Three dos and three don'ts in prayer

[Lovette]

Just talking from my experience. As a pragmatist and a stoic, I think of prayer from a very differently perspective compared to traditional format. I usually do it in three parts for immediate psychological benefits:

Gratitude: DO count my blessings and thank God for everything I've already had, especially stuffs I know I didn't earn;

Confession: DO confess my sins, how I hurt other people, how I screwed up at work, every naughty thing I know I shouldn't have done, every responsibility I failed to take, and ask for forgiveness;

Submission: DO submit to God everything beyond my control and knowledge, trust the good Lord of his sovereignty.

And here's what most people do in these three parts, which I consider would invalidate their prayer and discredit themselves:

Asking for stuffs, especially stuffs you know you don't deserve, such as a promotion, a girlfriend or good look. That directly leads you into the false prosperity gospel and makes you greedy, and if you don't get what you ask for, if reality doesn't meet your expectation, inevitably your faith in God would be shaken, little by little, one "unanswered prayer" at a time; or worse, you'd be doubting yourself - Why does God ignore me? Is it that I don't have enough faith? Am I even saved at all? This should be avoided by not asking for stuffs in the first place, no matter how much you want it.

Making excuses or justifications in your confession, including subtly - or blatantly - shifting the blame to others, to the society, to the government, to the Lord himself, like Adam did in the garden. Only focus on your own wrongdoings by first acknowledging them, then spitting them out, casting your sins upon Lord Jesus who died for your sins. If it's your fault, let it be a lesson, and be relieved from any guilt and shame, don't let it define you. If you have offended a friend, go apologize and reconcil with them; if somebody offended you, forgive them and hold no resentment.

Wishing these things beyond your control to go in a particular direction you want by trying to manipulate the Lord or making deals with the Lord. You gotta admit that the Lord gives and takes away, it is not my or your will, but God's will be done. The same applies for anything else beyond your control, the doom and gloom on the news, the rise of AI, economic decline, civil unrest, extreme weathers, there's nothing you can do to alter the state of the world, your worries would only produce anxiety and stress that damage your own wellbeing. Do discern these events and phenomena through the lens of Scriptures, but yield them to the Lord, hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

This also applies to other people around you. This one is much harder to let go since you do care about your friends and family, your personal relationship is involved, but you have to accept that they are of their own individuals, their thoughts, words and deeds are beyond your control too, all you can do is pray for them. Case in point, my mother is scheduled for a surgery next Wednesday, a relatively minor one with low risk, small tumor removal near the thyroid. Do I pray for her and the surgeon? Absolutely. But if the surgery goes wrong, if she passes away on the table or gets severly handicapped, suffering hormonal disorder, would I curse God for that? Absolutely not.

 

[GWH]

Just talking from my experience. As a pragmatist and a stoic, I think of prayer from a very differently perspective compared to traditional format. I usually do it in three parts for immediate psychological benefits:

Gratitude: DO count my blessings and thank God for everything I've already had, especially stuffs I know I didn't earn;

Confession: DO confess my sins, how I hurt other people, how I screwed up at work, every naughty thing I know I shouldn't have done, every responsibility I failed to take, and ask for forgiveness;

Submission: DO submit to God everything beyond my control and knowledge, trust the good Lord of his sovereignty.

And here's what most people do in these three parts, which I consider would invalidate their prayer and discredit themselves:

Asking for stuffs, especially stuffs you know you don't deserve, such as a promotion, a girlfriend or good look. That directly leads you into the false prosperity gospel and makes you greedy, and if you don't get what you ask for, if reality doesn't meet your expectation, inevitably your faith in God would be shaken, little by little, one "unanswered prayer" at a time; or worse, you'd be doubting yourself - Why does God ignore me? Is it that I don't have enough faith? Am I even saved at all? This should be avoided by not asking for stuffs in the first place, no matter how much you want it.

Making excuses or justifications in your confession, including subtly - or blatantly - shifting the blame to others, to the society, to the government, to the Lord himself, like Adam did in the garden. Only focus on your own wrongdoings by first acknowledging them, then spitting them out, casting your sins upon Lord Jesus who died for your sins. If it's your fault, let it be a lesson, and be relieved from any guilt and shame, don't let it define you. If you have offended a friend, go apologize and reconcil with them; if somebody offended you, forgive them and hold no resentment.

