Help needed

[BernadetteM]

A close relative has been praying for years that God would answer her prayers. The prayers are not for material goods, but for blessings in her life. As she gets older it appears that God is not answering any of her requests, which are all good.

For the past few years she has gotten very bitter and angry at God and you can’t mention anything about faith etc. without her getting very upset.

I am afraid for her soul, however, I can’t bring anything up to her. I wondered if there were any good books on the subject of why when one asks for just one or two things that everyone else seems to have, how can one keep believing in God. I thought if I could find a book that really gives answers, she might read it.

Thanks for any information to help.

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette

 

[ConstantineTG]

I can relate. It has happened to me. I was at the point of buying into the “God exists but He’s just an observer.” Its the low point of my life. But I recovered. I guess I really wanted answers and God did give me answers. Thing is, every second, every moment, God is answering our prayers. But oftentimes we do not recognize it. Its because we expect to get what we asked for right away, regardless if its good for us or not, if we’re ready for it or not, etc.

Here’s an analogy. Say we ask God for a car. God immediately says okay. But first we have to learn to drive and get a license. Next, we need a good job to be able to pay for the car, gas, maintenance, insurance, etc. Next, perhaps we need the proper attitude, as a driver, as an owner, etc. God prepares us for his blessings always, so that we don’t throw away what He has given us. So the process takes time. If He gives us the car immediately, we may not know how to drive it. Or don’t have the funds to maintain it. Then what we have is just another problem. God always thinks and sees big picture, we often don’t.

From the problem that turned me to that very dark place, I have seen how much better my life is today. Everything that happened was for the best, for myself and for everyone else. Sure, it took years and a lot of heartache. But had I been trusting and patient, then I would have avoided that. But God led me to what I prayed for. And through the trials, my faith was strengthened.

 

[DavidFilmer]

As she gets older it appears that God is not answering any of her requests, which are all good.

She has a seriously misinformed idea of how prayer works. God is not a Santa Claus waiting on us to send him our wish list (regardless of the noble merits of the things we may want). God owes us nothing - we cannot claim any injustice if he gives us nothing.

So, now, because she hasn’t gotten her way, she is turning against God. Well, it’s obvious she was never really aligned with God in the first place. When she didn’t get her way, she walked away from God. She is interested in God as long as she thinks she can get something out of it (besides, umm, eternal salvation and eternal joy - but I’m sure the things on her wishlist were *much *more significant than that).

Now she has the opportunity to turn back to God, but on God’s terms, not her own. And, in doing so, she will grow into a genuine relationship.

Or not. But she never had it in the first place, so she’s really no worse off now than before. She’s just finally being honest with herself about it (so, really, she is better off, in a way).

 

[FightingFat]

A close relative has been praying for years that God would answer her prayers. The prayers are not for material goods, but for blessings in her life. As she gets older it appears that God is not answering any of her requests, which are all good.

For the past few years she has gotten very bitter and angry at God and you can’t mention anything about faith etc. without her getting very upset.

I am afraid for her soul, however, I can’t bring anything up to her. I wondered if there were any good books on the subject of why when one asks for just one or two things that everyone else seems to have, how can one keep believing in God. I thought if I could find a book that really gives answers, she might read it.

There are two REALLY good ones that address this EXACT issue

The Book of Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes)

The Book of Job