Does anyone else have a hard time praying after you know you sin?
478451
It is hard to overcome old habits, but you must 1st realize Jesus paid the whole sin debt for all mankind over 2,000 yrs ago. That was long before any of us were born. So did He only pay for your sins up to the time you got saved, and now it is up to you to keep track of your sins & be sure you don't leave any out when you pray, or you'll go to Hell? Jesus paid it all, Brother, and God is smart enough to not leave any part of our salvation in our hands, or we'd sure lose it. Paul wrote, "I know in Whom I have believed, and am pursuaded that He(Not me or you)He is able to keep that which I have comitted unto Him against that day." He took it out of our control, because Jesus did it all for us. He was sinless & died in our place, so He could Impute His Righteousness unto us(we have none, ours is as filthy rags)That when God sees us, He sees the Righteousness\nof Jesus in us. We are Made Acceptable in The Beloved Son, and He is our Only Hope of Salvation. Not by works, but by His Grace, so we have nothing to brag about, but what Jesus did for us as our Substitute.  God Bless, Pastor B.
997651
I am a Christian and I'm also a human.  There are some people I'm still struggling to love.  It takes a total surrender to God for that.  For example, there is a man who molested me as a child and it took YEARS to come to the place where I can say I've forgiven him for what he's done.  I fervently pray that he accepts Christ as his savior.  I believe he hasn't thus far because he's afraid he'll have to confess to what he did to me and others.  He was even convicted (plead guilty) and was sent to prison for 2 years, but he maintains his innocence and said his attorney told him to plead guilty because it was a he said/she said case he couldn't win.  I still see this man at a lot of family gatherings.  The balance I've come to is that I am kind to this man, but I'll NEVER let him even pick up my child.  Luckily, I've never had to say that out loud because he's got the good sense not to try.  Sorry to be so long-winded, but I wanted you to see that there are some Christians who are really TRYING to live out the example that God set for us to follow.  It truly is a narrow path and it's difficult to stay on sometimes.
443980
I do, and I try to find something that I can relate to, not just reading any chapter & verse. God works in mysterious ways. Ask him to guide your eyes and fingers to what He wants you to know. Ask Him to speak to you through this devotion time. AND HE WILL...God Bless
634294
I can tell you that after 8 months of persistent prayer and seeking God's will he moved a mammoth of a mountain.  If you pray and seek His will in your life, aren't afraid to ask Him for the desires of your heart and ask with caution, clarity and selflessness... your prayers will be answered.\n\nI know this first hand.... we were having a conflict with an adoption agency, a private agency that had custody of two little girls we fell in love with. well, the adoption agency decided they wanted to place the girls with someonelse after we had built strong bonds. this agency refused to even talk to us, were adamant about the change and would not even submit to their state mandated policy of a fair hearing or right to grievance procedures. they even went against a judges recommendation and took the girls from us.\n\nwe prayed and prayed. we went biblically to the agency and the agency refused to listen to us.  eventually the agency said we had to say goodbye forever to our little girls. they told our little girls this as well. but God told me to not listen to the world.... keep your eyes and ears focused on me and I will lead you through this journey... and what a journey it was. It went to places I was uncomfortable... but God was there with me every step of the way... even when i had to go to the legislature and senators to get help! God led the way and eventually brought my little girls back whom we have formally adopted now! you can't imagine the resistance and journey it was to get where we are today... but GOD IS BIGGER! GOD IS FAITHFUL and loving! pray to him and he will guide you and help you with any problem of any size!
66191
Maybe everyone's form of prayer is different. I was brought up catholic and was taught a specific way to pray but I've long abandoned that and simply have a one on one with the man upstairs when I'm in a position to fully appreciate the beauty of the creation before me, like when I'm walking in the park and the sun is setting or when the waters of a lake are so still it seems like someone laid a giant mirror on the ground. I also write on my computer and confide to God all the things I would a very close friend. Prayer doesn't have to be on your knees with your hands folded. It can be as simple as a thought. Possibly even an action. I think many people have forgotten to seek God within ourselves rather than extrovertly.
