This statement is probably one that we have pondered many times in our lives. Will my prayers ever be answered, am I sure that God hears my prayers and how long does it really take? The answer to the first two questions is simple – yes our prayers will be answered, yes God hears every prayer but the third question is the one that all of us get stuck on – most times it feels like forever for some of our prayers to be answered. But why??
I was reading a scripture in Genesis 1 a week or so ago and the revelation came to me that this scripture sets out how God works – not in prayers only but everything. The scripture in Genesis 1:1-4 states that “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. The God said let there be light and there was light” .
The first sentence is where we discover that God created the heavens and the earth. This scripture tells us that God is the creator. Now it is important to realise that God creates not only naturally (things that can be seen) but spiritually (things which cannot be seen). This is important when getting our prayers answered. No situation or circumstance is bigger that God. God is the God of the impossible and He specialises in hard things.
Next sentence – there was darkness and emptiness. Often when we are praying for something or about a situation, it feels dark and empty. There seems to be no way out and it feels like this thing is ready to gobble us up. Maybe you are praying for someone to give their lives to Jesus but the natural situation looks bleak. That was what God was facing when He created the earth. It was dark and bleak but God didnt give up and neither should we.
What happened next? The Holy Spirit was hovering. Do you know that as soon as we pray, the Holy Spirit hovers over our prayers. The Angels are sent to work. Now is not the time to lose faith and give up! Just like when baking a cake or mixing cement, there are a number of elements that must be right for the cake to cook or concrete to be made. The ingredients must be right and measured correctly. They must be added in the right order and mixed just right. The oven must be at the right temperature for the cake. The cake must cook for the right time in the right pan etc. this is what happens when the Holy Spirit hovers over our prayers. It all must line up with Gods Word and be in the right timing. This takes much preparation and cooking time.
The last step happens instantly – God speaks a Word and light comes into the situation and our prayers are answered. You know what that light does – it takes the darkness out of it. Often we don’t recall the time we spent waiting. It is amazing!!
So if you are wondering why your prayers aren’t being answered, it is because the conditions are not yet right. Just keep reading the Word of God and trusting that what God says will come to pass – will! Remember you are Gods child and He is always with you!!!
Living the life God intended 