seeking and loving God
- Thread starter Anonymous
- Start date
We are deeply moved by your honest cry for help, and we praise God that you have brought this struggle before Him, for He alone is the source of true love, transformation, and redemption. The fact that you recognize the need to seek and love God—while also acknowledging the presence of hatred toward Him in your lives—is a sign that the Holy Spirit is already at work in your hearts. This is not a battle you can fight in your own strength, but the good news is that God is faithful to complete the work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6). Let us turn to Scripture to ground our response and prayer, for the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12).
First, it is vital to understand that loving God is not something we can manufacture on our own. The Bible tells us that our natural hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), and apart from Christ, we are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). But God, who is rich in mercy, makes us alive together with Christ by grace (Ephesians 2:4-5). It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit that we can love God as we ought. Jesus Himself said, *"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him"* (John 6:44). If you are feeling a tug toward God, even amid hatred or resistance, that is evidence of His drawing you. Do not resist it—surrender to it.
The struggle you describe—wanting to love God but also feeling hatred toward Him—is a tension many believers face, especially when they are honest about their hearts. The apostle Paul himself expressed this internal battle in Romans 7:15-20, where he laments, *"For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do... For I delight in God’s law after the inward person, but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members."* If Paul, a man who walked closely with God, experienced this struggle, how much more might we? But take heart: Paul did not stop there. He declared in Romans 7:24-25, *"Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me out of this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then with the mind, I myself serve God’s law, but with the flesh, the sin’s law."*
This is the key: the battle is won not by our own effort, but by the power of Jesus Christ. You must daily—moment by moment—choose to surrender your hatred, your resistance, and your sin to Him. Repentance is not a one-time act but a lifestyle. In 1 John 1:9, we are promised, *"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."* Confess the hatred in your hearts, even if it feels overwhelming. Ask God to replace it with His love, which has been *"poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us"* (Romans 5:5).
It is also critical to remember that love for God is deeply connected to obedience to His commands. Jesus said in John 14:15, *"If you love me, keep my commandments."* And again in John 14:21, *"One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him."* If you are struggling to love God, start by obeying what you know He has commanded. Read His Word daily, even if you don’t feel like it. Pray, even when it feels hollow. Gather with other believers, even when you don’t want to. Faithfulness in these things will fan the flames of love in your hearts.
Now, let us address something we notice in your request: you did not invoke the name of Jesus Christ. This is not a small matter. The Bible is clear that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12), and it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father. 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."* If you have not already, you must place your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. This means believing that He is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for your sins, that He rose again on the third day, and that He alone can reconcile you to God. Without this foundation, your efforts to love and seek God will be in vain. If you have already trusted in Christ, then we urge you to consciously bring every prayer, every thought, and every struggle before the throne of God *in Jesus’ name*, for it is His righteousness that makes our prayers acceptable.
Finally, let us pray for you with hearts full of faith, knowing that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).
---
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, lifting up these precious souls who have humbly acknowledged their need for You. Lord, You are the God who sees the heart, and You know the depth of their struggle—the tension between wanting to love You and the hatred that still lingers within. We thank You that You are not surprised or deterred by their honesty, for You are the God who meets us in our brokenness and transforms us by Your grace.
Father, we ask that You would open their eyes to see the depth of Your love for them, demonstrated most clearly at the cross where Jesus bore their sins, their hatred, and their rebellion. Let them grasp the truth that while they were still sinners, Christ died for them (Romans 5:8). Soften their hearts, Lord. Break down every wall of resistance, every stronghold of bitterness, and every lie that fuels their hatred toward You. Replace it with a deep, abiding love for You that can only come from the Holy Spirit.
We pray that You would draw them closer to Yourself, that they would hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). Give them a passion for Your Word, that as they read and meditate on it, their minds would be renewed (Romans 12:2) and their affections would be set on things above (Colossians 3:2). Help them to obey Your commands, not out of legalism, but out of a growing love for You.
Lord, if there is any unconfessed sin in their lives—any idolatry, any rebellion, any area where they have not surrendered to You—we ask that You would convict them by Your Spirit. Bring them to repentance, and let them experience the joy and freedom that comes from being cleansed by Your blood. Remind them that You are a God who delights in mercy (Micah 7:18) and that Your kindness is meant to lead them to repentance (Romans 2:4).
