible and Jesus and is going to burn in hell forever while the minister repents and gets off scott-free” being “I choose to do nothing”. and his representatives’ only defense on his behalf being “mystery” and “sovereignty.”
      It means that God is tacitly blessing tge Devil’s work making that little girl an eternal monument to Jesus’ failure to love her.

    2. Come on, man. You make exaggerated examples of the most ridiculous prayers like praying for a political candidate to win, to make it seem like all people pray for is nonsense.

      What about the person who feels lonely and has been praying for a spouse repeatedly? Is it sinful to want a spouse and start a Godly family ?

      What about the person who would like to change careers and is praying for a sign or an opportunity ? Is it sinful to want to advance in your career ?

      What about the person battling a serious disease who is in pain everyday?
      Is it sinful to feel pain when you are sick ?

      What about the person who has fallen upon hard economic times and is praying for a breakthrough ?
      Is it sinful for someone in foreclosure, jobless, burdened with huge medical expenses etc…to want a breakthrough ?

      No, sir. Respectfully not everyone is praying for their favourite politician to win elections. We all have deeply personal needs that we pray for.

    3. America is not a racist country – but there are racists to be found, of course. Trump is an arrogant bag of hot air but I don’t see racism from him. God is good and will prevail in the End, as we all know. But we have a lot of bad stuff to go through before the Rapture. Let’s be ready.

  4. Many Humans are weak….they cling to hope instead of reality….. Religion in general is “hope”, not reality. When God dont answer someone’s prayers…..they say it’s God’s will……. If the prayer works…..they say “God heard my prayer ”
    Give me a break people….. I believe in the SUN…….why……cause i can see it.

    1. Yes there is Hope with following Jesus and studying God’s Word. But if you think religion and God are the same, I encourage you to open a book and read.

      Read of the creation in Genesis,
      Read of history in Exodus,
      Read of Ceremonial Law (then) in Leviticus,
      Read of The Census of People in Numbers,
      Read of The Law Rehearsed in Deuteronomy,
      Read of Conquest in Joshua,
      Read of History of the Nation in Judges,
      Read of Ancestors Family in Ruth,
      Read of Reign of Saul in Samuel,
      Read of Reign of David in Samuel 2,
      Read of History of Nation Again in Kings
      Read of The Records to Now in Chronicles,
      Read of proficies, poems, sayings, suffering, warnings, predictions, predictions, and more predictions for just the Old Testament!!

      But going back to what you said, more or less you need to see it to believe it, it seems yes?Have you tried seeing the words on those pages mentioned with an open mind and read them?

      And what about the air? We can’t see it, but we breath it yes? I’m not here to pass an argument that you’re wrong because there are probably people out there that fit what you’re upset about. All I ask from you brother is to read your Bible to better understand and to grow in relationship with God.

      1. If I dared you to read the Koran with the same mindset you’re asking him to read the Bible, would you do so?

        1. I have read the Koran. There are similarities, but also differences. Mainly, the Bible is a collection of different authors while the Koran is a collection of 1 author, Muhammad.

          Muhammad was believed to be a prophet in the Muslim religion who received the word of God from the Archangel Gabriel from 610 AD to 632 AD.

          For the Bible, Jesus is the Messiah who came to fulfill The Laws of Moses and die for our sins.

          For the Koran, Jesus is a prophet who also came to fulfill The Laws of Moses but didn’t die and wasn’t crucified.

          In the 4th section of the Koran labeled “An-Nisa” (The Woman) 4:157 a loose translation reads as…

          “…and for their saying, “We have certainly killed the MasiH Isa the Son of Maryam, the Messenger of Allah”, And in no way did they kill him, and in no way did they crucify him, but a resemblance of him was presented to them…”

          4:158 “But Allah lifted him towards himself.”

          This is one of the most important differences between the Bible and the Kuran. When Jesus died, he did something very significant. He died to take your place. He stood where you deserved to stand. He hung where you deserved to hang. He died the death that you deserve to die. He fully, and directly received on himself the punishment that we so rightly deserve to receive for our own sins. But instead of receiving this punishment for ourselves Jesus became the substitute. He took our place.

          With Muhammad being viewed as a prophet, Jesus warned us of him and others to follow.

          2 Peter 2: 1-3 “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you…”

          2 Corinthians 11: 12-15 “…for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.”

          1. “Have you tried seeing the words on those pages mentioned with an open mind and read them?”
            I don’t care about the differences in text. Just read it with the same credulity that you use to read the Bible. Likewise, read the Bible with the same doubting mindset you might read the Koran. If you can’t treat both texts neutrally or without assuming that one is correct, or if you tolerate translation error, cultural context and self-contradictions in one but not the other, how can you expect him to read your Bible the same way you do?
            Let him read the Bible the way you read the Koran, because you both will surely take the same approach!
            Dead, stone-cold, black-&-white text does not a faith make.

            1. My comment to reading those pages with an open mind was directed to the previous comment where they were being limited to only what they can see. The emphasis I was pushing for, was for them to look beyond that.

              If we’re moving from that to comparing the Bible and the Koran, to treat both neutral, and read both the same way… unfortunately I am unable to do so. I’ve gone through my journey of revolting against the Bible only to come full circle back to it. After knowing the truth, experiencing God’s promises, living through my own sufferings. There’s no denying it for me.

              This answer won’t satisfy others for why or how I’ve come to this because I can’t measure it. I can’t put it in the best way to understand. The only way I can come close to sharing this is by recommending others to read the Bible and grow in their relationship with God.

              It’s difficult for anyone to read the same book as me, or anyone as a matter, with the same intension, approach, or what they learn from it. When two students read the same book it’s not likely they both come out with the same results. Only through continuous reading and studying does this help align the message of the book that others may mutually share. You pose a tough question Gordon, and I’m sorry if I didn’t fully answer it, but if he wants to have an open mind to the Bible, or an open mind to the Koran, that’s fine by me.

              “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

          2. The Koran proves itself to be contradictory because it points followers to the Bible while simultaneously calling it corrupted. Anyone who is willing to look into Islam with an open mind will clearly see its blatant contradictions and have no problem denouncing its validity. The most attested to fact in history, on the other hand, is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I would challenge you Gordon to search out its historicity and validity with an open mind and no bias. It makes the most since of creation and it is the most reasonable outcome of the historical accounts we have to understand it by.

