How can I pray about this situation?

[TBrezzy23]

I have a Cuban family (Wife, Husband, Grandmother, and 3 children) that has lived next to me in a townhome going on 8 years.

1. They have refused to look my way and never spoke. They will speak and have conversations with other neighbors but, not me.
2. They have tried to use my yard and driveway as their own, so I had to fence it in.
3. They have thrown things in my yard, so I put cameras up.
4. They have built their patio and used a small section of my roof, which diverts most of the rain from their house, on to my roof.
5. They raise pigeons and pour the poop in the street gutters and sweep it on my side.
6. After they mop their floors, they come out front and throw the mop water on my tires (I park my car in front of my home as I am not using my driveway at the moment).
7. In the past 2 years, I have put a lot into remodeling my home, inside out and I figured that maybe they were jealous, but they were acting like this before the renovations.
8. After the renovations started, I noticed that they put a evil eye symbol up and pointed it towards my home. And, I have now taken notice that they are heavily into Santeria.

So, I found their names online and have begun to pray for their salvation but, I've noticed that they are starting to use their front-yard as a backyard, so I decided to pray that they will be able to move and purchase a bigger home for their family and that a Christian will purchase the home from them.

I'm still going to pray for their salvation, but is it unnecessary / non-God like to pray for them to move and a Christian buy the home?

 

[Hidden In Him]

I have a Cuban family (Wife, Husband, Grandmother, and 3 children) that has lived next to me in a townhome going on 8 years.

1. They have refused to look my way and never spoke. They will speak and have conversations with other neighbors but, not me.
2. They have tried to use my yard and driveway as their own, so I had to fence it in.
3. They have thrown things in my yard, so I put cameras up.
4. They have built their patio and used a small section of my roof, which diverts most of the rain from their house, on to my roof.
5. They raise pigeons and pour the poop in the street gutters and sweep it on my side.
6. After they mop their floors, they come out front and throw the mop water on my tires (I park my car in front of my home as I am not using my driveway at the moment).
7. In the past 2 years, I have put a lot into remodeling my home, inside out and I figured that maybe they were jealous, but they were acting like this before the renovations.
8. After the renovations started, I noticed that they put a evil eye symbol up and pointed it towards my home. And, I have now taken notice that they are heavily into Santeria.

So, I found their names online and have begun to pray for their salvation but, I've noticed that they are starting to use their front-yard as a backyard, so I decided to pray that they will be able to move and purchase a bigger home for their family and that a Christian will purchase the home from them.

I'm still going to pray for their salvation, but is it unnecessary / non-God like to pray for them to move and a Christian buy the home?

No, and welcome to Christian Forums.

Only you ultimately need to leave things in God's hands after you pray. Just let your wishes be known to Him, and why you are making the request. If you stay in prayer long enough, you may find He starts giving you other answers and other guidance about your situation that you hadn't thought of before.

Just always remember that the Spirit of God within you is stronger than the spirits operating within them, and that you have the upper hand spiritually so long as you continue to abide close to Christ. In the end, you may very well bring them - or at least some of them - to Christ through your witness and the power of God that rests upon you.

Thank you for sharing your testimony, and feel free to ask any more questions you might have.

In Christ Jesus,
Hidden In Him

 

[Highway54]

I have a Cuban family (Wife, Husband, Grandmother, and 3 children) that has lived next to me in a townhome going on 8 years.

1. They have refused to look my way and never spoke. They will speak and have conversations with other neighbors but, not me.
2. They have tried to use my yard and driveway as their own, so I had to fence it in.
3. They have thrown things in my yard, so I put cameras up.
4. They have built their patio and used a small section of my roof, which diverts most of the rain from their house, on to my roof.
5. They raise pigeons and pour the poop in the street gutters and sweep it on my side.
6. After they mop their floors, they come out front and throw the mop water on my tires (I park my car in front of my home as I am not using my driveway at the moment).
7. In the past 2 years, I have put a lot into remodeling my home, inside out and I figured that maybe they were jealous, but they were acting like this before the renovations.
8. After the renovations started, I noticed that they put a evil eye symbol up and pointed it towards my home. And, I have now taken notice that they are heavily into Santeria.

So, I found their names online and have begun to pray for their salvation but, I've noticed that they are starting to use their front-yard as a backyard, so I decided to pray that they will be able to move and purchase a bigger home for their family and that a Christian will purchase the home from them.

I'm still going to pray for their salvation, but is it unnecessary / non-God like to pray for them to move and a Christian buy the home?

