I got a call from a friend; the situation is not good. How could it have come to this? The chance to reconcile the marriage is nil; there are too many complications. I told her, “You are in our prayers.” Her response: “Those prayers just ain’t working!”

I can understand her frustration. At times, the prayers don’t seem to be connecting. The prayers seem blocked. Sometimes, the issue is we are telling the Lord what we expect from Him. We’re telling Him how to solve our problem—that usually doesn’t work too well. And other times, we ask for help but with a defeatist attitude (my problem is not worthy of His time, or even God can’t fix this situation)—that doesn’t work well, either.

If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him, he will not resent it. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way, and then that. If you don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.
James 1:5-8

As you all know, I am not a theologian, just a guy with lots of problems, like the rest of us. But I do find peace as I pray because I know the Lord is listening, and I know He wants good for you and me. Had all my prayers been answered right away in the way I envisioned, I would have missed some great opportunities to learn and grow. By His delay, by His timing, by His way, I continue to have my prayers answered. So can you. When you think, It just ain’t working, try, try, try, again. If you have faith, He will provide you peace of mind and from there, anything is possible.

So today, Lord, we give thanks for how You have heard our prayers. We give thanks for Your timing so we can learn patience; we give thanks for Your way so we can see miracles in others; we even give thanks for those unanswered prayers because that was an answer in itself. We pray for strength, courage, wisdom, and faith so we can surrender everything to You knowing You have us covered. We pray that the doubts that we have are pushed away and we can focus on the guidance You give us. Amen.

Have a Faithful Day.