Tag Archives: Prayer

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Unexpected Answers to Prayer: Trusting God’s Plan

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What if one of our biggest blessings is prayer answered differently?

You pray to get a certain job, but an even better opportunity emerges. You’re dating someone, but the relationship falls apart even though you prayed to stay together. You later meet someone who is even more incredible. Our prayers go up, the Lord’s answers come down, and sometimes, they are not the answers we were expecting.

Most of us have experienced prayers that were answered differently than expected. We pray for one outcome and receive another. At first, this can be confusing and discouraging, but God’s wisdom is far greater than our own.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

We see only a small part of the story, while God sees the entire picture. He sees 5, 10, 15 years down the road, so his answers are always perfect.

Although we may not immediately understand the Lord’s answers, we can trust his character. The bible reminds us God is good and faithful. “For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation” (Psalm 100:5). We are also reminded God works all things for our good (Romans 8:28). When His answers differ from our expectations, we can rest in the truth that His plans are better than our own.

What if you would have been given the first job you applied for? You would have missed an awesome opportunity waiting around the corner.

What if your high school crush would have became your spouse? You would have missed the incredible blessing of your current family.

Today, our prayers may not be answered in a way we are expecting, but we can rest in knowing the Lord knows what is best. So, if you are perplexed by the answer God gives, rest in the assurance he is good, faithful, and works everything for your good.

Thanks for reading.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

The Simple Recipe for Tough Times: Call on the Lord

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What if God has already given you the recipe for getting through the hardest days of your life?

Every good chef knows that a recipe is meant to be followed. When a dish is complicated, you don’t just throw ingredients into a bowl and hope for the best. You follow the instructions.

Life can be pretty complicated, too. There are days when we don’t know what to do next, where to turn, or how we’re going to make it through. In Jeremiah 33:3, God gives us a simple recipe for these times.

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

The recipe for navigating the complications of life is simple:

CALL ON THE LORD.

  • “Call to me,” the Lord invites when we are tired and weary.
  • “Call to me,” he invites when we don’t know how we’re going to make it through the day.
  • “Call to me,” he invites when we need wisdom and don’t know which way to turn.

Notice what God doesn’t say: Figure it out on your own.

He says, “Call to me.”

Whatever the situation, wherever we find ourselves, the invitation remains.

And so does the promise: “I will answer you.”

We may not always get the answer we expect. We may not understand what God is doing, but we can trust that when we call, he hears us.

When life feels complicated, we don’t have to have all the answers. We simply need to know who to call. CALL ON THE LORD. That’s the recipe for making it through whatever life puts on our plate.

Thanks for reading. Please share this post with someone who may need the reminder today.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Approaching God with Confidence

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Have you ever needed to speak with someone important but wondered whether they would have time for you? The more influential the person, the harder it usually is to gain access. Secretaries screen calls, calendars fill up, and appointments may take weeks to schedule. However, God’s kingdom doesn’t work that way.

Paul tells us that “because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence” (Ephesians3:12). What an incredible privilege! Through Jesus, every believer has direct access to the creator of the universe.

Notice our confidence isn’t based on how well we’ve behaved this week. It isn’t earned by reading enough Scripture, praying long enough, or avoiding mistakes. Our confidence rests entirely on what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection.

Because Christ opened the way, we don’t have to approach God wondering if we’re welcome. We can come as children approaching a loving father. We don’t have to come in fear that he’ll turn us away. He invites us to bring every burden, question, disappointment, and joy into his presence.

Sometimes we hesitate to pray because we feel unworthy. We think we should clean up our lives before coming to God. The gospel teaches the opposite. We come because we need Him. His grace meets us where we are and begins changing us from the inside out.

Whatever you’re facing today, don’t keep your distance from God. Walk confidently into his presence. Tell him what’s on your heart. Thank him for his faithfulness. Ask him for wisdom and strength. The door is already open. Because of Jesus, you are always welcome in the presence of your Heavenly Father.

Thanks for reading.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Hannah’s Prayer: A Lesson in Faith

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As he watched, the priest wondered if she was drunk. She was at the temple, and it appeared as if she was praying. But the priest thought there was something odd about her appearance. Her mouth was moving but no words were coming out, and was she weeping? He approached her and boldly asked, “Are you drunk?”

