In case of pmo people say pray to god, i think it has nothing to do with prayers, i am praying for last 5 years but i didn’t get rid of it. Even if i be able to maintain a streak ,i did it by following some strategies not because i pray
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Not a Bible specific answer but a cumulative knowledge of my readings from different books, texts (both banned and available)
What you are thinking is right. They doesn’t play any role in your life, they give it meaning by making sure there is something ahead of this materialistic life.
Whoever does interfere in your life might not be God but some other entity trying to harm you. There are various versions of these contexts in various religions from false god’s to personified demons like the demon of envy, or lust for example and so on. What God indeed do is provide hope and strength to face this world, whichever way you are out through. They is not the cause of it, but they sure is the remedy.
In this confusions, you should remember that in this materialistic world you are the only realistic thing, everything else is a projection.
After you ascend this world, you will find God.
If you can’t find God, then you haven’t ascended and just went into some other dimension, which can be linear or non linear (also materialistic).
Human thought process is too simple that it takes us many births to just understand the materialistic world, just imagine how much it would take to understand what’s beyond it. But don’t worry, there is no linearity beyond it.
So, if we simplify this all to answer if your PMO has anything with God, then yes it does, because it shows your faith towards God. You gonna stop praying if God doesn’t have anything related to PMO? No right. You should pray, because the rewards beyond this trial life is immense.
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I think you have a very valid question that deserves a valid answer. It sounds to me like your problem is what is referred to as “the problem of evil”. In other words, “If God is good, then why do bad things happen?”. And there’s no denying it: bad things happen. You’re right: children are massacred; women are abused; good people are often killed or martyred, and it seems as if there’s no rhyme or reason to it. Why does God answer some prayers, and not others?
To say why God does or doesn’t intervene in certain situations is impossible for me to say because I would have to know what’s going on in God’s head, and I can’t say that because I’m not God. But I do think there’s some different reasons for it.
The first answer is free will. God has allowed us to choose to do what is right, or to do what is wrong. He puts that choice time and time again before us. Now this might seem cruel because man time and time again chooses to do what is wrong. But what is the alternative? If God were to force everyone to do what is right and give them no choice, then we would all be a bunch of robots who are preprogrammed to love everyone and do for everyone without any choice. Does it seem as meaningful to have a relationship with someone who “loves you” because they have to? I think we’re seeing the affect of that with “AI Girlfriends”, where people fail to find true satisfaction in these things. God gives us the choice to love Him, and to love those around us, because He wants it to be our choice to do so.
Another aspect to consider is that we don’t see what the end result is of those bad things. In our eyes we look on and say, “That should have never happened! There was no purpose in God allowing that to happen!”. And I don’t mean to downplay the awful nature of what takes place; God doesn’t fault us for grieving over the loss of life, because it is very precious in His eyes. But yet so many times, out of tragedy comes something of great meaning and great value. On a smaller scale, many of the hymns that are sung in churches today were written in times where the author was going through great tragedy. H.G. Spafford wrote It Is Well With My Soul after he had lost his daughters in a shipwreck, and he was grieving; yet countless people have been touched and encouraged through that song. William Tyndale was martyred for translating the New Testament into English; yet many have gained courage through hearing of his courage. Even reading in the Bible, at first glance, reading of Joseph being sold into slavery doesn’t make sense, until you see how many years afterwards, he ended up not only saving the lives of his own family, but of a whole nation. If you look around, you can see where tragedy brings forth something of great value in the lives of those all around!
I know that those stories had a “happy ending”, you may say, but what about the ones whose stories ended in nothing but tragedy seemingly? Well, let’s not dismiss the fact that God will one day judge the deeds of everyone, whether they be good or bad. I thought about the words to an old Christmas song:
And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”
There is a promise that God will judge the evil that is coming. He sees everything, and He will punish the evil. Paul says in 1 Timothy 5:24-25
“Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.” Again, I do not know the reason for the timing of why some seem to “get by with it” for now, but I do know that nobody gets by with their sins ultimately.
