Q: I have no motivation to pray. Help?

I feel like I am drifting away from God and my faith isn't as strong as it use to be. I use to pray every single night and have motivation to go to church but these days I have been too tired and I just end up falling asleep before I get to praying. What can I do?

I think all Christians have gone through what you've just described, so you're not alone, friend. I suppose the first question I'd ask yourself is: What was the motivation to pray and to go to church? If you pray and attend worship out of a sense of duty or to get something, then it is inevitable that your spiritual life will continue to be dry, boring and exhausting. Listen to what Pastor Tim Keller says:

There can be long lists of things that we pray for, and long lists of Bible verses we read, and long lists of things we thank him for. Yet there is no fire. Why? If we lose focus on the glory of God in the gospel as the solution to all our problems, then we devolve into a set of "grocery list" prayers, made rather desperately. When we are done, we only feel more anxious than before. The presence of God is not sensed because God is really just being used – he is not being worshipped.

Instead, we should always remember that the first thing we need is a new perspective on our needs and problems. We should always intertwine with repentance over our unbelief and indifference to God's grace. On the one hand, we must "pray into" ourselves that the thing we are asking for is not our Savior or God or glory! But, (on the other hand) after we repent and refine our desire, we should "pray into" ourselves that God is our Father and wants to give us good things, so we can ask in confidence. Also, intertwined with our petitions should be praise and marveling that we are able to approach God, and be welcomed in Christ.

This is gospel-centered prayer, rather than anxious petitioning. Our desires are always idolatrous to some degree, and when we pray without dealing with that first, we find our prayers only make us more anxious. Instead, we should always say, in effect, "Lord, let me see your glory as I haven't before, let me be so ravished with your grace that worry and self-pity and anger and indifference melt away!" Then, when we turn to ask God for admission to grad school or healing of an illness, those issues will be put in proper perspective. We will say, "Lord, I ask for this because I think it will glorify you – so help me get it, or support me without it." If the overall focus of the prayer is on God's glory and the gospel, our individual petitions will be made with great peace and confidence.

So friend, the first thing I'd do is to examine your motives and start praying for God to reveal his presence to you. Don't immediately pray about what you want; pray for God's presence to fill your life. That will ignite your passion again and again!

Second, on a more practical note, are you getting enough rest? If you are exhausted and leave your prayer (& devotion time) at the end of the day, you can't devote your best energy. I would suggest you try another time to pray. Usually, I spend some time in the morning to do my devotions as I have the most energy and alertness. In the evening, I only say a short, 'goodnight' prayer to God. For additional information, I recommend you read this blog post about "devotional times."

[Answered by Pastor HM]

Q: Is it better to pray to God about the same thing more than once? It is more likely for Him to answer your prayers if you pray for it more than once?

A:   God will answer your prayer if it is in His will not because of how many times you pray for it. For example in Matthew 6:7, Jesus warns us -

“7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” 

That is we are not to “babble”, repeat the same word over and over again in a meaningless way. This is praying with our minds disengaged from our lips. We should not pray thinking there is some special formula, a certain number of times that we ask God until something is answered. He will answer the request if it is in His will. This is the key thing.

Having said all this there are times when we have to be persistent in prayer, to keep praying for some things over and over again. For example, the salvation of your loved ones may take many years of praying for them, not just a one time thing. Another thing that will take repeated prayer is what to do with your life. In some cases, God wants you to develop perseverance and to keep praying and not to give up. Another reason I believe why we have to pray over and over for some things is that God’s will becomes clearer to us as we continue to pray and eventually our prayer changes to conform to His will and that is when it is answered.

[answered by Pastor Quang of the English Congregation]

Q: How do you know when God is calling you forward to do something?

Great Question!  Let me answer this with two points.

1. How Can We Recognize The Voice Of God?

This has been asked by countless people throughout the ages. Samuel heard the voice of God, but did not recognize it until he was instructed by Eli (1 Samuel 3:1-10). Gideon had a physical revelation from God, and he still doubted what he had heard to the point of asking for a sign, not once, but three times (Judges 6:17-22, 36-40). When we are listening for God's voice, how can we know that He is the one speaking? 

First of all, we have something that Gideon and Samuel did not. We have the complete Bible, the inspired Word of God, to read, study, and meditate on. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When we have a question about a certain topic or decision in our lives, we should see what the Bible has to say about it. God will never lead us or direct us contrary to what He has taught or promised in His Word (Titus 1:2).

