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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Nov 17 2008 at 10:27pm | IP Logged
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My ds who just turned 11 is not praying anymore. Friends are struggling with a new baby and special needs issues and I reminded him to keep them in his prayers the other night. He rolled his eyes and said it didn't matter if he prayed or not. I felt so sad and tried to get him to understand that God has our best interests in mind and sometimes our prayers don't necessarily get answered the way we want. He said his never do--and was pretty sad.
I tried to think of examples of his prayers being answered but I don't know his prayers. I consider keeping a prayer journal but wonder if that would be a good idea.
Anyone dealt with this too? Looking for advice....
Thanks,
Anne
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Loren
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| Posted: Nov 18 2008 at 8:05am | IP Logged
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You're right, God always has our best interests in mind. He always knows what we need, even if it's not what we think.
I realize it's not much comfort when you're eleven, but I try to remember that God has four answers to prayer. The first is the one we all want to hear, YES! An immediate and emphatic acquiescence to our request.
The second is the one we think we hear most often, NO! An immediate and emphatic rejection of our plans.
But God has two more answers that really show the depth of His love for us. The first of these is WAIT! God tells us that our desires are good, but they must come at the right time. Like a good parent, He knows that some gifts are better given after a certain maturity level, or that certain gifts will not be appreciated until after certain experiences.
The fourth answer that God gives is the one that really takes my breath away: I HAVE SOMETHING BETTER IN STORE! Like a mother who won't let her son go play with a neighbor because she is planning a surprise trip to the circus, God sometimes turns down our request for something small because he is waiting to give us something huge. We just have to accept the temporary "no" in order to be ready for the gigantic and grace-filled "YES" when it comes.
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Mary G
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| Posted: Nov 18 2008 at 9:27am | IP Logged
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This topic hits home for us ... we've been praying, pleading and praying some more (as have other prayer warriors) that we sell our house in Denver -- since April! We get little nibbles, but no bites. Looks like God is not answering our prayers -- but He is. He is answering for our needs not our wants. This past six months+ has improved our prayer life significantly -- maybe that's the answer to our prayers, to our needs.
I like Loren's four responses: Yes, No, Wait, I have something better in store. This is GREAT for explaining to the kids ... and especially in this age of "quick gratification", entitlement and I want it now (sounds like Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate factory doesn't it?).
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Nov 18 2008 at 11:05am | IP Logged
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Also, it does take some maturity to see an overarching plan. As a teen I was frustrated because my high school didn't offer the language I wanted to learn, German - the language of my ancestors. I chose French as the best of a bad bunch of choices. Decades later I began researching family history. I'll give you one guess about which language ALL of the documents I found were written in (and how's that for bad grammar!).
Yup.
In college I did learn some German, too. (There's the waiting part!)
My point is, sometimes we have to let our children know that they'll grow in wisdom and experience as time goes on. It will be easier to see God's plan unfold, at least most of the time.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Nov 18 2008 at 11:54am | IP Logged
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Oh, you all are beautiful,faith filled, wonderful people. I am so glad you are here. What great responses. I can't wait to talk to ds--I am going to pray first, though. These responses also spoke to some issues in my own life. Thank you!
Anne
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RenB
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| Posted: Nov 20 2008 at 10:36am | IP Logged
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Dear Anne;
I would love to comfort you by offering something wonderful, but I can't. I want to offer you something however in case it might soothe your weary heart and very soul. We have our beautiful faith to help lift us up just when everything seems too difficult. For me, I have to believe God's promises are so true, that he is the Alpha and Omega and knows everything, right down to how this or that situation will end up over time. In our situation I have to trust him with my husband's very life, and that doesn't come easy when all I want to do out of frustration is "fix it!"(' ') Imagine feeling like this as child when we feel like this as an adult!(' ') A prayer journal is a great idea because no matter the span of time, there is always a wonderful day when the request may be checked off as answered.
Our entire sudden major move never made sense to us, that is until last week when we could finally and blissfully see the hand of God in every single detail along the way. But if you told me that was possible during the time of decision, it never felt right, not ever, until now.
My favorite Bible verse is; Jeremiah 29:11 to comfort me, whether things turn out like I want them to, I hope they will, or not. God has already ordained our lives, hardships and all. Sometimes we only see "answers" when it's all said and done and we reflect on the past. God Bless!
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Blessings;
Renee
Mommy to eight, cherished treasures sent to us 22 years apart. Nana to seven lovelies...so far.
"Go East," they said
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: when prayers aren't answered..
