I woke up this morning pondering prayer and how people can start to question the power of prayer when they “feel” God isn’t listening or answering. As if God didn’t come straight over and “fix” the problem exactly as it was prayed then He must not be listening. Maybe He doesn’t even care. (He does care and He is listening ❤️). The thing is that, there are times, He answers more indirectly or not quite in the way we expected. Maybe we need to consider our expectations? Yes indeed God desires health and happiness for us His children. Yes He wants us redeemed and restored. These things He tells us in His word. How He does these things in our lives is completely up to His plan, His Grace, and His mercy. This can be hard to accept when we you are someone who wants control, or order, or simply to have things your way.
I tried to let these thoughts fade as I sat down to write in my prayer journal. It was then that I was reminded of the old saying about not being able to see the forest through the trees. Do you know that one? It is actually one of my favorites as it reminds me of how we can get so caught up in something (like our expectations) that we don’t see what is right in front of us. It also reminded me of the story, “The Man on the Roof” (below). His expectations kept him from seeing that God was trying to save him. Are your expectations of how God should answer your prayers keeping you from seeing that He is at work in your life? Are you expecting Him to part a sea that you are failing to see the bridge He built for you to cross?
As I reread this story, I am reminded of how we are God’s handiwork and we are the body of Christ. Each of us plays a role in advancing His kingdom here on earth. Sometimes we are who He uses to answer someone’s prayer. That is incredible blessing! To be able to be the hands and feet of Jesus and help someone in need ❤️
The encouragement that the Holy Spirit was/is showing me this morning is the importance of surrendering to God’s will above our own. Let Him work in His time. Let Him answer your prayers in His way (it is so much better than our own). More importantly don’t get caught up not being able to see the forest through the trees. Don’t miss the bridge He is building for you to cross or the people He sent to be His hands and feet to help you.
Stop and take into account the people He has sent to see your through. Think of the Word He has given us to strengthen and comfort us. Expect that He loves you and has only the best for your life. Let go of your “worldly” expectations of how he should answer you and let His will lead the way. You may just be joyfully surprised at how He is truly answering you when you think He is not.
“Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of truth”- Henry Ward Beecher.
“God never gives us anything to do that He does not give us the strength to do”- Jack Hyles.
“Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s providence”- St Augustine of Hippo.
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord“- Psalm 31:24
Faith Grows Faith 