Are prayer ever on your mind? You may pray faithfully every day, maybe more than once, but do you ever wonder if they are being answered? I know that I do.
I do believe that my prayer is in partnership with God’s will. If what is in my prayers is only my will and desire, it’s not likely to happen, no matter how much I pray. What if what I want seems reasonable to me but not to God? Well, I can’t answer that. It frustrates me too.
But here’s the thing. No answer IS the answer. If it’s not God will and in his timing, it’s not coming right now, or at all. In the moment, I have a difficult time with that lack of response.
If you are a parent or a teacher, you are well versed in the “wait and see” method. Often, you have to let the situation play out before stepping in to give the advice, give a helping hand, change the direction. It’s challenging to be in the situation yet it is just as challenging to allow it to unfold before you.
God allows the situation to unfold, to play out, and then you see that your prayers were answered in the way they were meant to. Never how I expect, and often much better than I can imagine.
Is there disappointment along the way when I don’t receive what I asked for? Sure- but imagine if God just said “yes” all the time. I know that my life would be much different than it is. I don’t always make the best decisions because I don’t have all the information. God sees the big picture, I only have a small snapshot.
Is my message not to ask God for the desires in your heart? Not at all, ask away, just realize that when it doesn’t come exactly when you want it to, take a step back and a deep breath. Say “God, your will, not mine”, or more simply “thank you”.