Second, to hear God's voice we must recognize it. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Those who hear God’s voice are those who belong to Him—those who have been saved by His grace through faith in the Lord Jesus. These are the sheep that hear and recognize His voice, because they know Him as their Shepherd and they know His voice. If we are to recognize God's voice, we must belong to Him.

Third, we hear His voice when we spend time in prayer, Bible study, and quiet contemplation of His Word. The more time we spend intimately with God and His Word, the easier it is to recognize His voice and His leading in our lives. Employees at a bank are trained to recognize counterfeits by studying genuine money so closely that it is easy to spot a fake. We should be so familiar with God’s Word that when God does speak to us or lead us, it is clear that it is God. God speaks to us so that we may understand truth. While God can speak audibly to people, He speaks primarily through His Word, and sometimes through the Holy Spirit to our consciences, through circumstances, and through other people. By applying what we hear to the truth of Scripture, we can learn to recognize His voice.

2. How Can I Know When God Is Telling Me Or Leading Me To Do Something?

 
Pray!  Especially when you’re unsure of God’s will for your life. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7). If you don’t know what to pray, you can always personalize and pray verses such as, “Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul” (Psalm 143:8) and, “Guide me in Your truth and teach me” (Psalm 25:5).

The primary way God commands us is through His Word. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). If Scripture commands something of us, there’s no need to hesitate and wonder if it’s really God’s will for us. He cares so much about us that He already gave a plain and clear guidebook to life – the Bible. “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). “The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7). “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word” (Psalm 119:9). Likewise, God never, ever contradicts Himself, so He’ll never ask you to something contradictory to Scripture. He will never ask you to sin. He will never ask you to do something Jesus Christ wouldn’t do. We need to immerse ourselves in the Bible, so we will know which actions meet God’s standards. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth: meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything that is written in it” (Joshua 1:8).

Christians also have the Holy Spirit to discern what is, or is not, God’s will for our lives. “The Spirit of truth . . . will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Sometimes the Holy Spirit will either agitate our conscience if we’re making a wrong decision, or He will pacify and encourage us when we’re leaning toward the right decision. Even if He doesn’t intervene in such noticeable ways, we can have confidence that He’s always in charge. Sometimes God can alter a situation without us even realizing He has acted. “The Lord will guide you always” (Isaiah 58:11).

If God is calling you to take a leap of faith, be encouraged by His presence. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). And remember, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

[Answered by Ray Lee, Summer Intern]

Q: Unanswered prayers?

Sometimes I feel so distant from God and that my prayers don't get answered. I know He's done some amazing things for me in the past, but it makes me wonder if all those amazing things were just coincidences. Recently, I prayed that I would do well on a presentation and I actually barely passed it. The Bible says that whatever we ask for, we will get it as long as it is according to His will, but if in this situation, how would it not be according to His will?

How many Christians have prayed for someone or something, only to see their prayers go unanswered? How many have prayed and perhaps have “given up” because either they have become discouraged through a weakness of faith or have come to believe that whatever they have been praying for isn’t God’s will? Nevertheless, how we deal with unanswered prayer is not just for our own benefit but for the benefit of others as well.  Our privilege of prayer is from God, and it is as much ours now as when it was given to Israel (Deuteronomy 4:7). Yet, when we pray or speak to the One in Heaven, there are times when He seems not to answer. There can be many reasons for this and the Scriptures themselves suggest why and how our prayers are being dealt with by the One who is our representative (Hebrews 4:15).

A primary reason why prayer is unanswered is sin. God cannot be mocked or deceived and He who sits enthroned above knows us intimately, down to our every thought (Psalm 139:1-4). If we are not walking in the Way, or we keep anger or hatred in our hearts toward our sister or brother, or we ask for things with the wrong motives (such as from selfish desires), then we can expect God not to answer our prayer because He does not hear (2 Chronicles 7:14; Deuteronomy 28:23; Psalm 66:18; James 4:3). Sin is the ‘stopper’ to all the potential blessings that we would receive from the infinite ‘bottle’ of God’s mercy! If only we would be more careful to avoid sin, we would be more worthy recipients of all the blessings and foretastes of the glory that is ours in Christ Jesus (Job 11:13-18). Indeed, there are times when our prayers are evil’ in the Lord’s sight, most notably when we clearly do not belong to the Lord either because of unbelief (Proverbs 15:8) or because we are being hypocrites in what we say and how we actually live (Mark 12:40).

