Unexpected Answers to Prayers

Number 21 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” Stories and promises of the awesome blessings God gives us each day. I hope it encourages you today!

Let’s be real. We all face struggles that simply seem insurmountable.

Photo Credit: Kim Seng

A health issue that can’t be fixed with a couple of pills.

A marriage that implodes no matter we do.

A job that dead ends no matter how hard you work.

Financial setbacks beyond of your control.

And I see commonly one of three responses.

“I don’t need any help. I can fix it myself.”

Or, “I don’t know why God did this to me and I want nothing to do with him.”

Or, “God here is exactly how I want you to fix this.”

The problem with all three? They often end in frustration and despair.

Why?

Because the first two leave God out of the equation so he won’t answer.

And the third makes God the genie in the bottle. And when God answers in unexpected ways either we don’t recognize it or we’re angry because it wasn’t according to our plan so in a way we don’t accept it.

Yet, Jesus gives us an astounding promise.

“Ask and it will be given to you. . . . For everyone who asks receives.” (Matthew 7: 7-8 NIV)

Amazing! But notice a couple of things.

First, we simply need to have enough faith to ask. In other words we need to only have enough faith to say, “God help me.” That’s all. No perfect prayer. No mountain moving faith. Just hope God will answer.

Second, we leave the details to God. We come as his servant. We approach him as our lord. And we simply ask him to do what is best in his most loving way. That’s it.

In other words pray boldly for what he promises but only for what he promises.

Then what happens?

He answers. What we asked for we receive. Often though in ways we never expect.

Sometimes through people we never anticipated.

Sometimes in a time frame we prefer hurried up.

But we receive because he promised we would. And we receive what we need in ways that will fulfill us best.

Let me be frank. I’ve made all of the above mistakes.

But I’ve also seen him consistently answer. And often in ways that now looking back I’m thankful were not as I expected.

God will answer our prayers just often in ways we don’t expect.

How has God answered a prayer of yours in a way you never expected?