Prayer Advice

[Lost_Sheep]

I am one of those people who doesn’t pray as often as he should. But this is not about why. However, I do tend to pray more often when I want something or am in a crisis.

Right now, I am in a crisis. It is a possibility that I could lose my job at the end of this month. So, not surprisingly, I have ramped up my prayer effort.

The dilemma I face is this: One one hand it may be too little too late, but then some prayer is better than no prayer. Also, I feel somewhat hypocritical praying now when I need something.

Your thoughts, please. And prayers if it is not too much trouble.

 

[FightingFat]

I am one of those people who doesn’t pray as often as he should. But this is not about why. However, I do tend to pray more often when I want something or am in a crisis.

Right now, I am in a crisis. It is a possibility that I could lose my job at the end of this month. So, not surprisingly, I have ramped up my prayer effort.

The dilemma I face is this: One one hand it may be too little too late, but then some prayer is better than no prayer. Also, I feel somewhat hypocritical praying now when I need something.

Your thoughts, please. And prayers if it is not too much trouble.

You have my prayers. It’s never too late Try to bear in mind that prayer doesn’t necessarily change something that is going to happen, it might just give us the strength to deal with an inevitability, or provide perspective.

Peace to you.

 

[Lost_Sheep]

You have my prayers. It’s never too late Try to bear in mind that prayer doesn’t necessarily change something that is going to happen, it might just give us the strength to deal with an inevitability, or provide perspective.

Peace to you.

Thank you for your response. But I will be honest. I’m not interested in having the strength to carry on; I want to keep my job. Period. I feel that if my prayers are not answered on my terms and on my schedule, then they have not been answered.

I lost my job once before and was out of work for 18 months and I do not want to go through that hell again.

 

[Bookcat]

frjacquesphilippe.com/

Time for God is a book that may launch you out into the sea of prayer…

(all his books are great…but this one is in regards to prayer…you can read the quotes too there)

 

[valentino]

As long as you still hold your job its not to late to pray.Our Lord and Lady always wish us to pray.We have to trust that God knows what’s best for us and always does it even if we seem to be ignored.“in all things pray to the Lord and give thanks to Him for your blessings”

 

[FightingFat]

I feel that if my prayers are not answered on my terms and on my schedule, then they have not been answered…

Oh dear!

 

[nicolep]

Thank you for your response. But I will be honest. I’m not interested in having the strength to carry on; I want to keep my job. Period. I feel that if my prayers are not answered on my terms and on my schedule, then they have not been answered.

I lost my job once before and was out of work for 18 months and I do not want to go through that hell again.

This post reminds me of my favorite quote from a movie. “Deep Impact” (not a great movie, but the quote is fabulous. The US president goes on TV and says something along the lines of…

“I believe that God, whomever you hold that to be, answers all prayers, even if sometimes the answer is, ‘No’.”

I’m sorry you’re going through a rough time. I had some other things written, but I can’t word them without sounding harsh. It’s not my intent to be harsh so I’ll leave it alone. I pray that things work out for you.

 

[Lost_Sheep]

This post reminds me of my favorite quote from a movie. “Deep Impact” (not a great movie, but the quote is fabulous. The US president goes on TV and says something along the lines of…

“I believe that God, whomever you hold that to be, answers all prayers, even if sometimes the answer is, ‘No’.”

Yes. But to me, “No” is not an answer to my prayers. If the answer is “No”, then as far as I am concerned the prayers have not been answered.

But getting back to my original point, is it wrong to start praying in difficult times when you have been lax in your prayers during the good times? Like the atheist who screams “Please God! Help me!” when the airplane he is on is about to crash?

Perhaps it is wrong to not pray when times are good but it may be even more wrong to pray when things are bad.

“Prayer: The last refuge of a scoundrel.”
-Lisa Simpson.

 

[nicolep]

Yes. But to me, “No” is not an answer to my prayers. If the answer is “No”, then as far as I am concerned the prayers have not been answered.

But getting back to my original point, is it wrong to start praying in difficult times when you have been lax in your prayers during the good times? Like the atheist who screams “Please God! Help me!” when the airplane he is on is about to crash?

Perhaps it is wrong to not pray when times are good but it may be even more wrong to pray when things are bad.