Another reason why prayer seems to go unanswered is that the Lord is drawing out of our faith a deeper reliance and trust in Him, which should bring out of us a deeper sense of gratitude, love and humility. In turn, this causes us to benefit spiritually for He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:34).  

As you prayed for your presentation, did you do your part and give your very best to the Lord?  Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men”.  Remember that God is not here to bless all and everything that we ask, want or desire.  Perhaps the Lord is seeking to train and refine you as Romans 5:3-5 tells us that “… we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

We all need to pray with the right motivation. Selfish motives will not be blessed by God. “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives …” (James 4:3).  We can have confidence that the Holy Spirit will accomplish His work in presenting our prayers to the Father according to His perfect will and timing, and we can rest in the knowledge that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

[Answered by Ray Lee, Summer Intern]

 

Q: What are times you suggest for devotionals?

WHEN

I would recommend you find a consistent time when you are relatively free of responsibilities and quieted. For me, this is at night before bed, because I am most free of distractions and everything is quiet. You probably don't want to do your devotionals between classes or when in a busy place, as you will naturally have several other things in your mind stealing away your attention. I know many Christians who prefer the mornings, as it gives them a God-focused start to the day before busyness and the pace of life picks up. Whatever you choose, consistency is pretty key, because devotionals are something we should strive to do regularly as Christians; not just when the opportunity presents itself conveniently. As a young Christian, setting strong spiritual habits and disciplines now will have spiritual payoffs for your relationship with God down the road, when life only gets busier and busier, and a clear Biblical direction is needed.

-------------------------------------

For more information on "devotionals", keep reading on. After answering your question of when, it may be important to backtrack to explain WHAT it is.

"Devotionals", or "quiet time" is a modern-day term that we use to describe spending personal time with God. It tends to look different for everyone, but will include some common elements:

- learning about God's word (reading the Bible)

- looking into your own life (introspection/reflection)

- spending time in communication with God (prayer)

So if devotionals is a modern-day term, and not a term mentioned in the Bible, WHY do we do it? Well, the principles/bare essentials of devotionals are timeless, and find their root in the Bible:

- God wants us to seek Him (Acts 17:26-27)

- God wants our dedication/commitment (Matt 10:37-39)

- God wants us to know Him (John 17:3)

- God wants us to pray to him (Phil 4:6-7)

Practically speaking, how do we do devotionals? We talked about WHEN and WHY, but let's go through the others to figure out a clear action plan.

WHO - You, just you. No distractions. There are settings for corporately getting to know God better (like Sunday mornings), but devotionals are times for growing your intimate relationship with God, and learning to hear from Him.

WHERE - Not somewhere you would easily get distracted, like a basketball court or in front of the TV. Somewhere quiet ideally, and a place where you are comfortable.

HOW - So we've talked about learning about God's word, reflection, and praying. You'll need your Bible for learning about God's word, perhaps even a devotional book or commentary to help guide your reading. For reflection, consider getting yourself a journal to write in once in a while (or everyday); repenting of sins is also a very Biblical way of reflecting. You can get creative with how to pray; but using the Bible in your prayers is a great way to pray if you are unsure exactly what/how to pray.

[Answered by Mark Cheng, Agape Counselor]

Q: How would you help a friend, who is new to praying, pray?

This friend happens to be a non-believer who would like to pray for another friend (a believer) who is going through some difficult times.

If your friend is a nonbeliever, the first prayer I would suggest for him or her to pray is “God if you are real, then reveal yourself to me. I don’t know if you’re real. I don’t understand everything. But I’m open to believing.”

If your friend comes with a humble attitude rather than a mocking one, I believe God will arrange the circumstances in his life so that she will get to know God. This is where God will use people like yourself to tell your friend about your own relationship with God and how to get to know Him for herself. At some point you’ll want to explain to her about turning away from our sins and trusting in God for our salvation. You’ll want to show care to your friend and the person she is praying for, yet at the same time not give the impression that God is some magic genie who will answer all our prayers. What I suggest you do is to pray with your friend and model prayer for her. Most people learn how to pray by hearing someone else pray not reading some book.

[Answered by Pastor Quang]

Q: Is it right to pray with God? How do we do this?

I assume the question here means to pray “with” God as opposed “to” God.  The Bible tells us that God does pray.  Romans 8:26 says the Spirit is interceding for us when we don’t know what to pray for.  Romans 8:34 tells us Jesus is now in heaven and he is also interceding for us.  So God is the one to whom we pray, but He is also the one who helps us in our prayers. 