I feel for you my friend. How traumatic it can be to have a bad neighbor. Extremely stressful. It happens to many, and sometimes repeatedly. Generally people like that move frequently.

 

[Hidden In Him]

1. They have refused to look my way and never spoke. They will speak and have conversations with other neighbors but, not me.

Btw, this means that the spirits within them are afraid of the Spirit that is within you.

It's further confirmation that they (the demons) are taking you as a threat to the work they're doing in that family's life.

 

[miamited]

Hi TBrezzy23

They have refused to look my way and never spoke. They will speak and have conversations with other neighbors but, not me.

Just passing through, but felt led to offer some suggestions, that I believe are scripturally based.

Have you ever gone over and knocked on their door and said "Hello."? I assume the sidewalks in your neighborhood are much like mine. You can walk in both directions on them. When I moved in to my new neighborhood 2.5 years ago, I made a point, within 2 weeks to go out and talk to each of my direct neighbors. I introduced myself and just started talking to them. I have a pretty good relationship with Mary Lou, who just lost her husband. I have a stronger relationship with my neighbor Gary, whose wife is in a care home. He's actually the neighbor who invited me to the fellowship where I now worship. My other neighbors, Al and Janet have just been a solid blessing. I recently had shoulder surgery and they took my granddaughter to and from school for a couple of days until I was able to drive again. They also take care of my cat when I'm out of town. Great people. And from New Jersey, who'd a thunk it? Finally, my last direct neighbor is an acre away from me, as my property is larger than any of the others in the neighborhood. I have walked over when I saw him out mowing and introduced myself, but he seems to stay pretty much to himself and that's fine with me, but he knows me and I know him. But it was me that took the initiative to visit all of my neighbors and get to know them a bit.

They have tried to use my yard and driveway as their own, so I had to fence it in.

I don't suppose there's any chance that you spoke to them about the problem first? You see, neighbors can usually tell when someone doesn't like them much and that makes it harder to start up a conversation. Maybe you could have been more neighborly concerning the issue. I'm not saying that it was ok for them to use your property as you claim, but the first option is always to talk out the problem.

They have thrown things in my yard, so I put cameras up.

Again, really? They threw some stuff in your yard and you put up cameras. I mean, what are we talking about here? Hand grenades and garbage cans, or balls and toys? Maybe some trash? Me, I'm regularly picking up trash that people throw out of their cars driving up and down my street. It isn't a world-shattering problem for me to walk along the street and pick up a soda cup and food wrapper here and there.

Reading the rest of your list, I understand the cultural issues, and I'm not saying that I wouldn't be bothered by 100 birds in the yard. I don't want to live next to someone who raises chickens, either. But, there are neighborly ways to deal with such things and from what I'm reading, you likely telegraph your anger and disgust with them, from what I'm reading.

After they mop their floors, they come out front and throw the mop water on my tires (I park my car in front of my home as I am not using my driveway at the moment).

Really, they throw mop water 'on' your tires.

Why don't you try talking to them. I imagine that's going to be the first step for you to make, if you're sincere about forgiving them for living. However, I am familiar with the exact situation that you describe here. My sister and brother-in-law are two of the most bigoted people in my family. They live next to a family of wetbacks (according to him he can tell who has papers and who doesn't just by looking at them). So, he's made loud noises between their houses and under their bedroom window to disturb them. He's the one that has a yard that looks like Sanford and Son's and they honestly live like white trash. And they treat their neighbors, and of course all the wet backs in the hills of Alabama, with pretty regular disgust and I often have to smile and listen to him denigrate others and their culture. When he told me about the time that he and his children spent quite a lot of effort disturbing them and making loud noises under their bedroom window, just because they're wetbacks, understand, I lost it! I dressed him down and told him what a turd I thought he was and that I was sure glad I wasn't his neighbor.

You know what God says about it? As it is within your power, live at peace with your neighbor. I strive to do that. You could try it.

God bless,
Ted

 

[miamited]

Hi TBrezzy23

I do commend you for buying a townhome when you were 18. Your final option is to sell it. My other sister in California, while she is far from being bigoted, does keep a really sloppy property and the people next door take a certain amount of pride in how their property looks. But they are regularly making problems for her and she is right now in the process of selling her home to move away from them. They seem to be a lot like you in how they deal with neighbor issues. They've sued her to move her fence back a few inches. Claiming that they had a survey done and it showed that she was encroaching on, but not actually 'on' their property. She's on the side of a fairly steep mountain and the neighbor put up a rock wall at the top of his property, which, when they had all the rains earlier this year, collapsed and most of it seems to have rolled onto her property. She talked to them about it and they pretty much told her to go pound salt. Her fear is that, the rocks being fairly large, if they roll down the hill with any speed and force, may well crash into her home or cars. She had to use her skid steer to move it all away.

