I've reached a point where I can't even center myself enough to pray. I know that sin cuts us off from God and even though I've asked His forgiveness I don't feel forgiven. Sometimes I commit the same sin and can't understand why I keep failing. I have asked God countless times to deliver me but I keep falling prey to it. It's a vicious cycle and I despise myself more each day. I used to take great comfort in my relationship with God, I had strong ties with my church congregation but now I don't even feel like I belong there. Whenever I try to pray either my mind goes blank or I feel guilty for all the mistakes (sins) I've committed during the course of the day. The two most influential Christian women in my life died in the past 3 years and I miss their guidance & seeing their peace and serenity with God in spite of their trying circumstances. I'm more like a person drowning right now - about to pull everyone else under. Does not being able to pray happen to other Christians at times and how does one overcome it?
Confess them and repent. Because, Sin can also block the flow of prayer - it can even stop a person from praying if it sets in too long in the mind, heart and soul. God promises to forgive.
hey ..iv been there buddy .................its hard ...but you know ..HIS MERCY IS NEVER ENDING ..its ok if you do it again .....and again ..but don quit the fight to stop it!!!!. you will eventually!stop! .GOD had patience with me ..!! through it all!!.... ill say put up some hillsong ..something gospel ..and just sing to him ..you'll feel touched ..,ask for the strength to resist temptation!!,, and my tip- never be idle ...satan gives work for idle hands ...!!.. just worship ..
wen ever i felt like sinning i just ran ..and screemed out an 'OUR FATHER' .. fight it!!! .buddy YOU CAN !! .GOD understands its hard !! believe in his forgiveness ..."his mercies are new everyday"..
"But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your father in heaven will forgive your sins too" mark11:25
For I will forgive there wickedness and will remember there sins no more. Hebrews 8:12
who is a GOD like you,pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. MICAH 7:18
SO dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. for if you keep on following it, you will perish. but if, through the power of the holy spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds you will live. Romans 8:12-13
but also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue. to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.for if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our LORD JESUS CHRIST 2PETER 1:5-8
THOUGH HE FALL, HE SHALL NOT BE UTTERLY CAST DOWN: FOR THE LORD UPHOLDETH HIM WITH HIS HAND. psalm 37:24
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. ThE spirit is willing, but the body is weak" Matthew 26:41
and finally .............
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. NO temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and GOD is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13......
JUST ask him for the strength .........to resist it and you will! PRAYER____"AND WhATEVER THINGS YOU ASK IN PRAYER ,,,BELIEVING , YOU WILL RECEIVE" matthew 21:22
pray this ..LORD im sorry for the sins that i have commited, even today. i want to repent for them now, please forgive me lord, nothing is worth separating me form you. i pray with your help i'll defeat satan's attempts to keep me from living the life that you want for me, i believe that my sins are forgiven,for you are a merciful lord!.
i need your strength when i am tempted to the wrong thing. each day holds so many choices, and i want to make the right ones. please help me to stand strong so that those who are watching me can see the benefit of choosing to do right. amen!! ..i hope this will help you ..ill keep you in prayers ..JUST DON GIVE UP!!!
One of the most famous chapters of the bible is Romans 7 where Paul talks about the struggle we are all in. The struggle between the Spirit and the Flesh. Right after in Chapter 8 (My favorite chapter of the bible) Paul goes on to give us the great news that, 5 Those who live live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;
Sis I so much feel you. His word upholds me, without it I am dead. My favorite verses for the past 16 years have been these ones:
John 8:31-32 (New International Version)
31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
1. If you hold to word/teaching - condition
What does it make you?
2. you are really my disciples.
What will happened then?
you will know the truth.What truth? The truth about everything pertaining to God and Godliness.
And then what happens?
3. the truth will set you free.
Free from what? From everything that wants to keep you down and enslaved.
Break Free with the Word.
Matthew 4:4
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
When you abide in the Word, worship, praying and obedience comes as an automatic of eating the bread of life.
I only meant that I feel like the drowning person who is struggling so hard that they inadvertently pull under the very lifeguard that comes to save them.
If I am at a point where I can't pray, I call out to Jesus, over and over. He hears me...I feel His presence and His peace. I get to the point where I just need to "be still and know" that Christ knows my heart and His is listening to me and speaking to me in Love and Patience.
We all try, at one time or the other, to tell God how to do His Job. God knows what He is about....we might not know. When we pray, we need to listen to what God wants to tell us. Maybe not having words to pray means that we need to listen instead.
Blessings,
Rita
You must feel such a loss to loose 2 mentors over the past 3 years. My mom is my mentor, and she went on Vacation for half of the year..and I felt loss even over that. The women who are mentors in our lives count for alot, they are such a blessing to us as we learn from them as they live their lives for Jesus.
It sounds to me like you may be grieving....which is a normal human response when we loose people whom we love. Even though we know, that the ones who have passed away are with the Lord, it is difficult to feel comforted because we can't get past the sadness on our own or in our own strength.
Be encouraged sis.. God has not left you. It sounds like you need a solid reminder of His Promises:
Hebrews 13:5
1 John 1:9
John 8:31,32
John chapter 15---continually abide in Christ.
Study, Prayer and fellowship are acts of Worship. We don't always 'feel' like doing them. However, the more we do them, the more we realize, this is how we stay in close connection with God. God is always relational.
When I have trouble praying, I simply tell that to God.
I say something like "Heavenly Father, I don't know what to pray right now, and I feel that I am not even worthy to come to You to ask for anything. However, I also know there is not condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus your prescious Son. Strengthen me Lord to trust You and Your Word, and not to trust my feelings. Thank you for your promise that as I abide in You, You will abide in me. and Thank you also Lord that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Your truth and Your faithfulness and Your Love goes far beyond my understanding, and Your ways are not the same as mine... I know LORD that I can do nothing if I am apart from You. I confess Father that I have not read Your Word as I need to, and therefore I am starving myself.. Give me the desire LORD to know You more. Strengthen me Father to walk in Your ways. Increase my faith Lord. Thank you Father for being so intimately involved in each and every small detail of my life. I know LORD that you want me to come to you for all things. Help me to see LORD that this is not a burden for You, but You delight in me that I should call on You, and know that with You, I am complete. Thank you LORD that you will never abandon me in my weaknesses, but you delight in strengthening me. I pray that my testimony would be of your Love and Faithfulness that others may know You LORD. I need You Father. Please put people in my life to strengthen me as well for Your Glory Lord. I ask and pray this in Jesus name. Amen.
Dear Sis.. we are all imperfect Christians.. But God does want us to become like Jesus more and more. He is not finished with you yet..nor is HE finished with me.
I would love to see you change your name... something like 'God's Grace is the sweetest perfume' (although that's kinda long) :)
Blessings to you.. so glad you are here.
In Him, Carla
Today I went out for my walk and the song "Give me Jesus" came on my iPod. I looked up in to the sky and saw a formation of clouds with two paths going in different directions...one was narrow, the other was wide and broad. Jesus spoke to me saying...stay on the narrow path...their are only a few that find it...for the road is wide and broad...and many will go in that way. As I looked up again the narrow entrance was closing out even more, and Jesus spoke sofly to me.. 'time is running out'. as I looked up again the clouds continued to move and closed off the narrow road completely. I did not pay any notice to the wide path... that is always the wrong focus.. Eyes on Jesus...