Does God Give Signs?

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I’ll start this by saying I’m no saint. I’ve prayed alot when I need things, and been lukewarm (perhaps doing just what was needed) in my prayer life.

But I’ve been asking God for a sign about something. A friend who reads the Bible alot tells me God does not give signs trying to prove it with a quote where Jesus was speaking. But I didn’t think it pertained to generalities. We already know that Jesus has spoken about signs to look for in the last days, etc., so my friend’s argument is already, I think, incorrect.

My question: Do you think God gives signs if we pray for them? I’m not trying to test/tempt God (hope I haven’t gotten terminology wrong), but we’re told "ask and you shall receive." I’m so seriously in need of something, and while I realize God knows best, I don’t think I’m asking something wrong.

What are your thoughts? (and I’m wondering if I should pose this to an Apologist)?

Asking and Seeking the Answer, Dear God -
Conservative
 
Conservative said:
I’ll start this by saying I’m no saint. I’ve prayed alot when I need things, and been lukewarm (perhaps doing just what was needed) in my prayer life.

But I’ve been asking God for a sign about something. A friend who reads the Bible alot tells me God does not give signs trying to prove it with a quote where Jesus was speaking. But I didn’t think it pertained to generalities. We already know that Jesus has spoken about signs to look for in the last days, etc., so my friend’s argument is already, I think, incorrect.

My question: Do you think God gives signs if we pray for them? I’m not trying to test/tempt God (hope I haven’t gotten terminology wrong), but we’re told "ask and you shall receive." I’m so seriously in need of something, and while I realize God knows best, I don’t think I’m asking something wrong.

What are your thoughts? (and I’m wondering if I should pose this to an Apologist)?

Asking and Seeking the Answer, Dear God -
Conservative
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And that is the answer …not to test God in to giving signs.

When God has told me something I test the spirit like an “if that is You God then show me by …” and it’s not things that people would do that I ask, more like Gideon, you know abnormal things that shouldent happen.
What I am saying is I test the spirit, discernment.

Godbless
 
God gives signs every single moment. We are sometimes not seeing them.
We can certainly ask God for signs and He can give you if it is according to His will.
 
water said:
God gives signs every single moment. We are sometimes not seeing them.

We can certainly ask God for signs and He can give you if it is according to His will.
Click to expand...
I agree that is the point… His will!!!
Good one
God bless
 
and how He gives the sign to us can be different from what we have in mind what the sign should be like.
 
Godlovestrength said:
And that is the answer …not to test God in to giving signs.

When God has told me something I test the spirit like an “if that is You God then show me by …” and it’s not things that people would do that I ask, more like Gideon, you know abnormal things that shouldent happen.
What I am saying is I test the spirit, discernment.

Godbless
Click to expand...
With one exception - I’m not asking for this sign in the spirit of “if that is You, God…” I know it’s ONLY God who can show me this particular sign. He alone has the answer, and it’s not that I doubt Him. I’m in a serious emotional dilemma…while I’m constantly told to trust in His Mercy (???like I don’t???)…I’m asking the One Person Who can answer…Actually, I haven’t been asking, I’ve been begging. So, it’ not like testing God’s existence or power.

Waiting for answer to this prayer, please, God -
Conservative
 
Thank you, Water - for your prayers.

And can someone please advise me about the Prayer Forum. Is it a request for prayers ? I see “Prayer Warrior” titles and wonder am I required to offer prayers? I’m feeling a bit dumb on asking this question but would appreciation clarification.

God Bless You,
Conservative
 
Conservative said:
Thank you, Water - for your prayers.

And can someone please advise me about the Prayer Forum. Is it a request for prayers ? I see “Prayer Warrior” titles and wonder am I required to offer prayers? I’m feeling a bit dumb on asking this question but would appreciation clarification.