When we are praying “with” God I take it to mean that we are praying God’s will, we are praying what God really wants us to pray for not just our selfish needs.  So what is God’s will?

Some aspects of God’s will are a mystery to us and we won’t know it until it happens but there is an aspect of God’s will that is revealed to us – This is revealed to us in God’s Word.  So we just have to know God’s Word well enough to know what His will is. 

One example of praying “with” God or praying God’s will is to pray the Lord’s prayer.

Our Father who art in heaven – Praise your heavenly Father, what can you praise Him for?
Hallowed be thy name – Pray that His name would be honoured in your life
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven – Pray for righteousness and justice to be done on earth, especially when you see evil taking place
Give us this day our daily bread – Pray for your daily needs
And forgive us our trespasses – Confess your sins to God
As we forgive those who trespass against us – Ask for strength to forgive others
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil – Pray for spiritual protection
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever amen.

Here are other examples of praying God’s will as revealed in God’s Word: 

Comfort, Peace: Psalm 42; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; 4:7-12, 16-18;

Church Leaders: Ephesians 4:1-6, 11, 12; 1 Timothy 4:7-16; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:5-9;

Families: Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 5:21-6:4

Growth in faith and character: Joshua 1:8; Ps 119:9, 11, 28, 34; Matthew 6:25-34; Galatians 5:16-26; Colossians 1:9-12; 3:13-15; James 3:17

Improving Communication: Proverbs 4:8, 20-23; 8:6-8; Ephesians 4:15 ,23-24; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:1-2;

Knowing God's Will: Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:9-11, 105; Proverbs 12:15; Matthew 7:7; John 7:17; 10:3-4; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 4:6; James 1:5-8

Love for others: Mark 12:30-35; 1 Corinthians 13; Hebrews 10:24

Prayer for others: Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21; Philippians 1:3-6; 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-14; 3:12-17; 2 Peter 1:5-8

“Pre-Christians”: 2 Peter 3:9; Luke 19:10; John 16:7-15; John 12:31; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 20:9-15; 1 Corinthians 15:57

Providing for your needs: Matthew 6:25-34; 7:11

Rest: Psalm 62:1; 62:5; Isaiah 40:29-31; 41:10, 13; Jeremiah 31:25; Nahum 1:7; Matthew 11:28-29; John 14:1

Strength: Psalm 9:9; 34:4; 37:23; 46:1; 55:22; 69:22; 73:26; 138:7; 2 Corinthians 4:8-10; 2 Timothy 2:16-17; Hebrews 12:1-4;

Trials: Deuteronomy 4:30-31; Job 23:10; Psalm 94:12-13; Proverbs 3:11 -12; Acts 14:22; Romans 5:3-5; 8:17-18; 8:28; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; 2 Timothy 2:12; James 1:2-3; 1:12; 1 Peter 1:7

Worry: Psalm 55:22; 138:8; Romans 8:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 1:13; James 1:22-25; 1 Peter 5:6-7

[Answered by Pastor Quang, Small Groups Ministry]

Q: God hates me?

How do you respond to a person who thinks that God hates him because so much has happened in his life where he has prayed, but nothing has happened. Also, he has experience so much pain and death around him that he believes God has been idle to?

This is timely question as I'm sure some of those in Haiti are wondering the same thing. First, I'd encourage you to do is pray for your friend. You have to rely on God because there is nothing we can do or say - in our own wisdom - to make your friend believe in Jesus. Pray that God would open his spiritual eyes because your friend may believe nothing is happening, but this does not mean God has ceased to work.

We are human beings with finite senses and intellectual capacities. So when we pray, we often think that God only answers our prayers IF He answers them our way or when we can visibly see the results. This is simply untrue. I believe God listens to our prayers; and answers them according to His time and in His way. So I'd respond to your friend by telling him to be patient and wait upon the Lord.

The second thing is to point your friend to Jesus. Jesus came to our world to suffer with us and for us. When people suffer, there are two usual responses:

(1) “You’re suffering because God is judging you. You’re doing something bad, and God is angry with you.”

(2) “You’re suffering and that means there is no God. Or at least, He doesn’t care about us.”

