How do I know if God will answer my prayer?

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I’ve been praying for years for a relationship and I still haven’t found anything worthwhile yet I am going to be 33 next month and its just frustrating that to me that I have never had a real relationship or friend.
 
I get the impression that while you have been waiting at the airport, your ship came in. Prayer is very good, but it is not all up to God. Something is lacking, even time or patience. If you lack some factor of attraction, then work on that. If you never meet potential mates, ponder why. If no one comes to you, go to them.

This is very similar to the wise adage: I went looking for friends and found none. I became a friend and found many.
 
Brother,

I recommend “A Catholic Guide to Loneliness” by psychologist Kevin Vost. Not only does it provide good advice for how to respond to these difficulties, but it helps us tap into it as a hidden blessing.

You should not feel alone in being alone. It is something that is becoming pandemic in Western society and if a minority are expressing their pain, there is a silent majority who are living in quiet desperation. I experience at least a little pain from loneliness daily, although it is something I’ve chosen voluntarily for the time being and I do my best not to allow the experience to go to waste. You will rarely find better opportunities for growth on all levels than during times of solitude.

God always hears our prayers and he either says yes or he has something even better in mind. You can have 100% confidence that God is listening to you. Don’t despair. Repeat frequently, “Jesus, I trust in you”.
 
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@po18guy I am judged by all people do to the fact that I was born with a disability called Cerebral Palsy they think its contagious or a disease that they will catch so they don’t even want to be seen with me.
 
Have you considered other paths in life? Are you sure this is what God desires of you?
 
I see everyone else in relationships and are happy why can’t I be? People go as far as saying God is not with you.
 
If somebody tells you “God is not with you” then they are lying and they are likely saying this because of their own problems. Don’t listen to them. Listen to Jesus. His opinion is the only opinion that matters.

If a person is suffering, it isn’t uncommon for them to want to spread it to others. Pray for them, because some day - sooner than any of us realize - we are going to answer to God for our words.

Not everybody else is happy. That is only what your mind is telling you. As men and women, we judge based on appearances. Even a majority of people who are married are voicing unhappiness, and that is because they stumbled into their marriage and each year they are suffering diminishing returns.

I really do recommend that book and reflecting deeply on what it has to say.
 
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Maybe God has called you to celibacy? It doesn’t mean you have to be a religious, just that God has called you to be single. It is the gift or charism that I have and once I realised it, it was freeing for me. Obviously I don’t know whether it is the same for you and others have given much better advice - I am just making a suggestion.

I particularly like what someone said to me and maybe it applies to you “Our God is a jealous God, maybe He wants you all to Himself?”
 
God always answers our prayers. Some times the answer is no. Sometimes the answer is “not yet”.
Be patient. Eventually the answer will become clear. It could be by finally meeting the right person, or by putting something along your path that is a real “aha!” moment. Keep praying.

I’m reminded of the famous joke when a man is angry with God that he never answered his prayer to win the lottery. Finally God tires of the complaint and a voice booms down from the clouds saying “at least do your part and buy a ticket!”

The point is we have to cooperate with God too! Prayer alone is not enough.
 
The thing is that people judge me off of appearance and body type and make assumptions before they even know me.
 
The only thing I can say, is that you might consider volunteering somehow in your parish. Maybe as a money counter, perhaps as a person who can take calls for St. Vincent de Paul, shred sensitive paperwork, keep attendance for Faith Formation, or serve as a Friend for the Journey for someone in RCIA )that’s a person who prays for them during their period of learning.) All of these things will put you in situations where you get to know people yourself and they, in turn, get to know you APART from your disability. Once fellow parishioners get to know you , it will open up situations where you may be introduced to other folks your age. As PO18 guy said, you need friends. These friends may lead a nice woman into your life.
I’ll pray for you. Regardless of whether or not you find a mate, you can be a blessing in the vineyard of the Lord.
God bless you.
 
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You are seeing through - well, rose colored glasses are not the best analogy, but I think you get the drift.

There is no marriage out there which has not gone through some tough times, and all too many which hve gone through a lot of tough times. You are seeing through an extremely tiny window, and not seeing what their lives actually are like.

And the last time I checked (and it may have gone down a bit, but…) 50% of marriages end up in divorce. I am amused at the people who say “we have an amicable divorce”. Right. And if it is so amicable, and you can be amicable, then why are you divorcing? Remind me, please…

God answers all of our prayers. “No” is an answer. so is “No, not at this time”.
 
otjm said:
There is no marriage out there which has not gone through some tough times, and all too many which hve gone through a lot of tough times. You are seeing through an extremely tiny window, and not seeing what their lives actually are like.
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I will have been married 30 years next August. What you say above is the unvarnished truth. Sometimes being married is like pushing a bus uphill on ice.

There have been moments in married life and fatherhood when I have said to myself “I wish I’d discovered the monastery sooner”. Fortunately my spiritual director put an end to such nonsense, when I mentioned that to him. “You are exactly where God wants you at this moment” was his reply. Take it and run with it, in other words. Carry out your responsibilities, get on with life as it has been served to you.

I have seen what looked like perfectly happy couples, on the outside, divorce without giving any outward sign of angst. And I have seen rocky marriages make it through thick and thin.

Come to think of it this applies to any vocation, be it marriage, a profession, even religious life in a monastery (which one monk told me is like being married to 40 different spouses… all with their individual quirks; imagine in the refectory having to sit next to a monk who loudly slurps his soup for 50 years, or sitting in choir next to a monk who can’t hold a tune).

“Thy will be done”, and the strength to carry out that will, is the best prayer petition IMHO.
 
You are not alone. And you should not worry. Traveling extensively for the past 30 years pretty much eclipsed my ability to have a relationship / marriage. But that was the path God had in store for me. I learned to be my own best friend, and have a close spiritual relationship with the Trinity. It is wonderful to have alone time. I would not change anything. Living alone allows you to live a life of peace, quiet, and contemplation. It’s something very few people ever do. The benefits are enormous. If you were meant to have a relationship, it will arise. If not, don’t worry about it one bit. Life is a wonderful, marvelous journey. You can share it with one person, or many people. Living a busy life in the direction of your calling will be plenty satisfying and rewarding. Peace be with you.
 
I think the OP was referring to answered prayers as in answered with a yes. I will pray for you.

To answer your original question, I don’t know the answer. I have some intentions that I am praying for. I do not know at a 100% whether God would answer me with a yes.

It’s weird, lately I have been more resigned and at peace. You know what they say about being satisfied with God and God alone? I am very happy with having the gift of faith, among others. Have lots of things I am thankful for. When God does answer my prayers with a yes, I would be ecstatic.
 
I just don’t understand exactly why I just can’t have a decent relationship with a woman who will not be judgemental and it hurts very bad sometimes I wonder if God is preventing because I’ve been hurt and rejected so much.
 
Have you considered the Undoer of Knots novena to Our Blessed Mother?

Peace.

+JMJ+
 
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