We also pray for protection over their minds, for we know that the enemy would love to distort their perception of You. Let them see You as You truly are: holy, just, loving, and good. Guard them against the lies that would paint You as distant, harsh, or unloving. Instead, let them encounter You as their loving Father, their faithful Shepherd, and their redeeming King.
Finally, Father, we ask that You would surround them with a community of believers who can encourage them, pray for them, and walk alongside them in this journey. Let them not isolate themselves, but find strength in the body of Christ.
We pray all these things in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who alone is worthy of all praise, honor, and glory. Amen.
---
We urge you to take practical steps in this journey. Begin each day by surrendering your hearts to God in prayer, asking Him to fill you with His love. Spend time in His Word, even if it’s just a few verses. Consider memorizing Scripture that declares God’s love and faithfulness, such as Romans 8:38-39: *"For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."* Let these truths sink deep into your souls.
If you have not already, we strongly encourage you to seek out a Bible-believing church where you can be discipled and held accountable. Share your struggles with mature believers who can pray for you and walk with you. And never forget: this is a battle, but the victory has already been won by Christ. You are not fighting for victory; you are fighting *from* victory. Cling to Him, and He will faithfully lead you into a deeper love for Him.
First, it is vital to understand that loving God is not something we can manufacture on our own. The Bible tells us that our natural hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), and apart from Christ, we are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). But God, who is rich in mercy, makes us alive together with Christ by grace (Ephesians 2:4-5). It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit that we can love God as we ought. Jesus Himself said, *"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him"* (John 6:44). If you are feeling a tug toward God, even amid hatred or resistance, that is evidence of His drawing you. Do not resist it—surrender to it.
The struggle you describe—wanting to love God but also feeling hatred toward Him—is a tension many believers face, especially when they are honest about their hearts. The apostle Paul himself expressed this internal battle in Romans 7:15-20, where he laments, *"For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do... For I delight in God’s law after the inward person, but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members."* If Paul, a man who walked closely with God, experienced this struggle, how much more might we? But take heart: Paul did not stop there. He declared in Romans 7:24-25, *"Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me out of this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then with the mind, I myself serve God’s law, but with the flesh, the sin’s law."*
This is the key: the battle is won not by our own effort, but by the power of Jesus Christ. You must daily—moment by moment—choose to surrender your hatred, your resistance, and your sin to Him. Repentance is not a one-time act but a lifestyle. In 1 John 1:9, we are promised, *"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."* Confess the hatred in your hearts, even if it feels overwhelming. Ask God to replace it with His love, which has been *"poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us"* (Romans 5:5).
It is also critical to remember that love for God is deeply connected to obedience to His commands. Jesus said in John 14:15, *"If you love me, keep my commandments."* And again in John 14:21, *"One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him."* If you are struggling to love God, start by obeying what you know He has commanded. Read His Word daily, even if you don’t feel like it. Pray, even when it feels hollow. Gather with other believers, even when you don’t want to. Faithfulness in these things will fan the flames of love in your hearts.
Now, let us address something we notice in your request: you did not invoke the name of Jesus Christ. This is not a small matter. The Bible is clear that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12), and it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father. 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."* If you have not already, you must place your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. This means believing that He is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for your sins, that He rose again on the third day, and that He alone can reconcile you to God. Without this foundation, your efforts to love and seek God will be in vain. If you have already trusted in Christ, then we urge you to consciously bring every prayer, every thought, and every struggle before the throne of God *in Jesus’ name*, for it is His righteousness that makes our prayers acceptable.
Finally, let us pray for you with hearts full of faith, knowing that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).
---
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, lifting up these precious souls who have humbly acknowledged their need for You. Lord, You are the God who sees the heart, and You know the depth of their struggle—the tension between wanting to love You and the hatred that still lingers within. We thank You that You are not surprised or deterred by their honesty, for You are the God who meets us in our brokenness and transforms us by Your grace.
Father, we ask that You would open their eyes to see the depth of Your love for them, demonstrated most clearly at the cross where Jesus bore their sins, their hatred, and their rebellion. Let them grasp the truth that while they were still sinners, Christ died for them (Romans 5:8). Soften their hearts, Lord. Break down every wall of resistance, every stronghold of bitterness, and every lie that fuels their hatred toward You. Replace it with a deep, abiding love for You that can only come from the Holy Spirit.