976424
Hang around with other believers and learn from them. Consider going on a retreat or to a camp where you can learn and focus on getting closer to God - without the outside distractions.\n\nI get closer by spending my time in prayer - sometimes it doesn't feel like my prayers are getting past the ceiling, and that I don't feel anything happen when I pray. It's when you work through that hurdle and keep praying and fighting to be obedient that God shows up! \n\nAs far as screwing up goes, we all screw up and fall short of what God has for us! That's when we get before God and tell HIm we're sorry and ask for His help to stop whatever it is.\n\nRealize too, that ALL Christians go through this - it's part of the faith building process! Just keep running for the prize, as Paul puts it. And when you get to that place that you just don;t want to do it any more, you need to make a conscious decision to keep going, even when it seems like it's not worth it.\n\nThat's faith! You can do it!
448206
We are all inperfect due to inherited sin, so it is actually obvious that we all make many mistakes, it is a real struggle to do things the right way, but we can prevail, if we LEAN on God, repent, and trust that if we keep trying, God will see that. The thing is with humans is that we are such weak creatures that we often take a long time to learn even the simplest of lessons, more important than being successful, is TRYING to be successful, and never forget God knows our limitations, he knows us better than we know ourselves. People could also try praying when they FEEL temptation to do something wrong, and not just praying after we have made the mistake. God will give strength and power beyond what is normal to peiple if they are sincerely trying to do what is right.
799646
I hear you, brother. I feel the same way. I have been praying for four years now for God's will, and God's will alone. And I also ask him to help me grow in faith. But when it comes time to ask for something specific, I sort of cower, because I feel so entirely unworthy.\n\nI have spoken with other faithful Christians about this, and what some have said has helped me. Some have said that we're not worthy on our own, but that Christ's blood has justified us. They have told me that if you ask God for something, and say, "If it be thy will"--and if you mean that--then it is okay to ask. God will either provide or he won't, depending on whether or not what you ask for is what he wills. I have also been told that God does indeed like to give gifts and blessings to his children. He is our father, after all--and so we are "allowed" to approach him and ask for stuff. If he sees it best for us, he will provide, and if he sees it as harmful to us, he will not provide.\n\nEssentially, God won't do anything that God doesn't will...obviously. So what I do is continue to seek his will, and I also ask him to teach me how and what to pray for. The key here is developing your relationship with God. And I think the more that God teaches me how to pray, the better I come to know him and myself in relation to him. That is, my unworthiness is based in a number of things, but one of these things is a fear of God--which is a legitimate thing. Fear of his awesomeness, might, and his righteous judgment...very reasonable to fear such a God. It has historically been sort of daunting for me to stand in the presence of such might and ask for something...and hence the feelings of unworthiness. But I think--I think, not know--that God does want us to come to ask him for things, because this deepens the relationship and better teaches us who he is and who we are. If that makes sense to you at all.
49156
All of us feel like hypocrites sometimes. Forgiveness can happen because of who God is and the decisions He makes. Not because of who we are. The discomfort you feel can be very helpful because it can help you to make new decisions and try a new direction. Some sins are so much a part of our nature that we need a lot of time and a lot of forgiveness before we begin to master the part of our will that keeps making us mess up. Don't give up, and don't dwell too much on guilt. Spend your time being grateful for the forgiveness and for the opportunity to try again. God loves us as we are where we are right now. He will never love you more than He loves you right now and He will never love you less. You have started down a good path. Give yourself a chance and some time to grow.
894320
that is your own personal struggle that only you can overcome or strengthen. you have to decide what seems right to you or how you want to pursue your faith. if you want you can ask "god" to answer your prayer. \n\ni use to be a devoted christian and doubted my faith because i felt that the church and the teachings were currupt and not "holy" as they claimed to be. i also struggled with this type of issue. today, im just a happy atheist. \n\ngood luck to you.