Now as for PMO, I know you said that you’ve prayed for years, and it seems like God hasn’t answered. I can actually relate to that, because I’ve prayed for over 10 years for God to remove my addiction to masturbation, and until recently haven’t really had a lot of success. I’ve thought some of those same thoughts that you’ve had, and wondered if God really heard my prayers, and if so, why doesn’t He remove this from me? I still to this day don’t know all of the reasons, but I’ve come upon a few of them, this forum being one of them. Since I’ve came here, I’ve found a community of people that are extremely kind, and very supportive! I’ve met new friends here, and have gained some help from them. If God had waved a magic wand and made all of my addiction disappear, I would have never discovered this community. I also would have never realized that it wasn’t just masturbation that I was struggling with, but also with processing my own emotions, viewing women as simply a tool of gratification, and even some of my own insecurities. All of these things I would have never learned, if God had solved my problems the easy way, and just took them away from me. James says in James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”. I don’t always know the specific reasons for why God does things the way He does, but I do know that eventually He will reveal His purpose for it.
If I could recommend someone for you to listen to, I would recommend checking out Nate Larkin’s Walking Lessons podcast. It’s only, I think, 10 episodes or so, but if nothing else, listen to the first episode. As I was reading what you said about praying and asking God to remove your addiction, I thought of Nate, because he had a similar struggle with his addiction to pornography. I’ll leave a link to it here, and I hope something that I’ve said has been a help to you! God bless you!
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So, do you agree with my point that god gives everything in our control?? (Except birth and death). If yes then there is no need to prayer,like if you love a girl you wont pray to god that he make a place in her heart for you instead you will improve yourself so she starts liking you, if you want to clear an exam you wont ask god to help you instead you will work hard,and crack it.so we dont need to rely on god help instead we should use our capabilities and live a life.
Well, to tell you the truth, I would say no to that.
Firstly, do you think that we have that much control of everything (even excluding birth and death)? There’s not just a couple of things that we can’t control about life: there’s numerous things we can’t control about life! Look at the weather; even though we can do things to manipulate the weather (for example, cloud seeding), there’s still very much about the weather that we have no control over.
That doesn’t mean that we’re to be lazy, either. We’re commanded to do whatever we do with all our might. Like the exam that you mentioned. By all means, put your full effort into studying for it! But we’re not to solely trust in our might. As I said, there’s a lot of things that we do not see. We can only do so much in our natural abilities. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”. How many times have the odds been in someone’s corner, only for the underdog to turn out the victor? It’s not just something that took place with David and Goliath; it happens quite often! You might do everything that would normally make a girl like you, but in the end, she may have no feelings for you in that way.
The goal of prayer isn’t to treat God like a big vending machine that gives us what we want if we just say “pretty please with sugar on top”. But we pray and ask for His guidance and His intervention, if it be His will, because we don’t know everything. Take the girl that you love: you may think she’s great, and everything may look great; but she may have toxic traits that don’t show up until you get married. So let’s go back to that scenario. “God, make her love me!”. What if He answered that prayer, and made her like you? You’d be pretty sorry of it, wouldn’t you? I’m just saying that we don’t always know what’s good for us. We need His help, since He sees everything, and knows what would and could happen. For us to tell God how to run things is kinda silly when you realize how much more knowledge He has about what’s going on.
And as for not relying on God, again, that’s to say that we have more control than we really do. The only reason that you and I have breath in our bodies is because God gave it to us. (I know that comes under the categories of life and death that you mentioned, but you get my point). The only reason that we have eyesight, or can walk, or can think, or can reason, is because it’s a gift from God. We don’t pray just to receive from God; we also pray to give thanks to God for what He’s already given us! Would you like it if you were in a relationship with a woman, and the only time she spoke to you was to get some money from you, or so you could do something for her? That would be a crummy relationship, wouldn’t it? Well, how is that any different with God, when He gives us these things, and we never communicate with Him? We pray for Him to reveal His will to us, to thank Him for what He’s given us, and then we also pray because He’s our Father, and He wants to hear from us. That’s part of having a relationship with God.
