Does God really answer all PRAYERS

[DCP]

I have been praying for God to heal my family. I have been doing this for 7 years, it actually gotten worse.
I prayed for God to heal My wife's and my cancer, and He did.

7 years not to see your grandchildren is a mighty long time for some really stupid stuff!

[standles]

Yes DCP God hears and answers all prayers from my perspective. However, the answer is not always what we want. We can through unconfessed/unrepented sin in our lives interrupt that connection and he needs us to get straight as well. I have been there myself.
Sometimes it is even beyond our ability to comprehend as his thoughts are far above our capability. Now that doesn't make what you are experienceing any less painful. We just have to know that God's plan and timing is always perfect. We pray for what we need but at the same time understand it is God's will that will be done not neccessarily what we want. As we grow and mature in our faith our prayer life aligns with God's will ore and more. This is what praying in the spirit and Jesus's name means. He hears you and he is working. I know nothing about what the issue is but in my own world I have been in your spot. I had an errant daughter that walked away from everything I taught her. She shunned me, my family, and anyone that didn't agree with her. After 4 years I can see God's hand in this. Stay strong. Keep praying. God hears you and I pray his will be done in your situation.

[mozeppa]

my dads mother was a pentecost hard core church going bible thumper...

she would not have anything to do with me from birth.

i thought i did something wrong....wasnt me all along.

like you said it was stupid stuff that dad and her did.

[jmort]

No he does not answer all prayer
Paul asked reatedly to have a deamon, some say sickness, to leave him alone
God refused him
I believe Paul's account

[dverna]

God may not grant what you pray for. He will grant you what you need. Even if that "need" is pain and suffering.

It is one of the issues I have with prayer. He knows what is happening, and He knows His plan. Who are we to beseech Him to alter the course of events? Therefore, I do not pray for results but for wisdom and His guidance to handle the challenges He has placed before me. I may be completely wrong in my point of view.

Edited to add: I pray for the gift of His love and forgiveness..... and the blessings He has given me in spite of my imperfections and sins.

[Ickisrulz]

No he does not answer all prayer
Paul asked reatedly to have a deamon, some say sickness, to leave him alone
God refused him
I believe Paul's account

Jesus prayed that he would not have to suffer his coming ordeal. He had the wisdom to place the final answer in God's hands.

How God answers prayers and how he intervenes in human events is often a mystery. We just don't see enough of the big picture. We have to give him the benefit of the doubt, which is an aspect of trust and faith.

[aspangler]

I believe God answers prayers in one of three ways.
1. YES
2. NOT YET
3. NO, BUT I HAVE SOMETHING BETTER FOR YOU

[Wayne Smith]

God does not change. He has our good deeds planned out and established from the begining of time. It is not for me to ask Him to change, prayer changes me, not God.

[Blackwater]

DCP, I believe He does. He can speak to those who are bringing sorrow into your life, but they always have their own free wills and can say "No" to God on that or any other issue. I believe He answers all prayers, but He can't or won't always reach down and make us do things like little robots, just because we want that to happen. So sometimes, He does His part, but the ones involved won't do theirs.

What He DOES always do, is hold your hand, and enable you to get through whatever presents itself to you to be borne. And you can continue to pray for what you want, but it might be a good thing to pray that those grandkids find Him for themselves, even if the parents don't.

Having children is either the greatest gift and blessing, or the most horrible source of suffering and heartache that we can confront in this life, I believe. To see one's own children go astray, or disassociate themselves with us, is as deeply cutting a thing as I could ever think of happening to any of us. But God can see you through it, and just because He hasn't drawn the desired results YET, doesn't mean He can't or won't EVER do it. I know we all have trouble having patience in matters such as this, and I'd likely be one of the least able to endure it myself, but I know for sure that things happen on God's time, and not on ours. So just keep the faith. Don't let it falter just because you haven't gotten the results you asked for yet. This may be a test of the depth and intensity of your faith, as well as a test of God's ability to bring things to pass.

