How to know when to stop praying for something

[fin]

I’m not talking about praying (prayers of adoration, contrition, thanksgiving) here, but prayers of petition. Prayer aside from the natural course of events happening, one’s own actions in the matter, and external factors like other people and events, which you don’t have control over.

When you petition God, you pray that His will be done above all. At the same time you also pray with perseverance, like the examples in the Bible. I ask God to let me know if I should stop praying for a specific something, so that I can use my time and energy maybe for something better, something that God wants me to pray for. I’m also aware that no prayer is ever wasted, however it would be really nice if I know whether I should be asking for something (or not). I know, God’s time, not ours.

How do you when to stop praying for something? Is it when you realize that what you’re asking for is not God’s will for you? So how do you figure it out? Does anyone have any experiences of how they found out? Did anybody experience giving up praying for something, then later on receiving what they asked for? What about persevering in asking for something which hasn’t happened yet, and with no idea if it’s going to happen or not? Did you ever think that what you’re asking for could be wrong? Did anyone experience not having any doubts in petitioning?

 

[Peggy_in_Burien]

I would never stop praying.
God’s Time is not our time.
My friend’s mother prayed for more than 20 years for the return of her son to the Faith. She died, and it took another 10 years before he returned, but I’m sure she never stopped praying after her death.
Look how long St. Monica prayed for her son’s return.
Never give up. You never know what God has in store for you or when.

 

[powerofk]

Sometimes, the answer is obvious - you receive a letter saying “No”. Of course, usually, a “No” from God just means “Not yet - there are other things you need to do first” or “I have other plans for you, just trust in Me.”

 

[Butaperson]

I would never stop praying.
God’s Time is not our time.
My friend’s mother prayed for more than 20 years for the return of her son to the Faith. She died, and it took another 10 years before he returned, but I’m sure she never stopped praying after her death.
Look how long St. Monica prayed for her son’s return.
Never give up. You never know what God has in store for you or when.

That’s actually so inspiring. Can I just say that. Wow. I’m so happy for her, and for her son.

 

[Hacksaw_Jim]

My friend in Christ,
I do not know as much as many others who come to this website, but I do know that your question touched my soul. Here’s what I can tell about you from just reading your post and knowing nothing else about you…
You are true child of the Church and therefore you should NEVER stop praying for the intentions that are near and dear to you. Christ is listening, I promise you. All prayers get answered, my friend! Your prayers may not get answered in a way or method or time that you might hope for, but they WILL get answered!
A here is the true beauty of your prayers, my friend…They may very well be answered after your (and your prayer intention’s) soul have both gone on to their eternal reward. Can you imagine? It is a place where time has no meaning. And so I say to you that though you might now wonder if your time has run out for your prayer intention, I tell you that you should not even care about the time that you have spent on your prayers. There’s no time limit and no expiration date to our offerings to God. Keep praying!
Your friend,
Jim

 

[Justicia_et_Pax]

How do you when to stop praying for something? Is it when you realize that what you’re asking for is not God’s will for you? So how do you figure it out? Does anyone have any experiences of how they found out? Did anybody experience giving up praying for something, then later on receiving what they asked for? What about persevering in asking for something which hasn’t happened yet, and with no idea if it’s going to happen or not? Did you ever think that what you’re asking for could be wrong? Did anyone experience not having any doubts in petitioning?

Not too dissimilar to your situation: in very early 2010, I felt God asking me to do something for Him. I gladly took up the cause but after a while it became a seemingly-impossible burden. But I didn’t feel I could stop, because God had asked me to do it!

So I talked to God continuously, asking for a sign - anything - to show me that my role had ended and that I could let it be. Finally, in late 2011, I got a sign. I discerned it and decided to act and withdraw from the task at hand.

Then I got confused and wondered whether I’d done the right thing, so asked God to give me a sign if I were ever to go back to that task! A while back I did get a “sign” but having tried to discern it, I’m not sure it was a genuine one. Or at least, THE sign that is needed to rein me back in.

So in short, just keep praying for it and asking for clarification/a sign/whatever. I appreciate it is frustrating to have to keep asking, but the Lord will show you in His own good time

 

[4love2God]

Fin says :** “When you petition God, you pray that His will be done above all.”**

If you truly believe this, then why do you pray for other specific things to happen?
Probably, most of those other things you pray for are NOT in God’s Will.
And, if that is the case, then you are wasting the Trinity’s time, praying for those things.

With this in mind, if you choose to pray for other things to occur, it would make sense to STOP immediately, when you FIRST begin to suspect that it is NOT in God’s Will.
Cut God some slack.
I am sure that He receives Millions of prayers every day, which are absolutely opposite to His Will.

 

[domNoah]

I’m not talking about praying (prayers of adoration, contrition, thanksgiving) here, but prayers of petition. Prayer aside from the natural course of events happening, one’s own actions in the matter, and external factors like other people and events, which you don’t have control over.

When you petition God, you pray that His will be done above all. At the same time you also pray with perseverance, like the examples in the Bible. I ask God to let me know if I should stop praying for a specific something, so that I can use my time and energy maybe for something better, something that God wants me to pray for. I’m also aware that no prayer is ever wasted, however it would be really nice if I know whether I should be asking for something (or not). I know, God’s time, not ours.

How do you when to stop praying for something? Is it when you realize that what you’re asking for is not God’s will for you? So how do you figure it out? Does anyone have any experiences of how they found out? Did anybody experience giving up praying for something, then later on receiving what they asked for? What about persevering in asking for something which hasn’t happened yet, and with no idea if it’s going to happen or not? Did you ever think that what you’re asking for could be wrong? Did anyone experience not having any doubts in petitioning?

