I felt like the Lord was showing me that often when we ask Him for anything that the answer we expect may be random or nothing at all. I then saw in a vision, the lottery ball cage, tumbling dice, the flip of a coin and lots being drawn from a hat. He said that is how some of us see answer to prayer. It’s a crap shot. We have learned to live with some frustration of unanswered prayer when in fact He does answer our prayer.
He showed me that we have to be flexible with what we ask for and wait upon Him. The Lord sees the heart or He knows what’s behind our requests. It’s what’s behind our requests that He answers and if we stop to listen, the desire of our hearts or our subconscious is actually being touched by His love. He also says that He takes every request to heart. He hears you and receives you. Every petition is special to Him because it means you trust Him enough to be honest with your requests.
I asked Him about my concern for future provision, what I will eat, what I will wear, what will I live in, what car will I drive. Perhaps if He made me wealthy, then I will be at peace. He then showed me that often wealthy people have no peace at all and that some of the poorest people on earth are perfectly content. As always He said not to worry about the future, but to focus on the present. He also said that what I really needed was a sense of well being. We need a sense of well being because what it does is create courage, faith, peace of mind, a sense of security, patience and contentment.
When we ask for something, He may provide wisdom and perspective, He may provide solutions. He may provide exactly what we asked for. Any answer He provides is the very best of the best that He knows we need at that moment. Also, He has overarching plans for our destinies and is orchestrating every aspect of our lives optimally.
He illustrated this with a child asking it’s mother for candy and cookies. The mother knowing the child is actually expressing hunger provides healthy sustenance and maybe a little treat later. In the same way, we are that child and the mother heart of God, knows what we really need and provides it. Papa knows best. If you don’t believe that, discuss it with Him. He would love to chat with you about it because it’s a very common hurdle in our growth.
Our frustration to what seems like unanswered prayer may be because we believe that we know best. There once was a “name it, claim it” theology. This is probably why we treat Him like He was a genie or a concierge. This is addressed in James 4:3 – “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” The Lord discerns our motives and true needs and will do it His way. There is a saying, “Let go and let God.” Prov 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
Regarding desperate situations such a health issues, financial burdens, relationship traumas etc., the Lord hears our prayer and He sends answers in ways that are hard to fathom, but He will answer in His own way and ultimately there will be peace no matter what. I recall when John Wimber was teaching us how to pray for the sick. He said that even if the person doesn’t get healed, always leave them loved. When I lead a prayer counseling ministry, people came with various emotional needs and every single one always came away feeling more peace in their lives because someone just showed care. Their issue may not have been solved, but they felt greatly encouraged with hope to face tomorrow. He cares for us. We need to affirm that He does care and sends His love to the inner depths of our hearts. I’m not going to pretend. Some tough situations that don’t seem to resolve can be frustrating and He is calling us to focus on the fact that He does give good gifts. What are the good gifts He’s sending in the midst of your needs and trials? Ask Him. He will show you.
Mat 7:9-11 – Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!
Phil 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving (because He is indeed sending some kind of goodness to you – my commentary note here), present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.