Does God Answer My Prayers?
Surely you know the feeling you experience when it seems your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling. You remember when you were taught that God has three possible answers: "yes", "no", and "wait". But that's not easy to swallow when it seems like the only One who can help is far, far away.
Yes, God does have an answer to all our prayers, but the answers have to do with His character, not ours. We have the Holy Spirit to take our groanings to God, "fixing" our prayers to match God's plan for us (Rom. 8:26). Then, in His holy omnipotence, God works in our situation for our ultimate good and His glory. Circumstances may not make sense to us at the time, but God is so great that He can accomplish His glory, our good, and the benefit others all at once!
Try this: check your heart as you pray. Are you seeking to grow in your relationship to God through what you're asking? What's bigger, your confidence in God, or the thing you're praying for? Are you willing to cooperate with His purposes, even though it may seem harder than getting your own way?
Keep in mind, too, that God, who knows ahead of time what your need is, is already working on your behalf (Matt. 6:8). Keep your eyes open for answers that come in unexpected ways, perhaps from unexpected people. Also be alert for ways in which you may be part of the answer to your own prayer: depending on your request, you may be called to do some hard work yourself; or you may be called to be part of the solution you're praying for someone else.
I know from experience that we serve a trustworthy God who hears our prayers and responds to our pleas. Be encouraged that He is watching over you, longing to embrace you and your prayers!
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©2022 Julianne Knapp. Originally published 8.9.22
Yes, God does have an answer to all our prayers, but the answers have to do with His character, not ours. We have the Holy Spirit to take our groanings to God, "fixing" our prayers to match God's plan for us (Rom. 8:26). Then, in His holy omnipotence, God works in our situation for our ultimate good and His glory. Circumstances may not make sense to us at the time, but God is so great that He can accomplish His glory, our good, and the benefit others all at once!
Try this: check your heart as you pray. Are you seeking to grow in your relationship to God through what you're asking? What's bigger, your confidence in God, or the thing you're praying for? Are you willing to cooperate with His purposes, even though it may seem harder than getting your own way?
Keep in mind, too, that God, who knows ahead of time what your need is, is already working on your behalf (Matt. 6:8). Keep your eyes open for answers that come in unexpected ways, perhaps from unexpected people. Also be alert for ways in which you may be part of the answer to your own prayer: depending on your request, you may be called to do some hard work yourself; or you may be called to be part of the solution you're praying for someone else.
I know from experience that we serve a trustworthy God who hears our prayers and responds to our pleas. Be encouraged that He is watching over you, longing to embrace you and your prayers!
Subscribe to free weekly articles in your inbox HERE; your information will never be shared. :-)
©2022 Julianne Knapp. Originally published 8.9.22