A struggle with selfishness and lack of friendships.

[Goghysk]

I think we have a problem in the USA Church. We are spoiled and we are selfish. My biggest concern is my own selfishness. I want a good life. I want a happy life. But I also have trouble uplifting other people, without having selfish thoughts. What will this do for me? Shouldn't I be thinking, "what will this be doing for Jesus?" I can use my brain and tell myself to think and feel correctly, but the very next time, I find myself defaulting back to "What will this do for me." If I click on a prayer request, and I pray for someone, I also think to myself, will this make me a friend? I know why this is, I don't have any good friends.

 

[Articles]

Goghysk, we appreciate your honesty and self-awareness in recognizing the struggle with selfishness and the desire for meaningful friendships. It's true that the church, and each of us individually, can sometimes fall into patterns of selfishness and materialism, but God calls us to a higher standard. As it is written in Philippians 2:3-4 (WEB), "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Your concern about having selfish thoughts even while trying to uplift others is not uncommon, but it is important to continually renew your mind and heart. Romans 12:2 (WEB) tells us, "Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God." Instead of asking, "What will this do for me?" we should indeed be asking, "What will this do for Jesus and His kingdom?"

When praying for others, let's remember the words of James 5:16 (WEB), "Pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective." The focus should be on the well-being of others and the glory of God, rather than personal gain.

It's encouraging that you recognize the root of your feelings may be a lack of good friendships. Proverbs 18:24 (WEB) says, "A man who has friends must show himself friendly, and there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." We encourage you to continue being friendly and seeking godly friendships, but with the right motives.

Let us pray for you:

"Heavenly Father, we come before You in Jesus' name, lifting up Goghysk. We ask that You help them overcome their struggle with selfishness. Renew their mind and heart, Lord, that they may seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Bring godly friendships into their life, that they may be a blessing and be blessed. Help them to be selfless and consider others better than themselves, as Your word instructs. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

We encourage you to continue meditating on God's word and seeking His will. Remember, it is only through Jesus Christ that we have access to God. As Acts 4:12 (WEB) says, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men by which we must be saved." Keep pursuing a selfless life, not by your own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

[hostadmin]

We're right there with you, Goghysk. It's tough, isn't it? This world can be so self-centered, and it's easy to get caught up in that. But remember, we're called to be different, to reflect Jesus in our lives. It's not about us, but about Him and others.

Let's keep asking, "What would Jesus do?" instead of "What's in it for me?" It's a daily choice, a daily surrender. We need to keep our minds and hearts focused on Him, not on our own desires. As it's written, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33, NKJV).

And friendships? They're a gift from God, but they're also a responsibility. We need to be friendly to have friends, right? Let's strive to be the kind of friend we'd like to have. Let's build each other up, not tear down.

Let's pray together:

"Dear Lord, help us to overcome our selfishness. Renew our minds and hearts, Lord, so we can seek Your kingdom and Your righteousness first. Bring godly friendships into our lives, that we may be a blessing and be blessed. Help us to be selfless and consider others better than ourselves, just as Your word teaches. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

 

[Saraha]

Praying for you. Heavenly Father hear our prayers. In Jesus Name I Pray Amen

 

[God’s servant]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name.

 

[EnricoLange]

I think we have a problem in the USA Church. We are spoiled and we are selfish. My biggest concern is my own selfishness. I want a good life. I want a happy life. But I also have trouble uplifting other people, without having selfish thoughts. What will this do for me? Shouldn't I be thinking, "what will this be doing for Jesus?" I can use my brain and tell myself to think and feel correctly, but the very next time, I find myself defaulting back to "What will this do for me." If I click on a prayer request, and I pray for someone, I also think to myself, will this make me a friend? I know why this is, I don't have any good friends.

You hit on a very sore point there and its true. We are all part of this end-time generation and the bible did say it would be a generation characterized by selfishness (lovers of self). We are all infected to some degree, including us in the church, esp. here in the West (I'm not in the US but in a Western country).

Lord Jesus you displayed absolute selflessness and I want to join this believer (not sure whether brother or sister) in acknowledging my selfishness. Please forgive and change our hearts by the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for your promise of Romans 5:5. Fill us with your love until it overflows. We need you we can do nothing apart from you. Thank you Lord. Amen.

 

[Cinu]

Lord, we pray for this prayer and family for blessings healing and salvation. Heal and bless. May their lives be a praise and glory unto thee.
Come to the Lord's holy presence. Seek him with all your heart. Cling to his Word and meditate on it moment by moment by positive thoughts and joy in the heart (James 1:2-4), knowing that the Lord is good and to him be all the praise. Seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Even though life may feel hard, the Lord's hand will be on you, and he will answer in his time. I am praying for you. Amen.

Some resources that might help.

Needs: - And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19(ESV)

Salvation: - And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31(ESV)

Healing: - But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5(NKJV)

Fulfillment by the Holy Spirit: - Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6(ESV)

Persecutions: - “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Luke 6:27-28(ESV)

Help in Prayer

Dwelling and Thriving in God’s grace where everything happens for good (Romans 8:28)


sermons

 

[usha rani]

Praying in Jesus Name.

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. Thank You Jesus!!!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. Bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, and Your righteousness. Help and strengthen me God to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.

God heal me. Deliver and cleansed me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God solution focused heart, mind, spirit, and attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by Encourager Linda Flagg, M.A., Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach.

 

[hostadmin]

Thank you for giving us the privilege to pray on your behalf. We are glad that that you asked us to stand in agreement with you in prayer. If your request was answered, please post a praise report and let us all know. If your request does not seem to have been answered, please post it again as a new request and allow us to continue with you in prayer. We all hope that our prayers are answered in the way that we want. Sometimes we believe that God is not answering our prayers because we do not see what we expect. In these cases, we should persist in prayer and determine how God is answering our prayer. May God bless you as you continue to seek him through his son, Jesus Christ.