I believe that it is true that God always answers our prayers. But it isn't always easy for me to believe it. There are a lot of tragic things that happen in the world that many good people pray about. And yet the tragedies still happen. There are difficult times in my own life, and I always pray about them. Sometimes the difficulties are resolved, usually in ways I don’t at first recognize. And sometimes it seems like there is no resolution. It seems like God isn't listening or perhaps I’m not praying hard enough.
In a boxing, football match or any kind of sports or contests, the opponents, contestants or the teams are all praying for God’s blessing to win the game or contest. Here in the Philippines, we would even offer a mass for Manny Pacquiao before his match, but for sure the other boxer he and his loveones are also all praying for his victory. There are also so many people praying to win the lottery. All are really in need of the money, has good intentions and wishing for a comfortable life. For some, it may be a prayer about finances, for others, it may be a prayer about healing, and for still others, it may be a prayer regarding marriage or any relationship problems.
A little reflection would show that God cannot grant some prayers. During the war every nation prayed for victory. Yet it is perfectly obvious that all countries could not be victorious. Two men living together might pray, the one for rain and the other for fine weather. God cannot give both these things at the same time in the same place. Why, if God gave us all we prayed for, we should rule the world, and not He! And surely we would all confess that we are not capable of doing that. Moreover, more than one ruler of the world is an absolute impossibility. God's answer to prayer may be "Yes," or it may be "No." It may be "Wait," for it may be that He plans a much larger blessing than we imagined, and one which involves other lives as well as our own.
I have been praying a lot to God. I am saying the rosary always and also my boyfriend. He is even the one who encourage me to be more closer to Our Lady. I am attending a novena mass every Wednesday for our Mother of Perpetual Help and a Sunday mass. I am praying not just for myself but for my special someone’s prayers to be answered by our God. With my daily devotion to God and to Our Lady, I know someday it will be answered. I am just hoping it will be soon but I will patiently wait for it. I remember I have a religious friend in college, she told me that the more you are closer to God, the more you will encounter a lot of problems, temptations and sadness. I always saw her crying before about family problems and on finances. Yes, lately, I am facing a lot of it. Sometimes it is really hard to hold on and still believe in the miracles. Sometimes I get lazy praying the rosary. But I realized everytime I am lazy or forgot to pray the rosary, for sure it will be a bad day until I pray again, the situation is better. So I really try to say my rosary everyday and yes so far, I am doing good. I highly recommend to pray the rosary always. It helps a lot in our daily lives. Mama Mary is always there to console us. One of Our Lady's promises for praying the rosary is we can obtain what we will ask by recitation of the rosary. This promise emphasizes Our Lady's role as our Advocate and Mediatrix of all Graces. Of course, all requests are subject to God's Most Perfect Will. God will always grant our request if it is beneficial for our soul, and Our Lady will only intercede for us when our request is good for our salvation. And another promise is, all those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by Her in our necessities. If one promotes the praying of the Rosary, Our Lady emphasizes Her Maternal care for us by obtaining many Graces like spiritual necessities and also material necessities (neither excess nor luxury), all subject to the Will of God of course. Also remember the words of Padre Pio, we should live our lives with this attitude: "Pray, hope and don't worry".
The last time I prayed so hard was when my brother was hospitalized and really in bad condition and almost died, I prayed many times and surrendered everything to God. I told Him to please don't take yet my brother. In exchange on what I have asked from Him, I will accept it if I cannot have a child of my own for the rest of my life and it is okay to stay single forever. That was really my prayer to Him. I was not even thinking about myself that time. I offered myself to God... my happiness... my dreams. Then, after two weeks in the hospital, my brother was okay. So remembering all these, God really answered my prayer that time. But right now, I am in a relationship, so in love and wishing that someday I can be married also... of course to Ant. But thinking of what I have promised to God before, He may not grant it this time. I have just realized it today. I have been facing a lot just to save this relationship. I am scared that this will be all gone soon. It is fine with me to not bear a child of my own but hope God would listen to my prayer. I don't want to be single forever anymore.
I am so sorry Lord because I know I have promised to You in exchange of the favor that I have asked. I will stay faithful to you. I really appreciate Your love, Lord, but all I really want is to be a wife someday. But You know what is best for me. I am not giving up in praying Lord. Hope You will reconsider mine. I promise to serve you willingly forever and to do what I can to make you loved by others also. I know someday You will make all things right. Please give me strength for I am afraid I cannot travel this perilous road by myself. I am calling on your promise that You will walk with me and share this burden that is so heavy.
Help me to depend on my faith in You, and give me hope, for I need You more than ever. Give me peace, guide me and speak to my heart so that I can listen and understand how to get past these troubles in order to serve you with joy and thanksgiving. I am surrendering myself to You.
You know the desires of my heart. I ask that you bless me with more wisdom, strength, love, courage less fear and doubts. I ask you continue blessing my family, friends and my Anthony. I ask if it is your will for us to be together forever, that it be done. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.
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| Bouquet of roses for me from Ant... now from us... just for you Mama Mary. We love you! |
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"God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It's a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It's a good thing when you're young to stick it out through the hard times. When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear (Lamentations 3:25-29, The Message). "
Will your love story come true? For many of you it will. Concerning your future husband it could be in the near(er) future, or like some, it could be years in the distance. It could be a quick romance. It could be a slow falling in love. It could be exactly like you pictured it or like nothing you ever dreamed. But when the day comes that your story is celebrated by your closest friends and family, you'll know that every prayer was worth it. And you might even wish you'd prayed more, because prayers are the first gifts you give to your future husband. Gifts that heaven participates in giving.
