by Shirlee Vandegrift
When the Director of Senior Adults asked me recently to take the teaching time at our Thursday Prayer Group, I started by asking the Holy Spirit to give me a topic and give me the words. My thoughts were scattered but I kept coming back to the topic of unanswered prayer.
I’ve learned to listen for the Holy Spirit’s answer when I ask for it. It takes quiet time and a listening ear. Most of the time I accept the answer, even if it isn’t what I asked for, but the rest of the time I hang on to my idea of what the answer should be and wonder why the Spirit is not answering. Am I alone in that?
I am no expert in how to pray. Aided by the Holy Spirit, I write prayers using this theory:
- If you are praying in God’s will as you know His will,
- If you love Jesus so much you can’t hold it in but need to tell Him,
- If you bring others into your prayers and lay their needs at God’s feet,
- If you trust in the power of the Holy Spirit and can be a witness to His strength, and
- If you talk to God about all of it and more,
I think know how to pray!
On the other hand, I have asked the Holy Spirit for help and heard nothing but silence.
It puzzles me.
Silverstrands 
Me, too, Shirley!
Hello. . .
I read your post regarding prayer, and I just wanted to encourage you to continue praying, although at times it may seem that the LORD is silent. . .
Because we know that the LORD wants,enjoys, delights in our prayers. . .
I like the way that you have a ‘theory’, and I’m sure that it is a valuable tool, but remember that the LORD answers when and how HE pleases.
Also the LORD really wants us all, to ‘trust’ HIM, though the silence of the LORD may create doubt, anxiety within us, in the same way that you have learnt to ‘hear’ the HOLY SPIRIT, we all must strive for that inner peace as. We ‘wait’ on the LORD, (I haven’t yet mastered this lol) fully believing that HE is true to HIS word, and will deliver.
I always like to look at prayer from this perspective. . .
1- GOD’s word tells me that HE hears and answers prayers.
2- GOD is not a liar, therefore I can trust HIM.
3- I must check myself, my life style, my motive for the prayers I offer, and check for any other hindrances to my prayers being answered
Here are a few verses that I hope will encourage you, but also raise faith within you, that the LORD does hear, and is at work answering all prayers, in HIS most excellent way, and in HIS perfect timing (although we may not sense, feel or hear HIM).
PRAY & BELIEVE (faith can move mountains)
James 5:
15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.
18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
LET US ALL PRAY WITH A SENSE OF AWE TO THE LORD
Hebrews 5:7
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
LET US ALL CHECK HOW WE ARE LIVING, THEN PRAY
1Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
May you be blessed, and your prayers answered. . .
‘Praise GOD’. . .
Marc
Thank you…I needed to read this. My heart is broken and I was tempted by the devil. I do pray that it IS god’s will to restore my broken relationship and make me a better person. Please say a prayer for me that my sins can be forgiven and I can forgive myself.
Thank you for your comment and welcome to this blog site. I’ll be watching for your responses.