So we've confirmed that when we present our requests to God in alignment with His will, He hears us. Now we're reaffirming that once He hears us, He will grant our request.
True in your life? It sure seems like there have been times that I have asked God for things that I have not gotten. This is one of those verses that I'd like to pass off to someone else to explain, because I know God's Word to be true, but I also know that God does not give us everything we ask for. Or does He?
I see three reasons why we feel our requests are not always answered:
1. We don't recognize God's answer
Adoniram Judson (a 19th century missionary to Burma) said, "I never prayed sincerely for anything, but it came, at some time, somehow, in some shape."
Maybe the problem is that many time we don't recognize God's answers to our prayers. The answers don't come in our preconceived manner, so we don't see them as answers at all. But how many times do things "seem to work out" over a period of time. There were probably many different pieces of God's answer spread out over time, but we didn't put all the pieces together to see "the answer."
2. We haven't been patient enough
We've already established that God's timing is perfect, yet we want our answers N-O-W. God is the One who knows when it will be best to bring resolution to our problem or grant our request. We've also established that God does hear us...so if we know He hears, then we know He will respond. But we don't know when His response will come. Again, trust is the issue. Trust that He hears, trust that He cares, trust that He will respond.
3. Our request wasn't aligned with God's will
Face it - sometimes we ask God for stupid things, or for things that God knows, in His omniscience, would result in damage or needless harm to us or to others. When you have a prayer that goes unanswered, reconsider it. Could it be a selfish request of some type? Is it truly a God-centered request? If your request passes those two questions, then you have to, again, trust God's will and know that either the answer is still coming or God saw that the negative results of your request far outweighed the positive.
I have more confidence in my prayer life as a result of "talking" through this verse. Hope it has done the same for you. Would love to hear your comments!
True in your life? It sure seems like there have been times that I have asked God for things that I have not gotten. This is one of those verses that I'd like to pass off to someone else to explain, because I know God's Word to be true, but I also know that God does not give us everything we ask for. Or does He?
I see three reasons why we feel our requests are not always answered:
1. We don't recognize God's answer
Adoniram Judson (a 19th century missionary to Burma) said, "I never prayed sincerely for anything, but it came, at some time, somehow, in some shape."
Maybe the problem is that many time we don't recognize God's answers to our prayers. The answers don't come in our preconceived manner, so we don't see them as answers at all. But how many times do things "seem to work out" over a period of time. There were probably many different pieces of God's answer spread out over time, but we didn't put all the pieces together to see "the answer."
2. We haven't been patient enough
We've already established that God's timing is perfect, yet we want our answers N-O-W. God is the One who knows when it will be best to bring resolution to our problem or grant our request. We've also established that God does hear us...so if we know He hears, then we know He will respond. But we don't know when His response will come. Again, trust is the issue. Trust that He hears, trust that He cares, trust that He will respond.
3. Our request wasn't aligned with God's will
Face it - sometimes we ask God for stupid things, or for things that God knows, in His omniscience, would result in damage or needless harm to us or to others. When you have a prayer that goes unanswered, reconsider it. Could it be a selfish request of some type? Is it truly a God-centered request? If your request passes those two questions, then you have to, again, trust God's will and know that either the answer is still coming or God saw that the negative results of your request far outweighed the positive.
I have more confidence in my prayer life as a result of "talking" through this verse. Hope it has done the same for you. Would love to hear your comments!
1 comment:
This verse gives me confidence also. I am confident that God's listens to me and comforts me. I pray that I will live my life according to God's Will and not my own. God knows me and he knows my heart and my desires. I only need to be faithful, continue studying God's Word, remain quiet in reverent meditation. God will care for me. He renews my spirit each day and restores my soul. He gives me strength to live each day and face the trials that come my way. God answers my prayers, He loves me and I love Him. I trust he will provide for me
Post a Comment