    2. Italian S. This makes my heart sad for you. While I don’t always understand God, I have seen His mercy and Grace work true miracles. In that way, I do see God. Only a believer can SEE God in the darkest moments. I have seen people in really hard situations that turn out to benefit them in the long run. But that’s not all there is to it. It’s not physically seeing Him with your eyes; it’s a feeling. A sense of peace that washes over you when you pray and instantly you know what to do with your issues or how to help someone else going through darkness. This never happened to me until I really gave myself over to God. I’ve always believed in Him and occasionally would pray without much of a response but now times are darker. I need someone to build me up and I feel that with God. Even if you do not believe and cannot see God, do you delight in trying to take away that opportunity from someone else with your message of calling believers foolish?

    3. Because you don’t have faith.
      Faith is believing without seeing.
      One day perhaps.

  5. I was reading something that says, how does god use your imperfections to fulfill his purposes for you.
    This question tripped me up. My whole entire since day 1 life has been one medical catastrophe after another and no it hasn’t made me stronger. Infact it’s made me weaker and fragile. To a phobic shut in. When I do tell my story people use the oh my I’m so sorry but inside they have no idea and really don’t know how to be sympathetic to something like it. I haven’t had a very good chance at living life to a full potential. My mom blames some of it because I didn’t follow the rules and God punished me. Well , as I said to her did god punish her with a sick child for premarital sex? Another question ? Can babies go to hell? And suicides? I’ve seen so many people that love the lord dearly but take their life. Is there hope for them?

  6. In Christ,
    I read some of the comments above and I connected with Will who wrote about his faith being undermined as even small prayers are not being answered.
    God is the creator of the Cosmos. God is sovereign. God is perfect in all of His ways.
    If God is sovereign and has ultimate power….He chooses to do according to His plan. I understand that we are called to pray. I understand we are told to pray. I don’t understand why….. unless the whole purpose of prayer is not to bring something into existance or to influence a sovereign God but to show ourselves worthy or to grow in our faith.

    However, I don’t grow in faith when prayers are not heard….I slowly become discouraged.

    1. I agree with Eric. I become discouraged when we pray and not even small requests are not answered ever much less other prayers. I am still so upset over this election. So. Many prayed snd fasted, but God’s Will wasn’t what we prayed for…I guess. That’s when I wonder and ask, “why pray?” Help me oh God accept these things.

      1. I sadly agree Nancy sooooo many Christians begged God to not let the evil side win . I saw all the Priests and ministers laying hands on Trump as they all prayed to save the USA from the left . If this is not reversed it just shows again God does what he wants OR simply does not care what happens on earth maybe and is only concerned with our souls and the after life SEVENTY THREE MILLION PEOPLE PRAYING JUST IN THE USA , NOT JUST 2 GATHRED IN IS NAME. We always give the out , not in his plan etc , he is the boss ,which is fine but also proof , I dont think your prayers will be answered no matter how many pray or how good the cause , if this is not reversed . I’m still hoping God lends a hand but if not , I just cant see the use in believing prayers will be answered unless its exactly what God wants to happen anyway and then it was not your prayer but Gods will that prevailed . I will still pray , I just dont think it can change a thing unless God already decided it would happen. We are super depressed here as well as we watch faith be destroyed babies will be murdered in higher numbers and evil will win if Beijing Burglar Biden the Chinese communist puppet master takes the lead

        1. Author

          Do not give up. It is not over. They keep saying it is over, and people start to believe it. Don’t.

          1. It is actually over. Math won. Just because you prayed about it doesn’t make it real.

            1. Author

              Phoebe – No. Math did not win. Darkness is trying to win. And yes, mere praying does not make it real. But, praying in faith does makes it real. Things are at work that we all do not see. This is an amazing time. The forces of darkness have been working on this moment for a very long time. The true Church of Jesus Christ – His Body on this earth – is being attacked from within and from without.

              Everyone, you included, is being forced to decide on which side they will be on. God and His Heavenly Host have been in warfare with the dark hosts in the spiritual realm for ages. It is all finally coming to the physical surface. We must be careful how we tread in the days ahead. All things are not how they seem on the surface. I love you. Rex

            2. I too have got to wonder about prayer. I understand everything is God’s will, but than why do we pray? I lost my mother a few months ago to that nasty disease we call cancer.. I prayed and claimed healing over her.. I really truly believed that God was going to let my mother live. No matter how much I stand in faith God knew when it was right to take her.. It wasn’t until the morning I heard she was in great pain that I realized I was being selfish over my mother’s life. I finally told God that I didn’t want to see my mother in pain and to take it away from her. I realized I didn’t want her to suffer. 10 to 15 min after I prayed, God took my mother home.. My world shattered at that moment, even though I told God it was ok.. Yet I still had hoped some miracle would have taken place but it never did… The weird thing about her death is they had just did a cat scan on her which showed nothing changed in her body to have created such agony… I miss my mother so so so very much and I lost my belief in prayer and faith.. After all its God’s will not mine.. Now I wish I could understand prayer. But right now I feel let down by God. I’m beside myself in this. I do love God don’t get me wrong and I am thankful that he gives me new days to wake up too for another chance: yet it doesn’t solve my issue with prayer

        2. The hard truth is that you will not always be happy by following Jesus. You will suffer, you will go through fiery trials, you will be persecuted. The simple answer and the hardest answer is READ YOUR BIBLE. For my limited answers are referring to scripture taken straight out.

          First thing I’d like to bring to attention that I’m mainly hearing, pray is not a wish list to get what you want every time you ask or reach out in prayer. ROMANS 12:12 – “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

          There will be joy and there will be pain, and we are called to be patient through all of it. But it’s not just our circumstance we need to be patient in, in our prays we are to be patient as well. Pray isn’t some instant magic trick to make something happen just because you want it to happen.

          You may need to reassess how/what you are praying. In MATTHEW 6:5-13 “When you pray don’t rattle off long prayers like the pagans who think they will be heard because they use so many words. Don’t be like them. After all, God, who is your Father, knows your needs before you ask him. Pray then like this – ‘Our Heavenly Father, may your name be honored; May your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day the bread we need, Forgive us what we owe to you, as we have also forgiven those who owe anything to us. Keep us clear of temptation, and save us from evil’.”

          While Jesus is calling us to pray like this, not every prayer has to be like this, but it teaches where your perspective should be… On heavenly things rather worldly. When was the last time you prayed for God’s name to be honored? Asked for his Will, not your will be done? Asked for enough to get by for your day rather then more in it? Thanked what he has given you as well as what he hasn’t given you?

          Don’t get me wrong, there are dark things happening in our culture and world today. But that doesn’t mean God doesn’t have plans for those who have done these terrible things.

