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Walterross
Guest
How do you know this isn’t you just being a good person? A morally sound person? I feel like an atheist who is a good person would also wish for good to happen and bad to not happen? Thank you for your prayers.
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Trishie
Guest
the Lord said : “My thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways…Yes, and the heavens are as high above the earth as my ways are above your ways, my thoughts above your thoughts.” [Isaiah 55:8-9]
Isaiah says, “I was thinking: ‘I have toiled in vain, I have exhausted myself for nothing.’ And all the while my cause was with God, my reward with my God.” [Isaiah 49:3-4]
For “the Lord is not being slow to carry out His promises…but He is being patient with you all, wanting nobody to be lost and everybody to be brought to change his ways .” [2Peter 3:9]
Isaiah says, “I was thinking: ‘I have toiled in vain, I have exhausted myself for nothing.’ And all the while my cause was with God, my reward with my God.” [Isaiah 49:3-4]
For “the Lord is not being slow to carry out His promises…but He is being patient with you all, wanting nobody to be lost and everybody to be brought to change his ways .” [2Peter 3:9]
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Anon7
Guest
I totally understand I’ve been in the same position and a lot a lot of people have, even the Saints went through this !
God always answers prayers, through people, situations etc
See I’m not saying that it is but it COULD be God testing you as mentioned earlier, He loves to test our patience to see how faithful we are.
I get that it’s totally frustrating, read the book of Job it’s guided me but everyone is guided differently because we’re all on different spiritual levels. Continue to pray the rosary and pray the Hail Mary in your head aswell as St Michael prayer or even a pray of your own, even conversate with God He prefers your honesty rather than fancy words that you yourself don’t understand. God is love and mercy He understands us but no one said the Catholic Faith is a comfortable one, we’re always going to be put out of our comfort zone because we do not belong to this world we belong to Jesus. We will always be restless until we reunited with God.
All I can say is pray pray and pray and make frequent visits to the blessed sacrament, go to confession and receive communion if you are able to. Have Trust in the Lord and Our Mother
God always answers prayers, through people, situations etc
See I’m not saying that it is but it COULD be God testing you as mentioned earlier, He loves to test our patience to see how faithful we are.
I get that it’s totally frustrating, read the book of Job it’s guided me but everyone is guided differently because we’re all on different spiritual levels. Continue to pray the rosary and pray the Hail Mary in your head aswell as St Michael prayer or even a pray of your own, even conversate with God He prefers your honesty rather than fancy words that you yourself don’t understand. God is love and mercy He understands us but no one said the Catholic Faith is a comfortable one, we’re always going to be put out of our comfort zone because we do not belong to this world we belong to Jesus. We will always be restless until we reunited with God.
All I can say is pray pray and pray and make frequent visits to the blessed sacrament, go to confession and receive communion if you are able to. Have Trust in the Lord and Our Mother
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drac16
Guest
I can’t convince you if you are thinking of every possible hindrance, to suggest that I didn’t hear God. An atheist doesn’t pray, so I don’t see how that is a parallel to me having heard from God. If an atheist heard God, it would probably be a call to repentance-- not an exhortation to pray, which requires faith, for something that is important.
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njlisa
Guest
@Walterross
I do pray directly to God. Lots of the times. Mainly – through spontaneous aspirations. I pray “Jesus help me” a lot. Short prayers keep us talking and listening to God all day.
I ask saints to pray for me just as I would ask a friend to pray for me. Saint are our friends in heaven. That’s what the Communion of Saints is all about.
Whatever method that helps focus on God is great.
I do pray directly to God. Lots of the times. Mainly – through spontaneous aspirations. I pray “Jesus help me” a lot. Short prayers keep us talking and listening to God all day.
I ask saints to pray for me just as I would ask a friend to pray for me. Saint are our friends in heaven. That’s what the Communion of Saints is all about.
Whatever method that helps focus on God is great.
