Have you ever felt frustrated when you pray? We pray day in and day out and do not get the results we expect. We can all admit to feeling disappointed when things don’t go our way, especially when we bring our requests to GOD and feel they go unanswered. Doesn’t the Bible say what we ask of GOD will be given to us? Yes, it does. But GOD is an on-time GOD; He answers prayers on His timing and not ours.
He sees and knows our future and knows what’s best for us. John 15:17 says, “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask what you will and it shall be done for you.” It is easy to focus on the second part of this verse and ignore the first part: “if you abide in me and my words abide in you.” If we walk in step with the LORD, His will can be revealed.
This means we are to fully submit ourselves to the LORD and His timing, rather than holding on to our wants and desires. We must be open to GOD’s plans for us. When the Holy Spirit is inside us, and we allow Him to work in our lives, we often realise that His plan is much greater than our own. Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” While we may think we know what is best for us, our Creator has a purpose for each of us that is beyond what we can imagine. When we decide to live for CHRIST, we pray according to His will rather than our own. This must come from a place of humility when we realise we were created for God’s glory.
I encourage us today to draw closer to GOD and find hope in knowing that when we pray according to His will, our prayers will be answered.
Through the power of prayer, we can experience GOD and grow in our faith in Him. Remember, in times when you may feel discouraged, know that GOD works through our lives when we give our hearts to Him.
LET US PRAY
Heavenly Father, help us today to know that prayer works. I pray for your strength to accomplish Your will in the world and in us. Let us not lose hope but believe that prayer can bring changes in our lives so that we can accomplish all that You have ordained for us. I pray that Your purpose will be fulfilled in our lives today, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Trained in deliverance and intercession ministries, Pastor Michael Vassell has been saved for 33 years and is a law-enforcement officer in Jamaica.