Why are Answers to My Prayers Sometimes Delayed?

We all face challenges in our lives.  Right now I know a number of people who are going through very serious health concerns, major family issues, or significant financial problems.  In many cases these situations are long-term and prayer can seem unproductive and even futile.  The weight of their problems is often overwhelming and discouraging.

I too have faced similar challenges where my prayers seem to be ineffective.  When they are not answered quickly or the way I desire, I begin to question.  Why is it so hard and taking so long?  Where are you, Lord?  In these times my faith in God’s truths becomes challenged.  Promises like: “He causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28) seem to be just words.  Sometimes, I get discouraged and even angry.  Here is what the Lord said to encourage me when I talked to him about this (His words are in blue).

Answers to prayer can come in stages

The results can be sudden and complete, but most of the time My responses are sequential and graduated to ultimately form the whole, complete answer or resolution to every request, need, or situation.

Just as a plant starts as a seed that grows invisibly in the ground, so do My answers start invisibly. Like water and sunlight are necessary for a plant to grow, prayers are absolutely necessary for an answer to grow into a visible result.  The answer to your prayers, the fruit, is a result of the time it takes for the answer to germinate and grow. In real life this can be seen in how the situation develops, how people and particular needs become aligned, how resources are produced to all come together into the final fruit – the answered prayer.

You saw this in your healing from multiple myeloma. First, I destroyed the tumor.  Then, I worked through the healing of your leg and the chemotherapy. Finally, after surgery for your hip, I invaded your life supernaturally and healed you of myeloma. This process was necessary for My perfect result. The actual healing journey using medicine, people, and ultimately My supernatural intervention was just part of My fruit.

Blessings of long-term prayer

It was in this journey that our relationship grew.  It was as you walked through the pain, the discouragement, and finally the healing that your faith grew and became embedded in your heart. Your journey into heart faith, the sure knowledge that I am with you always, required this time and these events.

The fruit was so much more than just a healing. You know me better now. We have a deeper and more intimate relationship. You see me in a more personal way than ever before. Moreover, you know, you know absolutely, that I love you, that I’m with you and that I will never leave you.

The fruit of this healing journey is still coming; there is even more.  For when you have this truth in your heart, you can face new challenges with more confidence and faith. These then add even more to your faith account – it is growing, compounding. Each time you face a challenge, you have more to call upon, more reserves in your faith account. And each challenge yields even greater fruit – the multiplication of faith. Faith builds faith! 

Seeing me at work in your life increases your faith that I am at work in your life. This is why I say rejoice!  For each test, each trial builds you for the next.  And each time, in every trial, you have the opportunity to grow. Victory is yours because you are mine, and you are never alone. Together we can overcome every challenge!

Knowing God’s perspective has definitely strengthened me.  Declaring relevant scriptures, remembering His promises, and testifying of His previous victories keeps me close to Him.  Keeping my eyes on Him and not on the problem gives me increased hope and the faith to persevere.

I encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus in the midst of any trials.  Use Psalm 103:1-5 as a template for your prayers: declare scriptures that strengthen and encourage you, remember and remind the Lord of His promises, and testify of His good works.

I would love to hear your comments and experiences.  You can share your comments below, or ask me any question by emailing me (contact Michael) and I will get back to you.

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