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Walterross
Guest
Thank you. I just wish there was a way of knowing that God is out there at the very least, so everything else would be easier. I always have wondered why God made everything so difficult. I realize it has to do with the fall of Adam and Eve, but even if that story is true, it wasn’t our fault that our parents made the wrong choices. Again thank you for the encouragement
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Walterross
Guest
It wasn’t every possible hindrance, just a common one. Bad example on the atheist part, though. sorry about that
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Brendan_64
Guest
Faith is not about ‘experiences’.Experiences can be helpful, but I don’t believe they are essential. Faith is about belief and putting yourself in the hands of God. When people have spiritual experiences it is, I believe, for a purpose and not to make us think, “Wow, that was an amazing experience”.
I believe my first significant spiritual experience was when I was called (challenged, invited) back to Christ. I wasn’t looking for an experience then, I wasn’t praying, I had in effect closed myself to Christ. And I was about 40 years old.
I would think that we shouldn’t necessarily go searching for spiritual experiences in themselves because to do so could be to be guilty of seeking spiritual self-indulgence. However if you really seek to feel the presence of God then attend Eucharistic adoration regularly and keep going. Sit or kneel before Christ in adoration and offer yourself to Him.
I believe my first significant spiritual experience was when I was called (challenged, invited) back to Christ. I wasn’t looking for an experience then, I wasn’t praying, I had in effect closed myself to Christ. And I was about 40 years old.
I would think that we shouldn’t necessarily go searching for spiritual experiences in themselves because to do so could be to be guilty of seeking spiritual self-indulgence. However if you really seek to feel the presence of God then attend Eucharistic adoration regularly and keep going. Sit or kneel before Christ in adoration and offer yourself to Him.
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po18guy
Well-known member
My advice is to stop trying so hard. It is not a struggle to find God. Struggles pertain to resisting Him or following Him once you have received the grace of faith in Him.
Are you confessing your sins regularly? The burden of sin separates us from God and diverts our attention from Him. A heart burdened with sin has no room for the Holy Spirit. It must first be emptied of sin.
When you confess, you are hearing Christ speak through the Priest. The Priest forgives sin in the person of, and with the authority of Christ. Do you find your priest’s advice hard to accept or follow? Good! So it was when Christ walked this earth.
Reflect on Mark 2:5, Luke 5:20 and Luke 7:48. Those are the three cases recorded in scripture in which Jesus directly and verbally forgave sin. In each case, He told the sinner in so many words, “Your sins are forgiven.”
We hear that from the Priest - an alter Christus.
Most important of all: Are you going directly to our Lord, and placing your doubts and difficulties before Him? No?
Then, there is no reason to complain. No investment, no return.
As always, I strongly suggest that you call your parish and find the times that they offer Adoration of Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Then, borrowing a catch phrase from Nike, “Just do it” - Go and spend time in the presence of our Lord.
Let’s say that you don’t have the faith to look upon Christ without seeing only the accidents of bread. He already knows that you struggle with that. Tell Him anyway.
Sit. Gaze upon Him. Read. Pray. Just be as patient with our Lord as He has been with you.
In the insightful words of Fr. Benedict Groeschel† C.F.R…
He is waiting for you.
Are you confessing your sins regularly? The burden of sin separates us from God and diverts our attention from Him. A heart burdened with sin has no room for the Holy Spirit. It must first be emptied of sin.
When you confess, you are hearing Christ speak through the Priest. The Priest forgives sin in the person of, and with the authority of Christ. Do you find your priest’s advice hard to accept or follow? Good! So it was when Christ walked this earth.
Reflect on Mark 2:5, Luke 5:20 and Luke 7:48. Those are the three cases recorded in scripture in which Jesus directly and verbally forgave sin. In each case, He told the sinner in so many words, “Your sins are forgiven.”
We hear that from the Priest - an alter Christus.
Most important of all: Are you going directly to our Lord, and placing your doubts and difficulties before Him? No?
Then, there is no reason to complain. No investment, no return.
As always, I strongly suggest that you call your parish and find the times that they offer Adoration of Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Then, borrowing a catch phrase from Nike, “Just do it” - Go and spend time in the presence of our Lord.
Let’s say that you don’t have the faith to look upon Christ without seeing only the accidents of bread. He already knows that you struggle with that. Tell Him anyway.
Sit. Gaze upon Him. Read. Pray. Just be as patient with our Lord as He has been with you.
