Thursday, February 4

So what if you pray sincerely and faithfully – and nothing happens? What if you ask God to move a mountain in your life and He seems not to answer? Does that mean He didn’t hear you? Does it mean God doesn’t care? Does it mean He lacks the power to act?

Sooner or later we all have to deal with the difficult problem of “unanswered prayer.” Read the following verses to learn how the Apostle Paul dealt with his experience of unanswered prayer.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9
To keep me from being conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given to me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleased with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Paul had a deep and personal relationship with Christ. He believed in the power of prayer. He asked the Lord to remove some manner of suffering (we’re not sure exactly what Paul meant by “thorn in my flesh”) from his life – the request was not granted. Yet, Paul had come to understand that while God had not granted his request, He had answered his prayer. God gave Paul something else – the grace and strength to live with his suffering and to use it for greater ministry.

Is there something you have been asking God for in recent days that He has not yet chosen to give?

Are you willing, like Paul, to ask the Lord if perhaps He wants to answer your prayer in a different way?

Ask God to grant you the grace and strength to trust Him even in your weakness.