While we can't guarantee every one of you will have that type of love story, there is another type we do believe will take place. Everyone, everywhere can have a beautiful love story with her God. It begins the moment you look into His eyes, realize how much you are loved, and give your love and commitment in return.
While we cannot guarantee your prayers will lead you down the aisle to a waiting mate, we do know that every prayer whispered is precious to God. None of them are wasted. While we hope your prayers for the man of your dreams come true, we know that your prayers bring you closer to the God of your eternity. And seeing the love in His gaze is the most beautiful love story of all.
If you are to be committed to anything, be committed to preparing your heart for God's — in this way — and in every other aspect of your life. The love you'll experience will be life-changing, and the celebration in eternity is one to look forward to with all your heart.
Why does God wait to answer prayer?
– The Hope of Glory (pg. 313-314)
– The Hope of Glory (pg. 313-314)
Why does a good and all-powerful God who could answer our prayers immediately often delay and not respond ‘on time” [from our perspective]? Why does He call us to persevering prayer? Sam Storms provides some excellent answers:
"First, we are presumptuous people. We just assume that God ought always to do what we ask, when we ask, precisely in the way we ask. By delaying his response, God awakens us to the gracious character of all answered prayer. In other words, that God says or does anything at all in response to our petitions is sheer, undiluted grace. Resolute continuation in prayer, watchful perseverance, is often the best way for us to learn this invaluable lesson.
Second, steadfast endurance in coming again and again to the throne of grace is God’s way of cultivating in us a sense of absolute and utter dependence upon him. We are by nature self-reliant, self-sufficient folk. If God were instantly and at all times to answer our every prayer, we would gradually lose our sense of urgency. Truth be told, most of us would soon lose sight of the fact that it is God alone who is the source of all good. Suspending his response, God is saying to each of us: “Just how desperate are you? How conscious are you that I am your only source, your sole and all-sufficient supply?”
Third, persistent praying puts us in that frame of mind and spirit in which we may properly receive what it is that God is reluctant to give, but that we lack preparation to receive. Try to envision what a mess your life would have been if your parents granted you everything you asked for as a child! God often delays his answers because, quite simply, we are in no shape to receive them. Few of us are willing to admit that, but deep down we know it’s true.
Fourth, steadfast, watchful continuation in prayer helps us differentiate between impetuous, ill-conceived, selfish desires, and sincere, deep-seated, Christ-exalting ones. Persistence in prayer thus enables us to weed out improper petitions.
Fifth, endurance at the throne of grace purifies the content of our petitions. By repeating our prayers we are forced to think and rethink what we are saying. We are compelled to evaluate our motivation and aim for asking God for something in particular. It’s a bit like how I read, reread, and read yet again each of these meditations. It helps me identify mistakes, locate typographical errors, and rephrase something that otherwise might be false of misleading. I can almost envision God saying in response to my first articulation of a prayer, “Sam, are you sure you want me to answer that one? Think about it. Contemplate the long-term consequences of a yes. Then co e back and ask me again in different terms, with a purified purpose.”
Sixth, perseverance cultivates patience. By withholding ans immediate response, we learn how to wait on God. Waiting on the Lord is far from a passive posture. It’s and active, expectant, persistent pressing to the heart and purposes of a loving God. How might we ever learn to do this were it not for steadfastness in prayer?
Seventh, oftentimes God wants to give, but not now. The answer will come in better circumstances, at a more opportune moment. By delaying his response, a greater and better and more God-glorifying end is secured than by an immediate answer.
Finally, even if none of the reasons given above make sense to you, persevere anyway! God isn’t asking you to understand; he’s asking you to be faithful.
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by : SimplyaWomanofFaith
1. BE SPECIFIC: Be clear about what you want. God may be waiting for you to ask for what you want.
2. EXPECT AN ANSWER: God answers all prayers. It’s easier to hear and see God’s answers when you are expecting and trusting that you will hear from Him. Learn to go within for guidance and answers.
3. LISTEN CAREFULLY: God may answer you in a piece of music, a song, a book, another person. If you are busy running around, you may be missing God’s answered prayer.
4. BELIEVE: You must “see” your prayer answered on the inside before it manifests on the outside. Change your thinking and your life will change. Practice affirmations of a daily basis.
5. BE PATIENT: God’s timing is perfect. You must learn to wait for His perfect plan for your life. Trust the answers will come.
6. STAY GRATEFUL: Gratitude is the key to make things manifest quickly. Don’t focus on what’s missing, but focus on what you already have.
7. HAVE FAITH: Your prayers are being answered. Faith is believing when you can not see. Be open and receptive.
8. FORGIVE: Do a daily inventory, let go of resentments and judgements. Holding onto resentments blocks the energy flow and prevents or slows your ability to manifest your desires.
9. SHOW UP: Pray, meditate and visualize daily. When you “show up” God “shows up” and the “HOW” shows up in the perfect time and perfect way. Pay attention to your dreams. Journaling is a form of prayer.
10. INTERNAL HOUSE CLEANING: Be honest with yourself and ask yourself – What old thoughts and beliefs are blocking communication with God? Fasting or cleansing your diet will help detoxify your mind, body and spirit.
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