Keep the faith. When things look bleakest, that's the very time when our Faith is MOST needed! And valuable to us as well. God be with you my friend. Amen.

[Char-Gar]

I believe God answers prayers in one of three ways.
1. YES
2. NOT YET
3. NO, BUT I HAVE SOMETHING BETTER FOR YOU

That was going to be pretty much the substance of my reply. Folks seem to confuse God with the Genie of the Lamp who after the proper words will grant your every wish.

[NoAngel]

God answers all prayer. Often enough the answer is a flat out NO.

Like any 'GOOD' parent, wisdom is knowing when to say no. You do your children no favors by coddling them and giving them everything they ask for. Case in point: The average American child/teenager.

The church I was raised in believed that any prayer request not granted was directly YOUR fault because of sin and inadequacies. That's pure nonsense. Just like when you were a kid and asked your father for some trifle and he told you, "You don't need that." A good father never says that out of hate or spite, but wisdom. Omnisciency corners the market on knowing what's good for you.

Some people have a hard time accepting that God says no, but he does. Quite often actually. In my opinion, people just don't understand the idea behind "ask and ye shall receive". My opinion: That statement is directed at a righteous man. A righteous man would not ask God for trivial nonsense. He would not ask for a fish. He would ask for the ability/intelligence/wisdom to go catch one himself.
You will find more of your prayers answered when you stop asking for 'things' and start asking for ability. He's pretty generous with giving motivated souls the ability to provide for themselves instead of giving handouts to lazy inept people who whine for & about everything.

[DCP]

When my wife went through Chemo She was hospitalized 3 times. These Children had no love. Turned out we had to forgive them for their lack of love even when facing death. They go to church and have given there lives to Christ

When I see the hurt in her eyes I must ask for forgiveness for the thought that race through my mind.

We did not rape them, there Grandfather did. When I found out I made sure the world would know so no other children could be harmed.

What happen was crazy. Because our son had an affair and used us for an excuse his wife hated us. We had no Idea. She would not be at any family get togethers with us. So then it get worse, after that Mom and daughter had words and down hill it goes. The DIL just unblocked us from facebook. Its just crazy

So I am not asking for a hand outs or are we lazy inept people who whine for and about everything. Also We do not think of our LORD as the Genie of the Lamp who after the proper words will grant your every wish.

The “ Blacksheep” of the family our youngest son has been a God send he has grown up to be a fine young MAN of GOD that shows love and forgiveness. Working 70 hours a week he helped his mother and I though her cancer and mine. His sister have no love for him either.

Well LORD, now they all know. Will you please help now

[Char-Gar]

DCP...I am having difficulty getting what you are driving at. It appears to me, you think that because of some turmoil in your family God is not answering prayer. If that is the case, then you are dead wrong.

[OS OK]

Yes God does answer prayers...but he does ask us to repent of our wicked ways and promises to heal us and our land.

2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

I believe God has his hand in our Nation today due to all the Christian people who are taking Him at His word...

[DCP]

DCP...I am having difficulty getting what you are driving at. It appears to me, you think that because of some turmoil in your family God is not answering prayer. If that is the case, then you are dead wrong.

I do not know why God has not answer my prayerssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
.

[Ickisrulz]

The church I was raised in believed that any prayer request not granted was directly YOUR fault because of sin and inadequacies. That's pure nonsense.

Sometimes, but of course not always, sin prevents us from receiving what we pray for.

"Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)

"You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions." James 4:3 (ESV)

We must also keep in mind how God responds to a prayer whose outcome cannot be observed in our lifetime: the prayer for forgiveness. Matthew 18:23-35 presents a parable that describes a man who was forgiven a huge debt, but refused to forgive a relatively small debt owed to him. Jesus' point was that a person will not be granted forgiveness if he has an unforgiving nature.

There are also many times described in the OT where Israel's prayers were not answered due to her violations of the Covenant.

