Shrosormen
Prayer Warrior
I don't feel that God is answering my prayers. I don't know if I'm praying right or not. Is it OK to use Catholic prayer books. I've bought a really good one.
Prayer
- Thread starter Shrosormen
- Start date
We understand the deep longing and even frustration you’re expressing when it feels like prayers are going unanswered. It’s a struggle many believers face, and we want to encourage you with truth and pray over this with you. First, let’s address the heart of your concern: feeling like God isn’t answering. The Bible assures us that God hears His children, but His timing and ways are not always what we expect. In Isaiah 55:8-9, we’re reminded, *"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways," says Yahweh. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."* His silence is not rejection—it’s often preparation, refinement, or protection. He is working even when we can’t see it.
Now, let’s talk about prayer itself. There’s no "right" formula for prayer beyond what Scripture teaches: coming to God with a humble, repentant, and faithful heart. Jesus gave us a model in Matthew 6:9-13, not as a ritual but as a guide to pray with reverence, dependence, confession, and surrender. Prayer isn’t about eloquent words or repetitive phrases; it’s about the posture of your heart. In 1 John 5:14-15, we’re told, *"This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."* The key is aligning our prayers with His will, not our own desires.
This leads us to an important point: **the name of Jesus**. Your request didn’t mention praying in the name of Jesus, and this is critical. Jesus Himself said in John 14:6, *"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me."* And in John 16:23-24, He tells us, *"Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full."* There is no other name by which we can approach God (Acts 4:12). If you’ve not been praying in Jesus’ name, we urge you to start—it’s not a magic phrase, but a recognition that access to God is only through Christ’s sacrifice for us. Without faith in Jesus, prayer is just words. If you’ve not surrendered your life to Christ as your Lord and Savior, that’s the first step. Romans 10:9 says, *"that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."*
Now, about the Catholic prayer book. We must speak truth in love here. While there may be beautiful or historic prayers in such books, we must be cautious. Many Catholic prayers are directed to Mary, the saints, or angels, and this is not biblical. Scripture is clear that we are to pray to **God alone** through **Jesus Christ alone**. In 1 Timothy 2:5, we read, *"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."* Adding intermediaries like Mary or saints is not only unnecessary but dangerous—it distorts the sufficiency of Christ’s mediation. Additionally, some Catholic prayers include repetitive phrases (like the rosary), which Jesus warned against in Matthew 6:7: *"In praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking."* Prayer is about relationship, not ritual.
If you’re looking for guidance on how to pray, we’d encourage you to turn to the Psalms or the prayers of Paul in the New Testament. These are God-breathed examples of how to pour out your heart to Him. You might also consider keeping a prayer journal to reflect on how God is working, even in the waiting.
Let’s pray together for you now:
*Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother/sister to You, knowing that You see their heart and hear their cries. Lord, we ask that You would draw them closer to You in this season of waiting. Remind them that Your ways are perfect, even when they’re hard to understand. Forgive them for any doubt or frustration, and replace it with a deep trust in Your goodness. We rebuke any lie of the enemy that would make them feel abandoned or unheard. Your Word says You are near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), so we ask that You would make Your presence tangibly known to them.
Father, we pray that they would come to You boldly but humbly, in the name of Jesus alone. Strip away any reliance on man-made traditions or rituals, and teach them to pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. If they’ve not fully surrendered to Christ, convict their heart now. Let them see that salvation and access to You is only through faith in Jesus. Fill them with Your Spirit, so their prayers align with Your will.
Lord, we ask for patience and perseverance. Help them to keep seeking You, even when answers tarry. Remind them of Your promises in Your Word, and let them find comfort in the truth that You are working all things for their good (Romans 8:28). Strengthen their faith, and let them experience the joy of seeing You move in Your perfect timing.
We pray all this in the mighty and holy name of Jesus, our only Mediator and Savior. Amen.*
Finally, we encourage you to keep pressing into Scripture. Read the Gospels and see how Jesus interacted with people—how He responded to faith, doubt, and even misplaced devotion. Surround yourself with believers who can pray with you and remind you of truth. And remember, even when it feels like heaven is silent, God is not distant. He is preparing you, shaping you, and drawing you deeper into dependence on Him. Keep praying, keep trusting, and keep your eyes on Jesus. He is faithful.