In the insightful words of Fr. Benedict Groeschel† C.F.R…
Miracles occur in the presence of our Lord at adoration - of that I can attest. Your miracle, the grace of unwavering faith, is prepared for you, if you will receive it. It is not a striving; a struggling - it is a letting go and weakening oneself so that God’s power has free reign in your heart.
He is waiting for you.
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Thrstypirate
Guest
It’s hard to explain. Like OP said, there’s a million thoughts in my head a day. Probably more because I’m an overthinker and a worry wart. However there a rare and special occasion where I feel 100% that a thought came from an outside source. So yes, God does speak to the heart, rarely but profoundly.
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lilypadrees
Guest
Sounds like your motivation for following God is to hear God’s praise. You’re looking for that audible Voice from Heaven to say, “I’m proud of you.” And because you’re getting silence, you think God doesn’t care.
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lilypadrees
Guest
That’s going to be news to every Christian for whom praying the Rosary isn’t a way of life.
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CoeurRempli
Guest
I understand where you are coming from. There were moments in my life when I felt very close to God and strongly felt his presence. There were other moments when God responded with silence, and I heard nothing, when I was in a lot of pain and didn’t feel comforted. It can be really hard to keep going and easy to become doubtful, cynical, jaded. I totally relate to restraining yourself from calling BS…
In these times, I remind myself, " Trust in the LORD* with all your heart , and do not rely on your own insight." God has promised that he has a plan for us. God has promised to always be with us. God has demonstrated his love over and over again for us, particularly when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, so we could be with him forever. All this does not change, regardless of how I am feeling, regardless of my own insights. Perhaps God is speaking and I just need to listen harder. Perhaps silence is what I need at that time, to help me grow. Perhaps God has an answer, but the timing is not right.
It is not helpful either to compare yourself to others. God has a different plan for everyone. Some people see visions of God or experience great miracles… if I don’t, it doesn’t mean that God does not love me.
I have started keeping a journal and just writing down the little things I am thankful for, or the small ways in which I noticed God’s presence in my life. They are so easy to forget and become overshadowed by the dark moments, so I write them down.
During the dark times in my life, I flip through my journal. I think back to the times when I have heard God speaking. I go back to the times when God did answer my prayers and when I did strongly feel God’s presence. And I remind myself of God’s promises, which do not change. That pushes me to keep on going. Even though I am unsure of where God is leading me, I know that he wants what is best for me.
Praying for you.
In these times, I remind myself, " Trust in the LORD* with all your heart , and do not rely on your own insight." God has promised that he has a plan for us. God has promised to always be with us. God has demonstrated his love over and over again for us, particularly when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, so we could be with him forever. All this does not change, regardless of how I am feeling, regardless of my own insights. Perhaps God is speaking and I just need to listen harder. Perhaps silence is what I need at that time, to help me grow. Perhaps God has an answer, but the timing is not right.
It is not helpful either to compare yourself to others. God has a different plan for everyone. Some people see visions of God or experience great miracles… if I don’t, it doesn’t mean that God does not love me.
I have started keeping a journal and just writing down the little things I am thankful for, or the small ways in which I noticed God’s presence in my life. They are so easy to forget and become overshadowed by the dark moments, so I write them down.
During the dark times in my life, I flip through my journal. I think back to the times when I have heard God speaking. I go back to the times when God did answer my prayers and when I did strongly feel God’s presence. And I remind myself of God’s promises, which do not change. That pushes me to keep on going. Even though I am unsure of where God is leading me, I know that he wants what is best for me.
Praying for you.
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lilypadrees
Guest
The way God speaks to the heart is as unique as each individual. You see, @Walterross, it can be as simple as seeing the beauty of a rose to witnessing a rainbow to the sound of your baby’s first cry to having a question long struggled with answered.
The main thing is to persevere, to never give up even when all seems lost. Turn to Him in all things great and small.
Look around you at the trees, at the birds, at the sky. Marvel at the beauty of nature as you take a walk in the woods.
This world spinning on its axis. Who but God could keep it in place?
God is always there watching, waiting patiently for us, His creations to wake up and give ourselves fully to Him. Tell Him of your doubts, your fears. Put your hand in His.
Like Thomas, place your hand in Christ’s side, your fingers in His wounds and believe, knowing that He died for you and for me. It’s really quite humbling when you think about it.