[Char-Gar]

I do not know why God has not answer my prayerssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
.

What are your praying for? Start there.

[jmort]

Part of the issue is that you are asking God to answer prayer involving other people. Say two boys are looking at the same girl or two girls are looking at the same boy and they all pray that God makes that boy or girl their husband or wife. I pray my Cardinals win every game for the rest of the year and the opposing team has a fan praying my Cardinals lose.

This is a good place to start:

Mark 11:25 ►
New International Version
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Jesus taught a lot about prayer, and it was all based in faith. I really don't think people really want to drill down on that one.

[DCP]

What are your praying for? Start there.

I have prayed for God to heel this family and for us to see our Grandchildren There are 3 6 blocks away and 4 within 5 miles from us.

I must be a terrible writer

[claude]

I do not know why God has not answer my prayerssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Perhaps you are discounting the effects of free will, God in His wisdom has granted the majority free will to choose to do as they please, and to negate that free will by forcing change would go against His will. From the history of your prayers concerning your wife, you know He hears and answers, ..."I prayed for God to heal My wife's and my cancer, and He did."..., you know the members are not responding, ..."7 years not to see your grandchildren is a mighty long time for some really stupid stuff!"...

To me, the conclusion is not that God has not heard your prayers, or made attempts to bring about reconciliation, my conclusion is that those being acted upon by The Father are willfully resisting.

You can take all that FWIW to you, but I think you're giving God a bum rap simply because there may be wounds these folks don't want healed, they might rather hang onto them and feed off them. Also, if they have not forgiven what ever circumstances brought about the enmity, there will be no healing.

Frankly, without speaking to all parties involved, I can offer no advice that might be instrumental in healing other than th words of Christ,

Mat 6:14-15 KJV For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: (15) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

It would appear there are those unwilling to forgive, and are therefore, not being forgiven. I say that strictly without finger pointing, someone doesn't wish to let go.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

[DCP]

Perhaps you are discounting the effects of free will, God in His wisdom has granted the majority free will to choose to do as they please, and to negate that free will by forcing change would go against His will. From the history of your prayers concerning your wife, you know He hears and answers, ..."I prayed for God to heal My wife's and my cancer, and He did."..., you know the members are not responding, ..."7 years not to see your grandchildren is a mighty long time for some really stupid stuff!"...

To me, the conclusion is not that God has not heard your prayers, or made attempts to bring about reconciliation, my conclusion is that those being acted upon by The Father are willfully resisting.

You can take all that FWIW to you, but I think you're giving God a bum rap simply because there may be wounds these folks don't want healed, they might rather hang onto them and feed off them. Also, if they have not forgiven what ever circumstances brought about the enmity, there will be no healing.

Frankly, without speaking to all parties involved, I can offer no advice that might be instrumental in healing other than th words of Christ,

Mat 6:14-15 KJV For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: (15) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

It would appear there are those unwilling to forgive, and are therefore, not being forgiven. I say that strictly without finger pointing, someone doesn't wish to let go.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Thank you

Others also have said it.

"To me, the conclusion is not that God has not heard your prayers, or made attempts to bring about reconciliation, my conclusion is that those being acted upon by The Father are willfully resisting.

It would appear there are those unwilling to forgive, and are therefore, not being forgiven. I say that strictly without finger pointing, someone doesn't wish to let go."

We had to forgive them. Its hard when I see my wife's eyes.
I have to pray for forgiveness for some of the things I think.

We are not without sin but we have ask for forgiveness.

I have come to the conclusion that there will no peace on earth.
Our peace comes from the promise of eternal life with him

[OS OK]

Thank you

Others also have said it.

"To me, the conclusion is not that God has not heard your prayers, or made attempts to bring about reconciliation, my conclusion is that those being acted upon by The Father are willfully resisting.

It would appear there are those unwilling to forgive, and are therefore, not being forgiven. I say that strictly without finger pointing, someone doesn't wish to let go."

