Why pray for God to CHANGE our circumstances instead of CHANGING us?

[St. SteVen]

Something to consider.

At the risk of seeming callous...
God may have allowed your circumstances for a reason.

I've been there. When we encounter a tough situation we want to escape.
To free ourselves from the pain, aggravation, or discomfort.

Oftentimes God has a better solution than what we can reason on our own.
Moses didn't pray for the Red Sea to open as an escape route. That was God's idea.
Best to present our situation to God to receive his best solution.

I have a card on my desk to remind me of this. It reads: Turn it over to God.
Which means, the PROBLEM, not my SOLUTION.

Why pray for God to CHANGE your circumstances instead of CHANGING you?

 

[Debp]

11Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:11-13

 

[Behold]

Something to consider.

At the risk of seeming callous...
God may have allowed your circumstances for a reason.

Its also possible that the reason a person is in a "situation" is because its the consequence of something they did previously.
If the person is born again, then its not "judgment against sin", as Jesus has already taken that for you on the Cross.
But, this spiritual law...= "reaping what you've sown", didn't end with the resurrection of Jesus.

It can be also that the Devil has brought something to you.

So, if God has designed for you, a circumstance, then it'll end when it has accomplished the work IN YOU< it was designed to complete.

If you caused it, or if someone caused it, or if the Devil caused it, then God can end that circumstance.
Believe it.

 

[Taken]

Why pray for God to CHANGE our circumstances instead of CHANGING us?​

OP^

Changing Circumstances AND Changing Us is two Different things.
One - is a Living Person.
One - is that which Affects a Person (presumably Negativelly)

Changing a Person requires that Persons…
* Regret for having NOT Believed.
* Belief IN the Lord God
* NATURAL “spirit” Confession of Belief (ie. Mans Truth in his Natural Heart IS a mans Natural “spirit”. )

Should that mans “Regret, Belief, Confession”….BE TRUE….
Gods Promise IS to thereafter … CHANGE…
By, Through, Of, Christ Jesus …. MAKING that CHANGE in that man WHO willingly of his OWN FREEWILL elected that CHOICE.

God CAN NOT MAKE a MAN “CHANGED, MADE ANEW”…. Without that mans willingness TO Receive Gods Change, MAKING ANEW, “according TO Gods WAY”…

The Offering of God to Change/Make a man “A NEW”… IS according to Gods Way.
(Gods Offering, Gods Covenant, Gods Rules)
A man can ACCEPT, Gods Offering, Gods Covenant, Gods Rules (Way)… or NOT.

Glory to God,
Taken

 

[St. SteVen]

Should that mans “Regret, Belief, Confession”….BE TRUE….
Gods Promise IS to thereafter … CHANGE…
By, Through, Of, Christ Jesus …. MAKING that CHANGE in that man WHO willingly of his OWN FREEWILL elected that CHOICE.

Thanks for your reply,
I guess I was making a few assumptions about the person affected by the circumstances.
1) They are already converted and living a Christian life.
2) The circumstance is not a natural consequence, or judgment of God against them, for some wrong-doing/mistake.

Would that change your response?

 

[Lambano]

Why pray for God to CHANGE our circumstances instead of CHANGING us?​

That question has haunting me since I saw this thread. And I strongly suspect God WILL use these circumstances to change me, whether I like it or not. But I'm still asking Him to change the circumstances.

 

[Behold]

Why pray for God to CHANGE our circumstances instead of CHANGING us?​

That question has been on my mind for since I got into these circumstances. And I strongly suspect God WILL use these circumstances to change me, whether I like it or not. But I'm still asking Him to change the circumstances.

Rest assured that everyone is going through something, all the time.

Listen, this world is a THORN in your side, no matter if you are saved or lost.
We dont get out of this place ALIVE.
Its a veil of tears...its a test.....its harsh.

The good news.

God is on our side.
God gives us the grace to exist in HOPE and not despair.


Unbelievers, they have no HOPE.

Christians have God in us, so, that is our Victory, our HOPE< our certainty that no matter what happens, God is with us, always.

Or as Paul teaches..

-
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

A.) = "stuff happens".. "that's LIFE".