God Bless You,
Conservative
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The Prayer forum is for us to pray for each other, to ask others to pray for ourselves and/or for others as well. No, you are not required to pray for every single requests there if you have the title. To me, the title itself is to remind me and others to pray for each others. 🙂

To have this title, please see this post by the admin:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=149914
 
Conservative said:
I’ll start this by saying I’m no saint. I’ve prayed alot when I need things, and been lukewarm (perhaps doing just what was needed) in my prayer life.

But I’ve been asking God for a sign about something. A friend who reads the Bible alot tells me God does not give signs trying to prove it with a quote where Jesus was speaking. But I didn’t think it pertained to generalities. We already know that Jesus has spoken about signs to look for in the last days, etc., so my friend’s argument is already, I think, incorrect.

My question: Do you think God gives signs if we pray for them? I’m not trying to test/tempt God (hope I haven’t gotten terminology wrong), but we’re told "ask and you shall receive." I’m so seriously in need of something, and while I realize God knows best, I don’t think I’m asking something wrong.

What are your thoughts? (and I’m wondering if I should pose this to an Apologist)?

Asking and Seeking the Answer, Dear God -
Conservative
Click to expand...
Jesus told us not to look for signs when he said in Matt 16:4

"An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah."
 
thistle said:
Jesus told us not to look for signs when he said in Matt 16:4

"An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah."
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Yet sometimes He does give them… think of Therese and the Pranzini incident.
 
There are plenty of books of the saints and manifestations of God around but on a personal level…why if course…if you pray for a cadillac He probably will regard that as a temptation and not in your best interest, but pray to help you overcome a fault or habitual sin that is going to get a response always …asking the BVM and the saints to intercede on your behalf will be greatly beneficial…🙂
 
thistle said:
I’m not saying God has not given any signs. What Jesus said was that we should not seek signs.
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But my point in the Therese incident is that she was hoping for a visible sign or confirmation from God, which she did receive when Pranzini kissed the crucifix just before his execution.

Perhaps there is a difference between nonbelievers seeking signs before they will believe in God versus a believer looking for confirmation of God’s will, providing it does not fall into the category of tempting Him or placing Him in a position where we demand a sign “or else”? (This is speculation on my part and I would welcome discussion).

I also thought about Jeff Cavins’ conversion testimony when he prayed for confirmation and the story about following a woman wearing a crucifix at the airport and meeting bishop McDonald who had just recently heard of Jeff in a conversation in a different state.
 
It looks to me that we are discussing on 2 different kind of signs:
1- sign: to prove God’s existence
2- sign: to know God’s will, God’s love for our daily conversion.

Which one are we talking about? 🙂
 
Do you think that recieving personal signs steals from our faith? Does it take away from a possible heavenly reward for following without consolations? I have had plenty of signs and consolation, but worry about if I am expending my possible heavenly rewards just to get me through here in this world. Or is it a free gift? Tim
 
water said:
It looks to me that we are discussing on 2 different kind of signs:
1- sign: to prove God’s existence
2- sign: to know God’s will, God’s love for our daily conversion.

Which one are we talking about? 🙂
Click to expand...
Neither.
1 - My initial question was definitely not asking God to prove His existence. If I didn’t believe in Him, I wouldn’t be asking Him.
2 - I know God loves us. I’m not asking Him that.

However, there is something I need to know = not that I have any right. It’s spiritual and might only be revealed to me after my death (more likely), but the nature of the question/answer, therefore, is something only God could reveal, if He so chose. I can’t tell God to do anything, and considering my sinfulness, I have alot of gall asking - but in this particular case I’m begging Him. If He answered this prayer - I don’t know if I’d even recognize the sign…But don’t we all ask for the impossible - for miracles? How many thousands go to Lourdes, bathe in the waters in hopes of a cure for something? Are they testing God or just hoping/praying for a miracle.

How many pray to St. Jude, the saint of the impossible? Do we do so to test the saint - or God’s Mercy? No, we believe that God’s Mercy, if He so wills it, would answer the prayer - and not all are answered.

