Throughout our lives there will undoubtedly come times when we go before our Heavenly Father and ask for specific assistance. These prayers range from overtly vague to purposely specific. They are important in our hour of need. Then why does it seem as if sometimes they are left unanswered?

If I had to articulate it, I would say it’s all a matter of patience and perspective. Sometimes our prayers are answered in a way that we don’t readily acknowledge. They say God works in mysterious ways. Yes and no. You see God is very deliberate in his ways. He answers prayers with opportunity and direction.

Opportunity

Often times we find ourselves in a position where we are needing a restoration of some sort from God. Things like “Lord, help me to be more patient.” or “Lord, bless my finances.” I chose these two examples as they are common yet pretty heavy. So, now what? We pray for this and pray for that, yet it appears that they fall on deaf ears.

Understand that God most likely will not answer your prayers with physical tangible things. For instance, he won’t give you a magic pill that gives you more patience. He will however give you an opportunity. You pray for something like patience and God answers you by giving you the opportunity to be more patient.

I chose this one for a very personal reason as it was a struggle that I have been working through in my life here lately. You see a year and a half ago I lost a very special person and I have been grieving ever since. Now, I am normally an extremely patient person but in this uncomfortable situation it often feels like I don’t have enough patience to make it to tomorrow. I would pray and pray and get frustrated as it would seem like God didn’t hear me. Only he did, loud and clear actually. You see God had been answering me the whole time by giving me the opportunity to be more patient. Now I thank him because I have come a long way from where I was at the beginning of this process. He answered my prayers by giving me the opportunity to use what he had already put in me.

Direction

Being lost is not always a bad thing. We’re human and sometimes we need a little course correction. A road map to get us to where we are supposed to go next. It’s up to us to pay attention to the signs and make sure we are following the right direction.

As one season ends so too does another one begin. Our business here is done and now it’s time move forward to whatever is next. Only, what is next? We pray and ask God, “Lord, what am I to do now? Where am I supposed to go next?” He answers these not with words but often with a sign of some sort.

Maybe a feeling or something you saw in a dream. He uses countless methods to give us directions as to where to go next. Also, the more signs pointing to the same thing is probably a good indication of what you should be heading towards.

As I transitioned into adulthood I started to grow as a writer. I would go on to write a novel and everything. However, many years into my adult life I find myself in a place where I was looking for where to go next. God showed me a sign in the form of a write up I had done 10 years ago that I thought was for other people. Only here it was 10 years later, and I found that I was speaking right to myself. That led me to start a blog where I can use my gift of writing to help others find their way through these difficult situations.

In Closing…

Prayer is a simple thing that yields powerful outcomes. They say prayer changes things and absolutely it does. However, prayer can so easily be a source of discouragement as it seems that they are left on read. Only that’s not how God operates. He gives you the opportunity to use what he already put inside of you to produce a solution to your dilemma. Not only that but you must be observant and look for the signs to the way forward. I want to encourage you to adjust your perspective and expectations of prayer and stand on the fact that God hears you and he is working around the clock for you and I. Go in good faith and be blessed. You Got This!

Opportuntiy, a Prayer Answered Video: https://youtu.be/53URw2Cr16E