 

[St. SteVen]

That question has been on my mind for since I got into these circumstances. And I strongly suspect God WILL use these circumstances to change me, whether I like it or not. But I'm still asking Him to change the circumstances.

That's understandable. The circumstances can be quite uncomfortable.

For me, the important takeaway is that God's solution is typically something we couldn't even dream up.
Like the Israelites in the Exodus trapped at the Red Sea with the Egyptian army bearing down on them.
God's solution was beyond our wildest dream of what to ask for. What can happen when we turn it over to Him?

But, as we know, there are no guarantees of deliverance. Even Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said,
" ... the God we serve is able to deliver us... But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty,
that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." - Daniel 3:17-18 NIV

 

[St. SteVen]

Surprised at the good response to this new topic. Check it out. (shameless self-promotion)

Does God care more for himself than he cares for us?

The way some Christians talk about God, you would think so. They tell us we are unacceptable to God. That is only with great difficulty that God loves and tolerates us. The image of a God that is disappointed with us, because we don't measure up. Shakes head when he sees us. An unreasonable...

www.christianityboard.com

 

[Taken]

Thanks for your reply,
I guess I was making a few assumptions about the person affected by the circumstances.
1) They are already converted and living a Christian life.
2) The circumstance is not a natural consequence, or judgment of God against them, for some wrong-doing/mistake.

Would that change your response?

No.
Every person has FREEWILL. Some use it for good, some for wickedness, even against, family, loved ones, friends as well as complete strangers.

Wickedness inflicted against another, is (one way) of negative “circumstances” to be aroused.

That ^^ is the conundrum of Living in a Corrupt World (as is this world)…
Negative hardships, chaos, sorrows, TRIBULATIONS, fostered by Men against Men.
It has happened from the beginning of mankind and shall continue, Until God effects TRIBULATIONS of His own Upon this World.

Part of Gods “Saving Grace” IS: His promise to a man WITH God, to be “Comforted” By God, while a man goes THROUGH a mans Tribulation Against him.

God does NOT “CHANGE” another man to “ease” our own suffering.
Gods “CHANGING” of any man is at that mans own decision to CALL on God.

Certainly a man WITH God can PRAY that God would PUT “SOMETHING” “SOMEONE” in the Path of an “offender”, that the “offender” may be influenced to “change his own Direction”.

Glory to God,
Taken

 

[St. SteVen]

From the OP.

Something to consider.

At the risk of seeming callous...
God may have allowed your circumstances for a reason.

I've been there. When we encounter a tough situation we want to escape.
To free ourselves from the pain, aggravation, or discomfort.

Oftentimes God has a better solution than what we can reason on our own.
Moses didn't pray for the Red Sea to open as an escape route. That was God's idea.
Best to present our situation to God to receive his best solution.

I have a card on my desk to remind me of this. It reads: Turn it over to God.
Which means, the PROBLEM, not my SOLUTION.

Why pray for God to CHANGE your circumstances instead of CHANGING you?

/

 

[Adrift]

Praying to God about worldly issues, with the expectation of Him intervening, is fruitless. God lets the world spin. I believe that the only prayers that have effect are those that praise God, ask for forgivance and that His will be done. Imagine how many millions of sincere prayers were asking God to save those in the Twin Towers just before they fell. God did not intervene. Alot of people loudly proclaim that God answered their prayers when something turns out the way they wanted, but are silent on those things that didn't work out.

 

[St. SteVen]

Praying to God about worldly issues, with the expectation of Him intervening, is fruitless. God lets the world spin. I believe that the only prayers that have effect are those that praise God, ask for forgivance and that His will be done. Imagine how many millions of sincere prayers were asking God to save those in the Twin Towers just before they fell. God did not intervene. Alot of people loudly proclaim that God answered their prayers when something turns out the way they wanted, but are silent on those things that didn't work out.

Thanks for weighing in on this subject. You make some valid points.
Welcome to the forum, if I haven't said that yet.

Perhaps we should consider what options God has in answering prayer?
Here's my view.

Options for answered prayer:
1) Yes.
2) No.
3) Wait.

No matter the answer, God has our best interests in mind.
Though it might not seem like it at the time.

We tend to think of prayer as unanswered if we don't get what we asked for.
But that's not how it works. (or doesn't work)

I have asked God about things and heard answers like: "Wait", or "Help is on the way."
Or no response whatsoever.

