By Compass Christian Church
Introduction
Have you ever prayed a prayer that went unanswered, or took a lot longer to get answered than you would have liked? The truth is, God always answers prayer… it just might not be in the way we expected. In his sermon on Sunday, Pastor Brian taught about four possible answers when we pray: Yes, No, Wait, or Grow.
Yes
Surprisingly, this is the easiest category to tackle. God is a good and gracious Father. We have all prayed prayers for a sickness to be healed, a financial need to be met, or a problem to be solved. At sometime, probably many, many, times, God has answered those prayers with a Yes!
No
This answer is the hardest one to receive. We usually believe that our prayer requests are worthy causes and prayed with good motives. But the old adage “Father knows best” is appropriate here. God’s will is always the best possible outcome in any situation.
Wait
Pastor Brian shared about Tom Wilson and his wife who prayed for 12 years to have a child. Rather than answering that prayer right away, God later blessed them with not one, but two adopted children. Waiting is never easy, but God’s timing is always perfect.
Grow
God’s desire for us is that we would be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). Whether God’s answers are Yes, No, or Wait, He always wants us to Grow! This should excite us, and we should be watching and waiting to see how God will grow us through our circumstances. As Pastor Brian said, “When you pray, pay attention to what happens next!”
Takeaway
Remember, God always answers our prayers. We should keep on praying, even when it seems like He is silent. He is always working for our good, to grow us and bring us into alignment with His pleasing and perfect will. This takes patience and surrender, but the payoff is priceless.
2 Responses
I especially appreciate that “grow” part. I certainly did NOT appreciate it the first time God answered my prayers that ! However, after letting patience have its COMPLETE work, the result was nothing short if a miracle (that took years to come to fruition). The beauty of that time is where I learned to trust deeper and more “quickly”. Thank You, Lord, for your grace to never leave or forsake me. Thank You for loving me through those times…faithfully!Your promises are “Yes! & Amen!”
I dealt with anxiety & depression for a 9 month period. It was debilitating and I was blessed to have a Sponsor through Celebrate Recovery. I prayed for a complete recovery and my Sponsor prayed for me and shared The Word with me often.
I prayed, encouraged myself by speaking scriptures in my prayers, spoke positive affirmations, attended Celebrate Recovery every week, watched Services on Internet, played worship music 24/7, watched beautiful nature videos through the night, rebuked the devils influence over me and tried to eat a healthy diet.
I felt lost in a wilderness and I knew God is Faithful, but I didn’t see a breakthrough. I stood in Faith, without any change in the body, mind and circumstances.
I was experiencing the ‘wait’ response to my prayer. At times I felt like I wasn’t going to make it through. I had a mustard seed of faith and God honored my efforts to pursue Him.
Like puzzle pieces falling into place, all of what I applied came together in one week. My answer came and I broke through with anxiety and depression leaving me.
I learned so much, especially that God is never really early but He’s right on time in answering prayer. And, to keep as close as possible to Him so I can live in using been delivered from evil influence. He is Faithful!