When God Doesn't Answer Prayer
Give us wisdom
Show us Your will
Direct us and guide us
Help us understand
Help me learn my lesson
Provide a job
Provide a home
These are just a few of the things that Matt and I have prayed over the six and a half months that we've been here. Most of these things, I feel, are good things to pray for. Wisdom? Direction? It's not like we're asking for a Maserati and a mansion by the sea. I don't feel like we are being unreasonable.
Over and over again, we pray. "Lord, You are sovereign. You are good. You have a plan. You aren't lost and confused. But we are. Help. Please."
And over and over again, do you know what we hear? Silence.
Like I said, I don't think we are being unreasonable. I don't think we are praying for things that are displeasing to God. So I'm struggling to understand why I feel so...ignored? And just downright crappy.
I believe that God is good. I believe He has a plan. I believe He knows what He is doing. I believe He loves me. I don't doubt those things. I also don't doubt that He hears me just fine.
I know that God is not a genie, and He's not Santa. I know His timing is not my timing, and His ways are not my ways. Whether I can see it or not, God has a plan, and He is the most capable being ever. So even when my prayers are not being answered, I know that He still loves and cares for me. And He will answer when the time is right.
But so often I just wish God's timing was my timing. If it was, I would have been happily employed and Matt and I would have been living in our own place about 6 months ago. And if His ways were my ways, He would speak to me directly in person and tell me exactly what I need to know. Because I like direct communication.
I am not going to lie - it is hard waiting for God to answer our prayers. It.Is.HARD. I don't like it. Not one bit. This whole refinement business can not be classified as fun. But here I am. Here we are. And we have no choice but to sit and wait. And keep praying.
And even though I don't feel like our prayers are ever going to be answered; even though I don't feel like things are ever going to change or get better? I know that someday they will.
You just might have to remind me that I know that.
Show us Your will
Direct us and guide us
Help us understand
Help me learn my lesson
Provide a job
Provide a home
These are just a few of the things that Matt and I have prayed over the six and a half months that we've been here. Most of these things, I feel, are good things to pray for. Wisdom? Direction? It's not like we're asking for a Maserati and a mansion by the sea. I don't feel like we are being unreasonable.
Over and over again, we pray. "Lord, You are sovereign. You are good. You have a plan. You aren't lost and confused. But we are. Help. Please."
And over and over again, do you know what we hear? Silence.
Like I said, I don't think we are being unreasonable. I don't think we are praying for things that are displeasing to God. So I'm struggling to understand why I feel so...ignored? And just downright crappy.
I believe that God is good. I believe He has a plan. I believe He knows what He is doing. I believe He loves me. I don't doubt those things. I also don't doubt that He hears me just fine.
I know that God is not a genie, and He's not Santa. I know His timing is not my timing, and His ways are not my ways. Whether I can see it or not, God has a plan, and He is the most capable being ever. So even when my prayers are not being answered, I know that He still loves and cares for me. And He will answer when the time is right.
But so often I just wish God's timing was my timing. If it was, I would have been happily employed and Matt and I would have been living in our own place about 6 months ago. And if His ways were my ways, He would speak to me directly in person and tell me exactly what I need to know. Because I like direct communication.
I am not going to lie - it is hard waiting for God to answer our prayers. It.Is.HARD. I don't like it. Not one bit. This whole refinement business can not be classified as fun. But here I am. Here we are. And we have no choice but to sit and wait. And keep praying.
And even though I don't feel like our prayers are ever going to be answered; even though I don't feel like things are ever going to change or get better? I know that someday they will.
You just might have to remind me that I know that.
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