“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication and thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. Pray without ceasing.”

An anonymous poem is quoted below. It seems to explain some of the questions we have about answered prayer.
We know that answers are not always in the affirmative, and are not always immediate even if favorable. Remember
God’s time is His time, not ours. Wait on the Lord… “AND GOD SAID ‘NO”
I asked God to take away my pride, and God said, “No!”
He said it was not for Him to take away, but for me to give up.
I asked God to give me happiness, and God said, “No!”
He said that He gives blessings; happiness is up to me.
I asked God to spare me pain and God said, “No!”
He said, “Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.”
I asked God to make my spirit grow and God said, “No!”
He said I must grow on my own, but He will prune me to make be fruitful.
I asked God whether He loves me, and God said, “Yes, how can you ask?”
He said He gave His only Son to die for me.
I asked God to help me love others as much as He loves me.
And God said, “Now you have the idea.”

GRACIOUS, LOVING, GENEROUS GOD, HELP US TO LEARN FROM OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU. TEACH US TO SEEK AND UNDERSTAND OUR BIBLES, YOUR WORD. MAKE US APPRECIATIVE OF OUR FREEDOMS – TO WORSHIP, TO FIND YOU, TO ENJOY YOUR PRESENCE IN OUR DAILY LIVES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GRACE AND SALVATION AND LOVE. AMEN.

-Shared by Elizabeth Phipps