So, neighbor issues can be tough, but I've honestly never had a problem with a neighbor that I couldn't easily resolve.

God bless,
Ted

 

[GodsGrace]

I have a Cuban family (Wife, Husband, Grandmother, and 3 children) that has lived next to me in a townhome going on 8 years.

1. They have refused to look my way and never spoke. They will speak and have conversations with other neighbors but, not me.
2. They have tried to use my yard and driveway as their own, so I had to fence it in.
3. They have thrown things in my yard, so I put cameras up.
4. They have built their patio and used a small section of my roof, which diverts most of the rain from their house, on to my roof.
5. They raise pigeons and pour the poop in the street gutters and sweep it on my side.
6. After they mop their floors, they come out front and throw the mop water on my tires (I park my car in front of my home as I am not using my driveway at the moment).
7. In the past 2 years, I have put a lot into remodeling my home, inside out and I figured that maybe they were jealous, but they were acting like this before the renovations.
8. After the renovations started, I noticed that they put a evil eye symbol up and pointed it towards my home. And, I have now taken notice that they are heavily into Santeria.

So, I found their names online and have begun to pray for their salvation but, I've noticed that they are starting to use their front-yard as a backyard, so I decided to pray that they will be able to move and purchase a bigger home for their family and that a Christian will purchase the home from them.

I'm still going to pray for their salvation, but is it unnecessary / non-God like to pray for them to move and a Christian buy the home?

Why was it necessary to state that they are Cuban?

Why do they speak to other neighbors but not you?

Why did you fix your home instead of moving?

Yes. I have many questions and am not easily mislead.

 

[hawkman]

Me, I'm regularly picking up trash that people throw out of their cars driving up and down my street. It isn't a world-shattering problem for me to walk along the street and pick up a soda cup and food wrapper here and there.

Thanks miamited ! Trash is an eyesore to me too and I do police areas local too .

And they treat their neighbors, and of course all the wet backs in the hills of Alabama, with pretty regular disgust and I often have to smile and listen to him denigrate others and their culture.

My smile would be a combination grimace and smile :neutral , lol . Not a real smile

 

[TBrezzy23]

Hi TBrezzy23

I do commend you for buying a townhome when you were 18. Your final option is to sell it. My other sister in California, while she is far from being bigoted, does keep a really sloppy property and the people next door take a certain amount of pride in how their property looks. But they are regularly making problems for her and she is right now in the process of selling her home to move away from them. They seem to be a lot like you in how they deal with neighbor issues. They've sued her to move her fence back a few inches. Claiming that they had a survey done and it showed that she was encroaching on, but not actually 'on' their property. She's on the side of a fairly steep mountain and the neighbor put up a rock wall at the top of his property, which, when they had all the rains earlier this year, collapsed and most of it seems to have rolled onto her property. She talked to them about it and they pretty much told her to go pound salt. Her fear is that, the rocks being fairly large, if they roll down the hill with any speed and force, may well crash into her home or cars. She had to use her skid steer to move it all away.

So, neighbor issues can be tough, but I've honestly never had a problem with a neighbor that I couldn't easily resolve.

God bless,
Ted

I’ve talked to them multiple times and they still decided to be disrespectful. I’ve spoken plenty of times but, they don’t speak back.

I have no intentions of selling.

 

[TBrezzy23]

Why was it necessary to state that they are Cuban?

Why do they speak to other neighbors but not you?

Why did you fix your home instead of moving?

Yes. I have many questions and am not easily mislead.

Why do I have to move?
Why can't I enjoy fixing my home that was left to me?
Am I supposed to keep moving every time there is a conflict with a neighbor?
How am I supposed to know why they don't speak to me?
Am I supposed to be a mind reader?
Should I ask everyone that doesn't speak to me, why?
Why can't I mention their race without there being some type of assumption?
Why can't Cuban be used as a way to correlate it to Santeria?

I have many questions as well and wondering why a answer was not provided for the question that was asked, instead of maybe implying 'something'?

 

[TBrezzy23]

Btw, this means that the spirits within them are afraid of the Spirit that is within you.

