Over the past few weeks I have been offering suggestions on how to observe that God is working in your life. So far, I have encouraged you to look for any changes ? either positive or negative. This week, I encourage you to look for NO changes. Yes, you read that right! Quite often God responds to our prayers by changing nothing ? at least on the outside.
Feeling Hopeful
One often overlooked way to determine that the Lord is hearing and responding to your prayers is an unexplained feeling of hope. I think we?ve all experienced this at one time or another. You pray about something and, before anything concrete happens, you feel more hopeful. Far from being accidental, the hope you feel is often the first fruit of prayer.“Are You Listening, Lord?”
Psalm 13 provides a nice Biblical example of this concept in action. David opens this psalm crying out, ?How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?? It goes downhill from there, with several more ?how longs? addressed to the Lord. He obviously needs help and needs it now! After bombarding God with all of his problems, David then proceeds to do something bold?and wise. He calls upon the Lord to ?answer him?. And, judging by the shift in his tone, that?s exactly what happened.?But I have trusted in your merciful love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.? (Psalm 13:5-6)
Expect An Answer
Instead of just worrying and feeling hopeless by the very real danger surrounding him, David cried out to the Lord and expected his prayer to be answered. As a result, he received a much needed infusion of hope. Even though the threat remained, David was able to rejoice because of his renewed confidence in God?s providence.Seek And You Will Find
As you continue to pray for an ?unanswered? intention, look for an inner feeling of peace or hope. This often missed first fruit of prayer can give you the strength to continue moving forward even though your problem remains. God loves you and will always answer your prayers in some way. As we discussed in prior weeks, our prayers are often answered gradually.Don?t give up. He is listening and responding!