When we look to Jesus, however, we see neither of these gods. We don’t see a condemning God; we see a God of love that bears the punishment for our sin. We don’t see a missing God. We see a God who is willing to enter a world of suffering to suffer with us and for us. No other faith or philosophical system makes such a claim. So whatever your friend is going through, let him know that Jesus has been there too. Jesus knows what it's like to betrayed; to lose a loved one; to be hated; to be beaten and to die horribly. And that's why when your friend prays to Jesus, he can rest assured that God is listening! He is not idle nor incapable. He is a compassionate God who listens to and answers prayers in his sovereign, perfect timing.

I'd also recommend you listen to this sermon & read this article - so you're equipped to handle your friend's questions about suffering in general.

Friend, God has given you the great gift of ministering to your friend in his/her time of need. Pray hard. Study hard. And listen attentively. Sometimes the way a person gets to know Jesus isn't through what you say, but what you don't.

[Answered by Pastor HM]

Q: Should I still ask God for help for something even though I know I don't deserve it?

This question has lots of layers to it. On the one hand, if you're asking for something that is immoral or sinful (i.e. the Bible speaks against it), then I don't think you should be asking God at all. Whether you deserve it or not is not the issue in this case.

On the other hand, if the help you require is not against the Bible's direct teachings, then you can ask God. Theologically, I want to point out that we do not deserve anything anyway. Listen to what the Apostle Paul says in Romans 11:33-36:

Oh, the depth of the riches and s wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For u who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”

“Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

God created us and everything in our universe (John 1) meaning we don't deserve anything. We are not entitled to anything. God does not "owe" us anything. We owe it all to God! Therefore, asking for God's help (providing you are not asking anything that constitutes as sin) is something we ought to do! And when we ask, God will hear us and answer according to his own perfect timing. There are many examples in the Bible of individuals who asked God for help, calling upon his name. Consider King David's example (2 Sam. 22:7):

“In my distress I called upon the Lord;
to my God I called.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry came to his ears."

I'd also recommend you read this article/blog, which I found helpful on this matter. Here is what Michael Lane, the author, writes:

Suppose you're having trouble making ends meet and you're not sure how you will pay this month's bills. You may ask God to send you some extra money. You may ask God to help you find a better paying job. In all likelihood, God is not going to do either of those things, though it's certainly possible. The point is that it really doesn't matter how God decides to solve the problem. By asking God for help, you have admitted that you need Him, and that is what really matters. How God decides to deal with the issue is immaterial, but rest assured He will intervene in the best way possible.

God does not want you to depend on a particular solution; He wants you to depend on Him.

Asking for God's help in all situations is a very important part of our relationship with Him. When you ask for God to help, you are indirectly saying that you trust Him and that you need Him. You are admitting your weakness and acknowledging His strength. You are submitting and surrendering to Him.

But what are we saying to God if we never ask for His help? We are saying we don't need Him. We are sending the message that we have no need of His blessing or protection and we want to go it alone.

Another reason to ask for God's help is not to seek a specific outcome, but rather to receive His comfort, support and peace. God may not provide a direct resolution to every difficulty in our lives, but He will comfort us. When you seek God during times of trouble, large or small, you are saying, "God, be with me during this time. Let my thoughts be with you and let me feel your presence."

[Answered by Pastor HM, who - like all people - owes everything to God]

Q: Is it wrong for people to test God?

When Jesus was in the desert and had not eaten for 40 days, Satan tempted him in many ways. One was to throw himself down a cliff, as God would send His angels down to save him. In response, Jesus said to never test the Lord your God. Is it wrong for people to say, "If God does this or gives this to me, I'll believe He's real," even if he/she becomes a Christian?

This is a thought-provoking question. The passage you're talking about is found in Matthew 4:1-11 (also in Luke 4). Here Jesus is tempted three times. The second temptation is when Jesus replies with Deuteronomy 6:16, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."

How should we interpret what Jesus is saying here? To answer this question, first, let's read the passage Jesus uses to counter Satan: “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, ^tas you tested him at Massah." During the exodus (see Exodus 17:1-17), we learn that the Israelites lacked water and thought they would die of thirst. Rather than trusting God in this trial they tested Him by complaining and quarreling. So when Jesus quotes Deut. 6:16, what he's doing is applying the verse to himself MEANING He refuses to play Satan's game of forcing God to work a miracle on his behalf. In the same manner, we also test God when we try to force him to do something contradictory to His Will, or when we try to push God into doing something WE WANT rather than what HE wants. It's almost as if we are trying to ask God to "prove himself" to us, when he does need or want to do such a thing.

