Bible Reading: Job 35; James 5:11-20.
“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.” – James 5:17 (KJV)
The bible says nothing is impossible for men. (Luke 1:37). So no matter how difficult or seemingly impossible any situation is, God will make a way. However, He expects you to call on him and make your request known to him. Thus his word in Matthew 7:7 (KJV): says “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”
While God answers all prayers, there are three ways by which this is usually done. It could be a straight Yes, a No or a Wait answer. The reality is however that most people expect only Yes to all our requests from God but God loves us and knows our needs better than we do because he is not limited by time.
You know yesterday and today but not tomorrow and that is a major limitation. Thus, in the case of a major Christian Mission in Nigeria which decided to expand and found a location that another church wanted to sell. At that time it appeared to the General Overseer of the Mission then that the land was quite suitable. And so they prayed, fasted and expected a yes answer but they lost the land to someone else. The G.O. then was wondering why his prayer was not answered but that response did not come until several years later when the Mission got a far bigger place which is several multiples of what they wanted initially. The Mission keeps expanding and would have been Limited if they had been able to buy the initial land!
At the time when God’s answer was No, the G.O. at that time wondered what the Mission did wrongly, particularly when the land was purely for the expansion of God’s kingdom! But God had a better plan.
What is your plan that you think it’s the best and wondering why God did not grant your request. The simple answer is that He has a better plan for you!
How then do we ensure we get Yes all the time. It’s by asking God first about the request whether it’s what he wants or not no matter how seemingly right the purpose seems. The answer should then determine how we move. When you pray in the will of God, you will be getting a resounding yes and people will marvel at your command. Thus in James 5:17 (KJV): “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.”
God will answer you too when you pray earnestly in His will.
Action Plan:
Check your current challenge and ask God for his will in the situation. Thereafter, pray to him in accordance with his will.