“Prayer: The last refuge of a scoundrel.”
-Lisa Simpson.

Like I said, I had more written, but didn’t want to come across harshly. I’m just going to give it to you straight according to my opinion -

Honestly, you’re bigger concern should be all of the restrictions you’re placing on God. If it doesn’t work out exactly how you want then God didn’t answer or isn’t listening? We are here to serve God, not the other way around. He’s loving and just. He will do what is necessary to carry out HIS will, not ours.

More specifically to your question, our entire life should be a prayer. It should all serve the glory of God. Praying only when times are bad isn’t a good thing IMHO. However, any prayer is better than none. Maybe praying during the bad times will cause you to pray more in general.

 

[Lost_Sheep]

Like I said, I had more written, but didn’t want to come across harshly. I’m just going to give it to you straight according to my opinion -

Honestly, you’re bigger concern should be all of the restrictions you’re placing on God. If it doesn’t work out exactly how you want then God didn’t answer or isn’t listening? We are here to serve God, not the other way around. He’s loving and just. He will do what is necessary to carry out HIS will, not ours.

More specifically to your question, our entire life should be a prayer. It should all serve the glory of God. Praying only when times are bad isn’t a good thing IMHO. However, any prayer is better than none. Maybe praying during the bad times will cause you to pray more in general.

You are not being harsh, or at least I did not take it that way. I prefer a Straight Shooter rather than someone who tip-toes around a subject because they are afraid to offend.

Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[nicolep]

You are not being harsh, or at least I did not take it that way. I prefer a Straight Shooter rather than someone who tip-toes around a subject because they are afraid to offend.

Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

Good to hear (that I wasn’t being overly harsh)!

 

[eagle_eye222001]

You should feel hypocritical for only talking to God when you feel like you need something.

I know I’ve done that. And I’m not as good about it as I should be yet…but I am working on it.

I’ve struggled with the idea of prayer as well. It seems to me that prayer is generally mis-taught to us as more along the lines of God being a genie in a lamp rather than being taught as a way to enrich our relationship with God and seek His will.

It still surprises me that Jesus prayed for His cup to pass…but only if it was God’s will…

…in the end, we know what happened.

You have my prayers for your endeavor. Life is terrible sometimes…and we must do all we can to hang on lest we crash into the sharp rocks.

I’ll be praying that whatever God’s will be that He bestow the grace upon you to continue to grow into your faith and become a visible sign for Christ. For it is only through grace we survive the crashes of life.

 

[PennyinCanada]

But I will be honest. I’m not interested in having the strength to carry on; I want to keep my job. Period. I feel that if my prayers are not answered on my terms and on my schedule, then they have not been answered.

Thank you for being honest and a straight shooter.
Think about this: How do you think a father would feel about a 10 year old son coming to him with this attitude?
In the end, you are a son who is totally sustained by God the father.

The word ACTS can help you with your prayers…
A for Adoration.
C is for having Contrition for your sins before God
T is for Thanksgiving
S is for Supplication. Only after the first 3 should you bring your petition before God.

As a daughter, I find that coming into the presence of my father always starts with a smile, a hug and a kiss. Nothing like starting a conversion on the right foot.

 

[Lost_Sheep]

A for Adoration.

There is another sticking point I have. That I’m supposed to worship God just for the sake of worshiping him. I supposed to worship and adore God just because he is God?

Excuse me, but I thought Catholicism was a church; not a cult.

I know I should not have a “What’s in it for me?” attitude, but I do.

 

[HNA444]

Yes. But to me, “No” is not an answer to my prayers. If the answer is “No”, then as far as I am concerned the prayers have not been answered.

But getting back to my original point, is it wrong to start praying in difficult times when you have been lax in your prayers during the good times? Like the atheist who screams “Please God! Help me!” when the airplane he is on is about to crash?

Perhaps it is wrong to not pray when times are good but it may be even more wrong to pray when things are bad.

“Prayer: The last refuge of a scoundrel.”
-Lisa Simpson.

My priest has said that God answers our prayers in three ways: “yes”, “no”, or “i have something better for you.” So, maybe there is something that is better out there for you or an opportunity that is waiting for you to take.

