We say we believe, but do we think answered prayers only happen to other people? Fiona shares.
“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea,” and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer'” (Matthew 21:21-22).
Just recently, I’ve seen God making a way through some pretty tough situations. What are seemingly huge problems, things we can’t even imagine how we will solve or sort out, God is unfolding answers and solutions. We look on in amazement.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that what seems impossible to us, is not to God. The above verse reminds us that we will see mountains move–if we have faith and don’t doubt God’s power and authority.
That’s exciting, isn’t it? God moving mountains for us! For some of my friends, that’s certainly been the case in the last week or so.
“God things” have happened.
Doors have opened–jobs been found; houses sold for far more than expected; medical procedures completed smoothly, or new options; certain things healed; appointments found quickly; book proposals . . . the list could go on.
God certainly answers prayer.
But for others, they still wait–on employment; healing; just to get an appointment with someone; houses to sell; direction or leading to guide in decisions that need to be made; a publisher to a accept manuscript. Maybe even just strength for today.
Is God hearing our prayers about those things too?
Verse 22 talks about “whatever you ask”–if you believe. We could all think of occasions where we prayed, but didn’t receive what we asked God for.
Can we still trust God with our requests? I believe we can.
We may not receive the answers we want or expect, but God still hears and answers. He knows what’s best for us and sometimes that’s not the answer we wanted. God has a plan and we’re told to pray in line with His will–which we may not fully know or understand.
We just have to trust Him to know.
Prayer: Father God, sometimes it’s hard to trust You when we see mountains move in answer to our prayers for some things, but not for others. Help us to continue to trust You to know what is the very best answer, even if it may not come as we hope. May Your grace sustain us and may our faith in You, never be shaken. Amen.
About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful that God walks each step of her life with her, and that He continues to teach her new things as she learns to live with chronic back pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, and photography, and to share those things with others. You can contact her in the Sunroom, or read more of her writing on her blog there.
Do you feel your faith rattled when God seems to be answering other prayers, but not your own? What do you hold on to then?
This is the group Jonah33 singing “Faith Like That.” The lyrics share how we have read of the faith God’s people had in the Bible, we have heard of that kind of mountain-moving faith . . . and that is the faith we want too. Enjoy. -Lisa
Chronic Illness Pain Daily Devotionals 