Author: christineingram
Posted Feb 21 2012 05:46:45am
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Last year I was faced with a fellow Christian who had become bitter against God. Finally through our conversation I discovered that he was bitter because he believed that God did not answer his prayer. I knew he had children so I asked him, "have you ever said no to a request from one of your children?" He replied, "Of course I have." I then asked him, "did your child get bitter because they felt you did not answer their request? Or did they get upset because the answer to their question was NO?" This then opened the door for the discussion that God is our Father and we His children, sometimes it may be that the answer to a prayer is no. He knows what is best, He sees the big picture, and just because His answer is No to a request does not mean He doesn't love us.
Just as my 5 year old 'thinks' he should be able to eat all the candy his body can stand and my answer of NO upsets him. He goes off on his own to pout for a bit. He doesn't understand that the request that he has made will in the long term be bad for his body. I think a lot of time it is the same for us, the request that we may make in prayer in the long term will be bad for us. Like you have pointed out God is not a short order cook that we can just make demands of, how about making our prayer time about being Thankful for He has given to us. We would be so much happier if we would only focus on that instead of what it is we perceive we haven't been given.
As always Brother I have enjoyed your blog. I pray that you are getting relief from your dental issues. I pray for your relief of the pain. I pray a hedge of protection around you and your household. 
Blessings,
Christine  |
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Author: clayonmyeyes
Posted Feb 21 2012 06:01:24am
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It is sometimes a fine line isn't it? That is, having a strong faith vs. believing in a good fairy type of god. Sometimes when He gets to work things do move fast and miraculously... but the key to understanding is just as you say B2Y -- on His time and on His terms.
Grace to you,
Vince |
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Author: kreynolds
Posted Feb 21 2012 09:18:44am
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I think about this issue quite often, actually. I have experienced times when God has miraculously and instantaneously answered prayers. I have had prayers which have been answered slowly and gradually. There have been the times when God has answered, not in the way I expected but His way and there are times when He has simply told me no.
Does this mean He is unable to do these things or that He no longer loves me? Absolutely not! It means that I am His child and as such, He will do what is best for me and not just myself but what is best for those I come into contact with.
You are familiar with a story I told once about the agent for the Children's Aid Society of New York who took the five year old boy who was to become my grandfather to central Iowa. I said that I'd discovered this agent, a minister, prayed daily for all the children he had placed and their descendants. He wanted them to come to know God and serve him. To the best of our knowledge, my grandfather never came to Christ but his wife did as well as nearly all of his children. A number of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren have as well. In fact, in one generation, a family was transformed. Not only his own family but the siblings of his wife and all of their descendants. A number of them have gone into the ministry, become teachers of the Word of God, done mission work, etc. The man who prayed for my grandfather and his family did not live to see these things yet they came to pass.
When I think about the people I have met due to my having cancer, I see a bigger picture unfolding. Yes, God allowed me to go through it but He has also given me a glimpse of why. It was not for me alone although I have certainly learned a great deal from it. It was for others as well. It just keeps getting bigger and bigger doesn't it.
The question we must ask is "Not why didn't God answer my prayer." The question should be, "What can I do to bring God honor and glory where I am?"
Blessings!
K  |
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Author: inspiremylife
Posted Feb 21 2012 10:14:36am
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This posted confirmed my exact sentiments when it comes to the graces that God bestows upon us. God always gives us what we need and sometimes what we want.
In every experience there are lessons to be learned and God wants to make sure we learn them. When we struggle to gain victory, we earn the knowledge necessary to more effectively tackle the issue again should we encounter it. We can also assist others who are enduring a similar circumstances.
There is no point in fighting or getting angry at God, because we need God more than God needs us.
Thank you for this insightful post. |
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Author: harkrider
Posted Mar 03 2012 06:01:05am
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Well, there goes all my bubbles.
We do tend to forget or misplace our knowledge as Christians sometimes that our God is the Almighty, Creator of all heaven and earth, no other is like him and no other is his equal.
A wonderful post and I say that as one who has had prayer answered at times and completely ignored at times, true, not even a no. I still pray and at times very specific prayers but always that he may be glorified in any answer to any prayers.
And I still pray for you two always,
HR |
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