Should we ask for signs when we pray?

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Joysong…the scripture I was quoting was an answer given BY Christ himself to the devil…when the devil was inticing him to do the VERY thing that is asked here on this thread.

The devil asked him to put his God to the test…Christ responded NO…we are never to put God to the test. This scripture reading is most assuredly fitting.
 
Dear Gracie,

Yes, I realize Christ spoke to Satan, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” The temptation was to prove Himself to Satan, by performing a miraculous jump from the temple pinnacle, trusting that His Father would save Him. (Mt. 4:7)

Do you really think this is what we are discussing here? In the two cases I pointed out, the confrontation was with an evil spirit. What I think we are discussing is whether it is lawful for a good spirit to ask guidance from God in order to discern His will — and not at all to prove Himself to us.

Certainly, you may hold your opinion, and I have no desire to convert you, but for the sake of those questioning the legitimacy of asking God for aid in the form of a perceptive answer such as a sign, scripture bears out elsewhere that this was not objectionable. In Isaiah 7:11, the Lord spoke to Achaz saying, “Ask for a sign from the Lord your God; let it be deep as the nether world or high as the sky!” He refused for the same reasons as you are suggesting, that it is “tempting God.” Yet God was angry, and gave the sign anyway.

If you don’t see it this way, that’s ok — I understand. Let’s leave it in peace for now.

Carole
 
I don’t think it’s necessary to ask for one, especially not every prayer we utter. If God wants to give one, he’ll give it.
It’s a common and understandable desire for us to ‘want’ a direct answer or ‘sign’, so that we know that we are heard…but, it’s unnecessary, as God (of course) hears our prayers and every thought we have. Asking for signs is sort of our own human ‘control issue’. It’s asking for a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for something specific, which cannot be controlled or sought from God. We are not ‘in control’. God does what is good for us (as He loves us more than imaginable)…so what WE want is not necessarily what He wants for us.

I have had this experience, personally, in my life (in a major way). I prayed for something for many years, and was guilty of asking for a ‘sign’, flipping the pages of the Bible for a ‘verse to pop out’ as God speaking to me…and I discovered, years later, that the prayer had been answered…and that God had chosen a rocky path to answer it (which included a cross for me to carry)…but that it was answered (and indeed, happily for me). It doesn’t mean that all prayers are answered in the time we want, or in the way we want. Sometimes we end up with something different but better than we could have hoped.

Asking for a ‘sign’ is our way of trying to ‘control God’. It doesn’t work. I’m sure that He does give signs, and that He has answered many a prayer…but it’s definitely according to how He wishes and what he desires for us.

I would concentrate on simply praying, without ceasing. It does good, regardless of whether we are given a recognizable ‘sign’ or not. He definitely hears us. No doubt.
 
I don’t think it’s necessary to ask for one, especially not every prayer we utter. If God wants to give one, he’ll give it.
It’s a common and understandable desire for us to ‘want’ a direct answer or ‘sign’, so that we know that we are heard…but, it’s unnecessary, as God (of course) hears our prayers and every thought we have. Asking for signs is sort of our own human ‘control issue’. It’s asking for a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for something specific, which cannot be controlled or sought from God. We are not ‘in control’. God does what is good for us (as He loves us more than imaginable)…so what WE want is not necessarily what He wants for us. Sometimes we end up with something different but better than we could have ever hoped for ourselves.

I have had this experience, personally, in my life (in a major way). I prayed for something for many years, and was guilty of asking for a ‘sign’, flipping the pages of the Bible for a ‘verse to pop out’ as God speaking to me…and I discovered, years later, that the prayer had been answered (and even in the way I wanted…but even, surprisingly, improved upon)…and that God had chosen a rocky path to answer it (which included a cross for me to carry)…but that it was answered (and indeed, happily for me). And it truly was a miracle, in my life…something that just couldn’t have happened without ‘Divine intervention’. I am convinced that it was only by the will of God, in answer to the many prayers of myself and family members and friends.

I would concentrate on simply praying, without ceasing. It does good, regardless of whether we are given a recognizable ‘sign’ or not. He definitely hears us. No doubt.
 
I read somewhere that one of the saints said to always ask for a sign.

St Theresa of Liesieux is said to have the requester given a rose by strangers as a sign that their request has been answered.

The cloak of St. Juan Diego was a sign from Our Lady to the bishop that her request was coming from Heaven and not from something made up.

God knows we are skeptical people and it takes something extraordinary or miracluous for folks to believe. There are so many charlatans out there that sometimes it takes a miracle to separate the real from the fakers.

wc
 
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Joysong:
Dear Gracie,

Yes, I realize Christ spoke to Satan, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” The temptation was to prove Himself to Satan, by performing a miraculous jump from the temple pinnacle, trusting that His Father would save Him. (Mt. 4:7)

Do you really think this is what we are discussing here? In the two cases I pointed out, the confrontation was with an evil spirit. What I think we are discussing is whether it is lawful for a good spirit to ask guidance from God in order to discern His will — and not at all to prove Himself to us.

Certainly, you may hold your opinion, and I have no desire to convert you, but for the sake of those questioning the legitimacy of asking God for aid in the form of a perceptive answer such as a sign, scripture bears out elsewhere that this was not objectionable. In Isaiah 7:11, the Lord spoke to Achaz saying, “Ask for a sign from the Lord your God; let it be deep as the nether world or high as the sky!” He refused for the same reasons as you are suggesting, that it is “tempting God.” Yet God was angry, and gave the sign anyway.

