So many times we pray and we don’t understand why our prayers don’t seem to be answered. Why is this? Most often it is because we are not seeing things from the perspective of eternity.
In the Letter of James, we are told:
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)
When our hearts are right with the Lord, we begin to see things from the Lord’s perspective; that is, from the eternal point of view. We then begin to understand that whatever God allows in our lives is not only for our temporal good, but especially for our eternal good.
God is more concerned with the state of our souls and so should we. We should daily examine ourselves, our hearts, root out any bitter seed there and replace it with love and forgiveness. God is very clear that He desires kindness not sacrifice; therefore, we should be kind and forgiving to our brothers and sisters out of love for God.
God warns us:
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. (1 John 4:20)
If we want our prayers to be heard, the Lord Jesus instructs us what to do:
Seek first His (God’s) kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
Know this: that God hears your every prayer but He may choose not to respond right away or He may choose to respond in a way that you may not expect. He does this out of His infinite wisdom and love. Therefore, be patient and wait upon the Lord and He will reward you for your diligence and patience. He loves you and desires a relationship of loving-kindness with you. The more you cultivate your relationship with the Lord, the more the Lord will reveal His thoughts to you and you will better understand why He responds to your prayers the way He does.
Always remember this: God is GOOD and always does things for your good, so don’t despair! Put your trust in the Lord and He will help you!
Shalom.