That’s just my thoughts about it
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July 29, 2024 Monday
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
Genesis 1:20(KJV)
Inspiration
Nature is designed with immaculate perfection; it is a pleasure to view with our human eyes. Lush trees provide shade to blooming flowers below while robust little bees swarm back and forth amongst them. We enjoy the crisp, clean breeze as spring rolls in after a long bitter winter. This world is filled with beauty! We are blessed to be present amid its glory, fortunate to reap from its bounty. Let us praise God for the gift of a beautiful world this day.
Prayer
Dear Lord, We love the wonderful world You have created. Thank you for its beauty and all the provisions You’ve created within it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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July 30, 2024 Tuesday
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 24:44 (KJV)
Inspiration
We happily anticipate Christ’s return; we look forward to seeing Him face to face. Our moments of tribulation will be worth it end the end as we rest peacefully in His gracious arms. We remain focused on our walk by continuing our studies, growing closer to Christ, and inviting others to accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior. We have a lot of learning and ministering to do in His absence, and we will actively work as commissioned until He returns.
Prayer
Dear Lord, Only You know when the end is near. We will continue to minister to those around us as we wait for Your return. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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July 31, 2024 Wednesday
For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
Matthew 26:11 (KJV)
Inspiration
We have countless opportunities to help those in need! Our world is imperfect, and poverty will always be a huge concern. We can actively help those in need by donating to local charities, participating in fundraising for missionary projects, and praying over the hearts of those who are hurting. Prayer is powerful, and we can change the world by calling on the name of the Lord.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we will watch over those in need. You have blessed each of us with skills and finances so we may provide care for who are physically and spiritually unable to provide for themselves. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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August 01, 2024 Thursday
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:4 (KJV)
Inspiration
Light and dark simply cannot be combined. Sin is the darkness that separates us from God and this did not please Him so He sent Jesus. Jesus’s death on the cross paid the price for all our sins. He was the ultimate sacrifice, our light in the darkness. The sin abounding in our lives will be abolished and we will be united in eternity once again.
Prayer
Dear God, we walk in the darkness of sin without You. Thank you for sending your Son to die on calvary and pay the ultimate price for our sin. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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August 02, 2024 Friday
And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
Genesis 1:5 (KJV)
Inspiration
We celebrate many milestones through the course our lives! Anticipation fills our heart on the first day of school, the first day on a new job or the first time driving alone. We experience pure joy over the birth of our first child or the purchase of our first home. Changes are usually met with a little anxiety because we aren’t quite sure what the future holds. Let us remember that God is always present as we celebrate each new beginning. He calms our hearts as the future unfolds.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for being present for all our new beginnings. Please redirect any anxiety we feel as You provide countless opportunities for growth and change. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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August 02, 2024 Saturday
And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.
Judges 16:6 (KJV)
Inspiration
Delilah asks Samson what makes him strong so his enemies can attack him in his weakness. Satan is like a lion, constantly on the prowl, searching out our weakness and working diligently to distract us from the path of righteousness. We rely on the Holy Spirit to help us focus when the enemy tries to trick us. We are thankful for the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance every moment of our earthly lives.
Prayer
Dear Father, We praise You for the presence of Your Spirit in our daily lives. Please continue to encourage us to remain watchful as Satan plans his attack. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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August 04, 2024 Sunday
And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
Judges 16:28 (KJV)
Inspiration
Samson’s power came from God, not from his beautiful locks of hair! He knew the origin of his strength and called out to the Lord to help him abolish his enemies. We have the power to overcome obstacles and hardships in our earthly life. We must remember that our strength comes from the Lord and contribute our tenacity to Him. We are grateful for His gracious character as He gifts us with skills to battle our enemies.
Prayer
Dear Father, We are grateful for the strength You have instilled in us. We could not stand against sin alone and we praise You for gifting us the power to conquer our sin. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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August 05, 2024 Monday
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isaiah 45:22 (KJV)
Inspiration
God planned our redemption from the very beginning. He explains that He is the only God and salvation is the only way to receive eternal life. God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present. We depend on His love and strength to overcome our sinful nature. He is our shelter, refuge, and perfect dwelling place. We accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior and continue to grow closer to God each day.