          Matthew 13:24-29

          24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. 25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. 26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.

          27 “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’

          28 “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed.

          “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.

          29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”

          The enemy will be permitted to grow with the harvest… but when judgement day comes they will be separated and will atone for their sins. But what’s to separate you from them? Matthew 1:17-20 – “A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. SO EVERY TREE THAT DOES NOT PRODUCE GOOD FRUIT IS CHOPPED DOWN & THROWN INTO THE FIRE. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”

          In all, READ YOUR BIBLE (or listen to an audio book). This is the only way I know to grow closer to God and understanding his will.

        3. Thank you Chris for speaking the truth, that is the word of God: the Bible. It has all the instructions and answers, although difficult to hear, it is the truth.

          In fact it will go against our very nature to obey and follow, turn my cheek? Don’t get angry? Be joyful in this current time? Yes, yes, and yes. That is God’s way, and His way is perfect. Have the utmost reverence for the Most High and the hard truth will become easy.

          1. I have to wonder why we should pray when it seems God is going to do what He wants anyway. I have a friend who’s 5 yr old daughter is ill. She’s prayed so much, stood believing for healing, and others have prayed and stood believing. Yet, her child’s condition got worse and she’s going to have to suffer through many surgeries throughout her life just to live.
            First, I don’t understand why God would allow that when He loves us so much. Second, I don’t understand why we should pray for healing and anything else if He’s going to just allow these things to happen or get worse though we pray and seek His help.
            I’ve seen many I love and care about suffering with bad health conditions….all who believe in God and pray. I’ve prayed so much foe them, they’ve prayed so much themselves, and others have prayed so much for them…all standing in faith believing for His healing. Yet, no healing came and in some cases the health condition got worse. In one case the health condition got worse and remained for a long time before getting better. Why the suffering and pain when God loves us? Why no healing when we prayed and stood in faith believing? What good could there be in suffering and being miserable every single day? All this does is cause faith to waiver or for some to lose faith. I just don’t understand. Yes the enemy brings bad things on us and yes we can cause bad things to happen, but God can stop it from happening or fix it or give us a way to fix it, yet in my experience (not just with healing, but many other things as well) He doesn’t seem to…seems He just leaves the things the way they are and let’s the suffering continue and often allows things to happen that cause hurt, pain, and suffering. I just don’t understand why that is when He loves us. We pray, yet no help seems to come from Him and nothing changes for the better….why is that?

            1. Agree. I have been praying so long having faith and nothing has changed. Applying the work to make my situation better and nothing. While another is doing nothing but living a partying lifestyle and HE will gove to them the very thing I need to survive. They only want to live a partying lifestyle and they aren’t blocked. I’m needing a place to live and having the hardest time trying to make the money on a job.

        4. I agree with Nancy and Will. Why pray if we are not heard and his will is unchanging? I cannot believe God allowed corruption and evil to prevail in this nation when so many Christians pleaded for intervention in this election and nothing happened.

        5. When you put your belief or flesh desires instead of standing on the word of God, prayers will not be answer. Trump was President for a reason and a season. I saw so many people I thought were Christians, failed to see what God is doing but blinded their self with others sin -but couldn’t take the beam out of their on eyes. We are all Gods children rather you see the sin or you can’t see the sin. You are not on earth to demolish sin but to tell of the goodness of salvation-Jesus Christ. How could you Love God who you have not seen but hate your neighbor who you have seen…you can’t. The greatest commandment LOVE!

          1. IF YOU CAN NOT SEE THAT NOW MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF INNOCENT BABIES WILL BE GLEEFULLY CUT TO SHREDS WHILE THEY ARE ALIVE , THAT THAT IS PURE EVIL , THAT THIS HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO PROCEED, DIE TO THE BIDOPHILES YOU ARE BLIND . DO YOU LOVE THAT ? ALREADY ALL PRO LIFE MEASURE TRUMP CHAMPIONED HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND NOW THE EVIL ONE IN OFFICE HAS DELEGATED ITS NOT JUST ENOUGH TO MURDER THEM HERE HE IS ALOCATING FUNDS TO DO IT WORLD WIDE. THIS WAS ALLOWED , WE KNEW IT WOULD HAPPEN AND PRAYED AND PRAYED IT WOULD NOT . THE PEDOPHILES THAT WERE BEING STOPED ARE NOW BACK IN CHARGE , DO TOU LOVE SEEING CHILDREDN MOLLESTED ? THE ELLECTION WAS STOLEN , DO YOU LOVE THEFT ? WE ARE NOT COMMANDED TO LOVE EVIL . OPEN YOUR EYES. THE WORD EMPATHY AND LOVE IS ONE OF THE DEVILS MOST POWERFUL TOOLS WHEN HE USES IT TO BLIND YOU TO ACCEPT EVIL IN THEIR NAMES. ALRREADY OVER 100, 000 JOBS AND LIVES HAVE BEEN SHATTERED , THATS ONLY A SMALL PART OF THW WORST WHICH IS YET TO COME .

            1. Will, your comments really resonated with me. I too am facing a long period of trial and several disappointments along the way. You weep over your pet, and I am weeping over an errant child. I too despair at the condition of this world and how only evil men seem to triumph. However, if you look at the bible, the Israelites were waiting for a redeemer, someone who would physically redeem them from the oppression of the Romans and they were waiting for a political change which is why they couldn’t accept a lowly carpenter who was poor and ended up executed between a couple of petty thieves as their saviour. You are looking for a political change through a seemingly influential figure but that is not what Jesus offers. We are living in the last days which seem endless yet our lives are not about what is happening in this physical world. Yes we can support those who champion godly causes but they are not our saviours. The most important thing is our faith and our salvation which comes through Jesus. To lose that by putting your faith in people to deliver righteousness is not what God promised. God brought destruction on an unfaithful Israel/Judah through Assyrians and Babylonians but he also brought the remnant back to rebuild the temple through the graciousness of yet another conqueror, Cyrus. God works through different people for different purposes. If he doesn’t do what everyone collectively prayed for then you need to accept that as his will. I bet there were a whole lot of righteous people in Israel and Judah who desperately prayed to be rescued from being invaded and exiled but their prayers were not answered right then. Yet good did come after 70 years and God did keep his promise and brought the remnant back. Those who were exiled prospered and multiplied. God was always faithful to his people.

