If we pray for something and don’t receive an answer

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Krisdun

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If we pray fervently for something and don’t receive an answer (say within 12 months) is it a sign that we should not keep asking God for it…? Also how do we know what we are praying for is not the will of God?
 
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If it is a good thing that you’re praying for(end to abortion, for the souls in purgatory, etc.) then I believe that it is God’s will that you should pray for it.
 
Krisdun said:
If we pray fervently for something and don’t receive an answer (say within 12 months) is it a sign that we should not keep asking God for it…? Also how do we know what we are praying for is not the will of God?
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I find that obsessing with “Is this really God’s will for me?” can lead one to go crazy.

The first question is whether what you are praying for is objectively sinful. If not, is worrying about it leading you to sin? Is it for something important?

Another thing to keep in mind is that maybe God is trying to answer the prayer, but human beings that God may use to answer the prayer may not be cooperating. Of course, one of those humans could be ourselves.
 
Not going to argue that the things you mentioned are a good thing but there might be other things that we pray for in life that may not be so important or good according to the will of God. Things that will benefit us for example materially or physically but be to the detriment of our souls.
 
stoplooklisten said:
So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness , and all these things will be given you besides. (Matthew 6:31–33)
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     One thing I ask of the LORD; 
     this I seek: 
     To dwell in the LORD’s house 
     all the days of my life, 
     To gaze on the LORD’s beauty, 
     to visit his temple. (Psalm 27:4)
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Recommended: Do a check-up on your chief desires. May Almighty God hear your prayers.
 
Jesus is not a wishing well - he only promises one thing. Eternal life - show me where he promises good health , houses , cars , wealth and girl or boyfriends.
 
I agree completely that if we want to follow Jesus we have to take up our individual crosses. It is difficult to know sometimes what we should sacrifice in life.
 
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I think of the case of Zachariah and Elizabeth. When Zachariah heard from the Angel Gabriel that “his prayer had been answered” and that Elizabeth would bear a son, Zachariah was skeptical: How can this happen? I’m an old man now. So my sense is that he and Elizabeth prayed many years for a child, then grew older and gave up. Low and behold, God answered their prayer many years later.
In short, God will answer your prayer when and if He believes it is the right time. And if He does answer it, it will be the “perfect” time. If He doesn’t give you what you want, believe that He gives you something better, even though you can’t see it yet. Keep praying!
 
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That’s a dilemma that in my experience is usually unsolvable. Either you feel compelled to keep praying for it, or the situation changes so you no longer desire it. It may take years. The key is to just trust in God–that He will give you what is best for you. No prayer thus goes unanswered, although the answer may not be what you thought it would. The older you get the more you thank God you didn’t get what you prayed for at one time! So trust in Him.

I would add that you don’t need to badger God. He knows what you need. If you want something that you believe is good, entrust it in prayer to Him every day but don’t obsess about it or try to force Him with pleading. He gets it.
 
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I’m not saying this is your case, but sometimes it takes great faith. I’ve seen people close to me complain about unanswered prayers and years later, lo and behold, they became Protestant. And my thought was: the Lord always knew this would happen. God knows the heart.
 
If you don’t mind, could you tell us what exactly did you prayed for? Many of us are just guessing right now.
 
I am not saying I played for anything specifically but just generalising as to what most people would pray for like good health, a decent job, caring spouse/partner, etc. Not everyone has these things in life or will have them even after praying for a prolonged period of time - is that a sign that the answer is no or that you haven’t prayed long enough or fervently enough?
 
My belief is we bring our petition and be willing to surrender to His will.

For instance, say you pray for the job promotion. You work really hard to get it, you say and do all the right things, but you also say Thy will be done.
Even if you don’t get the promotion, because you are in alignment with God’s will, you can still make the best of the situation and use the opportunities you still have open to you.

And He will still pour out His Grace for you to use.
 
I posted some quotes on the importance of “confidence” and “importunity” in our prayers here:
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Yes, you can "annoy" God! Spirituality
From “A Treatise on the Knowledge and Love of Our Lord Jesus Christ” by Fr Jean-Baptiste Saint-Jure SJ: Let a man ask with faith, says St James, nothing wavering. Our prayers are ordinarily ineffectual, because we are wanting in this confidence; while the prayers of the Saints were omnipotent, because they were animated with it; hence God, when He wished to punish sinners, told the Saints not to impede Him by their prayers in the execution of His design. Thus, He warned Moses to desist, saying,…
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Blessings,
First, pray to God, for which to pray. Gods perfect will is that, for which, we should pray.
Pray for Wisdom.
Of course, you have a loved one who is ill or a situation that is painful. You want the pain & suffering to end. Prayer: God always answers. The answers are YES, NO & WAIT. God’s concern is our soul, not our bodies. Our journey in life is temporary. Each situation is a drama that touches all the ppl around. A nurse sees a Christian pt, dealing w a sad situation & becomes a Christian by our witness. What are we to learn from this trouble? Look around & pray to see where God is working. He is working somewhere. Our children are Gods. They are on loan to us. Hopefully, we do good raising them to live God & walk w Him. Their luves May be short or long, depending on their purpose.
It can be complicated. Life is a tapestry. It’s so beautiful in the front. The back is crossed threads & knots. Those are our sins & troubles.
Maybe these thoughts can help w some understanding.
BY HIS STIOES, WE ARE HEALED.
ASK & YOU SHALL RECEIVE. SEEK & YOU SHALL FIND. KNOCK & THE DOOR SHALL OPEN. IF YOU ASK ANYTHING IN MY NAME, IT SHALL BE DONE.
There’s the verses about persistence w the bread & neighbor. The verse about the Judge giving in to the nagging lady. Those answers come as response to your will, not Gods.
FATHER, I HURT BE CAUSE——-HEAR MY PRAYERS. WE WANT YOUR WISDOM & YOUR PERFECT WILL. SHOW US THE WAY. GRACE US TO BE STRONG. In Jesus name. Amen
 
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