She explained that she was sober. She was just so involved in her prayer that he thought she was under the influence. Her name is Hannah, and we read her story in 1 Samuel 1. We find out she is going through a really hard time, and she has come to the temple to pour her heart out to the Lord.

The Bible encourages us to pray without stopping; we should always be communicating with the Lord. In the best of times and in the worst of times, the Lord wants to help us, and we can talk with him through prayer just like Hannah, and just like David.

David exhorts in Psalm 62:8, “O my people trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.”

When David and Hannah were going through rough times, they poured their hearts out to the Lord. When they were in the best of times, they thanked God in prayer. They always prayed and left a mark in history challenging us to do the same.

Our prayers are just conversations with the Lord. They don’t have to be fancy, and we don’t have to be overwhelmed by the idea we may say the wrong thing. You see, we’re having a conversation with a great friend who doesn’t judge us by the words we use, but by what is in our heart. The Lord is always listening and always desiring to hear from us.

Spend some time talking with the Lord today. Share your thoughts with him. Ask for guidance as you plan tomorrow. Ask for help with your struggles. Don’t be afraid. He is your friend who wants to hear from you.

Please consider sharing this with a friend.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Life is Like A Garden

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The Flip Flop Barnyard tells of the great patience gardening requires. From ordering seeds to harvest, many days can pass, with much time waiting to move from stage to stage of the gardening process. Any Gardner knows it takes much patience to produce great tasting vegetables and beautiful flowers. Planting has to take place in the spring, cultivation through the summer, to enjoy the harvest of the fall. Seeds do not become abundant crops overnight.

Like gardening, life can require much patience. Scripture encourages, “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:7-8).

Waiting can be hard; we don’t like it. This may hold especially true when we are awaiting answers to our prayers.

We’re praying about our need, yet it seems the Lord is not hearing us. Maybe we’ve spent hours pacing the floor, tears flowing, as we pray, but the answer still hasn’t come. If so, this passage encourages us to stand firm, and keep on praying. James goes on to remind us our prayers are both powerful and effective.

Our prayers will be answered. It may not be in the immediate timetable we desire, but the Lord does answer.

Remember, Gardeners have to wait all season before harvesting a crop, but the sweetness of the fruit is worth the labor of their patience.

Be patient and stand firm.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Talking to the Lord: Encouragement from Matthew 6:8

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Ever wondered how to talk to the Lord? Well, Matthew 6:8 has some wisdom for us: “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Basically, the verse is saying that God, your Heavenly Father, already knows what’s on your mind before you even say it. It’s like God is tuned in to your thoughts, cares, and dreams.

Sometimes, we might think we need to fill God in on all the details when we pray. But Matthew 6:8 suggests a different approach – it’s like a reminder that God is already in the loop. So, when you talk to the Lord, you can be real and honest because He already knows what’s going on inside you.

This verse also nudges us to be thankful. Since God is aware of what we need, we can take a moment to say thanks for the good stuff and even for getting through tough times. It’s a way of shifting our focus from what we don’t have to appreciating what we do.

Matthew 6:8 teaches us to chat with the Lord in a genuine way. Forget the formalities; just talk to God like you would to a close friend. And remember, He’s not just listening, He already knows what’s on your heart.

So, the next time you find yourself talking to the Lord, know that you’re not alone. He’s right there with you, understanding you even before you say a word. It’s a comforting thought that can make your conversations with the Lord more real and meaningful.

Thanks for reading.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Finding Peace in God

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

This is an awesome piece of advice we can apply today. No matter what’s going on, we can exchange stress and anxiety for peace. Notice a couple words.

Anything

Merriam-Webster defines the word as “a thing, no matter what that thing may be.”

Every

Merriam-Webster defines the word as “all members of a group or set.”

There are no restrictions. No problem or situation is too big or too small. Whatever is going on, Scripture says we can pray about it, and the Lord will give us peace.