We had to forgive them. Its hard when I see my wife's eyes.
I have to pray for forgiveness for some of the things I think.

We are not without sin but we have ask for forgiveness.

I have come to the conclusion that there will no peace on earth.
Our peace comes from the promise of eternal life with him

I have to agree with your assessment of 'no peace on Earth' as a general statement of the whole...but...you can have peace in your life and in your home. Simply stay on the straight and level with God, forgive and forget and leave the 'big picture' entirely up to God. There are just too many variables for you to even attempt to control...have patience and revel in your personal peace until we get to 'exit' this unholy rock!

[shooter2]

First chronicles chapter 4. The prayer of Jabez.

For Jabez was more honorable than his brothers.

(As follows)

"Oh Lord that you would bless me indeed"

"And enlarge my territory"

"That Your hand would be with me"

"That You would keep me from evil"

"That I may cause no pain"

And God granted his request.

The true beauty of this prayer is only in the King James Version of the bible.

[Shiloh]

Yes.
Sometimes the answer is no.

Like many folks, you would like an explanation, an answer to why. I too have issues with an ex daughter in law and my grandkids. My son is deployed which complicates things. The ex DIL ignores court orders and is in contempt of court. Nothing happens to her from the law. Frustrating for sure, and no answer to why.

Shiloh

[GhostHawk]

Like any good father God is wise enough to give us what we need, not what we want.

If healing is not happening, it may be someone else is not willing to forgive.
It takes both sides willing to listen and reach out.

And if stupid stuff was said/done trust can be hard to come by.

So small steps to show you care. Don't expect anything in return.
Give because you love.

Keep praying. As many have said sometimes the answer is no, or not yet, or not that way. Some times I suspect the answer is "I'm doing my best to work on them, to help. But it is going to take time"

We each have free will, so he can not compel us to listen, to change.

Be honest, straightforward. Do your level best to see the Lords will and stay in it.

And yes like a couple of others mentioned I know God Almighty see's all, knows all.
I know I don't, so I try very hard not to ask him to change his will. Just to work around the edges. For any given situation, to bring peace to all. And an absence of pain, suffering if possible.

You are in my prayers. You have my heartfelt sympathy's.

I came very close to losing my step daughter a time or 2. I was lucky. Conversations were for a few years a bit strained, but we can have them.

Patience, and a humble heart are your best friends.

[Pine Baron]

Ghost kind of nailed it.
"Patience, and a humble heart are your best friends. "
DCP, Keep praying , it will be answered.
I've been there, when it seems the darkest, keep your lamp lit. It will happen. I am praying for you brother.

[Thundarstick]

I use to pray for my will to be done! God, give me this or that, or make this happen or don't let that happen. Then through events in my life I developed a new and better relation with God. I learned to trust God, to pray that God's will be done in all things, and give me the humility to always do his will. I've learned God don't need my help, because many times when I think I'm helping, I'm actually hurting the situation and myself! I've learned that prayers are answered in God's time and on God's terms. He knows the big picture and loves us all the same, and yes, he loves my children and grandchildren more than I can!

I make it a point to stay out of my children's busness and marriages! I don't like a bunch of things they do, I don't even like all my in laws, but I never show it or express it to my children! Ever! I see some of my children more than others and some grandchildren more than others, but I pray that God looks over all them all! I have my own life to live, if they want to be part of it fine, if not that's ok to.
Had it ever crossed your mind that perhaps it's my pain and suffering that God is using to help another grow? That a prayer will be answered after I'm gone from this world, so we can be together praising God for ever in the next!