              Suffering and patience and trust are all part of the Christian life. If you feel that God is not answering your prayers then you need to delve deeply into the bible. Look at the life of David, one who was beloved of God. Yet his life was full of disappointments, betrayals, hiding from those who wanted him dead, sin and punishment. However, he never lost faith. He repented when he sinned, but went through his trials believing that God will ultimately deliver him. I believe that God is testing my faith through unanswered prayers and trials. It is easy for me to love God and be devoted to him in the good times but when the bad times come I flail and doubt and want to ditch him. It’s like a marriage. You don’t dump your wife/husband when they are going through a long period of sickness or trial because it is negatively affecting you but you hang in there encouraging and praying and supporting. That is called love. If things don’t happen then they don’t happen but you have to love and trust God has a plan and he will come good. During this time of waiting, search God’s word, be humble before him and ask him to show you what you need to change. He has shown many flaws in my character and my faith and I am slowly working through this while I wait for his deliverance.

              Don’t give up. This time of trial and desert land is necessary for your faith. Remember the 40 years of desert before the promised land? Every great person in the bible spent many years in the wilderness learning to trust God before they were made into men of faith. It is the same for you. I will pray you will come through and remain faithful just as I believe that I will come through my years of trial and see those unanswered prayers answered in ways that I had not asked or imagined. Ephesians 3:20.

        6. Dear Will, it takes a strong Christian to have faith in God. During His crucifixion and death Jesus initially prayed for the cross to pass Him by but quickly
          said to the Father, not my will, but your will be done . Knowing that God’s will is for the greater good, and understanding the importance of that is why He (Jesus) changed His prayer. That says a lot about how we should pray. You hand everything over to God in faith, not with bias or what you want Him to do or what you think is right. You see, our ways are not His ways. He sees beyond our realm and knows what is right and does it for those who TRULY believe in Him. So if you believe you have prayed in faith, then He has given the right person for this term of office.
          BTW, true Christians should pray based on facts not hearsay.

        7. Sadly I think this is the fall of America. We could be under judgement now.

      2. You could never be more wrong. Sometimes we don’t pray for his will but our own. God knows what’s best for us. He does things in his own time not ours. We expect instant results. Just because it looks impossible doesn’t mean it is. We have to trust that if I doesn’t work out as we hope that God has a greater plan. His ways are not our ways. Trust in His ways.
        As for the election, trust that what looks impossible is not impossible. The truth and God’s word will always stand against all of the lies evil. It ain’t over. Continue to pray and have faith. No matter what it looks like, praise Him.

        1. You guys prayed for a corrupt, chauvinistic, unintelligent, racist affiliated, pervert to win an election and is actually SURPRISED your prayers weren’t answered? That’s laughable. Next time maybe don’t equate religion with politics smh

          1. I didn’t know SATANISTS like you were allowed on here ? Now you have a baby murdering communist who is causing the deaths of hundreds of children daily at the border as well . Take your raaaaaaaacit bullshit and shove it up your ass . The Only raaaaaaacism now is against white Christians , Trump did more for people of color than your Faux stolen office president and the other before him all put together. WOKE IS DEMONIC ,PRAY FOR FORGIVNESS AND LEAVE ME DEMON . NEXT TIME YOU TRY YOUR LIES REALIZE THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH BRAINS WHO KNOW BETTER AND , TRY LISTING ALL THE RAAAAAAACIST THINGS HE DID , LOL. YOU CANT PERIOD . EVIL LIKE YOU HAVE DESTROYED THIS COUNTRY AND GODS WORKS

      3. Does God believe that the evil side won? Does God consider abortion worse than other sins?

        1. And even if abortion is worse than other sins, do laws against abortion restrictions stop them from happening? Or do they drive them underground and make them unsafe?

        2. AmenNo God considers all sin sin no sin is greater than another but christians need to stand against all sins. We know what God wants its more important than what we want.Our life here is only to try and bring as many to Jesus as we can reguardless of our circumstances.We need to be more concerned with our eternal home and the consequences of our rebellion. Life here is not what we think it is ,in the bible James says consider your trials sheer joy that with it your faith will grow,cast your eyes on Jesus

      4. Do not let it discourage you, for true love for Jesus is strong love from God. And when you truly love someone, what do you do?….. you try you’re hardest even on the toughest of times to cope through and make it work one way or another. Don’t give up Nancy for I felt I was here to let you know, 2 years of riotous living and being babtized will keep you cleansed and rejuvenated 🙏🏽

      5. We must rememberGods will and decisions are what matters in life take our focus off ourselves and on to his purpose to bring all to salvation.Without this mindset we arent happy ,we our Gods ambassadors here to do his will not ours.James says consider.it all joy when we suffer trials and tribulation it will build our faith No Im not perfected in this but know what my goal is,to work on this daily

  7. I appreciate providing a comment section. Not many Christian sites have one for articles like these.
    My issue is this: if God has a will (i.e. a plan), why would our prayer have any sort of influence over such a plan? Aren’t you implying that your prayers can cause God to do something? That seems pretty arrogant (no offense intended). Basically, if I have a to-do list, and I will only ever do what is on that list, how does someone else asking me to do something change what I’m going to do?

  8. What I do not understand is why we cant even get tiny prayers answered. My faith is suffering because of this. A small pet is sick and I pray he can be saved and fully give thanks and believe he will be and he dies in my arms. There was no good from this but to shatter my faith. Time after time I pray for better outcomes of relatively minor events, not a cancer cure or a big job, fancy car etc. Each time they get shattered or worse even happens . As an example, my beloved dog died suddenly screaming in my arms and I asked God to save her , nota . I asked God to please send me another like her and her breeder told me there would be a litter a short time and I thanked God and waited. The litter came and there was only ONE puppy born exactly like I wanted, I gave thanks to Jesus and God, the next day I was told the puppy died . Then I found a breeder who had a puppy exactly like I wanted and since I am on a fixed income I paid payments to get him, again I praised God, I sold things I had and made everything ready and a few days before he was to come we found out he had a genetic serious flaw and we could not take him . In my face denial over and over no matter how I believe and how I thank him for what appears to be an answer to a small thing. I keep believing and praying and the same thing over and over BUT in certain areas things are fine and no prayers are needed but for thanks in those areas. Its as if God either just does what he wants, period. Does not hear or care about our lifes little problems or does not exist. If we are his children why create such suffering and doubt even among the faithful ? I named one set of circumstances but could write PARAGRAPHS of similar small but completely ignored prayers that had bad effects on me and my wife. I know I know you always hear God has a plan be happy for what you have etc etc but the point is I’m not at all sure prayer has any effect on the outcome, god won’t allow me to believe it so far and if he IS active in these things seems to want to test me to the breaking point , of which I am there and still no answers from him.