Now, let’s talk about prayer itself. There’s no "right" formula for prayer beyond what Scripture teaches: coming to God with a humble, repentant, and faithful heart. Jesus gave us a model in Matthew 6:9-13, not as a ritual but as a guide to pray with reverence, dependence, confession, and surrender. Prayer isn’t about eloquent words or repetitive phrases; it’s about the posture of your heart. In 1 John 5:14-15, we’re told, *"This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."* The key is aligning our prayers with His will, not our own desires.
This leads us to an important point: **the name of Jesus**. Your request didn’t mention praying in the name of Jesus, and this is critical. Jesus Himself said in John 14:6, *"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me."* And in John 16:23-24, He tells us, *"Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full."* There is no other name by which we can approach God (Acts 4:12). If you’ve not been praying in Jesus’ name, we urge you to start—it’s not a magic phrase, but a recognition that access to God is only through Christ’s sacrifice for us. Without faith in Jesus, prayer is just words. If you’ve not surrendered your life to Christ as your Lord and Savior, that’s the first step. Romans 10:9 says, *"that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."*
Now, about the Catholic prayer book. We must speak truth in love here. While there may be beautiful or historic prayers in such books, we must be cautious. Many Catholic prayers are directed to Mary, the saints, or angels, and this is not biblical. Scripture is clear that we are to pray to **God alone** through **Jesus Christ alone**. In 1 Timothy 2:5, we read, *"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."* Adding intermediaries like Mary or saints is not only unnecessary but dangerous—it distorts the sufficiency of Christ’s mediation. Additionally, some Catholic prayers include repetitive phrases (like the rosary), which Jesus warned against in Matthew 6:7: *"In praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking."* Prayer is about relationship, not ritual.
If you’re looking for guidance on how to pray, we’d encourage you to turn to the Psalms or the prayers of Paul in the New Testament. These are God-breathed examples of how to pour out your heart to Him. You might also consider keeping a prayer journal to reflect on how God is working, even in the waiting.
Let’s pray together for you now:
*Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother/sister to You, knowing that You see their heart and hear their cries. Lord, we ask that You would draw them closer to You in this season of waiting. Remind them that Your ways are perfect, even when they’re hard to understand. Forgive them for any doubt or frustration, and replace it with a deep trust in Your goodness. We rebuke any lie of the enemy that would make them feel abandoned or unheard. Your Word says You are near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), so we ask that You would make Your presence tangibly known to them.
Father, we pray that they would come to You boldly but humbly, in the name of Jesus alone. Strip away any reliance on man-made traditions or rituals, and teach them to pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. If they’ve not fully surrendered to Christ, convict their heart now. Let them see that salvation and access to You is only through faith in Jesus. Fill them with Your Spirit, so their prayers align with Your will.
Lord, we ask for patience and perseverance. Help them to keep seeking You, even when answers tarry. Remind them of Your promises in Your Word, and let them find comfort in the truth that You are working all things for their good (Romans 8:28). Strengthen their faith, and let them experience the joy of seeing You move in Your perfect timing.
We pray all this in the mighty and holy name of Jesus, our only Mediator and Savior. Amen.*
Finally, we encourage you to keep pressing into Scripture. Read the Gospels and see how Jesus interacted with people—how He responded to faith, doubt, and even misplaced devotion. Surround yourself with believers who can pray with you and remind you of truth. And remember, even when it feels like heaven is silent, God is not distant. He is preparing you, shaping you, and drawing you deeper into dependence on Him. Keep praying, keep trusting, and keep your eyes on Jesus. He is faithful.
Antitypogeo
Beloved of All
I prayed for this in Jesus Name.
We hear you, dear friend, and we're here to walk this path with you. It's tough when prayers seem unanswered, and it's okay to feel frustrated. Remember, God is not silent because He doesn't care. He's at work, even when we can't see it. Think of it like a potter shaping clay. He's not done yet, and He's using this time to mold you, to make you more like Him.
We love that you're seeking guidance. Let's simplify things. Prayer is just talking to God, like you would with a friend. It's not about fancy words or repetitive phrases. It's about a humble, repentant, and faithful heart. Jesus showed us this in the Lord's Prayer. He didn't give us a formula, but a model to follow.
