Praying can be frustrating.

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P

persistent

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#21
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Col 4:2 . . Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

The Greek word for "devote" is proskartereo (pros-kar-ter-eh'-o) which
means: to persevere; viz: not give up and/or lose interest.


Luke 18:1 . . And he spoke a parable unto them to this end: that people
ought always to pray, and not lose heart.


For many of us, prayer is a last resort; a grasping at straws because we
simply have nowhere else to turn. We wish for success with prayer, while
not really expecting it because we already know from plenty of experience
that prayer too often leads into a cul-de-sac of perplexity and
discouragement; so then, what's the use? In other words: prayer is very
difficult for some Christians because it's often so futile.


Why doesn't God respond? And if He's not going to respond, then why keep
on making a fool of ourselves trying to get through to an imaginary
playmate when all the while its phone is off the hook?


C.S. Lewis-- famed author of "The Screwtape Letters" and "The Chronicles
Of Narnia" --once remarked that he prayed, not because he expected results
but, because it made him feel better.


Well, if prayer makes you feel better, then more power to you-- in point of
fact, I highly recommend conversational prayer because talking things out
with somebody, even an imaginary playmate, is far and away better than
holding everything in.


There are instances in the Old Testament where God actually sent His people
troubles just to get their attention and start them talking to Him again. Sort
of like a little boy in third grade spitting on the hair of a girl sitting in front of
him so she'll notice him. (chuckle) Well, if God spits on your hair, so to
speak, then maybe it's time you and He had a fireside chat.


Nobody knows the trouble I've been through,
Nobody knows my sorrow,
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen.


Sometimes I'm up,
Sometimes I'm down.
Oh, yes, Lord; sometimes I'm almost to the ground.


Well; some of us would be to the ground were it not for going to prayer
instead. (cf. Luke 18:1)
_
C.S. Lewis good read so I hear? Was he Christian?
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
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#23
You're not the only one.
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

……And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:13-14, 16, 39-40‬ ‭KJV‬

“ I shall carry the old rugged cross , and exchange it someday for a crown “

the promises are when Look to the things Christ promised like life after death and a perfect kingdom to dwell in until he brings a perfect earth for all his people in the end.

This life is just our journey home not our home or a place that’s going to always “prosper us financially“ like so many preach it’s worth it because death is no longer our end, but the doorway home to reality with Christ so if we don’t get what we want now it’s not unusual at least we’re better of than those we need about there in Hebrews no one is setting us on fire or cutting us in half with a saw , no one is persecuting most of us like that but if we don’t have the newest car , we don’t own a home without a mortgage or have new boat those aren’t matters of Gods kingdom food , shelter and contentment is
 

JohnB

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#24
some pray as if they are hoping maybe God will hear them

others pray as if God is in them and with them

some pray for the desires of thier own heart

some pray within the oranitera of Gods Will for all Men

some pray while carrying all thier sins

others lay them down to lift thier hands in prayer

some pray from selfish motives

others pray from a heart of brotherly love

some pray hoping for an answer

others pray while expecting the answer

some pray in secret between tbey and thier father for the glory of his name

others design beautiful prayers for show and self exaltation in the sight of men

prayer needs faith or it’s just words being whispered to the wind
It has been found that touch calms our nervous center and slows down our heartbeat. Human touch also lowers blood pressure as well as cortisol, our stress hormone. It also triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone known for promoting emotional bonding to others.
 

Eli1

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#26
@JohnB ive been reading all your topics regarding your bad misfortune with one church which has ruined your dating life and I‘M sorry for that. I hope God gives you what you’re looking for one day.

But sometimes I wonder if your threads are about dating advice. So, have you tried dating outside of any churches or maybe in different countries?
I dunno, just throwing it out there. God bless you and guide you.
 

JohnB

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#27
@JohnB ive been reading all your topics regarding your bad misfortune with one church which has ruined your dating life and I‘M sorry for that. I hope God gives you what you’re looking for one day.

But sometimes I wonder if your threads are about dating advice. So, have you tried dating outside of any churches or maybe in different countries?
I dunno, just throwing it out there. God bless you and guide you.
Different churches, online, singles groups. I've had friends who know me and were there on my efforts, tell me. John, you've done everything any could ask of you, it just hasn't happened. Another friend said, "John I have never seen anyone put so much into dating and come up with nothing" It's as if the hand of GOD keeps working against you. Sometimes GOD's hand in on you in ways you wish it wasn't.
 

Eli1

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#29
Different churches, online, singles groups. I've had friends who know me and were there on my efforts, tell me. John, you've done everything any could ask of you, it just hasn't happened. Another friend said, "John I have never seen anyone put so much into dating and come up with nothing" It's as if the hand of GOD keeps working against you. Sometimes GOD's hand in on you in ways you wish it wasn't.
I’m sorry to hear that. But have you tried dating people of different cultures and languages?
‘Sometimes that’s a clean slate to better know someone where there’s a language barrier in between. I know this has worked for one of my friends.
 