[Blackwater]

I too salute Ghost's reply: "Keep praying. As many have said sometimes the answer is no, or not yet, or not that way. Some times I suspect the answer is "I'm doing my best to work on them, to help. But it is going to take time"

We know ONLY what WE know. We will never be able to know what God does. Therefore, we can't know what's in store. And indeed, wanting others to act in a certain way will NEVER be assured, for the simple reason that God, before he made this world or any of us, gave US a will of our own. But as Ghost noted, the answer may NOT be "no," but "not right now" or "not in this way," or it may simply be "not yet." God doesn't reach down his mighty hand and force us to act like little wind up toys. That would demean the holiness and immaculate creation that we are via His hands! So .... in some situations, we're dependent on constant prayer over a very long period, before we get what we want. If you show true faith, and humility, and love, that will almost always overcome most anything that rails against it.

And the Lord advised us to be in constant prayer. He never said we could pray "one and it's done!" Be humble enough to continue praying, and continue working on your humility, and extracting any pride or hurt feelings that still exist within you. It MAY (???) be that you still have some work to do within your own self. Is there one among us who can't do better???? It's certainly not ME, I can ASSURE you of THAT!!! We're all a work in progress. Christ never stops preparing us for the next stage, or the next challenge. He just keeps pruning us, so that we can BECOME the best we can be! It's just like an Army Ranger, on those awfully hard obstacle courses they train on. They may not see the need or reason for THAT much effort and training, but after a big battle, where they've had to put out FAR more than they've ever put forth in the way of effort before, just to survive ..... well, you can't tell me that they're not all grateful THEN!

Everything that happens to us in life, I'm convinced, happens for a REASON. There may be incidentals that happen occasionally just to let ALL of us know none of us is immune, but mostly, things happen for a reason, and WE are the cause of that. If we don't NEED some lesson, it'd never happen, I think, unless it's because we've been chosen to "model" true Christianity for others, maybe.

But whatever is going on, is going on for a REASON, and the only part of that YOU can do anything with, is the part that lies within you. Just make yourself the kind of person most folks would WANT to forgive, and ... you'll have your best shot at getting what you've asked for. You can't change anyone else. The ONLY person you can change is YOU!

I don't mean this in any sort of "hard" way, and I'm certainly not criticizing. It's just the plain and simple Truth. And if we know the Truth, it'll set us free. And even if it never changes, Christ will see you through even THAT! So faith is always needed, no matter how it proceeds, or ends. And your own faith is all you can control. Just keep working on it, and thinking about it, and do your best to be "fair" to both sides, and drop the ego and "accountability," just like God does when WE ERR! Christ set the model for us. We just have a lot of trouble following that model! God bless you all involved in this, and I pray that it'll work out for all of you. Amen.

[Bigslug]

WARNING! Atheist logic ahead!

The twin notions of God's grand, long-predetermined plan on the one hand - which makes you a cog in a machine - and prayers for making certain cogs better placed on the other would seem to be at least a little at odds.

Everybody arrives on earth wanting to be warm, dry, have a full belly, and a long, happy life, and for the most part, spends every day hoping, wishing, and yes, praying, that things could be better. In all of that, you will find no shortage of young, innocent, devout people who found themselves on the wrong end of a famine, hurricane, earthquake, car wreck, or Maxim bullet right alongside people who can be seen as having done all kinds of wrong. There's some possibility that God might clue in some folks to get out of the way of the storm, which we'd call "miracles", but when equally entitled (for lack of a better term) folks get pounded flat, we call it "God's will".

You'll hear it said that we make plans and God laughs. It would seem to me that if God's grand, long-predetermined plan involves you getting hit by a bus or having a horrid family life, there's little you can say or do to change that. There's a bit of bumper-sticker atheism that might sound snarky, but there is a lot of wisdom in it for this situation: "PRAYER: How to feel like you're helping without actually doing anything"

To me, that means exactly what it says. To a believer, I would suggest that it means that - rather than asking to change the blueprint - you should use the sense and abilities God gave you through your ancestors via evolution (they're the ones who successfully dodged all His bullets and lived long enough to breed) to solve your own problems, and to accept that certain things will be beyond your ability to fix no matter how much physical, emotional, or spiritual duct tape you try to apply. I do not believe you can rely on God and that you HAVE to rely on yourself. Whether God even exists or not is irrelevant in that context.