I guess that’s what I’m doing. I’m begging for a sign that would give me the answer to something I don’t deserve to ask but am doing so anyway - not to fly in the face of God - the thought alone frightens me. But I’m going to Our Father in Heaven who sees the sincerity of my request. I’m knocking on the doors of Heaven, in hopes of an answer - and hoping that the answer isn’t “No.”

Ask, and you shall receive,
Seek, and you shall find,
Knock, and it shall be opened to you.

Conservative
 
Conservative said:
I’ll start this by saying I’m no saint. I’ve prayed alot when I need things, and been lukewarm (perhaps doing just what was needed) in my prayer life.

But I’ve been asking God for a sign about something. A friend who reads the Bible alot tells me God does not give signs trying to prove it with a quote where Jesus was speaking. But I didn’t think it pertained to generalities. We already know that Jesus has spoken about signs to look for in the last days, etc., so my friend’s argument is already, I think, incorrect.

My question: Do you think God gives signs if we pray for them? I’m not trying to test/tempt God (hope I haven’t gotten terminology wrong), but we’re told “ask and you shall receive.” I’m so seriously in need of something, and while I realize God knows best, I don’t think I’m asking something wrong.

What are your thoughts? (and I’m wondering if I should pose this to an Apologist)?

Asking and Seeking the Answer, Dear God -
Conservative
Click to expand...
God gives us direction in our lives. That’s what prayer is. Prayer isn’t just us talking to God- he talks back. It can be difficult to clear our minds enough to hear what God wants to tell us- he doesn’t just walk up to you on the street and say “hey…here’s what you need to do.” It doesn’t work that way- but because of our human nature, we expect it that way. Really, that’s how things were intended to be, until sin entered the world.

If you are facing a decision in life and want God’s help (which you should), it’s good to ask for direction- but don’t ask for bigger and better signs when you’re not convinced, and don’t make little things (like a leaf falling off a tree or a dog barking or something random like that) into signs from God when they probably aren’t. When you pray for guidance, pray also that you be open to guidance (i.e. God’s will).
 
Conservative said:
Neither.
1 - My initial question was definitely not asking God to prove His existence. If I didn’t believe in Him, I wouldn’t be asking Him.
2 - I know God loves us. I’m not asking Him that.
Click to expand...
That is good to know - this helps members here narrow down what kind of sign you were referring to. Obviously, the friend you mentioned in the first post of this thread did not know exactly what you had in mind and neither some of us.
water said:
God gives signs every single moment. We are sometimes not seeing them.
We can certainly ask God for signs and He can give you if it is according to His will.
Click to expand...
So, in my previous post,
2- sign: to know God’s will, God’s love for our daily conversion.

you might want to include this to what you are asking for. It is His Will that I had emphasized on throughout this thread.
 
You know, I have always been told that asking for a sign is tempting God. I have to say that the first thing one should decide is if they are asking for a sign or they are asking for affirmation. These are, in my mind, two different things.

In my mind, when one seeks a sign that they should or shouldn’t do something, that is wrong. Something like “If I should rent my apartment to this person, ring my phone five times.” That is, in my mind, a sin and clearly wrong.

With that said, I think that if you are praying for something and you ask God to affirm that he has heard and your pray will be answered…that is totally different and I believe it to be fine.

As for the little voice that we here in our heads that tell us what to do, I think that that is the conscience which God has instilled in us.

I know God is powerful and I think that if He were speaking to you, you would know it without a doubt.

Have I asked for signs? Yes.
Did I get one? No.
Why? My best guess…….because my little problem is actually very small in comparison to what some other Gods children are dealing with……earthquakes, tornados, cancer, murder, terrorism….etc.

My mother has always told me that when I truly need a sign from God, I won’t have to ask. God will bring forth a sign without me uttering a single word.

As for me…I am facing a pretty big problem in my life and I could use a few prayers. If you have the time, I would appreciate any prayers that you could spare.

Love and God bless,
thetbm
 
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