Wishing these things beyond your control to go in a particular direction you want by trying to manipulate the Lord or making deals with the Lord. You gotta admit that the Lord gives and takes away, it is not my or your will, but God's will be done. The same applies for anything else beyond your control, the doom and gloom on the news, the rise of AI, economic decline, civil unrest, extreme weathers, there's nothing you can do to alter the state of the world, your worries would only produce anxiety and stress that damage your own wellbeing. Do discern these events and phenomena through the lens of Scriptures, but yield them to the Lord, hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

This also applies to other people around you. This one is much harder to let go since you do care about your friends and family, your personal relationship is involved, but you have to accept that they are of their own individuals, their thoughts, words and deeds are beyond your control too, all you can do is pray for them. Case in point, my mother is scheduled for a surgery next Wednesday, a relatively minor one with low risk, small tumor removal near the thyroid. Do I pray for her and the surgeon? Absolutely. But if the surgery goes wrong, if she passes away on the table or gets severly handicapped, suffering hormonal disorder, would I curse God for that? Absolutely not.

Sounds good to me. Here are some more thoughts about prayer:

The kerygmatic prayer that is necessary in order for a sinner be saved and walk with God is confession (1John 1:9, Psa. 32:1-5).
The Believer’s main types of responses to God’s Word are prayer to God and good works unto others for God (cf. 1John 4:20, Eph. 2:10). Prayer is simply talking to God. The power of prayer is God’s, and believers should not talk as though God would not act if they did not pray.

When Jesus taught believers how to pray (in Matt. 6:6-13), he said it should be done in secret and avoid babbling like pagans. He advocated praying for God’s will to be done, praying for physical needs, requesting forgiveness of sins as we forgive those who regret sinning against us, and seeking freedom from the tempter.

Paul exhorted believers (in Eph. 6:18) to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests, which leads into a discussion of didachaic prayers/thoughts a believer might address to God.

When a believer confesses sin and is refilled by the Spirit, he/she experiences divine love, joy and peace (Gal. 5:22-23), which prompts prayers giving thanks. Jesus led a prayer of thanksgiving during the Last Supper (1Cor. 11:23-24). Paul frequently expressed thankfulness for believers he had helped to convert and who had helped support his ministry (1Thes. 1:2, Phil. 1:3). He instructed Believers to “Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances.” (1Thes. 5:17-18)

A type of prayer akin to thanksgiving is praise, which expresses love and glory to God for who He is and what He means to us. Numerous Psalms express this type of prayer, from 9:1-2 to 150:1-6. Hebrews 13:15 says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice [prayer] of praise.” Revelation 5:13 refers to prayers of praise in heaven: “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth . . . singing: To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

A fourth kind of prayer is petition, which may be the most used and least understood type. The Lord’s Sample Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13) has a series of petitions. In Philippians 4:6 Paul taught: “By prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” A petition in which we ask God for something on behalf of another person is called intercession. Paul frequently prayed for others (Eph. 1:16-18, Phil. 1:3-4&9, Col. 1:3&9), and he asked believers to pray for him (Eph. 6:18-20, Col. 4:3-4, 1Tim. 2:1, 2Thes. 3:1), so perhaps intercession should be our most frequent type of petition (Eph. 6:18b).

 

[homwardbound]

Just talking from my experience. As a pragmatist and a stoic, I think of prayer from a very differently perspective compared to traditional format. I usually do it in three parts for immediate psychological benefits:

Gratitude: DO count my blessings and thank God for everything I've already had, especially stuffs I know I didn't earn;

Confession: DO confess my sins, how I hurt other people, how I screwed up at work, every naughty thing I know I shouldn't have done, every responsibility I failed to take, and ask for forgiveness;

Submission: DO submit to God everything beyond my control and knowledge, trust the good Lord of his sovereignty.

And here's what most people do in these three parts, which I consider would invalidate their prayer and discredit themselves:

Asking for stuffs, especially stuffs you know you don't deserve, such as a promotion, a girlfriend or good look. That directly leads you into the false prosperity gospel and makes you greedy, and if you don't get what you ask for, if reality doesn't meet your expectation, inevitably your faith in God would be shaken, little by little, one "unanswered prayer" at a time; or worse, you'd be doubting yourself - Why does God ignore me? Is it that I don't have enough faith? Am I even saved at all? This should be avoided by not asking for stuffs in the first place, no matter how much you want it.