    1. Hi Will,
      I’m sorry to hear of what happened. This makes me sad, especially as someone who believes in the power of prayer. I’m sorry that you feel like God is ignoring you. From what we read in scripture, I can assure you God has heard you and cares, and I wish I knew why (same as you) God didn’t answer your prayers as you asked them.
      I can see from your post that you’ve prayed in faith, and you’ve thanked God as you should. Sounds like you’ve done everything right. Let me offer my prayer as well.
      God, thank you for Will and his faith. Thanks that he loves dogs and sounds like he provides a good home for these beautiful creatures. Thank you God for giving us dogs we can enjoy as pets and love. I pray that you’d help Will find a dog he can love and enjoy for a long time. Please help Will experience you, and see that you love him, hear him, and care about his prayers. In Jesus name, Amen.

    2. Hi Will, I wanted you to know that as true, born again followers of Christ, we have all had these same thoughts and questions that you have. I don’t know where you are in your walk with Christ, but we must first understand that we will never know the answers to many questions here. If we did, we wouldn’t need God, or we would be God. The main thing to remember is that just as Christ suffered, we TOO, will suffer. Suffering is the manifestation of original sin. Our suffering can sometimes be caused by our own sins and disobedience, but that is absolutely not always the case. I think it’s very easy to put our focus on ourselves, rather than Christ. This life was never about us. We are breathing because God put breath in us. We are here because of His great love for us. God never “needed” us. He is the Great “I Am.” He is the author and owner of all but He chose to create us. He He loved and wanted a relationship with us. How amazing is that?? He wanted a relationship with you so much that He was willing to die in your place….and mine, too. Why? To save us from the penalty of our sin, so that we could be reconciled and clean. His sacrifice made it possible for us to one day live in His presence. Pets are wonderful, and losing them is awful and heart-wrenching, and lingering, but when you give this all some thought and pray for the Lord to give you the answers, I believe He will. When I’m in the midst of hurt and what I see as the Lord not hearing me, I shut my eyes, and place myself at the foot of the cross. I refuse to let myself look away. I look up at Jesus, and His suffering. Horrific suffering. I see Him as He is, My Abba (Daddy) Father who loves me like no other. I see Him pierced and bleeding, nailed to that cross. I see a crown of excruciatingly painful thorns causing blood to drip into His eyes. I see what He did for ME. I ask myself how I could be so selfish, believing that I should never suffer. We think we know suffering and persecution, but do we really? It’s at the foot of the cross that I understand that if my Jesus suffered, why should I be immune? Jesus demands that we love Him supremely, with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. I believe when we understand the depth of His great love and sacrifice, our “suffering” here will pale. On a personal note…..I have been very sick for a good while after throwing clots into my lungs 3 years ago. I have recently gotten out of the hospital following emergency surgery. My life has been a struggle for a while now, but I choose to trust God 100% in His providence and will for my life. Do I sometimes have questions? Yes, but never do I question that He is here walking with me through my hurts and discouragement. He’s my Rock, and my Salvation. He loves me like no other even in my struggles and my questions. He knows my heart and every thought, and I know without a doubt that there is a lesson in each of my “sufferings.” I hope that you have a new puppy by now and I am praying for you to give some thought to our “sufferings,” in light of Christ’s suffering. It will change your life, God bless and keep you, Will.

      1. I think we should learn from Jesus’ prayer when He was about to be taken and crucified. He prayed to the father that if He was WILLing that the cup be taken away from Him in Luke 22:42. It’s not everything that we want that are good for us no matter how good or how much we desire it. Each time I pray, I am quick to say if its Gods will, let it be granted. With this, I dont get discouraged when it’s not done. One thing I am sure of and i do not doubt about is that God is good, He cares, He loves me, He wants something good for me and will always do what is good for me. I dont validate this facts by checking how often He answers my prayers. That doesn’t mean we should not have a will, or not pray to God to bring our will to past, but we should subject our wills to His will. I hope this helps

        1. The problem that confronts me at times is , when I see things like a missing child, literally thousands of people are holding prayer vigils at times, some times all over the world, begging for their safe return and in almost all these cases , if it’s over 24 hours the child is deadIve seen this over and over and over with devout people being crushed when it turns out no matter all the prayers the little child was tortured raped and murdered .If Gods will is not influenced bu thousands of people all coming together and praying for the same thing , what good is my own needy prayer ? Im not really convinced God cares that much for what happens to us on earth but is just watching to see what we do no matter what happens, for the afterlife test. YES I have had some prayers answered of course, and some times I think given signs he was hearing me . In your example, it appears he did not appear to help even his own son in his earthly suffering in favor of the value to the afterlife

      2. Brenda,

        You are truly an inspired teacher. Thank you for being a daughter of God who can remind fellow believers this life is about HIM, not me. I buried a son 12 yrs ago and I have an adult son living at home with Asperger…..and I have wondered why, from time to time. I pray for a glimpse of His working in my life so that I never doubt He is near. Suffering is tough but comparing my trials to Jesus’ carrying my sin on His shoulders, on purpose, in love, well, that clears things up a lot.

    3. I’ve been having this same discussion with several people. To say “if it be Your will” is a display of unbelief or a lack of faith, I believe would be to slander the very Lord of the Lord’s prayer! First we must remember these 2 things- Who He is, Creator, King, The Almighty, the one True God, the great I AM, and who we are- we are creatures, His works, His creation.
      Remember, it was Jesus, in His moment of most passion, that prayed the will of God, Luke 22:39 -40, He said, “Father, if it be Your will, take this cup away from me”, in other words, Jesus knew what had to be done, to save you and I, but was asking God, if there were ANY other way, to save us, to let Him pay for our sins another way, all things being equal. He was saying, If this is what You want, I’ll do it, not my will but Your will be done. Luke says after Jesus prayed an Angel came & strengthened Him, and also that His agony increased, let me explain, the angel strengthened him so He could go through all He was to go through, but when His agony increased, He had a new fear, the fear that He wouldn’t be able to drink this cup, in other words, He was now in agony that He NOT come short of complete & perfect obedience to the will of the Father. BUT He did do it – He DID drink the cup, to the very last drop. And He drank it for you, for me, for the whole world. And in that moment, He didn’t give words to show us how to pray – but gave us HIS life as an example of praying, that the will of God be done, in earth, as it is in heaven. We go through some tough times, but we go through them WITH Him, and we go through it to strengthen us, to build our character, and sometimes to humble us. And I think, believe that to pray His will, not ours, proves and demonstrates our true, trust and faith in Him, that He will restore us, build us, and get us through these things. God bless.

