There are times when walking with God can be challenging and even frustrating. Times when things don’t make sense; when you don’t understand what God is doing. Situations when you are confused as to what God expects of you. When no matter how many times you ask for an answer, God is silent.

What can we do? As sons and daughters of God, we feel we should be able to expect an answer to our prayers. So what are we to do when it doesn’t come?

First, I would say check yourself. Now I don’t believe that every time things go wrong or your prayers aren’t answered that you are to blame. It is however a good place to start, just to make sure that there are no hindrances to prayer. Unconfessed sin and wrong doing can be a cause in some cases.

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife,

as to the weaker vessel,

and as being heirs together of the grace of life,

that your prayers may not be hindered.

1 Peter 3:7

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But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

Isaiah 59:2

Second, I would suggest you check your bible. The bible is God’s mouthpiece to us, so it should be the first place we go to for answers. Is your question or situation in line with scripture? Is it going against God’s word? Don’t expect God to bless something that goes against His word.

I know of people who have prayed and fasted over an answer they desired from God concerning a question of right and wrong that had already been answered in the bible. It’s almost ridiculous when you think about it. How many of us as parents have answered a whiny child with, “How many times are you going to keep asking me? I already said no!”

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Third, Humble yourself and seek His will. Make sure you are seeking His will and not your own. God wants us to follow Him. He wants to see us yearning for a deeper relationship; to draw closer to Him. Render to God the worship and praise He deserves.

Too often we allow ourselves to get in the rut of complacency, where we allow ourselves to lose the vibrancy in our relationship and walk with the Father. I think if we commit ourselves to Him, in humility, He will take care of and answer us.

If then you were raised with Christ,

seek those things which are above,

where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above,

not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:1-2

Fourth, In some cases the answer is to just wait; to trust. This can often be the hardest for us to do; as in our humanness we want it accomplished now, or how we think it should be. Yet once again we have forgotten that God is in control and He does what He wants and knows what is best for us in the long run.

What do we do while we wait? Continue living for Him; doing the things He wants us to do. Always be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:9-15

Fifth, there is one more thing we can do. If you truly feel God is leading you somewhere or to do something; and you know it doesn’t go against His word, then move forward in faith. Keep yourself open to hearing the Holy Spirit if He gives you a check in your spirit to stop. Sometimes taking action is what God is waiting for; to see us move upon what His word or the prompting of the Holy Spirit tells us to do.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called

to go out to the place which he would receive

as an inheritance. And he went out,

not knowing where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8

Remember, just because we think we deserve an answer from God, doesn’t mean He has to answer. He is God and will do what He wants to do. Our feeble human thinking doesn’t compare to the mind the of God.

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing

for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11

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“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8,9

Until next time, God bless.

~Brenda

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