Making excuses or justifications in your confession, including subtly - or blatantly - shifting the blame to others, to the society, to the government, to the Lord himself, like Adam did in the garden. Only focus on your own wrongdoings by first acknowledging them, then spitting them out, casting your sins upon Lord Jesus who died for your sins. If it's your fault, let it be a lesson, and be relieved from any guilt and shame, don't let it define you. If you have offended a friend, go apologize and reconcil with them; if somebody offended you, forgive them and hold no resentment.

Wishing these things beyond your control to go in a particular direction you want by trying to manipulate the Lord or making deals with the Lord. You gotta admit that the Lord gives and takes away, it is not my or your will, but God's will be done. The same applies for anything else beyond your control, the doom and gloom on the news, the rise of AI, economic decline, civil unrest, extreme weathers, there's nothing you can do to alter the state of the world, your worries would only produce anxiety and stress that damage your own wellbeing. Do discern these events and phenomena through the lens of Scriptures, but yield them to the Lord, hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

This also applies to other people around you. This one is much harder to let go since you do care about your friends and family, your personal relationship is involved, but you have to accept that they are of their own individuals, their thoughts, words and deeds are beyond your control too, all you can do is pray for them. Case in point, my mother is scheduled for a surgery next Wednesday, a relatively minor one with low risk, small tumor removal near the thyroid. Do I pray for her and the surgeon? Absolutely. But if the surgery goes wrong, if she passes away on the table or gets severly handicapped, suffering hormonal disorder, would I curse God for that? Absolutely not.

I agree with your words
It is not about me. It's about God's Love and mercy for all. Thank you Father for leveling the playing field through Son for us to be new in love and mercy, you give to us all to love the same without any excuse to do it. Just love all the same John 13:34

 

[markss]

Years ago a preacher likened prayer to being on the telephone with God and you just never hang up. That opened my eyes. Knowing He is here with me now, remembering this always, means He is my constant companion with Whom I share everything as it happens, whether a blessing or a need, whatever it is.

Also some years ago I realized, I always have that chatter in my mind, the steady stream of internal thoughts. I train myself to turn that into directed thought, directed to God my Father.

If my mind is constantly running, point it in the right direction!

Much love!

 

[homwardbound]

Years ago a preacher likened prayer to being on the telephone with God and you just never hang up. That opened my eyes. Knowing He is here with me now, remembering this always, means He is my constant companion with Whom I share everything as it happens, whether a blessing or a need, whatever it is.

Also some years ago I realized, I always have that chatter in my mind, the steady stream of internal thoughts. I train myself to turn that into directed thought, directed to God my Father.

If my mind is constantly running, point it in the right direction!

Much love!

Truth God never hangs up on anyone. Still here on earth in Spirit and Truth to lead. Yet will not unless one anyone is willing first.
Call, he answers and never hangs up, even whenever we get lost out in this world we are in and not of anymore

 

[markss]

Truth God never hangs up on anyone. Still here on earth in Spirit and Truth to lead. Yet will not unless one anyone is willing first.
Call, he answers and never hangs up, even whenever we get lost out in this world we are in and not of anymore

This is also to say . . . there is no lag time when I've wandered off, when my mind returns to Him, He is always there.

Much love!

 

[Watchman22]

Years ago a preacher likened prayer to being on the telephone with God and you just never hang up. That opened my eyes. Knowing He is here with me now, remembering this always, means He is my constant companion with Whom I share everything as it happens, whether a blessing or a need, whatever it is.

Also some years ago I realized, I always have that chatter in my mind, the steady stream of internal thoughts. I train myself to turn that into directed thought, directed to God my Father.

If my mind is constantly running, point it in the right direction!

Much love!

HI mark, I think your getting close to describing the mind of Christ.
Which as i understand it, is a necessary accompaniment to praying to God. It's the only way that prayer to God can fulfill the "pray without ceasing" scripture, and "you don't know how to pray as you ought" scripture.

When this mind of Christ takes hold, it not so much us petitioning God for things, but a connection, a continual connection.

One of the best gifted Bible teachers taught that to gain this continual connection, set your alarm on your watch every hour to train yourself to think about Him. It took me back a little, because I had that continual connection by a daily personal surrender to Him and a life inspired by such surrender, without the alarm.

 

[markss]

When this mind of Christ takes hold, it not so much us petitioning God for things, but a connection, a continual connection.

Something I do in order to help keep my mind from straying is that I've selected a few hundred hymns that I have on at home, at work, and in my car. Not the modern fluff, but doctrinal hymns like Immortal Invisible God only Wise, or This Is My Song To Thee, like that.

