Our daily dealings with God are a tough proposition in today's modern world.
We never really know what He wants of us because He does not speak plainly as in the Old Testament; and consequently we do not always know what to do.
He is no longer interested in burnt offerings like in the Old Testament. Perhaps He's become environmentally friendly and does not want us polluting the atmosphere.
We cannot offer more prayers, the extra Rosary, lighting candles or other promises. He does not negotiate or make bargains.
We cannot promise anything in return for His favours.
We cannot say we'll be extra nice to someone obnoxious whom we do not like. He'd expect us to be nice regardless of the potential rewards.
How can we connect with God in prayer?
We pray, we ask, we beg even; but often nothing happens. Silence. No answer. No response.
Maybe He is saying "Yes", maybe He is saying "No", or "Not yet".
We sometimes don't know where we are with God. Whether He will answer our prayers or He has more pressing matters from someone else's pleas.
It would do us good to remember that God does not owe us an answer. He is not obligated to respond to our prayers or questions.
He hears and listens to them, and He will deal with them in His time and in His way.
Maybe we should just trust Him that He knows what He is doing and that He has our best interest at heart.
And maybe we should thank Him every now and then for what He has done for us and will continue to do.
Hi Victor, yes, we must thank God for everything He does in our lives, and for sending His precious Son Jesus to enable us to have everlasting life. God bless you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAmen Brenda. God bless.
Delete...Victor, I wish you a sunny Sunday like we are enjoying.
ReplyDeleteThanx Tom. God bless.
DeleteSuch insight my friend, THANKS! I did smile because at times I wish I was required to offer a burnt offering!!! WE HUMANS canot help to fit your statement MANY TIMES when you said:
ReplyDeleteWe pray, we ask, we beg even; but often nothing happens. Silence. No answer. No response. ........... I must be careful to REMEMBER and be tTHANKFUL.....
Hi Jack,
DeleteBeing a Christian is difficult indeed, because we have to rely on faith, on beliefs and trust, with sometimes very little evidence. We pray, ask and beg; yet God does not answer. We get frustrated and kick like mad and stamp our foot on the ground like a spoilt child. Yet we forget that He is not obligated to answer us. He listens, but does not have to answer - not yet; only in His time.
God bless always, my friend.
We should simply thank God for all our blessings each and every day, and praise Him always. Have a great Sunday, Victor!
ReplyDeleteAmen Martha. God bless.
Delete"God does not owe us an answer." Wow.
ReplyDeleteLike Martha said, we should never, ever fail to give Him thanks. Like one of my favorite songs, "I will praise You in this storm."
We often get frustrated, angry even, when God does not answer our prayers pronto, right now, and to our satisfaction. We forget who we are and Who He is!
DeleteGod bless you always, Mevely.
Hello Victor. I feel sure you hit the nail on the head when you said, "Maybe we should just trust Him that He knows what He is doing and that He has our best interest at heart."
ReplyDeleteBut it was good to read all you have said here, confirming to the readers that we are not alone in wondering such things.
The Bible teaches us that God loves us. Jesus said so many times. This being the case, we should be assured that God has our best interest at heart. We just tend to forget it when we panic as things go wrong in our lives.
DeleteGod bless, Barbara.
One way we to know what God wants of us it to read the Bible. It tells what is expected of us. We can't live up to it but we can sure try. And like you said, just trust Him.
ReplyDeleteSo well said, K. Thank you so much.
DeleteGod bless you.
God's communication may be subtle, but I believe when I'm wrestling with something and a solution pops into my head that's God giving me the answer.
ReplyDeleteYes, that is true. God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit these days. God bless, Kathy.
DeleteOur minister read where Lazarus was raised from the dead - He asked Martha - did she really believe in Him - after all she had seen from still. Still, she said don't roll the stone - 'it stinketh'.
ReplyDeleteMartha was confused. She believed that Jesus could heal her brother had He come earlier; and now, she believed that Jesus could still do something, but was not so sure.
DeleteGod bless, Sandie.
This is the heart of faith, to look out on a world where it feels as if we have been abandoned and wonder why and yet still believe, still pray, still love.
ReplyDeleteTo have faith is to be sure of what we hope for, to be certain of what we cannot see.
DeleteGod bless, Mimi.
Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus than to Trust and Obey. Tis so sweet To Trust in Jesus.
ReplyDeleteAmen Shug. Well said, my friend. God bless you.
DeleteGreetings Victor: Wonderful post, I am so upset when I hear someone say God did not answer my Prayers, it surely is not for us to decide when he does answer. Some people have no idea what can be done with Prayer. I thank God three times a day for another day of life, I am so lucky to be alive and very healthy, someday when not expected I will be not so healthy or maybe not, I feel lucky that at 74 God has blessed me with good health, that is something I thank-him for daily.
ReplyDeleteCatherine
What a refreshing attitude, Catherine. Thank you for your wisdom. May you enjoy good health for many more years to come. God bless you always.
DeleteTrust and thank you helps a lot.
ReplyDeleteAmen Bill. God bless.
DeleteI echo Bill's comment, Victor. God bless you, thank you so much for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteMany thanx, Linda. God bless always.
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