For those who have asked God for an answer to something, how did you get your answer?

chozometroid

I'm at a point in my life where I really want God to show me His will for my life--to show me what to do next. I feel I could really go at it with everything I have, as opposed to me just doing what I think is best, but never sure if it's what I really should be doing.
I have asked God to tell me, show me what I should do, but I haven't received an answer. This is in regards to choosing job, school, relocation, debt, and the timing of all of the above.

Christian answers only, please. I want to know God is answering me, and not just take someone's comment or a thought in my head and think it is God talking to me. Has anyone heard God speak to them?
At the least, please pray on my behalf that God allows me to hear His voice.

Northclare

It seems to me that God answers in mysterious ways.

I just say a simple prayer and let go and let God.
For me it's a gradual process.

Letting go and getting on with it ain't easy especially when your up **** creek without a paddle.

But the message might be in the problem.
The next time don't get yourself up **** creek.

Acceptance isn't easy either.

The serenity prayer is a good one.

It works for me.

I wish you luck

Snappy Smurf

I've had this same problem recently.

Very few of us will hear the voice of God in our head.

The best we can do is pray about it and then take what seems to be the best step forward.

It seems that God speaks to us in and through the ordinary circumstances and people of our daily lives. A door might open here, or close over there. All sorts of things like that. Maybe some encouragement from another or feelings of attraction or whatnot.

It seems to me that, in the end, you have to do what you think is right. It may be an easy option to do the thing God wants you to do, or it might be a big challenge. I think we just have to stumble forward, taking a chance. There will, generally, be no big, clear signs. But sometimes there are, sometimes it is clear what to do. For e.g. if you prayed for a job and a really good opportunity came up then you'd take that. Other decisions are less clear and by opting for one thing you might be closing off other avenues.

I think you should speak to a good priest who knows you well as well as friends who know you well.

MrPudding

Snappy Smurf wrote: »

Stuff

You do realise that that 1) quoting yourself in your own sig is a little... not quite sure how to put this, but it just isn't quite right and, 2) your quote doesn't actually make any sense. A 360 degree change is no change. I presume you mean 180, the opposite?

MrP

qrrgprgua

There is a saying..."God helps those who help themselves" If you open your heart to God and search for him God will show you what to do.

chozometroid

qrrgprgua wrote: »

There is a saying..."God helps those who help themselves" If you open your heart to God and search for him God will show you what to do.

Man, I believe and trust in God, but really what does that mean? I want to open my heart. I've basically said to God, "just show me what YOU want me to do, and I'll do it, I don't care what it is." I know He has opened doors for me, and blessed me in many ways, but right now, I'm wondering if I'm just not close enough to Him.
Can't I get an answer from God while my sanctification is still in progress?
I have 2 or 3 doors He may or may not have opened for me, and each has a major downside and each is life-changing.

Carol2057

"When the lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window", these lines have always helped me, aswell as the words "climb every mountain, search high and low,follow every byway, every path you know, climb every mountain,ford every stream, follow every rainbow,till you find your dream".

(all can be found in the sound of music!!:D)These words are very inspirational i feel ......

Just ask the lord to come into your life, but I think you have to allow him in, and want him in your life, You clearly do.That serenity prayer looks like a good one, thanks to the above poster, i shall use this!! I have never heard the lords voice answering my prayers, but I get the feeling sometimes that he has answered them, where I just "know" and I can explain it. Its an "aha" moment. You know he has worked something out for you, you know he answered your prayer in some way. Thats how I know he listens.... I find the Divine Mercy prayer extremally powerful. Why I dont say it everyday is beyond me. I get a shiver when I think of how that prayer has helped me in the past. i said it with such passion and want. And what I wanted surely did come through which was actually a miracle for me (the thing he granted!!)My prayers were truly answered at that time in my life and i truly believe it was through the Divine Mercy prayer. http://www.catholicity.com/prayer/divinemercy.html

Say this prayer daily and also the Novena, and get back to us here when your prayers are answered. I trust so much that they will be xx It took a while for the lord to answer my prayer that time, there were tears, anger and sadness but at the end of it all the Lord came to me and granted me my wish which had seemed impossible . I hope I have made sense...... All the best to you. God bless xx

chozometroid

Carol2057 wrote: »

"When the lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window", these lines have always helped me, aswell as the words "climb every mountain, search high and low,follow every byway, every path you know, climb every mountain,ford every stream, follow every rainbow,till you find your dream".

(all can be found in the sound of music!!:D)These words are very inspirational i feel ......

Just ask the lord to come into your life, but I think you have to allow him in, and want him in your life, You clearly do.That serenity prayer looks like a good one, thanks to the above poster, i shall use this!! I have never heard the lords voice answering my prayers, but I get the feeling sometimes that he has answered them, where I just "know" and I can explain it. Its an "aha" moment. You know he has worked something out for you, you know he answered your prayer in some way. Thats how I know he listens.... I find the Divine Mercy prayer extremally powerful. Why I dont say it everyday is beyond me. I get a shiver when I think of how that prayer has helped me in the past. i said it with such passion and want. And what I wanted surely did come through which was actually a miracle for me (the thing he granted!!)My prayers were truly answered at that time in my life and i truly believe it was through the Divine Mercy prayer. http://www.catholicity.com/prayer/divinemercy.html

Say this prayer daily and also the Novena, and get back to us here when your prayers are answered. I trust so much that they will be xx It took a while for the lord to answer my prayer that time, there were tears, anger and sadness but at the end of it all the Lord came to me and granted me my wish which had seemed impossible . I hope I have made sense...... All the best to you. God bless xx

Thanks for that. I should say I'm not Catholic, and not familiar with the Catholic prayers. I have wondered about "premade" prayers and how significant they would be for me. I always felt that I should just speak to God with what I feel I should say at the moment. If I read a prayer, I will be trying to force it to mean something to me. It looks like they would be a good example prayer. I suppose regularly reciting the serenity prayer would help you to keep the words in mind and then have those thoughts affect they way you handle things. I appreciate the advice, though. I know I should spend more time in prayer.

I wonder if God waits for us to state certain things "verbally" before revealing things to us, even though He knows our thoughts. Maybe we have to talk it out ourselves, similar to how you sit with a psychologist and they just guide you along until you end up answering your own question/dilemma.

I'm about to commit to a decision today, so I'm wondering how I will know if God answers my prayer, other than Him helping me succeed, which I believe He will.

Onesimus

I second the Divine Mercy chaplet. I prayed it for a friend from the east years ago. my friend asked me to pray about this particular war. Next day there was a ceasefire ( it is a war torn country ) there. haha my friend was like :eek:

So yes powerful chaplet.

georgieporgy

chozometroid wrote: »

Thanks for that. I should say I'm not Catholic, and not familiar with the Catholic prayers. I have wondered about "premade" prayers and how significant they would be for me.

I'm about to commit to a decision today, so I'm wondering how I will know if God answers my prayer, other than Him helping me succeed, which I believe He will.

Catholics often seek advice from a "spiritual guide" to help them make a decision. May or may not be a priest. The guide should be someone experienced in such matters and know the individual well. The advantage of relying on such advice is the guide can see past the emotional attachment that tends to blind us. I'm sure non catholics can find such a guide also,eg old teacher, trusted uncle, parent, pastor etc.

Just one or two words of advice I would give; 1- don't seek help from too many people, you will get too many conflicting opinions. One is enough.
2- once you make a decision (after careful consideration/prayer etc) stick to it. Ignore all doubts and fears that enter your mind after that.

Whatever choice you make ,in 20 years time it won't seem like such a big deal!