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Why do we talk to anyone about anything?

God does not do anything with your life that you do not want Him to do. And when you know God, and know that He only wants the best for you, why would you not want that?

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ORIGINAL: TorchHeart

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Why do we talk to anyone about anything?

God does not do anything with your life that you do not want Him to do. And when you know God, and know that He only wants the best for you, why would you not want that?

With all due respect, this doesn't really answer the question I asked.

However, allow me to answer my own question (maybe I shouldn't have asked this one at all if I could figure this junk out myself): God CAN change His will. There is evidence of this in the Bible. EXAMPLE: God originally intended to destroy the people of Sodomn and Gomorah, regardless of who was there. However, due to the petitions (see prayers) of Abram, God relented and said that he would NOT destroy the cities if He could find a certain number of good people in them. Although He still didn't find them and ended up destroying both cities, He was willing to relent and change his will due to the requests of Abram.

Other examples:

- Jesus praying in the garden. (He is clearly asking for God to not make Him endure the coming torture, if His will can allow it. Again, though God does still make Jesus suffer on the cross, its shown to us that God hears our prayers and will consider changing His will to abide by them.

- Moses and numerous prophets prayed for the children of Israel to not have to suffer various punishments, or for God to soften his judgement upon the people. At times, God would relent.

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Suffice to say that God is always the Initiator and we always the responders....never the other way around. God wills change in everything but Himself. God does not change, nor does He need to. His will never needs to change or be corrected, because His will is always perfect.

We do not pray to change Gods will...we pray to know Gods will. I apologize to our dear brother walkin2e, for taking his thread off topic.

Peace

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Because you are created as a dependent creature, there is no such thing as the independent self. That is the lie of Satan in the garden. You either choose to be dependent upon God through a relationship with Jesus Christ, or you choose dependence upon Satan. Those are the only two options available to man.

To be used for that which you were created is to be fulfilled. To seek fulfillment in any other, will only result in misery.

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Original: TorchHeart

As I've said before, though, what's the point of free will if we always have to submit to God's will (or always have to choose God's will)?
And what's the point of prayer if God's will is the only will that shall be done? If I want something different in my life, why bother praying for it if God is just going to do whatever He wants anyway?

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Why should we pray for something. First of all God knows what we need and what is best before we even ask. His word says so. But He still wants us to ask. (Why?) I don't really know, I just know that He does. Also, we need to ask because we don't always know what is or isn't His will for us. And like a loving parent He enjoys telling us yes, but sometimes has to tell us no, or wait. Like if we want the candy bar before supper, He knowing we won't eat dinner and will have a belly ache, may tell us no we can't have the candy bar, or He may tell us we can have it later after dinner. He may know the candy bar isn't good for us and He wants us to grow up healthy and strong.
Now as the child we can scream and have a fit if we don't get what we want, or we can trust our loving parent who knows what is best for us even though we don't understand. What way do you think the parent would like us to be?
At least this is to the best of my understanding. God, being God and knowing all may have other reasons that are beyond our abilty to even understand while we are here on earth.

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Look at a parent-child relationship. The parent (God) knows what is best. The parent loves the child (us) and wants only what is best for the child and for the family. (Not only in this world but also in the next.)
The child only knows what he wants. He doesn't understand that some things may hurt him in the long run, or may hurt someone else. Like if the parent told the child not to throw the ball in the street. The parent knows the danger if the child runs into the street. Now the child can obey the parent and not throw the ball in the street, and be safe and happy playing in the yard, or the child (with his/her freewill) can throw the ball in the street. When he runs after it (just like running after sin), he can be hit by a car and be hurt or killed. Or his little brother may run after the ball he threw and be hit by the car.
The same is true with us and God. God knows what is best for us. We know what we want but not what is best.
Why free will? God wants our love. He wants a relationship with us. But not like a slave who has no choice but to obey his master. Like a beloved child who loves the parent. Think about it this way. You come home from work and your baby boy toddles over to you. He doesn't look happy about it, but mom makes him give you a hug. How much do you enjoy that hug? Copare it to your baby boy toddles over to you, giggles with excitement that he sees you and wraps his little arms around you and hugs you. Maybe even grins and says I love you, Daddy. Now which hug would you reather have?

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ORIGINAL: TorchHeart

But this is my point. Why even bother asking if He isn't going to bother even considering our requests? He's going to simply go about His business and do His will.

This seems no better than wishing upon a star. Your wish MAY come true, but only if that's the way things are supposed to be. The same goes for prayers. People pray for God to save a loved one's life who is dying of a horrible disease, but God is only going to do what He's already decided to do with that person. So the prayers are pointless. God's will cannot be influenced, and thus there is no point to praying for any type of request.

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ORIGINAL: walkin2e

Have you ever faced this?

When God's Will Is Not Your Will

Luke 22 verse 42 "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."

As a Christian, we are to seek God's will for our life, and for our situations. If we truly trust and have faith in God, He will do what is best, because His plans for us are right. I am sure that Jesus, as a man, did not want to face the cross, but He knew that it was the Father's plan. Other people, including some of His closest friends, family, and disciples, did not understand this simple fact...Jesus came to do the will of the Father.

Many times, the Lord places us in situations that we as human beings, do not want, do not desire, do not understand. Yet, we need to be submissive to the Father's will. Are you in a job where you know the Lord wants you, yet you are seeking a change? Are you living in an area where the Lord placed you, yet you are seeking to move? Are there some obnoxious people in your life, and you can't get rid of them? I could go on and on with the questions, and I am sure your answers would be yes. Just relax, give it to the Lord, and He will give you grace under pressure to endure until His divine purposes are accomplished.

Joseph was sold into slavery by his own kinfolk, yet he came to realize that God had placed him there for a time, a season, and a purpose. That story in the book of Genesis is one full of injustices, disappointments, heartache, and grief. In the end, however, it is a story of great victory and triumph...all because it was God's will.

Sometimes people you love and care for leave you, and are no longer a part of your life. God placed them there for a season and a reason. I have seen many people come and go in my lifetime, yet one always remains. He is my best friend, Jesus. I know I can trust Him in all things, even when I don't understand. After all, He was willing to follow the Father's will and give His life for me.

We should all be able to pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy will be done as in heaven, so in earth".

Walkin2e