    4. There is so much I want to cry out to you and explain to you. But the hard truth is that you will not always be happy by following Jesus. You will suffer, you will go through fiery trials, you will be persecuted.

      The simple answer and the hardest answer is READ YOUR BIBLE. For my limited answers are referring to scripture taken straight out.

      James 1:6-7 – 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

      Are you asking for a heavenly desire? Or an earthly desire?

      Matthew 6:20-21 – 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

      Do you desire a relationship with God? Or do you desire a relationship with a pet? And the next thing going through your mind is that life is tough and it’s nice to have a companion/friend to always be there for you.

      Deuteronomy 31:8 – 8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

      BUT WHY DOES LIFE HURT SOO MUCH?! IF YOU ARE WITH ME WHY DO I SUFFER?!!

      John 15: 18-20 – 18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.

      If you have made it this far… do not lose hope, do not lose faith.

      2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – 16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

  9. It’s amazing how we all go through similar situations, asking the same questions and wanting to know God more. As I was also pondering about God’s sovereignty and His will I came across these scriptures Matthew 26:38,39,42 and 44, 27:46 but it’s best to read all of it. As we follow Christ and we should strive to be like Him, I was amazed as to how these scriptures are teaching us to respond to God’s will even if we do not agree to it nor understand it. Evidently we are not the only once to feel overwhelmed by our circumstances even Christ himself was once overwhelmed, Mat26:38 say Jesus said to His disciples “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death”. Mat26:39 He is praying to God asking Him if possible to let the cup pass Him by, he asked for that more than once as a perfect example that, like us He hoped for a different outcome than to what He was about to go through. But the most important lesson we should learn is that His obedience to God was not conditional as weather God answers Him to the way He has requested or not because He then says ” But not my will but Your will be done”. God knew that we would be going through rough times to a point of questioning things about Him hence He has given us His scriptures. From this we can learn that if Jesus our Lord and Saviour felt the same pain that we feeling right now how more about us, most importantly He is teaching us how to respond to this pain like He did. He didn’t receive what He was hoping for but He didn’t give up His faith in God…There are going to be many instances where we do not receive what we believing God for but we should learn to say not my will but Your will Father. Christ is God but even Himself prayed, even after praying He had to endure what He was willed to do on this earth and He humbly submitted Himself to God’s will. So my brothers and sisters let us look upon the one who brought us salvation through submission and obedience. Let us not take from Him only the salvation but also the suffering learning from Him how to handle the challenges that we face. His submission and obedience led to our salvation, the Bible says (Rom 8:28) all things work together for the good of those who love God. These “things” may seem bad at first like the death on the cross but through that cross and resurrection we found salvation and Jesus our Lord and saviour is now sitting at the right hand of the Father. So let us not loose faith but endure and trust God even if the outcome is not what we had hoped for, eventually He will make “all things” not some but “all things” to work together for our good if we continue loving and trusting Him. I pray that God will grant us peace in trials and tribulations and that we rest in Him and wait for His appointed time, in Jesus name…God bless.

  10. Thanks so much I needed to restore my faith still God’s work in progress a better understanding however having problems maintaining my faith when things continue to go wrong, but promise myself never to give up on prayer,but work on FAITH. Blessings

  11. God has a sovereign will that will prevail. But He does not have a planned will for various situations, which means God’s will does not always happen in the way we think. Much of our notions abut God’s will is incorrect because we think that He consciously plan or try and want something to happen His way, but it isn’t so. He allows free will for people to act or behave. This free will is different from His sovereign will.
    Read about it in this book “Understanding prayer, faith and God’s Will”(2016 edition).
    Also this website: www,prayerfaithGodsWill.com

  12. I feel your pain… I too am a victim of unfavorable circumstances of separation and possible divorce. .. I have prayed and stand for my marriage and it seemed as if the more I prayed the more my cruel husband was being blessed. I can only assure you that it may appear that your husband and his wife are being blessed because that’s what our natural world shows but if you could see the spiritual realm you would see the curse that is upon them… God cannot over ride our husband’s free will to appease us but trust me when I tell you that if you make the most high your dwelling … not abide in self pity but pick up yourself and move on then you will live to see the wicked punished… I am writing a book as we speak… I have asked God to comfort me as he works on my justice and vindication… I pray he does the same for you… I know it hurts so badly to believe in the promises of God and to not see them come to pass… but just know that God answers prayers in 4 ways… He either says yes no not yet or TRUST ME! Choose the one you think he has given and tell him to give you a new start based on that answer. .. God owes us nothing but still he gave his life for us… let’s not be ungrateful let us praise him for even the fact that we still are in our right minds after all we have been through. .. praise you Jesus. .. Please Forgive your exhusband and put him in care of God’s justice… may God direct you always
    With love nickie

  13. I like this article but where I’m at right now is this,…
    If all we have to do is have faith to believe what we’re praying for is going to come to pass, then where does God’s will come into play with that? Example: I can pray and have great faith (even though all I need is a little bit, the size of a mustard seed) that God is going to do this miraculous thing in my life. BUT, what if it’s not God’s will? I heard a message about John the Baptist that really messed me up. He was a great man of God. He was thrown in jail for doing the work of God. All the while, he’s hearing how God is performing all these miracles for others. Surely he believed that Jesus could/would perform a miracle to get him out of jail, he’s Jesus cousin for crying out loud! But that was not God’s will. Instead, he gets his head chopped off and served on a silver platter to his enemy! Wow! So help me to understand then, what does my faith have anything to do with Gods will…”Thine will be done…” I mean we hear/see it all the time where people are sick, people are poor, people are drug addicts, and so much more terrible things, where somewhere someone was praying and believing God for a change, but that change never comes. I’m at a point in my life where I’m not questioning God because I know he’s real. I just need to know God’s will for my life and whatever it is, I will accept it instead of this emotional roller coaster that the church sends you on where it’s…
    “Run, leap, shout, sow ex amount of $, give God crazy praise right now and watch your blessings/prayers to be manifested in your life!” But then once all that gets you happy and you believe it, months, weeks, for some, years later your still in the same situation. I just want God’s discernment to know HIS desires for my life so I can just go on or let go whatever I may need to let go of.

