Prayers God Answers

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. ~ Ephesians 3:10 NLT

Have you been praying for something and wondering when God will respond, or why God hasn’t answered yet?  The book of James gives us some possible clues.  First, it suggests that we haven’t yet received what we desire because we simply haven’t asked. (James 4:1) Yes, God knows what we desire and knows what we need, but often he is waiting for us to realize it, and press into it in prayer, so we can partner with him to bring it about.

In James 4:3 he gives another possible answer.  Our motives are wrong.  We are asking only because it would give us pleasure.  The request is not reflecting Christ in us.  Have you asked God to align your motive for it with his?

Which takes us to another familiar block to prayer, “But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone …” (Jas.1:6) James clarifies a few verses later where he writes that every good and perfect gift comes down to us from our gracious heavenly Father.  We deceive ourselves if we think the source is any other place. (1:16,17) 

Any of the above may answer your question as to why God seems not to be answering.  We also need to consider that our timing for it is not God’s.  Or, perhaps, that he is or has answered, just not as we expected. However, in this very unusual time we are in, when everything seems to be described as “unprecedented”, may I suggest that, perhaps, your request is not big enough?  Is your request limiting what God can, or even desires, to do?  Maybe God is waiting for you to trust him with the impossible?!  

In order for God to clearly receive the glory, it seems that sometimes, he loves to accomplish things so big that only he can get credit for it.  Where are you placing your faith?  In God alone? Then, how big is your God today?  Don’t be afraid to ask for the seemly impossible.  And believe that our loving God can and will accomplish it, even through you!

Dear friend, may our kind, infinite, sovereign God answer your biggest, most impossible request this week.  May the Holy Spirit multiply your confident hope in God by giving you a fresh revelation of his majesty, power and goodness at work for us, in us and through us. Give thanks! Amen
​Mary Sumner, August, 2020