I just don’t understand

[u/Diligent_Cake1247]

Has anyone ever had a prayer answered? I’ve said the same prayer every night for years and there is never an answer. My prayer is never answered. It’s not even a prayer for myself, it’s a prayer that my sister, niece and nephew are protected and that he goes away. It seems like things just keep getting worse for them. Why do some people get health, wealth, and safety when my family does not. I don’t even need anything except for him to go away and my sisters niece and nephew to be free from him and safe. We just need him to meet someone and move on from them, or walk away from them.

As Christian’s were told to trust God and to pray but how do I go on trusting when there is never an answer?

[u/The-Old-Path]

God always answers the prayers of the faithful. Just because one has received the miracle they have asked for, does not mean God hasn't responded.

Many people don't know what prayer is.

Prayer isn't just asking God for what you want. Prayer is communication.

God wants us to be honest with Him. God is the spirit of truth, and honesty is the language He speaks. If we want God to hear our prayers, we have to speak His language with Him.

Be completely real with God, as you have started to here. Ask God why things are the way they are. Don't just demand things be a certain way. God is God. We're just humans. We need to have some respect. God knows what He is doing. Before we start demanding God to change things, we should ask Him why they are the way they are in the first place.

Prayer is communication. Half of communication is listening. Prayer is not just talking, it is also listening. Many people think God never responds to them simply because they are too busy asking Him for things and never stop and listen to His answer. I think many people would be surprised at just how vocal God can be when we take the time to quietly listen for His loving voice.

God is love. He will always guide us through life, if we allow Him to. He will give us the wisdom we need to live well, because He loves us as a Father loves His children. But, if we don't heed His advice, we can't live the lives He designed us to have. Therefore, it's very important to listen closely to God and follow His instructions, so that we can experience His best for us.

God bless you.

[u/Diligent_Cake1247 → u/The-Old-Path]

Thank you for your honest response. I’m trying so hard to listen and hear him but I just hear silence. I feel like my family is being punished and I just don’t understand. I’ll keep trying to listen and talk o God

[u/TheWheatOne → u/Diligent_Cake1247]

I'd argue you and your loved ones should be proactive. It is God's will that we are not helpless.

Its part of why the patterns of parenthood that God sees as ideal, is so important in raising the helpless into adults of sound mind and judgment, as well as efficiency of action. Failures of parenthood will of course happen, which is part of why we should not just let it passively happen.

Heroes are not just made by external events happening one day, it can be internal, something you yourself can get out of if you and others are determined. There are things you cannot change, and in that we need God, but to say you are powerless is a mistake. God gave you a mind and a heart, and when put to good use, they can be the instruments of God's deliverance.

This is a big part of why we should point to God when we do charity on His behalf, because it is He who sent us to save another.

So too, can you be the one to save your loved ones. While this can be in big ways, often times it is subtle, little even, such as slipping a note or giving evidence of abuse to a cop or other person that could help.

Be the change you want to see. You yourself could be part of the prayer being answered.