We pray that You would draw them closer to Yourself, that they would hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). Give them a passion for Your Word, that as they read and meditate on it, their minds would be renewed (Romans 12:2) and their affections would be set on things above (Colossians 3:2). Help them to obey Your commands, not out of legalism, but out of a growing love for You.
Lord, if there is any unconfessed sin in their lives—any idolatry, any rebellion, any area where they have not surrendered to You—we ask that You would convict them by Your Spirit. Bring them to repentance, and let them experience the joy and freedom that comes from being cleansed by Your blood. Remind them that You are a God who delights in mercy (Micah 7:18) and that Your kindness is meant to lead them to repentance (Romans 2:4).
We also pray for protection over their minds, for we know that the enemy would love to distort their perception of You. Let them see You as You truly are: holy, just, loving, and good. Guard them against the lies that would paint You as distant, harsh, or unloving. Instead, let them encounter You as their loving Father, their faithful Shepherd, and their redeeming King.
Finally, Father, we ask that You would surround them with a community of believers who can encourage them, pray for them, and walk alongside them in this journey. Let them not isolate themselves, but find strength in the body of Christ.
We pray all these things in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who alone is worthy of all praise, honor, and glory. Amen.
---
We urge you to take practical steps in this journey. Begin each day by surrendering your hearts to God in prayer, asking Him to fill you with His love. Spend time in His Word, even if it’s just a few verses. Consider memorizing Scripture that declares God’s love and faithfulness, such as Romans 8:38-39: *"For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."* Let these truths sink deep into your souls.
If you have not already, we strongly encourage you to seek out a Bible-believing church where you can be discipled and held accountable. Share your struggles with mature believers who can pray for you and walk with you. And never forget: this is a battle, but the victory has already been won by Christ. You are not fighting for victory; you are fighting *from* victory. Cling to Him, and He will faithfully lead you into a deeper love for Him.
We're right there with you, friend. It's a tough road, isn't it? Wanting to love God, yet feeling that hatred lurking in our hearts. It's like we're caught in a tug-of-war, and it's exhausting. But remember, we're not alone in this. The apostle Paul, a man who walked closely with God, struggled with the same thing. He wrote in Romans 7:15, "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing." If Paul struggled, how much more might we?
But here's the good news: Paul didn't stop there. He declared in Romans 7:25, "Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" That's the key, isn't it? It's not about our own effort, but the power of Jesus Christ in us. We must choose, moment by moment, to surrender our hatred, our resistance, and our sin to Him. Repentance is a lifestyle, not a one-time act.
Let's not forget, too, that love for God is connected to obedience to His commands. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands" (John 14:15). So, let's start by obeying what we know He's commanded. Read His Word, pray, gather with other believers. These things will fan the flames of love in our hearts.
And listen, we noticed something in your request. You didn't invoke the name of Jesus Christ. That's not a small matter. The Bible tells us there's no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). If you haven't already, you must place your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. He alone can reconcile us to God.
So, let's keep fighting, friend. Let's keep surrendering, keep obeying, keep trusting. Because we serve a God who is faithful to complete the work He has begun in us (Philippians 1:6). And remember, we're in this together. Let's keep encouraging each other, praying for each other, and walking this journey hand in hand.
Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we come before You, lifting up these precious souls who have humbly acknowledged their need for You...
But here's the good news: Paul didn't stop there. He declared in Romans 7:25, "Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" That's the key, isn't it? It's not about our own effort, but the power of Jesus Christ in us. We must choose, moment by moment, to surrender our hatred, our resistance, and our sin to Him. Repentance is a lifestyle, not a one-time act.
Let's not forget, too, that love for God is connected to obedience to His commands. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands" (John 14:15). So, let's start by obeying what we know He's commanded. Read His Word, pray, gather with other believers. These things will fan the flames of love in our hearts.
And listen, we noticed something in your request. You didn't invoke the name of Jesus Christ. That's not a small matter. The Bible tells us there's no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). If you haven't already, you must place your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. He alone can reconcile us to God.
So, let's keep fighting, friend. Let's keep surrendering, keep obeying, keep trusting. Because we serve a God who is faithful to complete the work He has begun in us (Philippians 1:6). And remember, we're in this together. Let's keep encouraging each other, praying for each other, and walking this journey hand in hand.
Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we come before You, lifting up these precious souls who have humbly acknowledged their need for You...
EnricoLange
Beloved of All
I prayed for this in Jesus Name.
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.
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.
Healed Spirit Soul And Body
Healed Spirit Soul And Body
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
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