I've got a lot of trouble in my life, God has really knocked me down to raise up my spirit, and through this He has made me to be very dependant on Him, which makes prayer a more natural part of life.

Much love!

 

[Lovette]

I agree with your words
It is not about me. It's about God's Love and mercy for all. Thank you Father for leveling the playing field through Son for us to be new in love and mercy, you give to us all to love the same without any excuse to do it. Just love all the same John 13:34

I have to admit though, that I'm more of a stoic than a Christian, the purpose of my tactics is more about self control, self improvement and self correction, to cultivate inner peace instead of a relationship with God through Jesus. The third one is directly plucked from stoic philosophy, resilience in the midst of suffering, indifferent to adversity and chaos by dismissing them as God's and other people's responsibility, I just focus on my own duty.

 

[GWH]

I have to admit though, that I'm more of a stoic than a Christian, the purpose of my tactics is more about self control, self improvement and self correction, to cultivate inner peace instead of a relationship with God through Jesus. The third one is directly plucked from stoic philosophy, resilience in the midst of suffering, indifferent to adversity and chaos by dismissing them as God's and other people's responsibility, I just focus on my own duty.

Inner peace will be found when one is more Christian than Stoic (Phil. 4:4-13).

 

[Lovette]

Inner peace will be found when one is more Christian than Stoic (Phil. 4:4-13).

The two are not exclusive to one another.

 

[homwardbound]

This is also to say . . . there is no lag time when I've wandered off, when my mind returns to Him, He is always there.

Much love!

For me. One particular day along time ago now. My wife was sick and had to go to see a doctor. We went to a clinic. She went in, I was out in the waiting room.
There was little girl about 13 years old out there too.
She said to me straight out to turn on a radio station, around a certain time and listen to "People to People Ministries"
I did, and ever since my life started the new life in trust to God Father in risen Son, Jesus

How?

I heard from a certain man there, named Bob George, I am forgiven and remain that from God through Son, even if I sinned again. I thought what, no way, I got to be forgiven by asking, if I do not, then I get kicked out!

So I asked what about 1 John 1:9, are we not to continually ask, for more forgiveness if one sins again or not?

That is when I was challenged to go anywhere else in the Bible and find anywhere else that it states we are to get more forgiveness if anyone sins again., after the death, burial and resurrection alone, in the last shed blood of Jesus for everyone. that 1 John 1:9 is misquoted, to think we need more forgiveness after the final shed blood of Jesus is completed once for us all? the Chapter was written to the Gnostics, not known as Gnostics then. They did not believe Jesus was here on earth in flesh and blood, sin no flesh can ever please God.

So I went and found like 40 other verses that state we are forgiven in Son by the done work of Son first. 2 Cor 5:16-20, Ephesians 1:7 and many others

So, my new view in trust to God, from God in me working through me, started working out my own salvation given me by God through the risen Son began! Ephesians 1:13, 1:6,7. Col 1:21-22
I would sin, see them and not want them, Yet, I did them anyways. Romans 7. Bewildered, now seeing I am forgiven, even if I sin again done by God Father through Son for us all.
1 John 2:1-27. John 19:30, John 1:29

I started exercising thankfulness to God through risen Son Jesus for me and all the world. Thank you I am forgiven. Now Lord I hate sin too, like you I do not want to do it Will you teach me truth? Yes my Son I heard from Father and have been learning truth over and over and over God never once ever forsaking me ever.

Over time, I have watched sin peeled off of me, my new person through God Father as in John 4:23-24 Hebrews Chapters 8-9 blew me away after reading, I saw to stand in trust to God seeing God took all sin away at that cross for us all John 1:29, Finished did it John 19:30. Then saw Col 1:21-23
So I decided to stand in trust to God alone, not me or anyone else it is done for me to see and simply, yet not simply be new by trust to Father in risen Son continually. I let go and see the new take over. Now this has been a long time, I still am not perfect, thank God, no one is. I see now what Paul means in 2 Cor 12:7-10 and Phil 3 to not ever thing "I" got it

God has never forsaken anyone, God never will, it is the people that do that per Psalm 82 not God
I am so elated you see God just loves you too, Markss

 

[homwardbound]

