That is a very common feeling to have! Emotions are tricky though, and often can’t be trusted. Jeremiah says that the heart is deceitful above all else. Wouldn’t it be just like Satan to have us doubting whether God answers our prayers!?!?!
While I don’t always know how our feelings “work,” I do know that God always answers our prayers (1 John 5:14-15). It may not be in our timing or the way we had planned, but he will answer us. We may not recognize the answer because we are so focused on how we want Him to answer it. Remember, God may be saying “yes,” “no,” or even “wait.” It’s not always easy to discern which one, but trust that He is faithfully hearing and answering.
I believe that part of the solution lies in asking God to align our feelings with His will. My suggestion would be to pray that God would allow you to be open and to see His answer when He provides it. He is the God of all creation, maker of the universe, and His view of our lives is much more clear than ours with an added plus: the eternal perspective. He can see things that we cannot, knowing what will come in the future.
Pray for patience and wisdom, that you will be able to wait on God’s answer, and that you will know it when it comes. Keeping a prayer journal where you write out your prayers to God can be very helpful both in praying with a focus as well as going back later and seeing how God answered your requests. It is a faith-building experience!
I close with a quote from John Piper:
“He really does respond to our prayers. They are woven into the fabric of causes that God wills to be moved by. We do not pray in vain. He is our Father. And when he hears his children, he responds. He is not deaf or indifferent or powerless. He hears and he acts.”
Check out a few verses about prayer: Psalm 37:4-6, Psalm 55:16-18, Isaiah 65:24, Matthew 7:7, James 5:16, 1 John 5:14-15
Comments (3)
God definatly answers prayers! I have had to learn how to be patient about it, but yes, he does! I have asked him for things that I didnt get within the day or week, but unexpectadly, he blessed me with my request eventually. I have to remember to ask that things be done on his time because he knows best. But when God is ready for what he wants for you to have, then he`ll show you that on his time. Also, if you ask for something and he knows that there is something better, he`ll bless you with that. Just have patience and pray for his will to be done!
Posted by Sammi | November 18, 2008 5:14 PM
I loved this! Thank you so much!
Posted by Alice | July 13, 2010 1:23 AM
God answers prayers, EVEN if they aren't in the way we expect. I have a personal experience that relates to this. There was this guy; we both really liked each other. I was praying to God asking Him if Jamoses was the right guy for me. I fully expected the answer to be yes, and we would begin dating soon. But somehow, God convinced me to hold on the relationship until later and, lo and behold, I discovered his bad side before I got into a serious relationship. We aren't even friends now. I thank God for saying "No" because if I had said yes to this guy, it would have caused me a lot of heart ache in the end. I'm not saying we will never get together, but God is definately saying wait for now. And I'm fine with that. There is a perfect guy out there; maybe it's Jamoses, maybe it's not, but I'm leaving that up to God. Let HIS will be done, not yours. <3
Posted by Breanna | February 4, 2011 3:32 PM