Prayer
Dear Father, We are humbled in Your glory. Please forgive our sin, and guide us closer to You daily. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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August 06, 2024 Tuesday
Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Isaiah 55:6 (KJV)
Inspiration
We seek the Lord and find Him because He is always ready to accept the invitation to live inside our hearts. He loves us beyond our understanding and extends salvation to everyone. We want to share His promise of salvation with the nations and allow everyone to accept Christ as their personal Savior. We will continue to minister to the broken world around us so they may feel God’s presence in their lives.
Prayer
Dear God, You make Yourself available to everyone because You love us beyond our understanding. Please guide us as we continue to minister to others so they may also feel Your presence in their lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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August 07, 2024 Wednesday
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
Isaiah 54:10 (KJV)
Inspiration
The earth is perishable and deteriorates over time; God’s love is everlasting, and so is our relationship with Him. We continue to grow each day as we study and become well-versed in the Word. We see blessings, assist in miracles, and continually feel His presence in our lives. We do not deserve love like God’s, yet He gives it to us freely and unconditionally. We humble ourselves before Him with thanksgiving for His mercy on our souls.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sins, and guide our steps so we may grow closer to You. Your love is the greatest gift, and we will devote our lives to Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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August 08, 2024 Thursday
Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
Jeremiah 1:6 (KJV)
Inspiration
We lack confidence when it comes to sharing the Good News. We are concerned we won’t say the right words or become afraid of rejection. We must remember that God makes all things possible. We only need to lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance, and He will direct our path toward opportunities to minister to the world. He will create within us the ability to invite others to discover the way to salvation.
Prayer
Dear God, Please encourage us to be confident about sharing the Good News with those around us. Help us remember, You are present in every moment and will give us strength to follow through with our witness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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August 09, 2024 Friday
Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
Luke 10:3 (KJV)
Inspiration
Living for Christ also means dying for Christ. Becoming a Christian does not mean we can expect our lives to become perfect and cozy. We live in an imperfect world, and as we spread the Word of God, we face rejection, persecution, and many other painful life experiences. Jesus explains this to the disciples at the very beginning. He is open and honest about the sacrifices we must make when we surrender our lives to God. We have peace living amongst the wolves because God is trustworthy, dependable, and always present to guide us.
Prayer
Dear God, We are thankful for Your protection and guidance against persecution as we deliver Your Word to a broken world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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August 10, 2024 Saturday
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
Luke 9:61 (KJV)
Inspiration
We cannot surrender part of our lives to serve the Lord; we must surrender it all. We see multiple occurrences in the New Testament when Jesus says, ‘follow me,’ met with an excuse or other business that needed to be taken care of first. We like to think that, given the opportunity, we would follow immediately, but that may not be true. We put many earthly activities before the Lord. We make idols of technology, sports, and other activities or people. These secondary priorities cause us to wander away from the Lord instead of closer to Him. We must analyze our walk closely and remove all stumbling blocks that distract us from the Lord.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we want to serve You with all our hearts. Help us analyze our lives and remove stumbling blocks that slow our walk with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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August 11, 2024 Sunday
And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
Luke 12:22 (KJV)
Inspiration
We have many daily challenges that cause us to worry. Financial burdens, physical health, and other personal affairs cause anxiety and fear. Jesus reassures the disciples that they do not have to worry about where they will rest or what clothes they will wear because God will be present to provide for them as needed. We can apply this knowledge to our concerns as well. God is present and will provide for us physically and spiritually. Even when things are not okay, His presence alone grants us peace to make it through each life event.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we love and adore You. We are grateful for Your presence in our lives and the peace You bestow upon us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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August 12, 2024 Monday
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Luke 12:27 (KJV)
Inspiration
Lillies in a field seem unimportant compared to the turmoil and strife erupting in the world today, which makes Christ’s statement ever more precious. God provides nourishment to the lilies and adorns them with beauty. They are as carefree in an open field as we are, resting in the arms of our Heavenly Father. He promises to love and protect us, shield us from evil, and bless us unconditionally. His promise brings us hope and encouragement as we walk along the road toward salvation.
Prayer
Dear Father, we know we are safe in Your arms as You nourish our souls and adorn us with unconditional love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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