Hopefully YOU can work it out. Best of luck!

[Hogtamer]

There is a time and a season for every purpose under heaven and prayers are never in vain. A lot of pertinent comments here and what I am still learning, as has already been stated is that prayer changes me, not God. Prayer is about my relationship with God, a holy communion that even satan cannot influence. The more I pray the more I learn about the character of the Almighty and the depth of His love for us. Fervent prayer begins with submission and humility, confession of sin in my own life and thanksgiving for the unspeakable gift of approaching God's throne of grace granted only by the perfect sacrifice of Jesus that He offered on my behalf. Only then are my imperfect petitions made perfect by God's Spirit. The question is not will He respond to my laundry list of requests, but am I willing to take the time in quiet worship to be still and truly know that He is God; that my requests are known already, that His Spirit is already working in us and through us in accordance with the law of Love.

[Don Purcell]

I'm with Bigslug on this. I haven't come to this point easily. I used to let things pretty much roll off my back when I was a believer. When my son was diagnosed with Autism 31 years ago I didn't understand but kept up my belief. My wife and I buckled down to the problem and she quit her job to be a stay at home mother for him. That financial hit took many years to recover from but we stuck together. I would work as much overtime as I could to help. All of this being rotating shift work and what that entails physically and mentally. But we stuck together. I was able to retire 4 years ago and the past 3 years have been one disappointment after another financial, health and others. Have there been prayers said? Yes, Hundreds. And what were the answers - crickets. My wife and I have faithfully stuck together through all of this. You may say this is a test. Really? It says God knew you before you were born, he knows you better that anyone. He knew the number of hairs on your head. So he should know how you will handle adversity or not handle it and if it would eventually drive you away from him. Anymore, the only reason I have not totally folded my tent to God is that I'm at least able to enjoy my grandchildren pretty much when I want and a son-in-law who couldn't be better. I have a beautiful daughter in nursing school so don't think I don't appreciate what I have. I'm not asking for power or great wealth but just some peace and have come to the conclusion your pretty much on your own.

[GhostHawk]

Well said hogtamer!

Prayers are answered, but.

The lord does tend to give us what we NEED and not what we want or ask for.

Sometimes the answer is no, or not yet.

Sometimes the answer is you'd hurt yourself or others if I let you do that.

I have seen the power of prayer work. Seen it make great and sweeping changes in lives.
I also think that the Lord helps best those who help themselves.

Example, So it is day 4 after Katrina, it is much easier for the Lord to help you if you were prepared. Had food, water, alternative means of lighting, and were smart enough to hang a big old white bed sheet to catch attention. Your standing on the roof waving something bright colored.

As compared to someone still inside, who had no food or water or preparations, who is not outside actively trying to signal for help. But who is laying inside in the dark on the couch feeling sorry for themselves.

Who you think gets rescued first?

God helps those who help themselves.

And as a personal belief, if you had been sharing your food, water for 3 days with those in need. I think you are going to get helped before the one who kept all to themselves.

The Lord takes care of his own.

[DCP]

Well said hogtamer!

Prayers are answered, but.

The lord does tend to give us what we NEED and not what we want or ask for.

Sometimes the answer is no, or not yet.

Sometimes the answer is you'd hurt yourself or others if I let you do that.

I have seen the power of prayer work. Seen it make great and sweeping changes in lives.
I also think that the Lord helps best those who help themselves.

Example, So it is day 4 after Katrina, it is much easier for the Lord to help you if you were prepared. Had food, water, alternative means of lighting, and were smart enough to hang a big old white bed sheet to catch attention. Your standing on the roof waving something bright colored.

As compared to someone still inside, who had no food or water or preparations, who is not outside actively trying to signal for help. But who is laying inside in the dark on the couch feeling sorry for themselves.

Who you think gets rescued first?