    1. I am in the same boat as you…believe me. I had a situation in my life…a job that I really prayed about. All my friends prayed for me as well. I truly believed, had faith that God would let me get this job. It was a job that would positively impact a lot of people (Social Work). But it never came to pass. So… I too have the same dilemma. Should we even be praying for a specific thing to happen or should we limit our prayers to God’s will and guidance?

      I get really disturbed when I hear certain churches guilting people into thinking that if their faith was stronger then X,Y, or Z would happen or not happen. I know without a doubt that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I believe he died on the cross for me and rose again on the third day. Do I believe that whatever I ask for will happen because of my faith in Him? No, I don’t. I think that if we truly ask for His guidance, then what will happen will be His will regardless of our desires.

      I could be wrong, I hope I am. I invite another Christian to respond and give me their point of view if I am missing something about faith. I have been searching for the answer for a long time and hope that someone else can shed some light on this subject.

      Thanks!

      1. Why does no one from this sight respond?? I’ve never visited a site where people have legitimate questions, and NO one tries to give them clarity.

        1. So the issue isnt God. Its man. God can only respond if two people come into agreement. For example, if one person is praying for a spouse and God has a great person to accomadate the one that is requesting for a spouse, the person should (in theory) respond to God’s calling. But if the person refuses to accept the calling of recieving the spousal prayer, then who is the one to blame? The person who refused may like someone else, have different plans, etc. I notice most of these comments deal with having a person in their life. But it takes two to tango. And if one person refuses, then the whole prayer request thingy shuts down. That is a big issue that will keep on growing. People think theres many fishes in the pond and they are free to choose whom they will. That was like in Noah’s day, where men and women chose who they wanted to be with. The problem with that is if all the fishes in the pond know that they can do whatever they like, then the problem of recieving an answered prayer will compound over time. Which…results in furthering quickly God’s Great Tribulation.

          Hope I helped.

  14. Jesus taught that if you pray in my name God will grant your requests. But Jesus also said that you need to believe that the prayer will be answered. Some even teach that your prayers need to be in line with God’s will in your life. Yet, we do not have the biography as to what God’s will is in our life other than to be faithful and God fearing.

    Is it as simple as trying to remain faithful and to avoid sinful living? We are all sinners, even those that are saved. One can pray for healing from a particular disease or disorder and pray continually without ceasing, yet not see any positive results. And they become frustrated and stop praying for that healing in their life.

    Jesus gave the parable of the Judge who got tired of the lady constantly complaining and finally gave her justice. Yet, if it is God’s will for you to have a certain disease, then it seems that you complain all you want and your will so to say will not override God’s.

    A very tough question to answer.

  15. My husband left me for another woman And got her pregnant… I asked God what he would do to my marriage and through many signs and bible versus God told me he would restore my marriage. But then the divorce went through, their child was born, and they married. The daughter he and I share was molested by my ex husbands step son and my ex did not even believe it. He chose to side with his new wife and step son. He ended up in court over this among other things- I ve been trying to keep my daughter emotionally and physically safe and the end result was God allowed my daughter to continue being around the step son and the judge also ordered me to be in therapy because my ex was Able to make me look like I am the problem. I have prayed for three years that God would restore and to defend me. However God seems to continue to bless by ex new marriage and life and mine continues to be broken. I’m holding on by a string with my faith because although God says he hates divorce and adultery… He seems to be blessing and rewarding them for it. I feel pushed aside by my ex husband and God.

    1. Your story takes my breath away. I actually came to read this article to help restore my faith, and I found renewed faith in yours. It is remarkable what you have gone through and yet you are still holding on. There may not be many things I can say to you that you haven’t heard before. All I can say is to continue to pray and have faith. We want things to happen our our timeline and schedule, and sometimes aren’t pleased when they don’t. Think about how long the Hebrews wondered in the desert with Moses, or how about 400 years went from Malachi to Jesus being born. You may look at the lives of others and for the time being everything looks wonderful, but it may only be temporary and you don’t know what the future has in store. I pray that one day you can look back on this dark period in your life in the future and see how the unfortunate events led you to the blessing you now live.

      God bless you and stay strong.

    2. what I can tell you my sister is that, when you have given your life to Christ, you have given up your own will and you now have become a tool for the Lord, so a tool never choose when and how to be used by its master, so with your story you have touched many of us to continue believing in Christ Jesus, God have trusted you so much to use you but I can promise you this; God’s will is always good for us, you may not know that now but keep this in mind you and your daughter will have the last laugh. stay bless

      1. Other people prayed we all live in this world it is not about what a few want but what is good for the country.the election is not the only thing wrong with this country .the leadership is worse than it has ever been in my life time .God knows and sees everything his will ,will be done regardless to your prayers so keep praying and living a life that God is pleased with.

  16. This is an interesting day for me, because I was googling ‘praying and receiving immediate peace in my heart meaning’ and your website showed up. It has further reiterated my faith and also what I believe. I have been praying for a decision to go in my favor in the court system for sometime now and have been thinking a lot about my life, praying, trying to become a more positive person, giving life to another human, and doing works in the community and helping others I have been praying all through this process and now have been receiving the peace I need. I know my prayer is answered. I would not even need to go and stand in front of that judge because I already know that the answer will be in my favor because I have faith and am living my life in the way I should have a long time ago. I speak to and of Jesus daily, which is difficult in these times of non believers, especially family and friends. I know Jesus has given me my answer. I have no more fear and doubts and have found my true faith. Thank you for your posts as it further strengthens my faith. Every day I will work on strengthening it more and more because work of the heart is never done.

  17. Hello to every one, the contents existing at this web site are actually remarkable for people experience, well, keep up the good
    work fellows.

