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Have you ever felt that when you pray, God wasn’t really listening? Or have you ever wondered why God sometimes takes so long to answer your prayers? In Pastor Brian’s final message of the “Teach Us to Pray” series, he reminded us of five truths we can keep in mind when it comes to our praying and God’s timing.
Sometimes God Has a Better Answer than We Do
We want to believe that everything we ask for in prayer is perfectly in line with God’s perfect will. But Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Sometimes God Has an Eternal Answer that’s Better than the Earthly One
Some answers to prayer will only be known when we all get to heaven. There will come a day when we will literally be face-to-face with the Lord. Then, and only then, will we understand His eternal purposes for the prayers that seem to be “unanswered” in this life.
Sometimes God Says ’No’ Because the Request Would not Honor Him or be Good for Us
Like a good father who won’t let his children play on a busy street, God’s answers are always best for us. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Sometimes God has Answered and We Aren’t Paying Attention
We have all prayed for things that had a divinely-delayed answer. After a few weeks, months, or years, it could be easy to forget that we asked in the first place. This is why keeping a record of asked and answered prayers is important.
Sometimes God is Delaying Because there is an Amazing Plan Unfolding that is Going to Take Some Time
God is a Master Story Teller. From His eternal perspective, He is weaving together a beautiful drama that will play out perfectly in a glorious end. Pray, trust, and thank Him that you are a part of His Story.
Takeaway
It’s an old adage, but it’s especially true when it comes to God: Father knows best. His answers are always right. His motives are always good. His reason is always love. Persist in prayer… don’t give up… and trust that God is in control.
4 Responses
Amen! Thank you. The message this weekend was perfectly on time. Thank you Pastor Brian
Yes! Sometimes He “delays” an answer in order to prepare us or grow us! I had a wayward son that I say “made calluses on my knees”. The 35 years I prayed for him taught me to rely on God and His promises. He promised me He would return the years the locust had eaten. I can say now that those years taught me lessons I probably couldn’t have learned any other way. I am eternally grateful for His fairhfulness!
I pray persistently several times a day. I trust in the Lord and even though I get frustrated that my prayers aren’t being answered the way I ask God to grant me. I now realize that God knows all and will answer in his own time and maybe what I’m asking for isn’t what God feels is right for me right now. I keep praying for answers and help all of the time. I will not give up. 🙏❤️
Thank you for these messages on being persistent and don’t give up praying. This entire series just give be more desire to go on and spend time in pray and keeping my trust in Father God.