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So, how do you react when in need,..

So, how do you react when you’re in need, and all you get from your Christian friends is ‘we’re praying for you’, with no offers to provide any useful help?

I previously asked a different question, and this is one of the questions that was included in the responses, by “toadaly”. I don’t want my subjects to get confused therefore, I’m answering here. (I’m keeping it short as possible)

I’ve had extreme lows in my life, reason I asked previous question. I honestly had no one to turn to, but God. Anyone who believes in Him knows that it’s through faith that we know He exists.

To answer the question. When your belief in God is so strong and someone tells you they’re praying for you “only”, I think that is the payoff for believing. Taking into account that sometimes people need more than just prayer, it might be a financial situation, or homelessness, food or who knows just something extreme. I have gone thru all of the previous along with my kids.

I’m happy to say I had nobody to bail me out, yet my faith in God was soo strong that I truely believe He pulled me through when I had no one to turn to. (FYI back then I did not go to church or was I involved in any church, I was introduced to christianity when I was 10yrs old.) Unlike many other people I have always turned my negative experiences as far as church goes to positive. I know I don’t go to church, which is man made to judge or be judged, I go to fill myself with the positive message that is given to me that day. Also, I know that being christian doesn’t make me better than anybody else, therefore I live my life that way. I help whenever I can whoever I can, but I always take God into account because I do believe in Him. I’ve learned not to expect anything from anyone and if in need I ask God to guide me as to what I’m going to do, so thru my faith in God is that I live my life, because He has proven to me that He is there for me.

Also it’s interesting, so if anyone else could add on to support your christian point of view or even none christian. But I believe in respect, so please keep it clean. I don’t ever mean to put in doubt, or disrespect anybody elses beliefs.

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Answer #1

Well, from my own recent experience I’ll share something with you. On Christmas Eve last year I was told that I was no longer needed at the company I was at. Turns out that I was laid off for two months. Having a family to support made me feel like a total failure. I didn’t lose faith or hope though. My unemployment cheques were delayed for 8 weeks because of a secretarial error in my release papers. My wife and I thought that we were going to lose everything. We had made my layoff known to our church family and they did pray for us and continued to until I began working again where I’m at now. I heard from many people that “we are praying for you”, and sometimes it was legitimate and sometimes it sounded hollow. You see God knows the heart of the person who says things they don’t mean. Whether it’s a meaningless platitude or not. What made the difference for us were those people that were moved with compassion towards us and gave us food and in some cases financial help to get by. It was both humbling and faith building at the same time. God works through others and I firmly believe this. Why? Because given the chance most people will try and help in a tangible way. Others, for whatever reason, my only be able to just pray. It’s the people who have the “means” to help and don’t that bother me. Reminds me of the story of the Good Samaritan. So, how did we react? Truthfully, in faith, blind, raw, trusting faith. When it’s all you have, it’s vital. People will always disappoint us in some way, but God never does. He brought me to a job that’s better and I’m home more as well at night which to me is very helpful. Another plus was that during that 2 month hiatus my wife and I grew by leaps and bounds in our relationship and our faith. People on the outside who “seemingly seemed interested” in our problem didn’t really get a second thought. In closing, the people you remember the most are the ones who helped you when you needed them the most, and it’s those people who put their faith into action.

Answer #2

Robert Ingersoll said it best, “The hands that help are better far than the lips that pray.” It makes me think of that Bible verse, “Faith without works is dead.”

Answer #3

WOW, that was a lot you wrote…but I read it. I am a christion 2, but I think that sometimes people react differently, others may not want help from someone, but sometimes, they may be beging for help, I guess it all depends on the situation. I don’t know, this was confusing to read! know I have a head ache lol

Answer #4

I read a really good christian book called pilgrim’s progress, it’s an allegory. it desribes, through an adventure setting, the hardships that christians face, and the types of people or thoughts that could cause people to turn away from christianity. and it says that life is a bittersweet journey, we go through all the hardships now, in our life, but when we get 2 heaven, it will be worth all the trouble, keep faith, God doesn’t guaruntee that our prayers will be answered, even if it gets worse, don’t give up on God. you will regret, believe me. so praying may help or not. but just keep doing it and reading the Bible^_^

Answer #5

I have friends of many different faiths, as well as some with no faith. if I am in pain and a friend tells me they are “praying” for me, I take it the same as if they had said they are “thinking” about me. my friends would also just not leave it at that. we would discuss the problem, possible solutions and if they could help. the fact that it is a friend saying it and that I know what kind of person they are, makes a difference. I have a hard time with the “praying” for you comment when it comes from a stranger. for example, there are a few on this site, that respond with “pray about it” or “I’ll pray for you” after someone has spilled their guts or are having a horrible time with abuse or rape. then it comes across as flippant and lacking in empathy and just a stock and standard religious answer. as if they just cruise this site reading answers so they can repond about their faith and get some more “heaven points”.

So, how do you react when in need,..

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