  18. mall group pastor and worship leader when my ex-wife, which was all of those things as well asked me for divorce. The reasons to the divorce were mainly financial and me not taking my place as the one home provider. When that happened, I came closer to God. My faith grew thinking God was in control and we would get over this. As the months passed and divorce became a reality I just stopped believing. How is it that God did not intervened?? I asked myself. The most sacred covenant of marriage?? Family being the most important institution created by God?? Ask and I shall provide!! Says the bible. What happened?? To this day I don’t understand. I don’t want to believe in God. Call me a rebel. Cause how is it possible he allowed this to happen!! To his son and daughter!! I lost all my faith. I don’t go to church and the thought of going to church pisses me off. I lost friends. I lost everything. Explain to me… Why?? If divorce is never gods will then why?? 2 years have passed and I’m still in pain. In my depression I had sex with my first attempt at dating and she got pregnant. Now I live with her and there’s not one day I don’t think of my divorce, my ex wife and church…

    1. We have to remember that we are to ask. As a child I ask my parents for things that I need. My father already know my needs before I ask him. My shoes will soon need replacing along with my cloths and so on. My dad sets aside money (budgets) for that time to come. I may ask him for a pair of shoes before (he feels) I need them. His answer will most likely be “no” or wait. I may not like that answer but it is what it is. Gods answer will always be “yes” “no” or “wait”. Gods timing is always perfect. God chastens who He loves and through our trials/ christenings we are tested. We are to be strong and be molded into Gods image daily. We accept Gods will when times are good and smooth, but when times get tough and don’t go OUR way we can: A) turn our backs and run, or B) face the trials and be victorious using God to rely on. In our trials we are instructed to wait. That doesn’t mean sit and do nothing. IT means to be patient and draw closer to Him in our relationship with Him. To listen more intently to His instructions. IT means God wants us to tighten up our relation ship based on Him and not the OUTCOME. It looks like the outcome determined your relationship with God. God is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He has provided your needs all your life. We sometimes treat God as a friend only if He reacts to our prayers the way we want him to. through the trials there comes a lot of hurt and anxiety. In Psalms it tell us to commit those to the lord, Trust in Him and then delight in what ever the outcomes is and then you will have rest. Fear and lack of faith (doubt) will drive a wedge between you and God. The Psalmist tells us that if we do fear, than we need to go back and see it we really committed our problem to the Lord. If we truly did, then we can trust that God is in total control of our destiny. We cant trust, in God if we really didn’t commit our selves. The next step is delight in what ever Gods answer is. If we cant delight when we need to go back to trust and see if we are really trusting. The last step is rest in the Lord. If we we cant rest in the Lord, than we need to go back and see if we are truly delighting. This is a cycle that helps us examine our faith. Remember that each one of us has a free will to choose what we want, and God will not make us choose Him, just like your wife’s free will to either stay with you or not. God will not break her free will. In the end, you will choose to follow or not follow. As for me and my house I will serve the Lord.

    2. Author

      Alan – I am sorry I did not answer this before now. At the end of last year, I found out that I had aggressive cancer and I started treatment. It was a crazy time and I missed many comments. I am doing well now. My blood tests and CT scan show no more cancer. God is good. I praise God and I thank doctors.

      God does care and He does work, but He works by faith and by seeking Him and listening to Him. Otherwise, the devil can have a field day with our lives. You were, and you still are, a Pastor. You had a large target on your back that says, “Attack me; I am a messenger of God.” Most of the Church teaches that the things of God just happen because He is God and He always gets what He wants. Read the Bible stories; it never happens that way. The people who were victorious – heard from God, obeyed in faith, and fought or resisted the devil and destruction until they received the victory. Faith, the Bible says, is the victory. Not sitting and expecting Him to do everything. Or – sorry for this – not doing anything yourself and then blaming God for all the destruction.

      Repent, get back on the horse and get back to God. Seek Him and listen for Him to lead you out of your dark place. The ole’ cowboy saying is true – “When you find yourself at the bottom of a deep dark hole; step one is to stop digging.” He desires to restore you and take the pain and hurt out of your heart. He did not cause it. And, He is not amiss in not stopping it. I cannot speak to the existence of evil but I can say that the Bible is clear that – we must resist evil in every way possible – “Jesus went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil, for God was with Him.” Part of faith is going through something we do not understand, and still responding with the knowledge that God is good and faithful and He has the answer. He does.

      You want to know why it happened? All I can say is this, “evil attacked you and your family.” The Devil comes to simply steal, kill, and destroy. It could have been random or you could have caused something. God knows, we all have open doors at times. When it happens, we cannot be passive; we must take the Spirit of God, the Word of God, and our faith in God, and fight with everything within us. God loves you. I love you. Please go back to God and let Him put you back together again. I will pray for you. Rex

    3. I get ur anger. And I have been bitter since my husband left me for another woman 10 years ago. Not sure I believe in prayer anymore. I’m a fool

  19. I belive “God’s will is always conditional”. Because He knows our will and all our intensions, as before the foundation of the world.
    Also the Lord’s Prayer is, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kindom come.Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven……..

    Thy will be done in earth. is refering to God’s will.
    not our will.

    Thanks for your website.

    Ronnie

    1. Whenever two agree on earth is a very powerfull distinction.,which is not the same as another person simply agreeing to pray for your prayer need.

      With the world in lockdown, as a member of staff, we each called hundreds of members , to connect them to online services, offer helps, or if they are led to help, and prayer agreement.

      Not one person was overly troubled by the virus, which was encouraging to hear faith working, yet many refused prayer, untill I presented the request of Math 18; 18-19 paraphrase keys to lock up the bad, unlock the good, if we agree about anything ( context Gods will must be good)
      Strait after this generous promise the Holy Spirit talks on forgiveness, with a curse of torture in verse 34-35 from the Father, if we do not.
      Who knows what advantage the enemy takes of our unforgiveness.

      Many more People responded to the promise.
      My question is, when we are praying for deep distresses, is it more just a private thing, with some praying for us apart from us, not hearing what’s going on in our hearts, not hearing the possibility of bitterness from past hurts being present, and parents etc not forgiven?
      This is not a blame game but a conversation.
      Suffering does indeed perfect us, firstly Christ’s, secondly ours and more so bitterness.
      We see our pet suffer or child suffer, yet if we could but see how much we suffer, by not searching our own heart in God.
      Purposing in our heart that God loves us no matter what happens and that we will praise him no matter what happens is a key for a Christian.
      The people who have shared distress in this forum, are courageous, in sharing there vulnerabilities, and are obviously faith people reaching out.
      it’s my prayer they will soon boast in there weaknesses, because Gods Grace is more than sufficient for each of them, and that they will
      each open up there life, with a mature brother or sister, getting agreement for a period of one month, and search there hearts and Gods, to receive grace upon grace, that there suffering will indeed perfect them, and not harm them at all
      They will know and understand that when they are weak they are in fact strong, because they have given up on self, for Jesus.

      Re divorce, who knows the greater pain caused by a spouse brought back to the marriage, who’s will and heart have not been transformed, but are worse than before??

      God speaks through prayer, the bible circumstances, the Church, dreams , authority etc, what’s God saying to us through pain ?
      In line with something redemptive.
      My people perish for lack of understanding, lack of fasting, lack of true agreement,,etc etc
      Does All things work for the good, really mean all things ? and how ?

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.