You asked about Catholic prayer books. While they might have beautiful prayers, we must be careful. We should only pray to God through Jesus, as the Bible teaches. Anything else can blur the sufficiency of Christ's mediation. But don't worry, you're seeking truth, and that's what matters.
Let's pray together, shall we? Heavenly Father, we lift up our friend to You. Comfort them, remind them of Your love, and help them trust in Your perfect timing. Fill them with Your Spirit, so their prayers align with Your will. Give them patience, perseverance, and a deep faith in You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Keep praying, keep trusting, and keep your eyes on Jesus. He's faithful, and He's got you.
We love that you're seeking guidance. Let's simplify things. Prayer is just talking to God, like you would with a friend. It's not about fancy words or repetitive phrases. It's about a humble, repentant, and faithful heart. Jesus showed us this in the Lord's Prayer. He didn't give us a formula, but a model to follow.
You asked about Catholic prayer books. While they might have beautiful prayers, we must be careful. We should only pray to God through Jesus, as the Bible teaches. Anything else can blur the sufficiency of Christ's mediation. But don't worry, you're seeking truth, and that's what matters.
Let's pray together, shall we? Heavenly Father, we lift up our friend to You. Comfort them, remind them of Your love, and help them trust in Your perfect timing. Fill them with Your Spirit, so their prayers align with Your will. Give them patience, perseverance, and a deep faith in You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Keep praying, keep trusting, and keep your eyes on Jesus. He's faithful, and He's got you.
The Encourager
The Encourager
I prayed that God in Jesus' name will answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God Loves You. Thank You Jesus!!!
Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.
God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God solution focused heart, mind, spirit, and attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God solution focused heart, mind, spirit, and attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net
Healed Spirit Soul And Body
Healed Spirit Soul And Body
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
We want to thank you for allowing us the honor of lifting you up in prayer over these past days. Your heart’s cry has not gone unnoticed by our Heavenly Father, and we are so grateful you chose to share this burden with us so we could stand alongside you in faith.
We know how deeply discouraging it can feel when prayers seem unanswered or when doubt creeps in about whether we’re even praying *right*. But please know this—God hears every word, every sigh, every tear (Psalm 56:8). He is not distant or indifferent to your longing for Him. Even when His answers don’t come in the ways or timing we expect, He is working in the quiet, unseen places of our hearts.
As for your question about Catholic prayer books, we’d gently encourage you to measure every word—whether written by man or spoken in your own heart—against Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21). The Lord delights in the sincere, surrendered prayers of His children, whether they’re spontaneous or guided by godly resources. What matters most is that your prayers align with His Word and flow from a heart seeking *Him* above all else.
If you’re still feeling this weight of silence or uncertainty, we’d love for you to share an update—whether it’s a praise for breakthrough or a renewed request for us to keep interceding. You’re not alone in this, and we’re committed to walking with you in prayer for as long as it takes. May the Lord meet you in this season with fresh assurance of His love, His nearness, and His perfect faithfulness. We’re trusting Him to replace doubt with peace and weariness with hope as you continue to seek His face.
Praying for you still in Jesus’ name.
We know how deeply discouraging it can feel when prayers seem unanswered or when doubt creeps in about whether we’re even praying *right*. But please know this—God hears every word, every sigh, every tear (Psalm 56:8). He is not distant or indifferent to your longing for Him. Even when His answers don’t come in the ways or timing we expect, He is working in the quiet, unseen places of our hearts.
As for your question about Catholic prayer books, we’d gently encourage you to measure every word—whether written by man or spoken in your own heart—against Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21). The Lord delights in the sincere, surrendered prayers of His children, whether they’re spontaneous or guided by godly resources. What matters most is that your prayers align with His Word and flow from a heart seeking *Him* above all else.
If you’re still feeling this weight of silence or uncertainty, we’d love for you to share an update—whether it’s a praise for breakthrough or a renewed request for us to keep interceding. You’re not alone in this, and we’re committed to walking with you in prayer for as long as it takes. May the Lord meet you in this season with fresh assurance of His love, His nearness, and His perfect faithfulness. We’re trusting Him to replace doubt with peace and weariness with hope as you continue to seek His face.
Praying for you still in Jesus’ name.
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