Silly thing to pray about

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I’ve been single my whole life (not just marital-status-wise, but relationship-wise). I don’t pray that God will find me a gf because I reckon that’s a silly thing to pray about. After all, we pray in the Our Father ‘Thy will be done’ so I figure if it is God’s will then he’ll help me find someone, and if it’s not God’s will (eg, if God is actually calling me to single life) then it won’t happen - I might not be too happy about it but there’s no point praying for something that’s against God’s will is there? Another thing I figure is that providence can only go so far, God isn’t going to break someone’s free will, He is not going to force them to love me. If no-one loves me there’s not a lot I can do about it. Lately though I have had a lot of frustration, some loneliness, and probably worst of all is jealousy. I pray for God to help me to be more patient and to help me not to be jealous of others, it kind of helps but things are still hard.

Not sure exactly what the point of this post was. Well, there are some on these forums who don’t think its a silly thing to pray about, so if you think it will do any good then please pray for me. I’m not a horrible person and I can’t understand why no one would want to be with me.
 
I know a woman who always prays for the “future” spouses of her children who aren’t even married yet. Praying for your future wife is a wonderful thing especially when you know that by your prayers God will give you the grace to recognize who that might be.

There is nothing wrong in asking God for anything but you must also LISTEN to Him. If you haven’t found the right person yet, then maybe its because God hasn’t put them in your path yet OR you just aren’t recognizing who it may be.

Pray more and be patient. TRUST that God knows who is best for you, and when you meet that person you will know. Read TOBIT in the bible and follow the example of Tobiah and Sarah. I will pray for you and your future spouse.
 
First be active in all areas and don’t be afraid to ask a woman out. Even if you are just friends, you may be surprized at who you actually do end up attracted to. My prayers are with you. Keep us posted, we all love romance at CA. :yup: :clapping:
 
I read the book of Tobit. Tobias has it too easy. Not only does the gilr have no choice but to marry him, but he also gets this angel helping him. The only thing he had to worry about was that demon killing all of Sarah’s husbands on the first night… hmm… anyway what has that story got to do with me?

As for ‘bec’ (mind if I call you that?) Problem is not me not being attracted to them, it’s the other way around. I would always give a girl a chance, get to know her etc., regardless of what she looks like (my only criteria is that she is a good Catholic girl) but no-one is interested in getting to know me…
 
Funny that when I was considering marriage, a non-denominational preacher I had been listening to while on haitus from the Church (this was right after I started going again to Church, with my girlfriend who became my wife) sent me an article about praying for a spouse. I said the prayers and within a couple weeks I was convinced that I wanted to shop for a ring, but only would buy one if it “spoke to me.” I got to the store, and one of the rings did. I could just see her wearing it, and for the first time in my irresponsible life I knew this was the direction I was to go.

I wish I remembered the actual prayers, but at least I believed at the time that the prayers were a tremendous help.

I also believe that a good deal of the reason we pray petition prayer is not just to tell God what to do, but to clarify for ourselves the hungers of our heart and dispose us to hearing the answer.

For a while I thought it was silly to make petition prayers, if God knows what we need before we even ask, His will and not mine be done, blah blah blah I almost began to think petition prayers were actually a sign of weak faith and not strong faith. Now I’ve changed my view that if we suppose God hears and answers our prayers even before we pray them, then the prayer can be as much a part of the process of me recognizing or hearing (as another poster mentioned) the answers.

Alan
 
Regarding the title of the thread, I think it is absolutely NOT a silly thing to pray about.

We pray for world peace and all sorts of other generic things; I think we’d have more stable marriages if people used prayer in their decision making process than whatever it is they seem to be using now that doesn’t always work very well.

The best pre-marital advice I got was from a very happy 8-year veteran of marriage (I’m now at nearly 20 years) who told me the key to a lasting marriage. Here it is: it’s a decision. A lasting marriage is a decision that the two people make, and they agree that divorce is simply not an option no matter what happens. Sure that’s what all married couples ostensibly say during their ceremony, so one must understand the concept of keeping one’s word in order to have full confidence in this method.

In 20 years, one time Julie asked me what I would do if she left me. I said something like, “first, I’d presume you are mentally ill and try to help you get better. If you got outside authorities involved, I would borrow money if I had to in order to get the best lawyer and retain full custody of the kids – using whatever I know about your mental illness and some of your behavior to make that happen regardless of how terrible it made you look. I would retain as many assets as possible, and it would not be unfair in any way because you have broken a solemn promise to me.”

Her answer, “oh. I really had no idea how you’d react to that question, but it’s nice now that I know.” (I think she was shocked but actually comforted by the answer.)

She never asked again. 😃

Alan
 
There is no silly thing to pray about. God is our father and he expects us to go to Him. By all means try all earlthy measures to meet women, but praying is the best answer really. Check out what your diocese has in terms of volunteer work. The last wedding I was invited to, the couple met at a Catholic charities project that they both answered to call to work at. God has great plans for all of us and we need to be really open to listening to them. I will also pray for your quest.
 
Greetings Foot,
I agree that we should pray for God’s will to be done. But part of that is praying that we find and do God’s will for us. So I would encourage you to pray to God to find and do His will. If you feel a deep yearning to be married, it is likely that God is calling you to that. It may just take time to find the woman God has planned for you. Don’t lose heart, just keep trying to follow Jesus, whether it is carrying a cross or during happier times.

It is also important to not be too passive in seeking God’s will for us. We should remember that our work and actions are part of God’s plan. So meet and interact with as many women as possible, so that you are there if Miss right comes along.

One way of doing this is to seek a Catholic young adults group or Catholic service organization and pitch in. Don’t necessarily focus on meeting women there, but work with as many people as possible. The interaction will serve others, make you feel more part of a community, and may help you discern God’s plan for you.
Please keep trying. Everyone has low points in their lives. It does get better. I will pray for you.
 
One of my favorite stories is about St. Therese’s parents. Zelie was walking across a bridge alone when a man walked past her. Interiorly, God told her, “This is the one I have prepared for you.”

It was Louis Martin, her husband.

I have a friend Jen who had a co worker who was trying to introduce her to a man. Jen did not want to be set up. One day at daily Mass, the man was there with Jen and her coworker. Her coworker was nudging her. But, Jen escaped after Mass into the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. While in prayer there, she felt Jesus tell her to back into the Cathedral. There she met her future spouse.

I sincerely believe that God will introduce you to your spouse.
 
My daughter, nearly 20, is praying to Saint Joseph for her future husband, if that is God’s Will for her. She has told me that if she doesn’t marry she is seriously considering becoming a nun.

This is a girl who has what she calls ‘guy-mates’ rather than boyfriends. The latest on the scene, an agnostic, she has beem friends with over the last two years, is annoyed with her recent return to the practice of the Faith. He doesn’t believe in anything, but is upset because she does.

She is not prepared to compromise and I think she realises now that she would be better off only dating good, practicing Catholic guys. At least she will have quite a bit in common with them.
 
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