We have a line in one of the worship songs we sing at our church that I think
is an awesome way to look at it. Something like this:
"I don't know what your doing, but I know what you've done."
We can put our confidence in God's track record on answered prayer.

My best advice for prayer:
Present God with the problem and let him find the best solution.

With all this in mind, what do you think?
Do you need something that I can pray for?
I'll write a prayer for you as an example of how I pray. If you like.

/

 

[St. SteVen]

This topic reminded my of an old song with some really great lyrics.

/

 

[St. SteVen]

One of those days...

https://soundcloud.com/user-426611522%2Fwake-up-dead-resurrected
/

 

[ShineTheLight]

From the OP.

Something to consider.

At the risk of seeming callous...
God may have allowed your circumstances for a reason.

I've been there. When we encounter a tough situation we want to escape.
To free ourselves from the pain, aggravation, or discomfort.

Oftentimes God has a better solution than what we can reason on our own.
Moses didn't pray for the Red Sea to open as an escape route. That was God's idea.
Best to present our situation to God to receive his best solution.

I have a card on my desk to remind me of this. It reads: Turn it over to God.
Which means, the PROBLEM, not my SOLUTION.

Why pray for God to CHANGE your circumstances instead of CHANGING you?

/

You brought up examples of Moses and other parts of the bible. It's not easy, and a lot of people can be like Jonah was. There are people in the bible, who when they are going through their trials or tribulations, ask God how long and if he has forgotten them. Unless one person walks in the same shoes as another person, one cannot truly understand another. This is another thing about the gospel, how you relate to others, and sharing in the pains or joys as a member of the body of Christ.

 

[Duck Muscles]

Interesting. I was thinking about this earlier today. Only my question was,why pray and ask God to change current circumstances in the world? When all that occurs is God's doing according to God's will.

Isn't it selfish to beg God to stop his plan because we can't face it?

 

[Rita]

It is human to pray in difficult circumstances, and we are called to pray. However often God does use those difficult things to change us ( Romans 8:28 ). Sometimes it’s only when we look back and question ‘ why no answers ‘ when we realise that God was using it to bring good out of the situation in other ways. In the middle of difficult seasons , when we are barely hanging on and just can’t work out Gods silence in the matter that it’s often then that the deepest work is taking place, but we don’t see it.

The other side of things is that we can often see wrong attitudes within us, so we can and should pray for change. This is when circumstances often arise to answer that prayer. Ever prayed for more patience only to encounter a difficult neighbour, work colleague ect. We often forget what we have previously prayed for ( good to have a prayer journal ) often as not God is answering past prayers within present situations xx ( at least that’s been my experience )

 

[Ritajanice]

Something to consider.

At the risk of seeming callous...
God may have allowed your circumstances for a reason.

I've been there. When we encounter a tough situation we want to escape.
To free ourselves from the pain, aggravation, or discomfort.

Oftentimes God has a better solution than what we can reason on our own.
Moses didn't pray for the Red Sea to open as an escape route. That was God's idea.
Best to present our situation to God to receive his best solution.

I have a card on my desk to remind me of this. It reads: Turn it over to God.
Which means, the PROBLEM, not my SOLUTION.

Why pray for God to CHANGE your circumstances instead of CHANGING you?

Absolutely agree, I’m in a very tough position for the last 8 weeks....

I can assure you I was not thanking God at the beginning of this nightmare...sorry can’t share.

Now!!...8 weeks on, I thank him with all of my heart.....I have learnt so much from this situation.....xx

We serve a clever God, although we don’t always see it at the time.....xx

 

[St. SteVen]

Absolutely agree, I’m in a very tough position for the last 8 weeks....

I can assure you I was not thanking God at the beginning of this nightmare...sorry can’t share.

Now!!...8 weeks on, I thank him with all of my heart.....I have learnt so much from this situation.....xx

We serve a clever God, although we don’t always see it at the time.....xx

AMEN!

Not sure why, but Graham Cooke came to mind when I read your post. Are you familiar?
He has been such a blessing to my wife and I over the years. A very unique ministry.

This short video/podcast illustrates a person that is completely confident in God.

Here is a recent short spoken message. So uplifting!

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