Q: Why is my business continuing to slide down even though we have been praying for God’s hand upon us? How can I continue to motivate my Christian colleagues who are demoralized? —Teck
A: “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for,” Jesus promised in Matthew 7:7. Yet, having trusted, your prayers seem to have gone unanswered. It’s natural that you question what God is up to.
Although there are things about prayer that I find enigmatic and unable to explain (I wish I could), there are assurances and certainties that I can affirm with you, even as you struggle with unanswered ones. Never lose sight of the reality that God is your heavenly Father who “knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!” (Matthew 6:8, 25-30). So “give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7). Not only does He know what you need, He certainly knows what’s best for you. He’s the loving Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:9-11; James 1:17).
This is the time to trust His heart. Trusting God’s heart means being willing to have your prayers denied for reasons that you may never understand. God has promised to love you with an everlasting love that will never let you go (Romans 8:35-39). For He’s said, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deuteronomy 31:8). He may be silent, but He is never absent! His “silence” does not abrogate His love.
Prayer is a growing relationship with our Father characterized by child-like trust, dependence, and intimacy. The difficulties and struggles of life are opportunities to develop and mature a greater dependence on God. The outcome of prayer is to draw us even closer, and becoming more intimate with our Heavenly Father.
As you wait upon the Lord, and all the more so in the midst of “unanswered prayers,” may you join the prophet Habakkuk in affirming your unwavering trust in your Father, “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights” (Habakkuk 3:17-19). —K.T. Sim
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LCC on October 9, 2013 at 6:31 am
Hang on there Teck. I know how frustrating it can be when prayers are not answered. I have been there. May God help you to see things in His perspective. Remember the story about Jesus raised up Lazarus from the dead in John 11. How Martha and Mary’s reaction and Jesus reply before He raised Lazarus. Also remember the verse in James 1:4.
mike wittmer on October 10, 2013 at 9:53 am
Teck: You may also be encouraged to read Hebrews 11. These heroes of faith clung to God’s promises and obeyed His commands, yet some enjoyed fantastic success while others were killed and lived in holes in the ground. The takeaway for me is that our level of success does not indicate the quality of our faith. Continue to focus on what you are responsible for, and leave the results with God (while begging Him for success!).
GChoo on October 10, 2013 at 10:18 am
Yes Teck, hang on in there as LCC affirmed.
It is not easy no doubt as it is also in my own experience. After a long wait, God blessed me in ways i had never expected. Do continued to be proactive, doing whatever needed to do positively but most importantly to seek God daily. Leave all your worries and concern to God but also, be still and seek His Word. It is in this moments seeking, praying and enduring that you will hear God speaking to you through His Word to direct your path. It may be to continue or not to continue with your business, only you will know when you stay close to Him.
I can truly agree with Hebrews 13:5 ‘He will never leave you nor will He abandon you.’ Many a times, only us who will forget God in happier times, but God is always there for us regardless of our circumstances. Remember, Hebrews 13:8 ‘Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.’ Praying for you today.
tom felten on October 11, 2013 at 9:43 am
Thanks for sharing your story, GChoo. I’m sure it has encouraged many of our ODJ community. Great choice of lifting up Hebrews 13:5, for it speaks not of God’s very real presence, but it also points to us being content with God’s provision. May we continue to serve Him faithfully and leave the results up to Him!