My Friend,

I think that you will find many answers to your questions in this homily on perseverance in prayer
alleluiaaudiobooks.com/short-catholic-homilies-perseverance-in-prayer/

As far as some of your other questions:
When we pray, we pray in the name of Jesus and the name of Jesus means that God Saves. So whenever we pray in His name we only can receive those things that either will help our salvation, or at least not hurt it, otherwise God will not grant the prayer. If you realize that something you are praying for is not God’s will, then in a way it is an answer to your prayer, since it is only through His grace that you have come to know it. And I think many people have received their prayers later and in Gods time meaning that petitions where granted maybe in ways and at times they were not expecting, I believe the rest of your questions are answered in the above Homily.

 

[houston1]

I’m not talking about praying (prayers of adoration, contrition, thanksgiving) here, but prayers of petition. Prayer aside from the natural course of events happening, one’s own actions in the matter, and external factors like other people and events, which you don’t have control over.

When you petition God, you pray that His will be done above all. At the same time you also pray with perseverance, like the examples in the Bible. I ask God to let me know if I should stop praying for a specific something, so that I can use my time and energy maybe for something better, something that God wants me to pray for. I’m also aware that no prayer is ever wasted, however it would be really nice if I know whether I should be asking for something (or not). I know, God’s time, not ours.

How do you when to stop praying for something? Is it when you realize that what you’re asking for is not God’s will for you? So how do you figure it out? Does anyone have any experiences of how they found out? Did anybody experience giving up praying for something, then later on receiving what they asked for? What about persevering in asking for something which hasn’t happened yet, and with no idea if it’s going to happen or not? Did you ever think that what you’re asking for could be wrong? Did anyone experience not having any doubts in petitioning?

In my personal experience, it is easy to stop praying for something that doesn’t really matter to me, e.g., something that is nice to have but not something that keeps in the forefront of my mind. I have stopped praying for certain things which have later been given me. However, right now I have a desire for something specific that, like your example, is dependent on external factors and other persons over which I have no control.

I’ve asked the same question, should I stop praying for this and give up? In my case, I actually tried to stop praying for the specific thing to no avail because the desire presses on my mind almost continually (against my will!). Thus, I decided to ask God to lead me to the next step and give me the opportunity to bring about the thing that I desired. God has answered me little by little in showing me the way to answer my prayer. I remain hopeful that God will give me this in time. I’ve been waiting for a year and nine months.

I have also asked God for confirmations via some sort of sign that what I am asking for will be eventually granted and have received confirmations that He has heard my prayers and will eventually grant my request in one way or another.

I recommend the following for you. Since you’ve posted this, your petition is most likely of significance to you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have posted. If I am wrong, let it go and see what happens. If it still presses on your mind, God may be calling you to do something with your desire, for you to take a step in faith. Ask Him and He will show you what to do next. Patience and full trust in God is essential. All things are answered in His time and sometimes our first request evolves into something else over time. Just be open to God’s will to see where He leads you with it.

If you turn to our Blessed Mother, she will also help you. Try praying the rosary daily if you can, even if you can only do it while doing other things like walking, doing dishes, etc. She will help you.

Here are a few Scriptures on which to meditate. The first is the parable of the widow with the unjust judge of Luke 18:1-8 where the widow would not take “no” for an answer. The second discusses Abraham’s faith in spite of ominous circumstances as he “believed, hoping against hope, that he would become the father of many nations” of Rom 4:17-21.

I completely understand your question and I am praying for you. May God bless you.

houston1

 

[houston1]

In my personal experience, it is easy to stop praying for something that doesn’t really matter to me, e.g., something that is nice to have but not something that keeps in the forefront of my mind. I have stopped praying for certain things which have later been given me. However, right now I have a desire for something specific that, like your example, is dependent on external factors and other persons over which I have no control.

I’ve asked the same question, should I stop praying for this and give up? In my case, I actually tried to stop praying for the specific thing to no avail because the desire presses on my mind almost continually (against my will!). Thus, I decided to ask God to lead me to the next step and give me the opportunity to bring about the thing that I desired. God has answered me little by little in showing me the way to answer my prayer. I remain hopeful that God will give me this in time. I’ve been waiting for a year and nine months.

I have also asked God for confirmations via some sort of sign that what I am asking for will be eventually granted and have received confirmations that He has heard my prayers and will eventually grant my request in one way or another.

I recommend the following for you. Since you’ve posted this, your petition is most likely of significance to you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have posted. If I am wrong, let it go and see what happens. If it still presses on your mind, God may be calling you to do something with your desire, for you to take a step in faith. Ask Him and He will show you what to do next. Patience and full trust in God is essential. All things are answered in His time and sometimes our first request evolves into something else over time. Just be open to God’s will to see where He leads you with it.

If you turn to our Blessed Mother, she will also help you. Try praying the rosary daily if you can, even if you can only do it while doing other things like walking, doing dishes, etc. She will help you.

Here are a few Scriptures on which to meditate. The first is the parable of the widow with the unjust judge of Luke 18:1-8 where the widow would not take “no” for an answer. The second discusses Abraham’s faith in spite of ominous circumstances as he “believed, hoping against hope, that he would become the father of many nations” of Rom 4:17-21.

I completely understand your question and I am praying for you. May God bless you.

houston1

OP, I just realized that your post is the answer to my prayer that requested this morning. At the beginning of this day, I had asked for another confirmation that my prayer request would be eventually granted. How ironic that your same question brought forth the answer to my prayer!