God helps those who help themselves.

And as a personal belief, if you had been sharing your food, water for 3 days with those in need. I think you are going to get helped before the one who kept all to themselves.

The Lord takes care of his own.

So one has to do GOOD WORKS for prays to be answered! I THINK NOT! I believe it doesn't work that way. Besides I have done plenty of GOOD WORKS

[Ickisrulz]

So one has to do GOOD WORKS for prays to be answered! I THINK NOT! I believe it doesn't work that way. Besides I have done plenty of GOOD WORKS

Good works are technically not required to have prayers answered. However, ongoing sin, lack of faith, asking for things outside of God's will and asking for things based on selfish motives will hinder prayers.

[GhostHawk]

DCP I feel for you, and I feel your pain. I will be praying for you.

Praying that you will come to see that you are the stumbling block keeping you from what you desire. And that until you change it is not going to happen.

Love, Understand, and Forgive as Jesus would.

[DCP]

DCP I feel for you, and I feel your pain. I will be praying for you.

Praying that you will come to see that you are the stumbling block keeping you from what you desire. And that until you change it is not going to happen.

Love, Understand and Forgive as Jesus would.

You have my attention, exactly what do I need to change?

I practice 70x7 every day so I Love, Understand and Forgive as Jesus does. I am not Christ and fall short and pray for forgiveness. You never heard Christ say I forgive you but wont forget it.

I have every reason to just write her off but that's not what Christ commands me to do. There is nothing she could do that I wouldnt forgive!

[gnostic]

Albert Einstein said, 'belief in god is a sign of weakness.' And Like you, I've been disappointed...

[Thundarstick]

1Pe 2:6-8

For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
Jas 4:3
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

If you don't believe, don't ask, because your wasting your time. Those prayers aren't answered, because there not heard!

[DCP]

1Pe 2:6-8

For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
Jas 4:3
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

If you don't believe, don't ask, because your wasting your time. Those prayers aren't answered, because there not heard!

Just wow, now I don't believe and have the wrong motives! Forgive them, Lord.

[Don Purcell]

DCP, there is no winning in this. There will always be something you did wrong, didn't ask in the right way, didn't hold your tongue at the right angle and on and on. If god is all so knowing, all so intelligent, knows your heart and mind knows your fears and walks with you as a friend, then why does everyone make it so complicated? First, they tell you to pray as if you have already received the blessing and trust in god. Then in the next breath it's to pray unceasingly. Which is it. It's no wonder so many people walk away disheartened, confused and eventually unbelieving. Flame away.

[Ickisrulz]

DCP, there is no winning in this. There will always be something you did wrong, didn't ask in the right way, didn't hold your tongue at the right angle and on and on. If god is all so knowing, all so intelligent, knows your heart and mind knows your fears and walks with you as a friend, then why does everyone make it so complicated? First, they tell you to pray as if you have already received the blessing and trust in god. Then in the next breath it's to pray unceasingly. Which is it. It's no wonder so many people walk away disheartened, confused and eventually unbelieving. Flame away.

I haven't read the whole thread and don't know exactly what the issue is. My response in post #34 was merely to highlight that a Christian can prevent their prayers from being answered. I will not presume to make applications to another forum member.

It is important to remember that Jesus remarked we'd have trouble in this world and I take that to mean some troubles cannot be removed by prayer. Our hardships help us see ourselves, shape our character and provide room for ministry.

[opos]

I pray for acceptance of people places and things...and acceptance does not always mean approval either..but if I can just accept things exactly as they are and move on from there and not pray or wait for them to change to fit my scheme of things...I seem to get along fairly well.

[RPRNY]

God always answers. Frequently the answer is "no".

[GhostHawk]

DCP the last time I got into this with you, you came back sounding pretty upset. So I just let it lay and walked away. You were hot under the collar or gave me that impression. And I did not want to antagonize anyone. I have not heard the story from both sides, so I can NOT judge.

