Have you ever felt like God doesn't hear your prayers?
Are you frustrated with God? Maybe you feel like He is taking too long to answer your prayer. Maybe you haven't gotten the healing you needed. Maybe you're still waiting for Him to change your spouse's heart. Maybe you're still waiting for a job opportunity to arrive.
I am not sure what your current situation is, but I want to remind you and affirm you that God is good and He knows what is best for you. We only see what's right in front of us, but He sees the bigger picture. No matter what, we have to understand all of Gods promises are "Yes" and "amen". He makes it clear in His word that whatever we ask for in His name, He will give. (John 14:13). We know that as children of God, we have the confidence to trust that He hears the desires of our heart and grants us whatever we want according to His will.
Moreover, that means what we ask for has to be according to His will. If it's not - then we will not receive it. If you're wondering how to know if it's His will, ask yourself this- Is His will for you to suffer? No. He loves you and has wonderful plans for you. (Jeremiah 29:11) Also, He will never contradict His word because Jesus is the Word made flesh. (John 1:14). God discerns the heart behind our motives; don’t expect Him to grant you something that your motives are against who He is.
Moreover, now that we're clarified on How to pray - maybe you feel you have been praying that way for so long and still haven't seen your prayer come to past. I want you to remind you that God answers every prayer in His own way and His own timing. For instance, the Bible says that Elizabeth and Zachariah were very old and she wasn't able to conceive. (Luke 1). Can you imagine how difficult that must have been for their marriage? I can only imagine the grief she must have carried with her daily. Like most of us, she probably tried to find happiness in her relationship with God, but still had disappointment and frustration deep inside her.
However, one day an angel approached Zachariah and told him his wife would give birth to a son named John who would prepare the way for the Messiah. God worked an IMPOSSIBLE situation to bring about the fulfillment of all the prophecies regarding the Messiah. He needed the waiting season to prepare Elizabeth to raise and guide her son who would eventually launch our Savior into ministry.
Moreover, John Is the fruit of a woman who never stopped praying and patiently waiting for Gods perfect timing. You see, God is full of surprises. Sometimes we expect Him to answer our prayer right away and it feels like it's taking forever. Other times, we expect to wait a long time then He works a miracle right away. All in all, God's delays are not Him saying no. It just means "not right now". God loves to intervene in situations that we can't handle on our own nor overcome on our own because what seems impossible for us is totally possible for God. (Luke 1:37)
So if you're waiting for a specific prayer to be answered, trust that God hears your prayer and He has a responsibility to fulfill His promise to you. (Ezekiel 12:28). Every waiting season is not a wasted season. Our waiting – for a miracle, a healing, a promise – is the place where we see God perform His best. Our waiting is our preparation. In Ephesians 2:10- Apostle Paul says "we’re created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." We are created both in our mothers womb and in thewaiting. There are things to be learned and growth to take place during this waiting season. When God intervenes, His surprises will always be for His glory and for your good.
I hope this encourages you to be patient and have faith during your waiting season. He sees your heart and knows what you are waiting for. He births miracles from the barren. He will do it for you, in His perfect timing.
Prayer for today:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all that you've done for me and everything you are going to continue doing. Thank you that you will answer all of my prayers in your perfect timing. Thank you for never forsaking me or leaving me. You know all the desires of my heart and you hear all my cries. You know every thought before I even think them. You know exactly what is happening in my life and what will happen next. You are sovereign and everything is in your control. Forgive me if I have been doubtful or frustrated in this season of waiting. Forgive me for being impatient. Help me to always rejoice in hope, be patient in trouble and be persistent in prayer. Help me to see the good in every season. I choose to trust you even when I can't see the bigger picture. I choose to walk by faith and not by feelings. Take me into a deeper understanding of what you are doing in my life. I thank You that You have all the wisdom and will answer my prayers in your perfect way.
In Jesus’ name, amen.