Sunday, August 16, 2009

Disappointed by God? Unanswered Prayers?

Have you ever felt disappointed by God? Have you ever felt He isn't listening when you pray? Have you ever felt angry and disheartened because you feel He has abandoned you?

What about Jesus? When he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, he asked God to take the cup of suffering away from him. But Jesus went one step further and prayed, "Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."

How often when you pray, do you add these all important words?

We Christians live in a world filled with temptations. If we turn on the television, we are bombarded with ads for things that promise to enrich our lives. Unfortunately, many of us turn to idolizing things which are meaningless. We pray for God to give us what we crave. And, when we don't receive, we feel disappointed or angry because God wasn't listening--He didn't answer the prayer.

God is always listening. We just have this one-sided belief. A belief that we can achieve what we want if we just ask God to provide. But, God asks us to walk in faith, not in sight.

If you are disappointed or feeling abandoned by God for unanswered prayers, look at what God has given you. He always answers prayers, but not always with the outcome we prayed for.

Romans 5:3-5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Prayer for today: Lord, if it be Your will, I pray that You will bless each person who reads this and that You will help them see how You have answered their prayers. I thank You Lord for the gift of Your son, so that we can find our way to You through the cross. Amen.

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