It's further confirmation that they (the demons) are taking you as a threat to the work they're doing in that family's life.

This makes sense. Thank you, I spoke today but, they just ignored me. I'll keep them in my prayers.

 

[gordon777]

This makes sense. Thank you, I spoke today but, they just ignored me. I'll keep them in my prayers.

If a person really wanted to know the perspective of Jesus Christ, it is told to the world in scripture, so cannot be given any different opinion. ( no need to question, just following Christ is the answer to all q's.)


I assume the Spirit of Christ is in nobody on earth, but that is just me.


But it creates a level playing field, rather than the unequal one that is so fast created and agreed to, on a forum. ( thinking that a wrong spirit is threatened by the right Spirit in another person)



Anyways, back to the truth instead.

Jesus Christ had no where to lay His head, the Apostles followed likewise, as did the Apostle to the world of Gentiles, Paul, have no certain dwelling place, that is the answer of how Christ does things and how there are no other credible answers on forums, from anyone who can speak/text.


Luke 9:57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Mark 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

1 Corinthians 4:11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
15 For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

 

[GodsGrace]

Why do I have to move?
Why can't I enjoy fixing my home that was left to me?
Am I supposed to keep moving every time there is a conflict with a neighbor?
How am I supposed to know why they don't speak to me?
Am I supposed to be a mind reader?
Should I ask everyone that doesn't speak to me, why?
Why can't I mention their race without there being some type of assumption?
Why can't Cuban be used as a way to correlate it to Santeria?

I have many questions as well and wondering why a answer was not provided for the question that was asked, instead of maybe implying 'something'?

TBrezzy23
First of all, welcome to the forum.
Now I'll tell you why I asked my questions...

1. Not all Cubans are practicing pagans.
However, this is not something that should interest you in your neighborly relations.
I do like to pray for persons that are worshipping the evil one instead of God.

2. I find it strange that they speak to other neighbors and not to you.
There might be a reason that you're not 100% aware of.
Maybe you could think back and see if something happened to disrupt the relationship.

3. Neighbors last a long time. If they are this troublesome, yes, I'd move. They most probably are not going
to change. My niece has a very bad neighbor. If her house was worth more, she'd be happy to move into a smaller one just to have some peace. But this is a personal decision - I just put forward what I would do. It's an idea.

The above is my answer.
When you ask people their opinion, they'll probably give it to you.
My honest opinion would be to move.
Life is too short.

Other than that, some persons want to get along and have peace,
and some prefer to listen to satan and make misery.
Of course, you'll be in my prayers.

 

[miamited]

Hi TBrezzy23

If I may, could I ask exactly what it is that you're asking in the thread title?

I mean, the title says that you're asking how to pray about the situation. So let's deal with that.

You should pray and ask God to provide an opening for you to become more acquainted with your neighbors. Especially if you're really set on staying. I'd hate to be at odds for any length of time with a neighbor. Often times sitting down face to face and talking, allows others to 'know' what they know about you rather than 'imagine' what they know about you.

Secondly, you should ask that God reveal to you, your part in all of this being where it is today. And not only forgiving you, but to soften your heart. You don't have to spend your life mad at someone. That's a choice!!!

So, that would be my advice to your title question. Like I said, God's word tells His children to live at peace with your neighbor as far as it is within your power to do so. So pray that God will give you the wisdom and courage to do the right thing and get to know your neighbor and, as far as it is within your power, to make peace with them.

God bless,
Ted

 

[miamited]

Hi TBrezzy23

Look, bake a batch of delicious cookies or get some nice 'house warming' gift and go over and ring the neighbor's doorbell and just say, "Hi, my name is ___________, and I think we've gotten off to a bad start at being neighbors and I'd like to try and fix it. May I come in?"

Then go in, if invited, and sit down at their kitchen table, I think that's where most of the Cuban culture does their visiting, or wherever they direct you to sit down and just let it all out. How you think that you may have been just a tad judgmental concerning their behavior and you'd like to air out the laundry, so to speak. You want to be friends.

Live at peace with your neighbor, so far as it is within your power to do so. All that I'm suggesting here is 'within your power".

God bless,
Ted

 

[miamited]

They have refused to look my way and never spoke.

I’ve talked to them multiple times and they still decided to be disrespectful. I’ve spoken plenty of times but, they don’t speak back.

Sorry for making the assumption that you didn't talk to them. You opened with their having 'never spoke' or look your way, and I 'assumed' that meant that you didn't speak to them. So, this is like when the two of you are getting in your car in the morning or out getting the mail, you say "Hi neighbor", and they just rebuff your advances?

