I Pray and Pray but No Answer Comes!

Why Not? 

Many tend to pray for help with a specific need, they develop tunnel vision to the point of being unable to see beyond the problem. The prayer results in a total focus on the problem and their desired solution. The tendency usually follows the belief; if I pray long enough and hard enough He'll answer my prayer and fix the problem. But... No answer comes and this raises questions in their mind that Satan waits to capitalize on, such as:

• I must not have enough faith
• He doesn't really love me
• Can't He see that I am desperate
• He doesn't really care

Job must have had some of these thoughts and Satan used Jobs associates drive these doubts home. Job however trusted in the Lord and did not give in to the attack by his associates; in the end he was blessed and restored because he saw the bigger picture.

Paul and Silas saw the bigger picture too. What would your prayer be if you were in these circumstances?

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With backs bleeding and locked in stocks they appear to be rejoicing, not pleading their case in repetitious prayer.

Acts 16:24-26 King James Version (KJV)

24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. (Read the whole story here)

Have you praised Him in all things in the midst of all circumstances? 

Praise will unlock doors and bring answers. Praise may be the key to the next level in Spiritual growth for you.

Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Paul and Silas were offering the sacrifice of praise and in so doing the Lord took care of their needs and saved a few souls in the process.

Note: In Hebrews 13:15 it is God who gives us the ability to offer praise in dire circumstances; ask Him to help you give praise in your dire need. It will be life changing and the answers will come!

Amen.