624426
I remember asking myself this alot when I was a young girl. I asked this very question once. Someone closer to God answered this for me.\n\nIf you ask your Heavenly Father to forgive you of a sin with all your heart and mean it, he will. \n\nIf you turn around and continue to repeat that very sin, then ask for forgiveness, God looks at this as * What sin is this do you ask me to forgive you for twice?* \n\nIt was forgotten and erased away the first time you asked him. \n\nNow I do believe because we are human, we will continue to make mistakes. Some of those mistakes will probably be what we have already asked for forgiveness for. However, God does understand we are only human. This doesnt pardon you to continue to do the same thing over and over. God knows your heart. Its that simple. When and if you continue to do the same mistake over and over, God knows your heart. He will know and understand your life at that time, what you are faced with and the fact you are trying to make it better.\n\nI dont have the magic answer here. But I do believe that God knows your heart. If you are changing your life, making an effor to be righteous and do the right thing, God knows this about you. We will all falter at one time or another. Just be diligent and keep on.
104558
I think sometimes we shut and open doors ourselves, and then say that it is God playing games with us. I think you just need a bit more time, and patience with what God is doing in your life. Allow yourself time to hear God. \n\nI also think God has moved you on to a new level with Him. That is maybe a bit more difficult than where you were previously. That is why this seems a bit more difficult to figure out. God is constantly wanting us to move forward, and to move higher. Relax in what God wants, and if you are not sure, then just wait a while. \n\nNothing happens in our timing, no matter how hard we try to control time we can not. Also, a big thing for me, is to go on what peace I have. If I have complete peace, not a shadow of a doubt, then I know that it is what God wants. But if there is even a smallest of a fraction of doubt. Then I know that I should not pursue that what I was wanting to. \n\nKeep praying and asking God for the answer. He will give you the answer, maybe the answer is already given, but you yourself are opening and closing doors... \n\nThis could be also a big test for you, to see how much you are willing to give up for God. Sometimes, when we give up one thing, God gives us something far greater than what we ever imagined. \n\nI dont know the whole situation here, but rest in God. That is the only thing I can say works. Spend time with Holy Spirit, allowing Him to work in your life, and to show you the way that you must go....\n\nI wish you all the best in what you are facing... it can not be easy, but know that God is right there with you. He never leaves your side. He knows what is best for you....
82842
I DO!!! This world keeps pulling us down doesn't it! But you know, being on Y! Answers has really helped me, here I can praise and worship God(with some fellow Christians and some none Christians) here I get to share my faith. It's great!!! For me the way I get close to God is listening to some really good music, sit down with my Bible, notepad, and pencil, start reading and write away! It's amazing how much more you notice when you write stuff down. God Bless you sister and hold strong to the faith!!!
1078689
we don't have to worry about that, none of us are God never have been or never will be. Accept Him into your heart by asking Him to forgive you for all your sins.you won't become God but you if you meant the prayer will become just like Him.
999303
basically god always wants you to try helping yourself first as best as you can then pray to him. after that? patientce and have faith ;)
731769
I think that we all struggle in our faith one way or another. Questioning God's existence doesn't really cross most of our minds. We may question why He allows things to happen or we may even question our own Christian walk and our relationship with God. My pastors -and I've had a few in my life -haven't been perfect. In fact there was one who was my Dad's boss that treated his underlings shabbily and used the church vehicle for personal business. I think he may've even taken some of the better donations given to the church for his own. I do know that he was eventually caught by his bosses with his hand in the cookie jar and in adultery. He was speedily fired. As for weird things in a worship service? I recall visiting a Charismatic service to see what it was like. I met one of those pastors who held rather rambunctious healing services. You know the type.; they call you forward for healing even though you haven't volunteered or asked for it. He claimed -a few times- to be given a word of knowledge about some type of secret sin in some person's life. I found this made me extremely uncomfortable because I do not believe that God would humiliate an individual in this manner. Nor do I think that Jesus would compel anyone to come for healing. God is a Gentleman, and He never forces Himself on anybody. Neither should His servants
127610
This has happened to me many times. I try to learn from it and then move on. I pray for an evil person and then let them go off to their own life.