I'll preface this comment by saying I've struggled (and do struggle still) with the same accusing thoughts, being confounded often over sincerity or insincerity, or "I'm not emotionally moved so my heart isn't contrite and broken," and so on. Stake everything on Christ for you. The Gospel is good news, not "become or do X first," else it's not good news. I am not counting on my sincerity or brokenness to warrant Christ's redemption and continued love toward me. I am counting on Christ's redemption and continued love toward me, and leaving the saving and sanctifying and glorifying to Him. You can do yourself no favors by mulling over your sincerity and broken or contriteness (or lack of those qualities), other than to bring you closer to Christ by realizing further your utter dependence on His complete work. To say it more simply, you and I are incapable of making ourselves more sincere, or more contrite, and so on. Rely on Christ, believe in Christ. As to the comment made by the pastor, don't take that word as 100% factual all the time. The underlying reality of a Christian is someone who realizes their need for, agrees with, and relies on Christ. That doesn't mean a Christian will let self-righteousness creep in-- it can and will happen, but not as the foundational belief of acceptance or salvation. I hope that makes sense-- I'm no authority, just some thoughts.

I'll share my two cents as well. As the person above me said, we aren't saved by our works, it all comes down to our faith. But faith naturally leads to works, such as obedience, baptism, bible reading, sharing the gospel etc. Many people pray out of desperation and sincerity, but they don't actually have any intention of submitting to God, living for Him, or getting to know Him, so keep that in mind. Secondly, many people pray to 'god', but they may have their own ideas of who 'god' is, and many see him as a genie, someone who'll grant their wishes when they want, but will stay out of their lives otherwise. Our God may very well answer an unsaved person's prayers if He knows it will lead to their conversion or salvation later on, like someone asking God to prove he's real, or miraculously saving their daughter's lives. If that person worships another god, say they're hindu or buddhist, I think our God is less likely to answer because they will credit their answered prayers to that idol and continue living sinfully. Even if they're sincere, God wants the glory he deserves. Now, as for an actual born again believer, we are considered righteous by the blood of Jesus and are told to come to the thrown boldly and make our request known. We are his children and he plans to supply our needs and wants to give us the desires of our heart. God always listens, but his answer may be 'no', it may be 'later'. But whatever his response is, it would be what's best for us and/or those around us, and it will help strengten our faith in him. As we read the bible more and align our souls and minds with his will, the more likely our prayers will be answered because we want what he wants. I grew up in a legalistic church but was only truly reborn last year. I've always learned to be grateful, especially growing up low income, so I didn't really ask for anything. If there was something I wanted, I was willing to work for it, like careers and achievements. But the bible makes it clear God wants us to ask him, he wants us to come to him. Like the Laodiceans, I thought I was rich, but I had a lot of inner work that needed to be done, especially regarding pride, and lustful thoughts. I found that when I prayed about these inner sins and ungodly thoughts, God helped me very quickly. Felt like my mind was wiped, and fighting my flesh became easier. I was quite lonely as well, having no Christian friends and my fam/mom was legalistic. All I wanted to talk about was God, but people didn't care to listen. So I prayed about it, and within a year, a friend converted, another friend is seeking and listening, got an online bible study I meet with weekly, was recruited to play guitar at a wonderful church plant with a pastor who is invested in my soul, and I've made a few other online Christian friends. God instructs us to not forsake the gathering of the saints, and all these letters are for churches, for the body, so God would want me to be a part of that. That doesn't mean God won't answer other more selfish prayers, but it will all depend on if he knows it would draw us closer to him or pull us away from him. One may pray for a husband everyday, but God knows she'll forget about Him once she gets one, so while she is praying according to God's design, he wants her to truly depend on Him first for satisfaction. Someone may really need money and that person is asking to win the lottery, but God will simply provide the basics cause he knows that person has a lot of covetousness, and will get puffed up in pride and rebellion if they get rich. He would rather give them just the basics and let them rely on him for their needs than give them an abundance where they get confortable and forget about Him. A Christian can always pray in confidence, God will always hear his kids, but our motives, intentions, and current sins are certainly a factor. Regardless, if we truly believe he runs the universe, will provide our basic needs, and will ultimately do what's best for us, we should have peace. We should be thankful and satisfied with what he has already blessed us with and pray more regarding to his will if we want more prayers answered with a 'yes'. Hope that helps!

Matthew 17:20b if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. God doesn't expect the greatest faith in our prayers. A tiny faith is sufficient. It should be sincere, but be careful to not exaggerate it and elevate it to a standard that surpasses this.

I have an addiction to write lousy comments on KZfaq.

Same bro. If I stop getting my hit of oxygen, my body feels like it just wants to shut down.