 

[Hecares]

I know this isn’t what you want to hear but…I have always found more “success” in prayer when I reach the point where I can honestly say, " I turn it over to you, Lord. Your will be done. I know you will do what is best." Sometimes that is the point at which a great obstacle is removed. However you have to be ready to listen to God. He may have other plans for you. If you can accept that, you will find greater happiness. I know your situation is frightening. A priest once told me that fear is from the devil. It gives us the opportunity to trust God, or it drives us away from him. It’s your choice.

 

[fhansen]

I am one of those people who doesn’t pray as often as he should. But this is not about why. However, I do tend to pray more often when I want something or am in a crisis.

Right now, I am in a crisis. It is a possibility that I could lose my job at the end of this month. So, not surprisingly, I have ramped up my prayer effort.

The dilemma I face is this: One one hand it may be too little too late, but then some prayer is better than no prayer. Also, I feel somewhat hypocritical praying now when I need something.

Your thoughts, please. And prayers if it is not too much trouble.

It’s common to turn to God in prayer as a last resort and it would always be ideal to be in communion with Him continuously instead-but that’s like saying it would’ve been better for man to never leave God, to never reject Him by the disobedience of original sin. And this is true-but we’re* born* separated from God and the purpose of this life is to draw us back to Him, like the prodigal to his father, as we come to see our need for Him after all. And He wants us to stick around, of course, once we’ve returned so He seeks to draw us into ever deeper communion. But meanwhile He uses our needs, knowing them better than we do, standing with open arms to receive us whenever we come to our senses and humble ourselves before Him in prayer.

 

[Lost_Sheep]

My priest has said that God answers our prayers in three ways: “yes”, “no”, or “i have something better for you.”

In my experience God’s answers have been “No!”, “Hell No!” and “No freakin’ way Jose.” Nevertheless, read on…

I know this isn’t what you want to hear but…I have always found more “success” in prayer when I reach the point where I can honestly say, " I turn it over to you, Lord. Your will be done. I know you will do what is best." Sometimes that is the point at which a great obstacle is removed. However you have to be ready to listen to God. He may have other plans for you. If you can accept that, you will find greater happiness. I know your situation is frightening. A priest once told me that fear is from the devil. It gives us the opportunity to trust God, or it drives us away from him. It’s your choice.

Thank you everyone for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

After reading the responses here, and talking to my aunt/godmother who is sort of my personal spiritual adviser, and my sister who is a much more faithful Catholic than I could ever be, I’ve made a decision. I’m going to leave it in God’s hands.

Too late or not too late, I will be praying that things work out. I am not “throwing down the gauntlet” or issuing any kind of a challenge to God, I’m just going to trust in Him and we’ll see what happens. And I plan to continue this, one way or the other. I’ve even gone so far as to download a Rosary app to my Blackberry which I recited on my ride to work this morning.

One additional note: My mother sent me a novena to St. Joseph that I began this morning. And something weird (for lack of a better word) happened. About halfway through the prayer, I felt just a slight sense of relief and calmness. It was not an overwhelming feeling; just a slight twinge. Nevertheless, I felt it. I can only hope this is a good omen.

I’ll keep everyone posted. :bible1:

 

[Lost_Sheep]

BTW, Yesterday I got my two-week notice. I’m out of work come May 1st.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I am one of those people who doesn’t pray as often as he should. But this is not about why. However, I do tend to pray more often when I want something or am in a crisis.

Right now, I am in a crisis. It is a possibility that I could lose my job at the end of this month. So, not surprisingly, I have ramped up my prayer effort.

The dilemma I face is this: One one hand it may be too little too late, but then some prayer is better than no prayer. Also, I feel somewhat hypocritical praying now when I need something.

Your thoughts, please. And prayers if it is not too much trouble.

Don’t feel guilty about turning to God when you are in a time of need. God wants us to turn to him in our need.

Remember, Jesus came to heal the sick, not the healthy.

I lost my job almost two weeks ago. I’m 59 years of age, so finding another job is close to impossible.

I’ve always had a good prayer life, but the Lord is asking something deeper of me and that is complete trust in his divine will, and to learn to live in the moment, not in the past, or the future, which the ego creates.

So, as I pray for you, pleas pray for me.

In Christ
Jim