Ask Him to give you the faith of a mustard seed. So tiny, yet has the power to move mountains.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. - John 14:1 NRSVCE
The main thing is to persevere, to never give up even when all seems lost. Turn to Him in all things great and small.
Look around you at the trees, at the birds, at the sky. Marvel at the beauty of nature as you take a walk in the woods.
This world spinning on its axis. Who but God could keep it in place?
God is always there watching, waiting patiently for us, His creations to wake up and give ourselves fully to Him. Tell Him of your doubts, your fears. Put your hand in His.
Like Thomas, place your hand in Christ’s side, your fingers in His wounds and believe, knowing that He died for you and for me. It’s really quite humbling when you think about it.
Ask Him to give you the faith of a mustard seed. So tiny, yet has the power to move mountains.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. - John 14:1 NRSVCE
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Annie
Guest
I believe that God allows just enough information to allow us to choose. If we had more information, more proof, then not believing in God would be like not believing in the existence of your mother or something.
This way, we definitely choose Him. We choose the path of love and virtue. We choose to believe that we are a part of something in which we have purpose and in which it is better to be good and to serve others than not to be.
Thank God for every little thing that happens, even just finding a parking spot. If it is close to where you are going, good! If it is not, thank Him for the extra bit of exercise you are getting. Just keep talking to Him. Choose Him rather than not-Him.
Consider Pascal’s wager: would you be better off after death if you had believed in Him and been wrong than you would be the other way around?
This way, we definitely choose Him. We choose the path of love and virtue. We choose to believe that we are a part of something in which we have purpose and in which it is better to be good and to serve others than not to be.
Thank God for every little thing that happens, even just finding a parking spot. If it is close to where you are going, good! If it is not, thank Him for the extra bit of exercise you are getting. Just keep talking to Him. Choose Him rather than not-Him.
Consider Pascal’s wager: would you be better off after death if you had believed in Him and been wrong than you would be the other way around?
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ShrodingersCat
Guest
Hi OP. I struggle too. You aren’t the only one. I’ve never heard God speak to me ( that I’m aware of). But if God does exist, I’d really want to worship him and give thanks for all he’s done for me. So I pray to him to help me with my doubts and go on being as good a Catholic as I can.
My personal opinion also is that God is more likely to answer prayers by giving you the grace/strength/fortitude to deal with whatever life throws at you, rather than changing the physical outcome of a situation.
My personal opinion also is that God is more likely to answer prayers by giving you the grace/strength/fortitude to deal with whatever life throws at you, rather than changing the physical outcome of a situation.
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Wesrock
Guest
This. And sometimes if we pray for patience he doesn’t send us patience but opportunities to be patient.
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tad
Guest
I got the call to convert 17 years ago. I didn’t exactly hear the voice of God, but it was impossible to miss His finger working in my life. By testing the fruits I knew I was on the right path.
A couple of years ago I was trying the Ignation practice of what God’s will was for me at that time. The answer came to me and I knew it was correct because it was good for all those concerned.
Another time I was fussing about a job offer I had and asked God about it. He just laughed at me,then I laughed and then we had a good laugh together. That was the one time I clearly heard the voice of God.
A couple of years ago I was trying the Ignation practice of what God’s will was for me at that time. The answer came to me and I knew it was correct because it was good for all those concerned.
Another time I was fussing about a job offer I had and asked God about it. He just laughed at me,then I laughed and then we had a good laugh together. That was the one time I clearly heard the voice of God.
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awesomecatholic
Guest
I’v heard God many times. Regarding my vocation and conversion. But sometimes, I ask God for help and I get nothing. I know it can be really frustrating and I’m sorry your having a hard time. Just know Jesus and Our Lady love you and are here for you and the Saints intercede for you everyday. Feel free to message me if you want to talk.
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Pattylt
Guest
To the OP’s original question…
No, nada, nothing…and it led to eventual agnosticism. I would avoid this line of thought as, for me, it was extremely painful until eventual peace and acceptance.
No, nada, nothing…and it led to eventual agnosticism. I would avoid this line of thought as, for me, it was extremely painful until eventual peace and acceptance.
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