Answered Prayer: A Beautiful Assurance of God’s Love

When was the last time you had to leave a voicemail message? I don’t know about you, but I hate having to leave a message. However, did you know that there is someone who is ALWAYS ready to listen to you? God is never too busy to bless you with answered prayer. But first, You must TALK TO HIM.

Answered Prayer Always?

Before I go any further, I want to make sure and remind you that answered prayer does not always mean a “yes” from the Lord. Sometimes when God answers your prayer, it could be a “yes” and maybe even a “no,” but what if the Lord has something EVEN BETER that you never thought of at all?”

In the title of this post, I refer to answered prayer as a beautiful assurance of God’s love. I hope that when I have finished sharing, you will consider, and maybe even I will convince you that answered prayer is a beautiful thing. (Even when God’s answer is “NO.”)

The Bible often refers to how Jesus knows our weaknesses and can relate to what we are feeling. When it comes to answered prayer, Jesus understands what it’s like to feel God does not hear you? He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane before He was arrested, asking God if there was any other way to avoid the path to the cross that was in His future.

He knew of the unimaginable pain and suffering of being killed in the most brutal of ways. But the most important thing that Jesus was dreading, I believe, was His separation from the Father. Jesus knew that once EVERY SIN of all humanity laid on Him at the cross, His heavenly Father would have to turn away because of His holiness.

So, remember this. Every answered prayer may not be the ANSWER you were hoping for, but God wants you to TRUST HIM. Click To Tweet

Don’t Give Up!

I’m not sure where you are in your prayer life. Or, maybe you don’t take the time to talk with God. Whatever your situation is, I implore to not to give up on your prayers! God hears you, and He loves it when you come to Him in prayer. But one thing you cannot do is stop praying.

Why? You ask. Praying increases and develops your faith. When you go to God in prayer, it shows your belief in and dependence on Him. When you pray, you are relinquishing all worldly efforts and putting your trust in almighty God. So, keep on crying out to God. He will answer your prayers in His perfect timing.

 Answered Prayer in My Life

The impetus for this post is a prayer of mine that God answered recently. I have been dealing with a painful ailment since the Summer that has been extremely slow to heal. I was doing everything to help in the healing, but things were moving slower than I wanted. So, one evening after catching up with my mother over the phone, I asked if we could pray together about what had been bothering me for months.

She poured out her heart to God while I gently whispered, “amen” and “yes, Lord” in the background. Then I gently pleaded with Him to hear our prayers. A couple of days later, I noticed something. The ailment had healed!! I called my mother to encourage her about the answered prayer and thank her for praying with me.

I was thrilled about the healing because I had a follow-up doctor’s appointment the next day. I’m beyond thankful that God answered my prayer for healing of what ailed me for several months.

However, I am dealing with some potentially life-changing health issues. I have passed the initial lab work tests, but l have to visit a cancer center later this week for testing. Then another painful test is in store for me next month. So, God will be hearing from me quite often for sure!

His answer to my prayers gives me hope to continue crying out to Him.

 

God’s Love is Amazing!

God reveals His love to His children in so many ways. Sometimes it is obvious, and sometimes He does it without us even noticing. But when God answers a prayer that you and I know only He could answer, it reminds us of His unconditional and tremendous love for His children!

Nothing brings a smile to my face, gives me greater joy, and warms my heart more than when God answers my prayers. And I’m not just talking about when He says, “yes.” Several of God’s “no’s” have been tremendous blessings in my life too. Without a doubt, my life would be traveling a different path without His wisdom of saying “no.”

 

One important thing that you need to remember is this. When God says “yes,” do what He implores you to do without wavering. Embrace His wisdom and thank Him for the answered prayer. Whatever He has called you do to or asked of you; He will empower you to accomplish His will. God will never leave you alone or empty-handed. His life-altering power lives within you!

Assurance of Answered Prayer

In closing, I encourage you not to be afraid of talking to God in prayer. You may be thinking that you’ve been praying about something forever with no response from God. Let me say this; there are a few reasons why God may not hear your prayers. They are below in BOLD.

Unconfessed SIN in your life. Read what God said about this.

It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, He has turned away and will not listen anymore. Isaiah 59:2. (NLT)

Asking for something outside of God’s will.

I’m afraid that I’ve been guilty of this many times in my life, but I’m a work in progress. It may not be something terrible that you or I ask for, but it is not His will at that point and time. Maybe He wants us to wait, or maybe He’s saying “no,” but usually it’s because God has something better planned for us.

 

Take delight in the LORD and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him and He will help you. Psalm 37:4-5. (NLT)

 

Now before you get too excited about the desires of your heart phrase, let me clarify. When you commit everything to the Lord, your heart is in alignment with Him and His desires. You want what God wants. Make sense? Here is one more reason your prayers may go answered.

 

Unwillingness to Wait on God’s Timing

Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we can ask or think, according to the power at work within us. Ephesians 3:20.

I don’t know about you, but I am willing to wait for something or anything beyond my imagination that Almighty God is preparing. What about you?  Now, I ask you this; are you encouraged to seek God in ALL that you do? To go to Him first, and not as a last resort?

Are you in need of His beautiful assurance? If so, then remember to call out to Him and seek His will. God WILL answer your prayers, friend. TRUST HIM.

 

Would you please share in the comments any answered prayer that God has showered on you? I’d love to read about God at work in someone’s life.

Also, if you’d like to read some more about the many ways that prayer affects our lives, my award-winning book on the power of prayer is on sale for download or in paperback. It’s a short but powerful read with some fantastic images and inspiring prayers as well. Just click on the image below to get your copies.

 

In Christ,

Horace Williams Jr.