Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.
–Mark 11:24
Sometimes we don’t seem to get what we pray for.
Isn’t that true? Matthew 7:11 says that God our Father gives good gifts to those who ask Him. I believe that Jesus’ disciple Mark, like Matthew, assumes that our prayer requests are good in God’s eyes. Genuinely good requests, those good for our spirit and our body, good for others, good for God’s timing, are given to us.
A few years ago, my husband and I sat frustrated from weeks of home hunting. We pulled into a parking lot and asked God to direct us what to do. Should we give up, or could He physically lead us the right way?
The moment we opened our eyes, a realtor began shouting at us from the apartment above. It wasn’t an hour later that she led us to buy our first home.
About a year later, our beloved dog was lost. We searched, we mourned, we begged God to bring our little love back. However, he was never found. Though we adored him, we came to realize that he was no longer the perfect fit for our changing lives.
If he had found a new home, perhaps he was filling a hole in the hearts of his new family.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I can’t be always sure that what I ask for is good. But, help me so that I can believe that You hear and You will answer me with Your infinite understanding of what’s best. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Reflection
Do I have a good gift in mind for myself? I will keep praying for it and then be sure to look expectantly for God’s good answer.