I have to admit though, that I'm more of a stoic than a Christian, the purpose of my tactics is more about self control, self improvement and self correction, to cultivate inner peace instead of a relationship with God through Jesus. The third one is directly plucked from stoic philosophy, resilience in the midst of suffering, indifferent to adversity and chaos by dismissing them as God's and other people's responsibility, I just focus on my own duty.

okay, thank you for your truth in what, how and why you believe the way you believe

Love truthfulness
For me, I went after to do right and to me I had to do right and saw I could not do right perfectly ever. I came to the end of me trying to do what God says no other can do.
And said to God personally, How can anyone enter Heaven Lord, I am not perfect!
I heard no one is and no one can be, I proved that in the first Testament, not even my first Chosen could ever be perfect either. So, I sent Son to show all how to be dependent on me over everything else. He did that, reconciled everyone as forgiven first. by in his risen life I make you new, once believe I do just love you too. Col 1:21-22 I saw that and at first did not believe that, now do in gigantic thank you to Father and Son for me anyways.
So I heard from God in Spirit in me say, thank you you admit this to me, Thank you
Now if you are willing I can and will teach you how to love the same as my Son did first for all people, without any flesh fight back at all, to anyone!
I said thank you bring it on
Been being taught new ever since and by God I am secured in his love and mercy for all
I will not tell you, you have to believe God. I see to not take away free choice from anyone. It is God in Spirit and Truth, not flesh and blood, God, teaching new through the love and mercy for everyone to see and agree to not harm anyone else anymore over anything anymore
Thank you for being You

 

[markss]

For me. One particular day along time ago now. My wife was sick and had to go to see a doctor. We went to a clinic. She went in, I was out in the waiting room.
There was little girl about 13 years old out there too.
She said to me straight out to turn on a radio station, around a certain time and listen to "People to People Ministries"
I did, and ever since my life started the new life in trust to God Father in risen Son, Jesus

How?

I heard from a certain man there, named Bob George, I am forgiven and remain that from God through Son, even if I sinned again. I thought what, no way, I got to be forgiven by asking, if I do not, then I get kicked out!

So I asked what about 1 John 1:9, are we not to continually ask, for more forgiveness if one sins again or not?

That is when I was challenged to go anywhere else in the Bible and find anywhere else that it states we are to get more forgiveness if anyone sins again., after the death, burial and resurrection alone, in the last shed blood of Jesus for everyone. that 1 John 1:9 is misquoted, to think we need more forgiveness after the final shed blood of Jesus is completed once for us all? the Chapter was written to the Gnostics, not known as Gnostics then. They did not believe Jesus was here on earth in flesh and blood, sin no flesh can ever please God.

So I went and found like 40 other verses that state we are forgiven in Son by the done work of Son first. 2 Cor 5:16-20, Ephesians 1:7 and many others

So, my new view in trust to God, from God in me working through me, started working out my own salvation given me by God through the risen Son began! Ephesians 1:13, 1:6,7. Col 1:21-22
I would sin, see them and not want them, Yet, I did them anyways. Romans 7. Bewildered, now seeing I am forgiven, even if I sin again done by God Father through Son for us all.
1 John 2:1-27. John 19:30, John 1:29

I started exercising thankfulness to God through risen Son Jesus for me and all the world. Thank you I am forgiven. Now Lord I hate sin too, like you I do not want to do it Will you teach me truth? Yes my Son I heard from Father and have been learning truth over and over and over God never once ever forsaking me ever.

Over time, I have watched sin peeled off of me, my new person through God Father as in John 4:23-24 Hebrews Chapters 8-9 blew me away after reading, I saw to stand in trust to God seeing God took all sin away at that cross for us all John 1:29, Finished did it John 19:30. Then saw Col 1:21-23
So I decided to stand in trust to God alone, not me or anyone else it is done for me to see and simply, yet not simply be new by trust to Father in risen Son continually. I let go and see the new take over. Now this has been a long time, I still am not perfect, thank God, no one is. I see now what Paul means in 2 Cor 12:7-10 and Phil 3 to not ever thing "I" got it

God has never forsaken anyone, God never will, it is the people that do that per Psalm 82 not God
I am so elated you see God just loves you too, Markss

Praise the Lord Jesus!!!

It's been a difficult road! Just the same, I seen the same thing also. It was not by anything I did or didn't do that purchased my forgiveness and new life, and there is nothing I can do or not do that would remove the same.

The most amazing and life changing truth I know is that God is here with me right now, loving me, acting in my life to bring the mental and emotional healing I need, stripping away the chains of corrupt flesh, and bringing in the freedom of His Spirit.

