Frustration with Prayer

[One_Church]

Anyone else out there ever get frustrated with prayer…especially on the small personal requests to God. I know that God has answered many of my “bigger” prayer requests…bringing friends back to the Church, prevention of a planned abortion, positive outcome to a scary situation, etc. My main frustration lies with when I turn to God for help with the small stuff like finding my lost cross that belonged to my grandpa, calming a crying baby when my wife and I are at our wits end, even trying to find a lost store receipt.

I understand it’s not my will but God’s will…but sometimes I just think I’m wasting my time when I turn to God for the small stuff in my life. I mean there is only so many times I can pray for direction on the small things without getting the direction I feel I need before I ask myself…why do I keep doing this?!? I don’t want to only pray to God when something big happens…I’d like to talk to him when times are good too…

I think a bad analogy is if I faithfully call an old friend and leave messages for them to call me back and they never do…eventually I will get to the point where I stop calling. I’d be a knucklehead if I didn’t. That’s how I sometimes feel when I pray to God…

I’m not really bitter…I know that some of my prayers are small peanuts in the bigger picture of the world…I feel guilty asking God for personal help when there are much bigger things I could be praying for…I just wonder if it’s time for me to stop asking for the things that would help me out.

I know God hears me on the big issues…but I wonder if he sometimes thinks…“is he really asking me for help for that?!? When will this guy learn?!?”

 

[AlanFromWichita]

I know God hears me on the big issues…but I wonder if he sometimes thinks…“is he really asking me for help for that?!? When will this guy learn?!?”

That’s because the big issues are the only ones you need to worry about.

If you focus on those and get them right, the small ones automatically fall into line.

Matt 6:33
But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.

The kingdom of God is wonderful. Come on in. The water’s fine.

Alan

 

[Trishie]

I praise and thank God for those of your prayers that God has answered.

I suspect sometimes I’ve prayed with some vague hope for a fairy-godmother-God, who grants my wishes for others and myself with a wave of the wand.
And maybe He sometimes doesn’t seem to answer just to remind me that He has a higher goal than meeting my wishes and hopes, the desire for each person’s person’s true good. I see perfectly the good that will come from His acquiescence…but does God see vastly beyond this supposed and hoped for outcome?
And sometimes medicine, sometimes self-discipline, is what is required for spiritual growth.
Neither is much fun, nor is the sense of helplessness before unanswered prayers, but faith and patience must grow in the absence of answers to every prayer.

May God grant all your prayers in the way He desires to answer them for your true good and others’

 

[RubyT]

I know for myself when I pray for big things, I am humble and in a state of reverence. Sometimes, during daily life when I pray for the smaller things my mindset is on my problems instead of maintaining a humble attitude. Perhaps this is why those smaller request are not fulfilled.

Just my two cents. :twocents:

Praise Jesus our Lord and Saviour.

 

[styrgwillidar]

I get frustrated with prayer quite a bit. However, God is answering your prayers, just in accordance with His will, not your own. There is a reason behind each of the minor troubles…

dealing with a colicy (spelling?) baby can be difficult but when a mom and dad tackle it together it can build the bond, improve the teamwork and parenting between the two. Realize you have limits, that you need assistance, that your partner has limits and needs assistance. One of the reasons my middle child (very colicy and would cry for hours) may be alive was the ability of her mom and I to hand her back and forth as we reached our limits. Of course, that patience and teamwork in the small things helped us deal with some major things later on…

 

[IrishRush]

One of my more frequent prayers for a “smaller” thing is that I pray for patience. And I’ve learned that when I pray for patience God gives me opportunities to practice being patient.
And I have to admit, I’ve become a little leery of praying for patience since I’ve seen this pattern…

 

[RubyT]

I understand it’s not my will but God’s will…but sometimes I just think I’m wasting my time when I turn to God for the small stuff in my life. I mean there is only so many times I can pray for direction on the small things without getting the direction I feel I need before I ask myself…why do I keep doing this?!? I don’t want to only pray to God when something big happens…I’d like to talk to him when times are good too…

I know God hears me on the big issues…but I wonder if he sometimes thinks…“is he really asking me for help for that?!? When will this guy learn?!?”

When we ask for the little things IMHO it is a way of always having the Lord on our minds. I think it promotes your relationship no matter how small the prayer. After all if you are asking God for “help” you are including Him in all your life not just the BIG things. I say just trust in the Lord. Don’t sweat the small stuff and don’t stop asking. It is His will and also His timing.

I doubt He ever gets tired of hearing your request. If you stopped asking that would be offensive to Him. Trust Him with all your heart and soul. Pray for increased knowledge and wisdom, this is where your answer is hidden. Pray for increased Faith, it works for me. .

And always forgive my typos because my spell check isn’t functioning.

 

[One_Church]

Thanks for the great advice everyone. I’m in a much better state of mind now…lack of sleep…sick kids…lost items…bills to pay…they all add up but God has a way of erasing the worries if you keep him close in your life )