I too, have to ask why it is that you claim they talk to other neighbors, but not you. I mean, it obviously isn't that they don't want to speak to the neighbors. I also find it telling that you describe the situation as "I've talked to them multiple times and they still decided to be disrespectful'. I mean, I would think that most people would have said, "I've talked to them multiple times and they just don't answer me". The 'disrespectful' comment just sounds a tad judgmental towards their behavior. But that could be just me.

God bless,
Ted

 

[Lalas]

TBrezzy23, sorry to hear that you've been dealing with difficult neighbours for several years. By the sounds of it, they don't sound like nice people when they throw mop waters at your tires, try to use your yard and driveway as their own, throw things in your yard, etc. etc. They don't sound like they are considerate of other people. However, do you think there is some miscommunication, or perhaps your neighbours are not fully aware of what they are doing that is causing you distress? Maybe things have "always been done that way" for your neighbours and they've never had any complaints before, so when they see you (perhaps) scowling at them from a distance, if at all, they may not understand why you are reacting so strongly to something which they deem is "perfectly normal".

Did you attempt to sit down with them and have a long conversation where you addressed your concerns to them directly? If you already attempted but if they laughed at you and shrugged off your valid concerns, then I would say they were being disrespectful to you. But if no efforts were made in that regard then perhaps you will want to knock on their door one day and say, "Hello, do you have 10 minutes to spare? Can we talk for a few minutes, please?"

Most people react to sincerity and will reciprocate the energy you give out. If you convey your message as being important and serious, your neighbours are likely to take you more seriously and hear you out.

Have you also considered writing them a polite letter addressing your concerns? Sometimes having the details in writing can seem more legitimate than the words alone. It could also mean that they have a better chance of sitting down together as a family or even as a couple to discuss your concerns. But if they are the kind of people who have zero consideration of others then I don't think anything you do will change their ways.

Praying for you. Asking God to open your neighbours' hearts and minds to healthy criticism and that they will lean towards changing their ways through the power of Christ.

 

[JLB]

I have a Cuban family (Wife, Husband, Grandmother, and 3 children) that has lived next to me in a townhome going on 8 years.

1. They have refused to look my way and never spoke. They will speak and have conversations with other neighbors but, not me.
2. They have tried to use my yard and driveway as their own, so I had to fence it in.
3. They have thrown things in my yard, so I put cameras up.
4. They have built their patio and used a small section of my roof, which diverts most of the rain from their house, on to my roof.
5. They raise pigeons and pour the poop in the street gutters and sweep it on my side.
6. After they mop their floors, they come out front and throw the mop water on my tires (I park my car in front of my home as I am not using my driveway at the moment).
7. In the past 2 years, I have put a lot into remodeling my home, inside out and I figured that maybe they were jealous, but they were acting like this before the renovations.
8. After the renovations started, I noticed that they put a evil eye symbol up and pointed it towards my home. And, I have now taken notice that they are heavily into Santeria.

So, I found their names online and have begun to pray for their salvation but, I've noticed that they are starting to use their front-yard as a backyard, so I decided to pray that they will be able to move and purchase a bigger home for their family and that a Christian will purchase the home from them.

I'm still going to pray for their salvation, but is it unnecessary / non-God like to pray for them to move and a Christian buy the home?

Please use your authority in Christ, to break any curses over your life and home that they may be working against you.




JLB

 

[gordon777]

As I said, it is easy to talk, but impossible for men to do any part of what Jesus Christ did, what the Apostles did, because that requires the Holy Spirit and the love of God. ( no love,=no care.) and now love waxes cold, so many follow the wrong advisors. ( of non dong, of non stop talking/texting/using feigned words)



Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

2 Peter 2: 1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

 

[Anaphora]

Thier wicked people. I would avoid them. Have nothing to do with them. Stay away from them. God is angry with the wicked every day. Pray to God about it. God can change hearts and minds. And take vengeance on the wicked. Never trust your enemies. Pray to Jesus and let God deal with them. Dont lose your temper. Don't try to get even. Let God handle this. Second Peter chapter 2:9. The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. Nahum chapter 1:2. God is jealous, and the Lord Revengeth; the Lo rd Revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and reserve wrath for His enemies. Your enemies are God's enemies. The wicked and heathen have nightmare coming on judgement day. The wicked get away with nothing. Stay Cool my friend.