Truly the place we need to have a well worn path to. The safety and security of the Heavenly Father's embrace.

There is a song that states 'God inhabits our praise'. I also think that counting our blessings goes a long way in turning the tide of our emptiness.

May you all know more of the Father's love in the New Year.
pat

I wish prayers worked. Even Mother Theresa suffered. When I pray, I feel like I am pretending.

Don't give up. It will become real for you. Try praying with several people. There's more power in that. Try praying the Lords prayer,and forgive people who have offended you. I pray for God to forgive me for my sins before I pray usually. Sometimes I forget.

Have you received Jesus into your heart? Ask him to make it real to you. Talk to him,and tell him what you told us.

Everyone suffers. In reading the Bible you will understand after a while. God bless you. Don't give up. Brokenfriend

Thank you for this thread. I have been in a bad place for awhile and reading this is helping.

July63, remember prayer does not offer any guarantee that suffering will cease....only the promise that if we ask, God will be with us and make a path through the suffering, that we can follow with trust that He will lead us to better things. I have seen amazing!! answers to prayer so I will never stop believing in the importance and power of prayer.

I am at a place in my own life though where prayer IS a struggle. But I know that even when I have no words, God's Spirit is able to clearly hear what is in my heart.

I so agree that keeping an attitude of praise is a pathway to prayer.

Lately, I have www.klove.com playing on my computer from log in to log off and it has really helped me so much!

My prayers are lifted for everyone posting and reading here.

I'm so glad hollym that this tread is helping you. I hope that you are strengthened to cope with what your going through. BF

Those who know the Lord may find that the relationship, like any other, goes through changes over time. Formal prayer is not required to be in conversation with God. I believe that I walk with Him always. My every thought and my needs are always known. I couldn't breath without His love. So he is always there. One word is a prayer. One thought is a prayer. Be gentle with yourself and remember that God loves us just the way we are...The conversation will change again.

Thank you for your honesty. I recently experienced another protracted episode of severe pain and have felt hopeless that my prayers are heard. Through reading your posting and those of others I feel once again encouraged to turn back to God through His Word for the comfort and encouragement that I need.
Thank you so much. I will be praying for us all.

This is a good thread for me to keep coming back to.

Me, too.