Does it Seem Like God Isn't Answering Your Prayers?

What Do I Do Now?

I am writing this devotional more for myself than anyone else, but I am praying that it will encourage others, as well.  We have a financial situation in our family that is affecting us negatively and this is something that we have been praying about for quite a while with no clear answer.  If anything, the situation just seems to be wrought with problem after problem and no clear solutions. 

 I have become discouraged and disheartened.  Last Sunday during our morning church service it became very clear to me that I might be praying for my will in this situation, not
God’s will.  Also, God’s timing is not always the same as our timing.

“3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

— James 4:3

I have decided to begin praying about this problem with a new approach.

1. I am going to start seeking God’s will and God’s solution to this problem, not what I think the solution should be.

2. I am going to strive to be more obedient in my daily walk with him.

3. I am going to be more patient and trust that he will solve this problem and it will be in his time and until that time he will continue to provide.

Think about praying unselfishly and aligning your prayers with God’s will. I am making that pledge today. After all, the Bible promises us that God will give us good gifts when we seek him.

Read Matthew 7: 7 -11 today and trust in Him!

“Jesus said, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him.” ”

— Matthew 7:11

Is Worrying Stealing Your Joy?

I have always been a worrier and as a Christian I know that we are not supposed to worry.  God promises to take care of us.  I will often give my problems to him in prayer, only to continue worrying about them.  That’s really telling God that I don’t trust him to handle things, or that I think I can control problems better than him.  We all know that is not the case!

I often let worrying steal the peace and joy that the Bible promises Christians.  This is an area of my walk with Christ that is a daily struggle. I don’t really want to be a glass half empty kind of girl.  I don’t want to be negative and consumed with worry.  God doesn’t want that for us! 

Matthew 6:26-27, 31-34  (NIV)

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Spending time in prayer and in God’s word helps me to combat my own negative thoughts and it always helps me to be able to share my concerns with a Christian friend that I know will pray for me, as well.   It also helps me to count my many blessings and praise him for those blessings! It's hard to be despondent when you are being thankful.

Try it!  Stop letting worry steal your joy!  Start by reading Matthew 6:25-34 today.

God's Promises

There was a time in my life when I started having panic attacks.  Physical things were happening and I really thought that a panic attack was too simple an answer for what was going on physically. Doctors couldn’t find any big medical issues, but I became convinced that I was seriously, physically ill and might have been on the verge of having a heart attack at age 33. My physical symptoms were beginning to affect every aspect of my life; I was consumed with fear and I was starting to become depressed.  I had no idea what was happening to me or why.  I was involved in a good church, had good Christian friends and was doing my best to live a Godly life, but my emotions were getting the best of me and in the area of faith, I was failing miserably. 

But… I was still muddling through and trying to read God’s Word and spend time in prayer.  One day when I was at an exceptionally low point I was literally on my living room floor praying and reading and God put a scripture right in front of my face. There it was…my promise from God.  I knew at that point that I was going to get through this trial , as well as others. (I have had to remind myself of the promise that He gave me on that day). Many of us are seeking answers, but where do we go to find those answers? If we don’t spend time in the scriptures we may be missing important answers from Him.  We are missing out on His promises. He spoke directly to me through scripture that day and that has happened often when I have been actively seeking scripture for answers to important life questions, but we have to spend time in the Word with Him.  Seek Him for your answers. 

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

Read Jeremiah 29:11-14.   Spend some time in God’s word today.