So, as you face the stressers and anxious moments of today, remember to pray. And, God’s peace will come.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

An Answer at the Door

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It is rare that I lose my keys, but it does happen. One morning I unlocked an office door and left my keys hanging in the knob as I turned to put several items down. I was going to grab my keys next, but the phone rang. One thing led to another, and my day had launched.

A few hours later I couldn’t find my keys. Searching, I mentioned to someone I lost them.

He said, “No, you didn’t. They are hanging in your door.” There the keys were in plain view.

Sometimes the answers to our prayers are in plain view, but we are astonished so we miss them. Just ask Rhoda, and the others, who were praying for Peter.

They forgot to open the door.

Acts 12 records Peter being put in prison to face persecution, and many of the believers gathered at Mary’s house to pray for him. They are praying, and simultaneously, an angel is freeing Peter from prison. No one expected a rapid answer to their prayers. This causes some confusion at Mary’s house.

Verses 13-16 say, “Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed, she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, ‘Peter is at the door!’ ‘You’re out of your mind,’ they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said it must be his angel. But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.”

Luke paints a humorous scene here. Christians have gathered late at night to pray, and suddenly there is a knock at the outer gate. Rhoda checks and discovers Peter, but forgets to open the door to the answered prayer. She is so shocked the prayer was answered quickly, or answered at all, she runs away from the answer. She runs away to tell others the answer was at the door. Disbelief, shock, and surprise keep the others away from the door. No one is opening the door for the answered prayer.

Meanwhile, Peter keeps knocking. They finally open the door, and there stands Peter. He is the answer to their prayer, and he is standing there in plain view.

Be ready to open the door.

While God always answers our prayers, the timeline is not always so sudden. The answer may come concurrently or it may take a minute. As we pray, are we ready to open the door when the answer knocks? Are we ready to receive the answer at any time? We just never know when the answer will knock on the door.

Offer this post to a friend as a source of encouragement.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

She Looks Drunk

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As he watched, the priest wondered if she was drunk. She was at the temple, and it appeared as if she was praying. But the priest thought there was something odd about her appearance. Her mouth was moving but no words were coming out, and was she weeping? He approached her and boldly asked, “Are you drunk?”

She explained that she was sober. She was just so involved in her prayer that he thought she was under the influence. Her name is Hannah, and we read her story in 1 Samuel 1. We find out she is going through a really hard time, and she has come to the temple to pour her heart out to the Lord.

The Bible encourages us to pray without stopping; we should always be communicating with the Lord. In the best of times and in the worst of times, the Lord wants to help us, and we can talk with him through prayer just like Hannah, and just like David.

David exhorts in Psalm 62:8, “O my people trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.”

When David and Hannah were going through rough times, they poured their hearts out to the Lord. When they were in the best of times, they thanked God in prayer. They always prayed and left a mark in history challenging us to do the same.

Our prayers are just conversations with the Lord. They don’t have to be fancy, and we don’t have to be overwhelmed by the idea we may say the wrong thing. You see, we’re having a conversation with a great friend who doesn’t judge us by the words we use, but by what is in our heart. The Lord is always listening and always desiring to hear from us.

Spend some time talking with the Lord today. Share your thoughts with him. Ask for guidance as you plan tomorrow. Ask for help with your struggles. Don’t be afraid. He is your friend who wants to hear from you.

Please consider sharing this with a friend.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Have You Been Waiting?

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Have you been waiting? This can be one of the most difficult parts of life. We live in a super connected world, so if we have to wait longer than 10 seconds for anything, it is hard. Yet, our lives sometimes take us down paths that require us to wait.

We have to wait to see if we’re going to get our dream job. We have to wait to meet the person we desire to marry. We have to wait as we’re trying to have a family. We have to wait on our prayers to be answered.

The people of Israel also had to wait. They find themselves in a hard time. Their bondage has been harsh, and they have suffered immensely. They are needing and wanting the Lord to work, but they have to wait. As they wait, Isaiah brings encouragement, and it is still encouragement for us today.

Isaiah 64:4 says, “For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!”

Hang in there if you’re waiting. Psalm 27:14 encourages, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” The Bible promises the Lord is working on your behalf.