But, based on my 65 years of dealing with people. Something happened between you and your daughter that stands between you. It is unresolved. (my opinion)

You may not see it, you may not agree, you may curse my name and throw darts at my picture.
But there is something causing this.

And chances are whatever it is you do not see it as having done "wrong" and she does.

ASK, ask everyone. Ask if they know why your daughter is hanging on to those hard feelings.

I'm sure from her point of view she has a reason. And I am sure you do not agree.

And until that is resolved you are probably stuck here.

Truly I am sorry. Truly I am not trying to dig, pry, or judge.

Truly I am only trying to help, and I am afraid I am not doing a very good job of it.

Sorry if my failures have caused you pain.

I will be praying that you and your daughter can find a resolution to this conflict.

[Don Purcell]

Your a good man GhostHawk.

[DCP]

DCP the last time I got into this with you, you came back sounding pretty upset. So I just let it lay and walked away. You were hot under the collar or gave me that impression. And I did not want to antagonize anyone. I have not heard the story from both sides, so I can NOT judge.

But, based on my 65 years of dealing with people. Something happened between you and your daughter that stands between you. It is unresolved. (my opinion)

You may not see it, you may not agree, you may curse my name and throw darts at my picture.
But there is something causing this.

And chances are whatever it is you do not see it as having done "wrong" and she does.

ASK, ask everyone. Ask if they know why your daughter is hanging on to those hard feelings.

I'm sure from her point of view she has a reason. And I am sure you do not agree.

And until that is resolved you are probably stuck here.

Truly I am sorry. Truly I am not trying to dig, pry, or judge.

Truly I am only trying to help, and I am afraid I am not doing a very good job of it.

Sorry if my failures have caused you pain.

I will be praying that you and your daughter can find a resolution to this conflict.

I believe that you are trying to help and I have never been upset or mad at you. I just don't believe Good works has anything to do with this.

Of course, I had to do something to cause this. You see If one of two people won't talk it real hard to fix something.
It maybe as simple as I sent her a letter with nothing but the truth in it.

The letter 3 yrs ago stated I wasn't happy about seeing my Grandsons 2 times a year and they only live about 1 mile away wasn't acceptable! I also told her she didn't have time for me. I have not seen her at Christmas or Thanksgiving for over 20 yrs. No thank you's for anything sent to Grandkids.
I have not heard a peep since.

Long before the letter, She wouldn't give us the scheduled for baseball and basketball games. When I asked why she said she wanted family time without the other Grandparents. I told her we don't even bother you we sit away from you to give you your space. She said that was true but had to treat us Grandparents the same.

I have asked the Lord to forgive us for anything we might have done.
It is very unfortunate she is too much like her mother.

We are to forgive like Christ 70x7. Way too many don't practice this.

[GhostHawk]

I don't see good works as a prerequisite.

But if you had 2 neighbors both ask you for help. You going to help the one you have had a quarrel with recently? Or the one who has been helping you?

I do believe he takes care of his own first.

Of course I could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.

[Thundarstick]

(Just wow, now I don't believe and have the wrong motives!)
DCP, you shurly understand those scriptures where ment for the agnostics and atheist who come here and state they don't believe and their prayers are not answered. Brother you have been on my mind and in prayers often.

[DCP]

(Just wow, now I don't believe and have the wrong motives!)
DCP, you shurly understand those scriptures where ment for the agnostics and atheist who come here and state they don't believe and their prayers are not answered. Brother you have been on my mind and in prayers often.

Thanks, Thundarsick and to all who are praying for us. It's not easy putting all this garbage out there. I know there is someone out there that is just like my Daughter who won't talk about it and won't forgive. If you are reading this We are commanded by the Lord to forgive like him. The pain you are causing is causing so much harm. If there are children involved the damage can be so immense.

I find way too many Christian not practicing 70x7. Conflict can be a good thing if it brings resolution.

My prayer is

Forgive them, Father, for they know what not they do.