How exactly does God answer prayers?

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Walterross

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I know the word “exact” is probably not the best because God is mysterious and we are not certain about many things He does. But I know one of the main aspects of being a Catholic is praying. It’s probably the most recognizable activity done by Catholics everywhere. Yet, so many times, it seems like God is silent during prayer. Most pray for material things like cars, a house, or money. It seems fair that these things do not appear out of thin air because we prayed for it. Most of the time, these prayers seem to go unanswered. Sometimes we pray for world peace, which also, does not seem to work. We might pray to end suffering, but are left disappointed. Sometimes I pray for guidance and am left without a peep from God. While some prayers may be selfish, and that might be why God doesn’t answer, some prayers are perfectly relevant and reasonable. I don’t see why a God that wants a relationship with you, won’t even communicate with you. Obviously in personal relationships, communication is key. Why now, for the greatest possible relationship, is the conversation one-sided? It makes you question whether God even cares for you…
 
WHOA, WHOA. God does not communicate with you? Have you cracked open that big book, what’s it called? bi- bi- bi – bib-- Bible! That’s NOT God communicating with you?

You asked, so… God is not like an ATM machine for material things. You have to pray first for spiritual gifts, like knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Wisdom is knowing how to live your life. Wisdom is also a person – Jesus Christ.

Maybe God wants you to be poor and to show your gratitude for what you do have. You play a big part in developing your skills and knowledge to make a living and have those things you need for yourself and your family.

In my life, there have been “doors” open to me and other “doors” closed to me. At my best, I have tried to put God’s desire first.

Pope Benedict wrote that series of three books about Jesus of Nazareth. In speaking about prayer, he advises that we have a right and a duty to pray for our wants and needs. We all have to be humble to pray for what we need. Maybe you don’t really need what you think you do. People don’t always get what they deserve ( both good and bad). I am grateful for not getting what I deserve for all the bad that I have done, which makes me all the more grateful for what I have received.

Wait on the Lord.
 
He answers your prayers through:
  1. The holy scriptures and books
  2. Other catholics
  3. Daily activities
  4. His angels whispers to your ears
  5. Eucharist Adoration
  6. Your priest
  7. Music, videos and nature
  8. many many other ways which have an opportunity to get to you including Whatsapp messages.
 
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Your Bio doesn’t say that you’re a Catholic. So presumably you haven’t been baptised or confirmed?

To form a relationship with God we need to show some commitment. In so doing we start to align ourselves spiritually with God and communication is eased.

I think everyone is connected to God, we are told aren’t we that we all have a guardian angel?

God hears all prayers, but it seems that He talks to very few with words, don’t take that personally. 🙂
 
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Mary told us to pray the Holy Rosary everyday for world peace. Additionally, God always answers our prayers. They are not always a “yes”, however. It’s done accorinding to HIS Will.
 
God hears every one of your prayers and answers all of them but His answers may not be what you want necessarily. God is beyond all time so He knows truly what the best and perfect answer is for you. God will answer your prayers according to His perfect will, and will answer your prayers in His time.

Praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet during 3-4pm, it is said God will answer any prayer from someone who is reverently saying the Chaplet
 
I am catholic. Thanks for reminding me. I do need to update that bio!
 
God is INFINITE … so there are an INFINITE number of possibilities.
 
Exact? Okay, tell me exactly when the universe was created, down to the fraction of a second. You can’t. And even if you could, there was no way to know how time was measured. How can you measure the Earth’s rotation around the Sun, when there was no Earth or Sun? You’re question assumes the very erroneous belief that things are exact. Why, by the time I finish typing and this, and you finish reading it, several minutes will have past. Could there actually be an exact time of my typing? Be careful when you ask those questions, as you may complain about the right answer when it’s you that asked the wrong question.
 
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Sometimes God answers prayers after a long period of time, or it can be right away depending on the situation and the necessity thereof. All I know is that things happen in God’s timing and according to his will… even if things don’t make sense right now, but we don’t know the future, only he does. I have heard a lot, and also believe that his timing is perfect.

I know in James 4:2-3 it talks about having the right motive in prayer. I believe the Holy Spirit helps us to pray.

Also I think God responds in a variety of ways. Sometimes it’s through another person, or multiple people, a sermon/message or homily, music, the Bible, can be nature too I think.

I would encourage you to seek him and tell him how you feel.
 
Walterross said:
I don’t see why a God that wants a relationship with you, won’t even communicate with you.
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If we strive to treat everyone we meet as if they are God, this might help.

Mathew 25 -
34. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
 
The Christian life life is lived by prayer. Today, addictions run rampant through our society. Addictions to drugs, alcohol, pornography, and more plague people. I bring this up because these people can immediately experience Gods help through prayer. Through 12 step programs they are encouraged to turn to Him for help, and many find help! He sends grace- a subtle yet powerful influence upon the will that strengthens against the temptations so they can say no.My point is that God has a plan for everyone- to help them know Him and through prayer to allow Him to mold us into the best version of ourselves, through prayer. Our wonderful God has given us this life on this beautiful planet in order to have an intimate relationship with us. And if you persist with prayer to get to know Him- you will encounter Him in a very personal way. Its why so many hymns speak so intimately about God…" He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own". Pray my friend. Not for material things necessarily. But for spiritual things. Pray to Know Him. And you will. God Bless.
 
Rev12Mary said:
Today, addictions run rampant through our society. Addictions to drugs, alcohol, pornography, and more plague people. I bring this up because these people can immediately experience Gods help through prayer.
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I recently heard a man’s story who is on the 12 step programme; he had come through a lifetime of addiction to drink and drugs. His life was in such a mess; that one night he ended up sitting on a high bridge, with his legs over the edge. He said, God you have thirty seconds to let me know you are here, or I am jumping.

Ten seconds later his phone rang; the lady on the other end said, I have just woken up at 2 am; and had this strong feeling that I should phone you, but I don’t know why. We haven’t spoken for years.

The man turned his life round from that moment, and he is now on fire for our Lord.
 
How I understand the answer to this one is that God answers prayers by a 1) Yes, 2) No, 3) Not Yet or Wait.
 
Where? In Fatima. How? She said it to the 3 sheperd children: Lucia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto.
 
There is no requirement that I am aware of that Catholics must believe this incident occurred.
 
1 God answers prayers in a way He sees fit for us.
2 God answers prayers “When the time has come…”
3 God answers prayers and shows His presence more in the quiet than in the loud. Read the book of Jeremiah with “God and the storm” story.
4 If you expect God to do A or B then He is likely going to do S, T or Z.
 
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