Today's Christian lesson is on the times when fervent prayers are not answered. The life of a Christian ought to be immersed in prayer. Indeed, the Bible says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." James 5:16
"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." John 15:7
So the Bible is quite clear about the role of prayer in a believer's life. However, what happens when you don't get what you want? When your prayers are not answered, you may be tempted to say --- God doesn't answer prayer or doesn't listen. This, believer, is definitely not true. Not only does God listen, but He certainly answers prayer. It may not be in the timeframe you or I want, or in the manner you or I want, but he certainly answers prayers. Often when we pray, we don't have the bigger picture in view. Perhaps we are praying for a particular job. God might know that there are perils in that job or in that company waiting to trap us or ensnare us or trouble us, so we end up not getting the job, only to get a much better job at a much better company a few days later. Or, we pray for something but are not ready for it. God prepares our heart and our minds for it over time, so we are ready to receive His good and perfect Gift. Thus God works in and through us to prepare us to receive His Blessings. Never for a minute doubt His goodness and favor upon your life, Beloved. For the Bible says "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32
So if you are praying and not seeing immediate results of your prayers, know that either God has something better for you in store, or is preparing you to receive something better. In any case, persist in prayer. "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." James 5:16
"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." John 15:7
So the Bible is quite clear about the role of prayer in a believer's life. However, what happens when you don't get what you want? When your prayers are not answered, you may be tempted to say --- God doesn't answer prayer or doesn't listen. This, believer, is definitely not true. Not only does God listen, but He certainly answers prayer. It may not be in the timeframe you or I want, or in the manner you or I want, but he certainly answers prayers. Often when we pray, we don't have the bigger picture in view. Perhaps we are praying for a particular job. God might know that there are perils in that job or in that company waiting to trap us or ensnare us or trouble us, so we end up not getting the job, only to get a much better job at a much better company a few days later. Or, we pray for something but are not ready for it. God prepares our heart and our minds for it over time, so we are ready to receive His good and perfect Gift. Thus God works in and through us to prepare us to receive His Blessings. Never for a minute doubt His goodness and favor upon your life, Beloved. For the Bible says "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32
So if you are praying and not seeing immediate results of your prayers, know that either God has something better for you in store, or is preparing you to receive something better. In any case, persist in prayer. "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7
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