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When you pray, does it sometimes feel as though God hears your prayers, but then just as quickly forgets them when answers don’t come as expediently as you believe they should? I openly admit that I’ve got an entire closet filled with those T-shirts, and to be entirely forthcoming with you, I’ve been recently wearing one of those T-shirts while pleading with God for divine liberation from a toxic situation.
I know from experience that prayer isn’t always an easy thing to do, especially when embroiled in a trove of difficulty and your faith is being tested. But as a believer in Jesus Christ, I’m also aware that we are to pray without ceasing, even when we don’t feel like it. Why? Because that is exactly what the Bible says to do.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV)
If you don’t mind, let me ask you another question.
Have you ever found that just when it seems that God might have unwittingly dumped your prayers into a trash-compactor and no longer has any record of your requests, that out of the blue he answers your prayers in ways you never imagined? If you answered yes, then you know that God is trustworthy and that prayer works. If you answered no, then I’d like to encourage you to not give up and to keep praying even when the devil tells you that it’s a waste of time. Yes, I’ve been there too: “As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress and he hears my voice.” (Psalms 55:16,17 NIV)
The other day I came across a few encouraging words that I found very comforting when it comes to trusting God to answer prayer at just the right time. If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to share them with you:
God did not bring you this far to leave or forsake you. Things might be hard for you to handle, but God will still make a way. God doesn’t forget your prayers. He will answer when the time is right. Just because another day has passed and your prayers haven’t been answered, doesn’t mean that God isn’t listening. God hears your prayers. Don’t lose your faith.
Posted on Instagram by Marcus Stanley, Legacy of Love
Speaking for myself, that is wise counsel and music to my ears. Even more so, this scripture verse from 1 John 5:14 also hits the mark. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (NIV)
What can you take away from the words in this devotional? I’m so glad you asked.
God is ALWAYS with you. He WILL make a way for you and FIGHT your battles. He WILL provide for you if you TRUST in his timing. I would even venture to say that one day you’ll look back and be thankful that it went God’s way and not yours or mine. In this past week alone, God has come through in ways that I never expected. He did not forget my prayers and is working things out just in time.
My dear friend, don’t give up. Keep praying and don’t stop, ever. God hears, and he is never late.
Paul Smyth
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