I heard somewhere that when you pray, God more or less answers in 3 ways: Yes, No, and Wait. Though it may be immediately disheartening to understand when God says no (especially if our pride insists on something that is right), we should always remember that God's ways are deeper than ours - a 'No' ultimately places us in a position to rebel, or to truly surrender to the perfect will of God.
When you think about it, all we really have to do is accept that He is in control, and that His will is natually fused into everything that goes on with us and around us. This thought would greatly improve our relationship with God, regardless of how He answers when we pray. Plus, Philippians 4:6-7 says that we are assured that He will provide us with His peace, the peace which goes beyond all understanding, to protect us lest we submit to the world, or take matters into our own hands.
I would like to discuss, however, how sometimes, God tells us to wait. I suppose that in the world that we have today we are expected to expect everything to come instantly - coffee, microwaved leftovers, and transmitted documents are just three of the many things that take seconds to produce within mere seconds. That being said, we are more likely to expect God to answer right away when we pray; faster than how the plastic thingamajig in a Magic 8-ball settles as it floats up to the translucent surface after you shake it vigorously.
I have to admit that I myself find it difficult to wait on answers that I expect to come right away. I'm usually stuck in this 'what do I do till then?' mode that leaves me more susceptible to inconsistency in my daily walk with God. But then again, it is our duty as believers to wait on the Lord to give us an answer. We can go ahead and make answers for ourselves, but take note that the Lord still continues to direct our paths, which would still lead to the answer that He decides to give (Proverbs 16:9). Besides, if we are faithful, and if we wait on the Lord, we can be certain that we will not grow weary or impatient, for He will renew our strength to push ever forward for Him (Isaiah 40:31).
We also ask for signs. Well, the Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign, too.
"But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah."
- Matthew 12:39
I interpret this as a call for us to go back to the Word for assurance that God will respond to our prayers in His time. I believe that this is the way to go when we are caught in a situation where we do not know what to do. As we wait on the Lord, and as we place our trust in Him to consistently strengthen us physically and spiritually, we should stand strong with the Word of God, like a sword in the ready. Actually, at times, God would direct us to the answer to our questions when we consult the Word of God. If not, then it is there to enlighten us, and to prime us for what God has prepared.
If we truly believe all the miracles recorded in the Bible, then we really should have any qualms about waiting, because we know that when God answers, He ANSWERS.
Keep praying. Keep the Word close to your heart. Keep fighting the good fight.
God bless you.
When you think about it, all we really have to do is accept that He is in control, and that His will is natually fused into everything that goes on with us and around us. This thought would greatly improve our relationship with God, regardless of how He answers when we pray. Plus, Philippians 4:6-7 says that we are assured that He will provide us with His peace, the peace which goes beyond all understanding, to protect us lest we submit to the world, or take matters into our own hands.
I would like to discuss, however, how sometimes, God tells us to wait. I suppose that in the world that we have today we are expected to expect everything to come instantly - coffee, microwaved leftovers, and transmitted documents are just three of the many things that take seconds to produce within mere seconds. That being said, we are more likely to expect God to answer right away when we pray; faster than how the plastic thingamajig in a Magic 8-ball settles as it floats up to the translucent surface after you shake it vigorously.
I have to admit that I myself find it difficult to wait on answers that I expect to come right away. I'm usually stuck in this 'what do I do till then?' mode that leaves me more susceptible to inconsistency in my daily walk with God. But then again, it is our duty as believers to wait on the Lord to give us an answer. We can go ahead and make answers for ourselves, but take note that the Lord still continues to direct our paths, which would still lead to the answer that He decides to give (Proverbs 16:9). Besides, if we are faithful, and if we wait on the Lord, we can be certain that we will not grow weary or impatient, for He will renew our strength to push ever forward for Him (Isaiah 40:31).
We also ask for signs. Well, the Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign, too.
"But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah."
- Matthew 12:39
I interpret this as a call for us to go back to the Word for assurance that God will respond to our prayers in His time. I believe that this is the way to go when we are caught in a situation where we do not know what to do. As we wait on the Lord, and as we place our trust in Him to consistently strengthen us physically and spiritually, we should stand strong with the Word of God, like a sword in the ready. Actually, at times, God would direct us to the answer to our questions when we consult the Word of God. If not, then it is there to enlighten us, and to prime us for what God has prepared.
If we truly believe all the miracles recorded in the Bible, then we really should have any qualms about waiting, because we know that when God answers, He ANSWERS.
Keep praying. Keep the Word close to your heart. Keep fighting the good fight.
God bless you.