New Year’s Eve. Alone again. Another dry and desolate year of singleness stretched before me. Persistent prayers for a man to love me were unanswered. Why doesn’t God answer my prayers? Why is she getting married and not me? What is wrong with me?
My gaze flew directly to his picture on the Christian dating site. After clicking to correspond, I got an answer immediately from David, like King David, a man after God’s own heart. As our online relationship intensified, I looked forward to every email and online chat session with him. I thanked God for finally answering my prayers for a godly man to share my life.
Some nagging doubts persisted–why can’t we talk on the phone? He explained he was overseas on a top-secret military mission, but would soon be released from his duties, travel back to the United States to meet me, and begin our life together.
Then David wrote about a problem with our exciting plans. He required some cash to clear up a few troublesome financial problems before he could travel home. Could I wire him $2,000?
My dreams of a happily ever after married life with the man of my dreams shattered around me when I realized David was an imposter and a scammer. The intense pain, embarrassment, and shame consumed me.
I doubted God’s love. Doesn’t God say He will give me the desires of my heart?
Do you feel God is not listening to your prayers? So, why should we keep praying?
God grows us
First, God says, “Wait, not yet. You are not ready to receive all I have for you.” We want a quick fix to our circumstances, but God wants to grow our character and faith. We grow up spiritually when we keep praying.
Loving parents do not give children everything they want. In the same way, our Heavenly Father teaches us to wait.
But we want it now! Waiting is hard. Understanding God’s timing, not ours, reveals spiritual maturity. God wants us to put Him first and trust Him completely.
During this time, my faith in God grew when I realized no man would love me as much as God does. My Heavenly Father provides all the security I need. He watches over me and takes care of me.
Will you keep praying when God doesn’t answer immediately?
God tests us
Second, God tests us because He wants us to depend only on Him. We don’t have to remind God of what we want, or convince Him what we want is best for us. He knows. Keep praying, but thank Him for answering.
When we keep praying, even though God is silent, we tell God what is most important to us. Give God glory, honor, and gratitude to show him we put Him first in our lives. Scripture states, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4 ESV).
I learned God is not a genie in a bottle who grants our every wish. Prayer is a conversation with God. I talk to him and listen to what He says to me though His Word. I thank Him for answering my prayers even before He does.
Do you thank God for the answer to prayer before He gives it?
God has better plans for us
Last, God knows the big picture. He may have much better plans in mind for us or answer our prayer in a way we don’t recognize. God only gives us what’s best for us.
I discovered God had better plans for me. During my season of pain, suffering, and repentance, my prayers changed. I prayed, “God, what is your plan for my life? I desire only what You want for me.”
One of my favorite scriptures is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Several months after my painful online dating experience, I realized God had better plans for me. He gave me a dream job in a new location near my family, exactly where He wanted me all along.
Do you trust God with the plans for your life?
Conclusion
No prayers go unanswered. But God doesn’t always answer them how and when we want.
I know how hard it is to wait on God. Though I am still single, I thank God for a godly husband to share my life. I know He only wants what is best for me.
Is there something you have been praying about for a long time? Are you discouraged because God hasn’t answered your prayers? Remember, God is sovereign and His timing is perfect. Ask Him about His plan for your life and trust your Heavenly Father knows what is best for you.
To read more about my singleness journey, see my previous posts on being single.
Thanks again for sharing on my blog, Susan! Your words were an encouragement to me.
Thank you for your comment Carly. I am glad you were encouraged by the post. It was a very bad experience but I learned so much from it.