By: James Orhosere
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God is faithful and His word remains infallible. He is ever faithful to keep His promise and meet the need of the praying children. He said, call unto me, and I will answer thee (Jeremiah 33:3).
Since He gave the command that we should call on Him, He has also given the assurance that He will answer.
Although there are times when the answer to our prayers may delay, it does not in any way implies that God will not answer a prayer made in faith.
CATALOGUE OF UNDENIABLE SEEKERS
As you read the Bible, you will find a record of men and women who prayed and got answers to their prayers.
These individuals persevered in prayer and faith even in face of contradictory circumstances and were not denied. Some of these include the following:
ABRAHAM
He was 75 years old when God first promised him a son but it wasn’t until 25 years later that God fulfilled the promise. The Scriptures record that he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able also to perform (Romans 4:20-21).
After he waited patiently, he obtained the promise. Sometimes, God makes us wait before He fulfills His promise in our lives.
ISAAC
He prayed for his wife, Rebecca to conceive and God granted his request (Genesis 25:21).
HANNAH
Despite enduring a lot of shame and ridicule, she persevered in prayer until her prayer was answered.
DANIEL
He never quit praying even when the answer was delayed. He fasted and prayed continuously until the answer came.
HEZEKIAH
He didn’t take no for an answer. He also prayed until he got an answer.
Job, Elijah, Elisha, Jabez, Ruth, and others also prayed and received answers to their prayers.
God hasn’t changed. He is ever faithful. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
God is the only One that is completely and absolutely trustworthy. Be rest assured that He has heard your prayers and the answer is on its way.
CAUSES OF UNANSWERED PRAYERS
There are many reasons why prayers go unanswered. Let’s take a look at some of them.
SIN
Sin disrupts the flow of God’s blessings and hinders answers to prayers. The Psalmist wrote, If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me (Psalm 66:18).
DOUBT
Prayers are hindered by a lack of faith. When we doubt God, it means we are unsure of his ability to fulfill His promise to us. It makes Him a liar. The Scriptures say without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
UNFORGIVENESS
If we expect answers from the Lord, then we must ensure that we forgive whoever offends us (Mark 11:25). Prayers will be productive if we are free from bitterness, hatred, and resentment (James 5:16).
DISCOURAGEMENT
The devil is a primary instigator of discouragement.
When the answer to a prayer is delayed, many tend to get discouraged and quit praying.
The timing of the answer to our prayers is God’s prerogative.
Rather than give up praying, you should persevere and keep praying without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17).
FEAR
Fear is the opposite of faith. It makes you worry and distracts you from placing your trust and confidence in God. Don’t give it any chance.
WORRY
What is the need worrying after you have prayed? Does worrying and being anxious solve any problem? The obvious answer is NO.
It shifts your attention from God to our problem. The Scriptures say you shouldn’t be anxious about anything, but in everything pray and give thanks to God (Phil. 4:6).
IMPATIENCE
This has been the undoing of many professing Christians. Patiently waiting on God’s timing brings peace and contentment. You should be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:12).
PRAYERLESSNESS
Most requests remain unanswered because they remain unasked (James 4:2).
Someone said the greatest tragedy of life is not answered prayer but unoffered prayers.
Learn to pray, and pray without ceasing.
COMPORTMENT WHILE WAITING
Does anyone like to wait? Do you?
Waiting is hard work and sometimes, it can test our faith to its very limited.
During such moments, the desire for what we long for can tempt us to be discouraged and impatient. But the period of waiting for the answer to our problem shouldn’t be spent on fretting or worrying.
While you wait, do the following:
HAVE FAITH
The cross is our guarantee that God is for us and that He is committed to giving us everything we need.
He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things (Romans 8:32).
We can be content with that and with faith wait patiently for answers.
Faith during waiting period reveals where and on whom you place your trust.
CONTINUE IN PRAYER
(Colossians 4:2)
You shouldn’t quit praying even when it seems your prayers are delayed or not being answered. When we wait for Him and persevere in prayer, God will accomplish His good purposes in our lives.
HOPE IN THE WORD
(Psalm 130:5-6)
Hope in Christ and His word will make us wait patiently with the confidence that we will not be put to shame.
DON’T FRET
(Psalm 37:7-8)
Our response during challenging moments reveals where we place our hope.
WAIT FOR IT
(Psalm 53)
To wait with expectation is to seek God continually, believing He hears us and is faithful to answer even when it doesn’t come at the expected time.
SEE IT AS OPPORTUNITY
See your waiting moment as an experience of God’s goodness and glorify His name.
Jesus would have healed Lazarus when he was still alive but He waited to raise him from the dead when he was already four days in the grave so that God’s name can be glorified.
DON’T FORGET
Always remember what God did for you in the past, it will increase your faith reassuring your heart that if He was willing and able to answer your prayer before, He will do it again (Ephesians 3:20).
CONCLUSION
Prayer made to God will only be answered when you have a relationship with Him.
Being a child of God grants you access to Him.
If you are a Christian and certain promises given by the Lord are yet to be fulfilled or prayers offered are yet to be answered, don’t lose hope.
Sometimes, He withholds good things from us to give us something better. We serve an awesome God who is gracious and true to His word. He loves us, has good plans for us and always does what is best for us (James 1:17).
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