|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "God Be With You"1 (Lyrics) |
James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (ESV)
In my experience, the Lord usually takes His time in answering prayers. Sometimes, we receive the answers that we are looking for, but sometimes, the answer is not what we expected. His answer might be Yes, No, Wait, or "I have something better in mind!"
Recently, I had a message on my phone from a cousin whose cat had just died. She wanted to know if she had prayed in the wrong way by asking God to heal her cat of diabetes. Her prayer was not answered. Did her prayer cause him to die? I called her back and assured her that her prayer was absolutely genuine and right.
During our conversation, she suggested that she would like to see a Christian counsellor. I promised that I would see what I could do and get back to her later in the week. We live seven hours apart, and I did not know of anyone I could refer her to.
The next morning, I sat down at my desk and said to the Lord, "Help me begin to find someone to help my cousin." I then forgot about it and went on with my morning duties. One hour later, I checked my emails and noticed one from someone whom I did not recognize. It was from a Christian counselling service in a nearby city. The person who sent it said that this was being sent to me in case I knew of anyone who could make use of their counselling services.
With tears in my eyes, I thanked the Lord for giving me the wisdom that I needed in order to bring assistance to my cousin. I emailed the person back explaining that their outreach to me was a direct answer to prayer and told them about my cousin. He said that they could refer my cousin to a therapist closer to where she lived.
I called my cousin and shared this with her. She was overcome with gladness and was so thankful that God had answered our prayers so quickly.
Have you ever had an almost immediate answer to prayer? They are miracles, and we never forget them. The next time you pray, who knows, you may receive an answer almost before it is off your lips. A friend of mine often says, "God is seldom early but never late." Let us thank Him that His timing is perfect.
What a friend we have in Jesus!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for answering our prayers, whether over time or immediately. We leave our cares and concerns in Your loving arms. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share this devotional on Facebook Like PresbyCan on Facebook
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
Monday, December 9, 2024 – Worldwide — In this Advent season when many people celebrate and don't understand why, pray that God may give us opportunities to speak about the God who saw our need and loves us enough to send His Son into the world – cause for celebration indeed!
Prayer for Pastor Kristen: "Update December 2, 2024: Kristen is not doing well. She will probably need to go on disability. She..." 
Prayer for Healing: "December 5, 2024: Pray, please, for healing for son who has been sick for over a month. Originally..." 
Thanks David blessings.
Thanks for sharing, David.
Good one. Thank you.
(Manitoba)
Thank you for that wonderful reminder this morning David. It gives me hope while I wait.
David, yes, God always hears and answers us. I need to be alert to hear his answer because it is often a quiet one.
Tuesday prayer meeting we asked God to help an elderly couple get well after a serious illness. They were in church today.
From just down the road – thank you.
We love to see Canadian contributions.
(ON)
Oh David, we sure do worship an amazing God, don’t we!
Thanks for sharing that encouraging and amazing message.
Blessings.
Dear David,
Thank you so much for a very encouraging devotional. It will surely motivate many readers to keep on praying, even when the answer seems to be slow in coming.
Good morning, David
God’s timing is always perfect. We may not always see it that way but once we do, it is amazing and comforting.
God bless.
Good Morning,
Thank you for sharing your devotion…… a great reminder and so true!!!
Have a happy and blessed Sunday.
Thanks,
(ON, Canada)
Amen and amen! Thanks for sharing this encouraging devotional with us.
Yes, God does meet our needs and often our desires, but when God says “no”, He usually is sparing us from something that would be disastrous for our eternal soul. Again, thanks for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
Good morning, David,
Definitely a very positive message to help us all know that our prayers are answered in many different ways and it is always important to pray. Thanks for sharing. Concrete examples from people’s lives, help us all thinking about when it has happened for us and to know that God knows what is best for each of us. Blessings.
Hi David,
As soon as I opened this devotional, I knew it was an immediate and direct answer to a prayer I had just finished praying. I literally got up from my knees and sat down and opened it – and there was the answer!
Thank-you for writing this!
Greetings David and many thanks for this very special devotional you have delivered today. We sure never know just how and when the Lord will answer our prayers. I have often said “He really likes to surprise us with His timing and His response to our requests”. We surely need to remain faithful to Him and patiently await His answer each time we pray for relief of a situation. Our Lord is ever on duty! Many blessings for writing.
Dear David,
Thank you so much for this. I’ve been out of work since August, and I have been praying daily that the LORD would guide my steps to the next stage in my life, but nothing seems to be happening, despite many Christian friends offering prayers for me.
I had a Christian friend. She has gone home to be with the Lord she loved so much many years ago, and she used to say, “A coincidence is just God being anonymous.”
Every blessing.
Here I am, Send AARON!
Seriously, it is AMAZING how our prayers are answered if we’re aware of doors opening.
God Bless in your ministry in Prescott and Spencerville
I remember seeing a vulnerable senior in my congregation board a crowded transit bus one afternoon, and not really aware where she was. I prayed for direction — what could and should do, and as a slew of High Schoolers departed the then-crowded bus, there was her Elder, seated at the back of the bus (like the Ram provided in Genesis 23). Prayer of help – answered; although I had a new duty – to accompany the Elder to intervene, and to inform the Transit Operator of the situation — who calmly stopped the bus (in RUSH HOUR!) and assisted in seeing her off, as we crossed the road to return the wayward senior home on another bus.
THANKFULLY, she was safe, and within a couple of months, both she and husband were moved into a guarded Seniors Residence community.
Well, great devotion for The Lord’s Day.
(ON)
Great story of answered prayer, David, and an encouragement to all of us.