Does God really answer our prayers? Well, that’s like asking if He is truly faithful or is God really God? Of-course our Father hears us when we pray, and yes, He really does answer.
As we were listening to the Word going forth this morning something really hit me; why do we question if God really hears us or if He is truly going to answer our prayers? This is because to often we go into prayer expecting God to answer our prayers the way we think it should be done. Are we forgetting His wisdom is far greater than our own?
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I share this verse a lot and it is one you will often hear quoted, however; when you really stop to sincerely read and understand it, it’s quite powerful. It starts out telling us to trust in the Lord with our whole heart and not to lean on our own limited understanding; remember His wisdom is far greater than our own. Then it tells us to acknowledge the Lord in all of our ways, and He will direct our paths. It doesn’t say He will make everything go exactly the way we want them to, but that He will direct our path according to His wisdom. I am not at liberty to share exactly what our family has been enduring, but I will share this testimony. When the trial first hit, the Father reminded me of a prayer I had prayed, and I’m not going to lie, my first reaction was Lord I take it back. Nevertheless, it truly was a prayer that was prayed in love.
As much pain that hit me at once, through it all, I could feel my Father’s love and protection came over my heart. I could hear Him reminding me of that prayer and just telling me to trust Him. Being honest, the way Holy Spirit has strengthened me, I honestly have no words to describe. I can only say God, and to Him alone be the glory. There have been multiple times I have questioned my sanity as I know there is no way most people in the world would understand. Again, but God!! Has it been easy? NO!! However, Holy Spirit constantly reminds me of other difficult times we have faced and how the Father worked those situations out in ways I could have never imagined. He is faithful!! As I believe it was Minister Jessica Shepherd shared this morning, we have to believe that God will answer those prayers that we pray, however, if I may add on, we cannot place Him in a box to do it the way we think it should be done. We have to remember that we are imperfect humans and He is a perfect loving God.
When you pray, know that your Father loves you and He really is listening. Next, remember that His ways our higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our own. Trust Him!! He sees the big picture, while we only see a small piece.
Isaiah 55:8-11 KJV
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.