Does God really answer prayers? Jesus said in His word, ”Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” This is God’s promise to those who believe in Him and in His Son Jesus Christ. He also said that He will give us everything we ask in Jesus’ name. But do we really experience this in real life? I’ve heard someone say that because there are so many people in the world praying to God, He probably doesn’t have time to listen to our individual prayers. He might be too busy with other important things like running the whole universe that He doesn’t have enough time to take notice of our minute needs. Others may reason that because of the things they have done they are not worthy to receive answers to their prayers.
Does God answer prayers? Some may argue that He does not because they’ve been praying a lot and God seems so silent and they don’t get what their asking for. These and a lot more instances and experiences would cause a person to conclude that there might be no God at all and no one is hearing the cries of our hearts. But is it?
Let me share a few of my own personal experiences of a prayer-answering God. These are not so dramatic nor phenomenal but for me, they are faith-building experiences that contributed to my growth as a believer. I will enumerate them not in the order of importance but as they popped-up in my memory as I was writing this blog.
1. I prayed to God for a job that I would enjoy doing and He gave it 4 months ago in a manner that I did not expect. What’s the significance of this? I was jobless for 16 long months in spite of my own efforts to look for it.
2. I travel for about 30 minutes everyday in a motorbike going to work and 30 minutes back with my two kids with me and we always pray for God’s protection. Two weeks ago another motorbike bumped us and my son was thrown away and his left foot was caught in that bike’s front wheel. The answer to our prayer? My son is okay now with only a few bruises and no broken bones. What’s the significance of this? Driving down the streets of Cambodia is one of the most dangerous places to be, where drivers can drive any way they want and in any direction.
3. I had and still have big financial obligations that I need to pay-off and with faith in God, together with my family we prayed almost everyday, time and time again we see the provision of God coming on time. What’s the significance of this? I have financial needs that are beyond our capacity but God never lack to supply all our needs – in His time.
4. I prayed for my family and loved ones back in the Philippines when super typhoon Yolanda hit our place. For almost a week after the storm I was worried because I had no news from them, we can’t contact them by any means. We just continued to pray, hope and believe that God is sovereign and that He is able to keep them safe. The answer? Our house was totally destroyed by the storm but all members of my family were safe.
5. I was diagnosed with one of the so called “no cure” kind of disease way back years ago. We prayed to God to heal me and restore good health to my body. Indeed He is a prayer-answering God. I was healed completely. The significance of this? It was 12 years ago!
6. I have sinned and disobeyed God. I committed small and big sins. I was a sinner, a rebel, a law-breaker but I asked God for His mercy, grace and forgiveness. He did not only answer my prayer, more than that, He forgave all my sins and wrongdoings. He cleansed me and washed my guilt away. What’s the significance of this? I thought my sins were unforgivable but His love for me is insurmountable. He said, “My love covers a multitude of sins.” Isn’t that an apt answer that could bring wholeness to a sinner’s soul?
I can write more and more if I will just list down all the experiences I had with this prayer-answering God. I had prayers that in my finite view as a human seems that there were no answers from Him – yet, but I keep on praying because I believe He will answer them in His time and in His terms not mine. How about you? Thank you for reading my blog today, I hope I have inspired you somehow.
(Jeremiah 33:3)
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” – God