If you don’t see it this way, that’s ok — I understand. Let’s leave it in peace for now.

Carole
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Good answer. I would agree that it’s ‘tempting God’ or trying to control Him.

I know of a man, by the name of Pilgrim George, who I believe to be a living saint. I would be the first to vouch for the ‘vituous life’ he is leading. And he’s just amazing…because he listens to God. He prays constantly, and walks. He has made a profound impact on many lives and is currently ‘walking his way’ through England and Ireland on his 2005 pilgrimage. It’s amazing to see in this man, such a direct ‘communication’ with God. He brings himself within ‘hearing distance’ of God…not by demanding signs to be brought to him, but by drawing closer to God…to being quiet and listening. I’ve never seen a LIFE which is more in tune with God’s intentions. He is obviously guided by God, in His Holy Spirit. You wouldn’t believe the lives he’s touched because God brought him to a specific place. God is definitely in charge of his life. He’s in charge, period. That is why trying to control him is pointless and wrong. Trying to be quiet, pray, and listen, and ACCORDING TO THEY WILL BE DONE…is the path to choose.
 
By the way, sometimes I believe God does provide signs…but perhaps they aren’t the ones we suggest or think of …

I mean, it’s not correct to think that God should ‘perform tricks’ for us…as in that we should ‘assume’ that he will perform an immediate answer (like a bird suddenly landing on your windowsill) or something of that nature. Perhaps his signs, when He wants to give one, come in His time, under his conditions, and may not be the ‘TA-DAH’ kinds that some people associate with an ‘answer’. Perhaps your ‘sign’ may be found in someone that God brings into your life.

And, as with the Saints, it’s more likely that we will ‘discover’ and ‘witness’ God’s signs when we are humble, obedient, and pray and draw closer to His will for us…not demanding our own will be done, and that we be given proof that God heard our demand.

God performs miracles, gives signs, and answers prayers…but we need to relinquish our desire to control and our will to His, always.
 
Wcknight in speaking of the signs that St. Therese sometimes sends a rose to petitioners as a sign their prayer is granted, reminded me of an incident where St. Therese herself asked for a sign from God.

Remember the incident with Pranzini’s execution? He was obstinate in refusing to repent, yet Therese was absolutely confident in the mercy of God as she prayed for Pranzini. She asked God for a sign of his repentence solely for her own particular confirmation, and found the next day in the newspaper that he suddenly took hold of a crucifix on the scaffold and kissed the sacred wounds three times!

This little sign launched Therese on a mission of increased prayer and offering of herself for sinners.

🙂 Carole
 
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Rae:
By the way, sometimes I believe God does provide signs…but perhaps they aren’t the ones we suggest or think of …

I mean, it’s not correct to think that God should ‘perform tricks’ for us…as in that we should ‘assume’ that he will perform an immediate answer (like a bird suddenly landing on your windowsill) or something of that nature. Perhaps his signs, when He wants to give one, come in His time, under his conditions, and may not be the ‘TA-DAH’ kinds that some people associate with an ‘answer’. Perhaps your ‘sign’ may be found in someone that God brings into your life.

And, as with the Saints, it’s more likely that we will ‘discover’ and ‘witness’ God’s signs when we are humble, obedient, and pray and draw closer to His will for us…not demanding our own will be done, and that we be given proof that God heard our demand.

God performs miracles, gives signs, and answers prayers…but we need to relinquish our desire to control and our will to His, always.
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This is in line with what I was feeling. As I said, I am just coming in to the church, and I have read so much, maybe too much. I have pretty much decided that if it does not come from Rome, I am not going to do it. I know people who ask for and claim to receive signs such as something with roses on it coming in the mail, etc. I confess to being skeptical concerning that, but the poeple are very devout. So, then I began to question my faith. Also, there is that thing called instant gratification–I want to know, and I want to know, now. But, as you and others have pointed out, that is our desire to control or to deceive ourselves with the idea that we have any control at all. I do know that God works in mysterious ways, and I do think that He may allow us to receive signs, but they will be given within His own will and given out within His infinite wisdom as He knows our individual needs. I do not believe that we should ask for them. I believe that we should pray and He will answer us according to His will and if He chooses to answer like that, He will because He wants to, not because we have asked Him to. However, if a good person asks for a sign and feels that they receive it, it becomes very tempting to follow suit. But, if there are no directives to do that, I won’t be doing it. I thank you all for taking part in this discussion. It is wonderful to have you to turn to.

Sherilo
 
Rae,

I met Pilgrim George at a gathering of a nearby parish where he was visiting. What an amazing soul, indeed! Such a simple life!

I agree with you that signs should generally not be sought from God, unless the matter is of grave importance where one remains in doubt. I had to chuckle a bit as I remembered that human nature being so fickle, may not even accept the sign as authentic, but may then ask God for another one to confirm the first. :rotfl:

Do you remember the biblical story of Gideon and his repeated fleece? Now there was a timorous soul if I ever saw one! How I praise God’s patience with him, though, in accomodating him with yet another sign. But look how important the issue was, and how much he needed to know God’s will!

🙂 Carole
 
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