Answered
prayer requires two things—the ability of God and the will of God.
God is able to do anything, including moving a mountain to the sea. So why
would He say no to our requests?1. God may have something better planned for you. I cannot tell you how many times God didn’t give me what I wanted at the time, only to give me something much better later. Whenever a door closes, I’ve learned to trust the Lord, knowing that He has the best planned for me.
2. God may have reasons for denying your request—but He’s not going to tell you why. Sometimes the reason God denied your request will become obvious later. But you may never know in this life why the Lord did not come through with the answer you wanted so badly.
Deut. 29:29 says, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever.” The “secret things” are those mysteries that aren’t going to be explained during our lifetime. When you get to heaven and stand before Jesus, your every question will be answered (1 Cor. 13:12).
3. You may have assumed that God said no, but He might still say yes. Perhaps you’ve prayed for so long that you’ve assumed the answer was no, but Jesus (who is the one who answers our prayers) taught us to persistently pray and to not lose heart (Luke 18:1). Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years before God’s promise came to pass. Persistence means you keep going when everyone else has quit.
Jesus talked about a man who kept knocking on his neighbor’s door at midnight to ask for bread. The only reason he received the bread was “because of his persistence” (Luke 11:8). Unless you know for sure that God has said no, keep praying and trusting God. (If God Knows What I Need, Why Should I Pray? pages 82-84). www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net
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