Cameron143

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#31
Prayer is meant to get us into God's presence where there is fulness of joy and reward evermore. There is nothing wrong with making requests of God...only not being accepting of His answer. God is good and He will never give us anything that will lessen heaven for us or leave with us anything that would make glory less. If you begin here you will begin to understand why God does and doesn't answer prayer.
 

JohnB

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#32
@JohnB ive been reading all your topics regarding your bad misfortune with one church which has ruined your dating life and I‘M sorry for that. I hope God gives you what you’re looking for one day.

But sometimes I wonder if your threads are about dating advice. So, have you tried dating outside of any churches or maybe in different countries?
I dunno, just throwing it out there. God bless you and guide you.
I don't really blame the church, it's the anger I had with them. From the day they accepted the book, "I kissed Dating Goodbye" I argued with them calling the book stupid. I got angry at people in the church who thought if they kept themselves pure and holy before GOD, by not having physical contact before marriage, that GOD would bless the marriage. I told them they were playing games with GOD. I told them nowhere in the bible does it tell you no physical contact before marriage. They refused to listen to common sense.
 

Dirtman

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Jul 19, 2022
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#33
You watch as people get prayers answered in days, weeks, months.....while you pray and seek GOD for decades, with no end in sight. It's sad GOD does not give you a timeline for the answer. It would really help.
Could be that you are your own hindrance to your prayers. I know it sounds rough but truly consider yourself. See how you could be your own obstacle. I know you want companionship but are you a good companion? Do you have many good friends, interesting pass times, hobbies?
As I have said before. Dating and dating sites and all those gimmicks are useless. I have never met anyone who successfully found someone that way. You are more likely to find a mate out in the wilderness fishing alone.
 

Eli1

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#34
I don't really blame the church, it's the anger I had with them. From the day they accepted the book, "I kissed Dating Goodbye" I argued with them calling the book stupid. I got angry at people in the church who thought if they kept themselves pure and holy before GOD, by not having physical contact before marriage, that GOD would bless the marriage. I told them they were playing games with GOD. I told them nowhere in the bible does it tell you no physical contact before marriage. They refused to listen to common sense.
I see. I think you may have spent a lot of time maybe holding this anger with them and it’s affecting your dating? Forgive them for what they did to you and be free and look at dating with a new set of eyes free from your past.
I’ve had some anger issues with people at work too, and I had to forgive them so I could free myself.
 

JohnB

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#35
He is but if I remember correctly he believed nonbelievers had a chance to go to Heaven.
"
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,[f] you were doing it to me!’" Matt 25. It appears these people didn't even know who Jesus was, but did what was required of Christians.
 

Cameron143

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#36
yet the pain of being single remains.
I don't want to seem insensitive because the pain is very real. But the way to ease the pain is finding a greater affection. This is what God offers in Psalm 23. It is possible to be so satisfied in God that other matters seem insignificant.
 

JohnB

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#37
I see. I think you may have spent a lot of time maybe holding this anger with them and it’s affecting your dating? Forgive them for what they did to you and be free and look at dating with a new set of eyes free from your past.
I’ve had some anger issues with people at work too, and I had to forgive them so I could free myself.
The church has not changed. The last time I was there, around 2005, the Singles group was a mix of married and singles. They were now a no dating singles group. I checked the church web site recently and the Singles groups was still a mix of married and singles. That is not good.
 

Eli1

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#38
The church has not changed. The last time I was there, around 2005, the Singles group was a mix of married and singles. They were now a no dating singles group. I checked the church web site recently and the Singles groups was still a mix of married and singles. That is not good.
But forget about this church John ! This is maybe what you need to do. Forgive and move on.
There is life outside of that church who has ruined your relationship with a potential wife. Just look at other places and cultures.
 

Lucy-Pevensie

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2017
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#39
Different churches, online, singles groups. I've had friends who know me and were there on my efforts, tell me. John, you've done everything any could ask of you, it just hasn't happened. Another friend said, "John I have never seen anyone put so much into dating and come up with nothing" It's as if the hand of GOD keeps working against you. Sometimes GOD's hand in on you in ways you wish it wasn't.
You've brought this to mind. :)



More seriously, it's true that most of the prophets & apostles had very difficult lives. In many cases their earthly lives would have been more comfortable for them if they had not served God.
 

Cameron143

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#40
yet the pain of being single remains.
Have you ever read the book of Habakkuk? Habakkuk prays to God and God remains silent for some time. And then when God finally answers, God's answer seems stranger than his silence. Habakkuk begins questioning and complaining.
But in chapter 2 he begins listening and learning. In the end he begins praising and worshipping even though his situation doesn't become better but worse.
It might prove worthwhile for you to learn what Habakkuk learned. I hope will take the time to find out.