I still have a long way to go. But I've come so much farther then I believed would be!

Thank you for your post!

Much love!

 

[homwardbound]

Praise the Lord Jesus!!!

It's been a difficult road! Just the same, I seen the same thing also. It was not by anything I did or didn't do that purchased my forgiveness and new life, and there is nothing I can do or not do that would remove the same.

The most amazing and life changing truth I know is that God is here with me right now, loving me, acting in my life to bring the mental and emotional healing I need, stripping away the chains of corrupt flesh, and bringing in the freedom of His Spirit.

I still have a long way to go. But I've come so much farther then I believed would be!

Thank you for your post!

Much love!

Me as well, thank you so much we each grow as in Hebrews 5:12 - Chapter 6, as Father permits, knowing each persons reasoning to know

 

[GWH]

The two are not exclusive to one another.

Yes, "more" does not mean "only".

 

[Lovette]

Yes, "more" does not mean "only".

The only key difference is the personhood of God, the divine logos according to stoicism is an inanimate, impersonal, external force, the only salvation is your own resilience, there's no relationship aspect. Every human being, including yourself, is merely cog in the machine, a functioning part of the divine order.

I gotta say that if you're chronically lonely with nobody to talk, no active, intimate relationship with anybody, either by your own choice or by your circumstances, then stoicism is the default, Jesus is just a personification of your relisience. That's the problem, the quandary I find myself stuck in. I can't relate to Jesus as a person, I can only relate to him as a savior set up in the OT.

 

[GWH]

The only key difference is the personhood of God, the divine logos according to stoicism is an inanimate, impersonal, external force, the only salvation is your own resilience, there's no relationship aspect. Every human being, including yourself, is merely cog in the machine, a functioning part of the divine order.

I gotta say that if you're chronically lonely with nobody to talk, no active, intimate relationship with anybody, either by your own choice or by your circumstances, then stoicism is the default, Jesus is just a personification of your relisience. That's the problem, the quandary I find myself stuck in. I can't relate to Jesus as a person, I can only relate to him as a savior set up in the OT.

If the NT is not too good to be true, then the Lord of the universe is neither dictatorial nor distant, but rather relates to humanity. Although we cannot comprehend the infinite God completely, hopefully we can do so sufficiently in order to achieve the type of relationship God desires to have with humanity (John 14:9-25). God desires communion.

It is true that we do not experience God the Son physically, but this has been true of all humanity except for those few who knew him for a few years. The rest of us experience God and Jesus via the Holy Spirit as we contemplate God's Word, which Psalms expresses, but with the realization that God is our spiritual Father/Dad. God is Love, and we are lovettes.

Many of us also perceive God in His creation, so I hope you are able to take walks in the parks.
Do you have a pet house dog or cat? They can be a source of physical companionship when there are no children.

LIC, GWH

 

[Lovette]

If the NT is not too good to be true, then the Lord of the universe is neither dictatorial nor distant, but rather relates to humanity. Although we cannot comprehend the infinite God completely, hopefully we can do so sufficiently in order to achieve the type of relationship God desires to have with humanity (John 14:9-25). God desires communion.

It is true that we do not experience God the Son physically, but this has been true of all humanity except for those few who knew him for a few years. The rest of us experience God and Jesus via the Holy Spirit as we contemplate God's Word, which Psalms expresses, but with the realization that God is our spiritual Father/Dad. God is Love, and we are lovettes.

Many of us also perceive God in His creation, so I hope you are able to take walks in the parks.
Do you have a pet house dog or cat? They can be a source of physical companionship when there are no children.

LIC, GWH

Yes, I do have a cat, God sent him to me by His grace, praise be to Him. I suppose an intimate emotional relationship with Jesus could is only comprehensible through an intimate emotional relationship with another human being, and that's something not available or accessible to me. Not a tragedy or a curse, but might be a misfortune.

 

[GWH]

Yes, I do have a cat, God sent him to me by His grace, praise be to Him. I suppose an intimate emotional relationship with Jesus could is only comprehensible through an intimate emotional relationship with another human being, and that's something not available or accessible to me. Not a tragedy or a curse, but might be a misfortune.

Well, I am blessed by my wife, but if she passes first I may get a cat.
I have wished/prayed for my two grown children to find soulmates,
but at least they have not suffered the pain of unhappy marriage and divorce.
You have no good relationships with neighbors or fellow church members?