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Unanswered Prayer

 

Psalm 69:13 - But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

Have your prayers gone unanswered? God may be trying to get your attention. As long as your petitions are granted, you can simply enjoy His blessings and provision. But now that you need His help, the Father has your complete attention.

This is an excellent time to conduct a spiritual self-examination. Scripture tells us there are many reasons why the Lord may delay or deny a response. Perhaps you are asking for the wrong reasons. James 4:3 - Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Or maybe there’s disobedience in your life. 1 John 3:22 - And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.  Some may ask outside of God’s will. 1 John 5:14 - And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.

It could be the fulfilled request will become an idol in your life. More often than not, however, the Father’s goal is to teach you something. For example, in 2Corinthians 12, Paul prayed that God would remove his thorn. The Lord did not grant his request, but instead shifted Paul’s focus to the constant provision of His grace. In other words, that unanswered prayer brought Paul to a new level of dependence on Christ.

Whatever the reason, make God’s will your goal. Keep watch for all He has to reveal to you.

From – “Jesus, Our Perfect Hope” by Charles F. Stanley