Now, it is true there are passages like Malachi 3:10 that tell us that God can be put to the test:

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test,says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

But if you understand the context of this passage, it is actually addressing us, the reader. When we surrender everything we are and everything we have to God (i.e. when we have brought a "full tithe" to God), then we will receive such a blessing that we do not need to put God to any test! The real issue is one of humility. If you are surrounded by trials; in desperate circumstances and in utter humility, and you cry out to God, asking him for a sign to show that He is real (i.e. his presence is with you), then I believe God will answer this prayer because He is gives "grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5). But if you're selfishly telling God to prove himself to you OR ELSE you won't believe in Him, then you're being prideful and arrogant, and God will not answer that prayer. In fact, Scripture tells us he will oppose the proud (1 Peter 5:5).

That being said, I do believe there are instances when God - in his infinite love and grace - gives non-believers signs. Sometimes these signs could be the one they ask for. Sometimes they are signs they did not ask for. But they are so unmistakably powerful that one can only attribute them to God, and thus turn to Him in belief and repentance. I suppose the thing to keep in mind is that God is bigger and more powerful than any challenge you can throw at him, so throw away. Just know that He is sovereign and He will answer or not answer according to His will, not ours.

Hope this helps.

[Answered by Pastor HM]

Q: Through God's omnipotence, He know the past, present and future. What is your view on this statement, with respect to asking God for guidance?

...As a whole, He does know everything but is there a point because we can't really change our future?

Let's define a few terms first:

(1) Omnipotence comes from the Latin, omni meaning "all" and potens meaning "powerful," so omnipotence is the doctrine that God has the ability and power to do all his holy will.

(2) Predestination is, "The act of foreordaining events; the decree of God by which he has, from eternity, determined whatever comes to pass."

I suppose an example of your question would be the following: Since God is so powerful (omnipotent), he is able to do whatever he has predestined. So if you're about to write a really important exam, for instance, what's the point of praying that God will help you since he already knows whether you're going to do well or fail miserably?

Wayne Grudem, who wrote Systematic Theology, outlines a way to think about the importance of human actions. He states the following:

1. We are still responsible for our actions. God made us responsible for our actions, which has REAL and ETERNALLY SIGNIFICANT RESULTS. Among other things, this means we cannot say that God just made us to do something evil and therefore we are not responsible for our actions. This also means that if we neglect our health, we will likely die sooner.

2. God has made it so that events will come about by our causing them, and events will come about by our lack of action. Just because God knows the future does not mean he cannot allow humans free choice. Matt Slick of www.carm.org writes this:

"God's predestination does not mean that we cannot make free will choices. God predestines in and throughour choices because God is all knowing and all powerful. He knows what we will do because he knows all things. He cannot not know all things. So, whatever you choose to do out of your own free volition is known. But his knowing doesn't mean you don't freely choose.

An illustration would be that I could arrange for my child to choose ice cream over something else and not violate his free will. For instance, I could put a bowl of chocolate ice cream and a bowl of dirt and rocks in front of my child and I know exactly which one the child will choose to eat. But my knowing does not violate my child's free will."

3. Prayer is one specific kind of action that has definite results and does change the course of events. When we genuinely pray for a specific person or circumstance, we will often find that God has ordained that our prayer would be a MEANS he will use to bring about changes in the world. James 4:2 reminds us of this reality, "You do not have because you do not ask." Jesus himself also said, "Ask and you will receive." If the apostles and Jesus (!) believed in prayer, we must do the same.

4. We must act! The fact that God is omnipotent does not mean we should sit back and just wait for things to happen. In all things, we must depend upon God, but we should not just trust God instead of acting responsibly.

Consider this example. You can argue that since God knows the mark on your test, you should not study. Of course, God knows the future, but YOU do not know what your mark will be. What you do know is that if you study and work diligently, you will receive a better grade than if you do not.

Joab, the nephew of King David, is a good example of hard work combined with trust in God. He once said, "Be strong and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of God, and may the Lord do what is good in His Sight." Joab fought and trusted God do what he had already planned and thought was good.

So friend, I'll leave you with a couple of thoughts/applications:

1. Don't be afraid. Trust God. If we believe that all good things are caused by God, then there is nothing to worry about.

2. Make sure you pray sincerely, as it may be a means by which God brings about change. Pray for your family, our nation, the salvation of the lost and for your own spiritual growth!

3. Act in accordance to God's will, as written in Scripture.

[Answered by Pastor HM, who doesn't understand things fully, but is glad that God does]

References: Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology (Nottingham: IVP, 1994), 315ff.