God Answers Prayer

"And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them."  Zechariah 13:9

I've prayed enough to know that God answers prayer.  He always answers.  Though, usually not how we expect.  How many mothers have begged God for the opportunity to be at home with their children?  And look at us now.

On March 31, 2001, after joining a Motherwise Bible Study to learn more about raising my two babies, I prayed asking God to draw me closer to Him--no matter what it took.  The next day, I was diagnosed with a meningioma, a benign brain tumor, and subsequently given about two years to live because it was growing faster than the typical meningioma.  God answered my prayer.  He drew me close to Him in ways I never imagined He could.  I count this time as one of the biggest blessings I have ever experienced.

There have been countless other prayers I have prayed.  Some answered even more dramatically, and some less.  But, it is the "no" answers and the "not yet" answers that I have the most difficulty with.

Do you?

Recently I began to pray asking God to purify my life and refine me into the person he intends me to be.  And, I must confess, I can't ever remember being in a more painful place in my life.  The intense pressure, emotional, and spiritual pain I feel is excruciating.  

Ever been there?

The Holy Bible talks about refining us like silver.  "Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel" (Proverbs 25:4).  

There is so much dross coming out of me right now that I have a hard time imagining there will be any silver left for a vessel in all of the mess. But God is faithful.  This time is temporary.  And, He gives this promise in Isaiah 61:3, "To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.  In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory."

I know He will do it.  He has never failed me yet.

Is there something you've been praying for?  Maybe it’s been a long time.

1 John 5:14-15 tells us, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”

Goodnight, Runners.

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  2. Hello sister Priscilla. I a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I am glad to stop by your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am also blessed so much to get connected with you and know you as a woman of God who writes for strengthening and encouraging the body of Christ. I am glad see the books or book lets are are displayed along with this post and would love to get copies of those books. I always prefer hard copy than e-copy. What a blessings to go through your blog post "God Answers Prayer" . I totally believe what you say. Let me pray for you. I know that God has connected me with you to pray for you and I will pray for God's healing touch to you and also praying for long life. These days our church is praying focussing on 2nd Chronicles 7:14 as the out break of Corona virus killing through out the world thousands of people. In this midst of this pestilance God wants His people who are called by His name to humble, pray, seek His face and turn away from our wicked ways then will He hear from heaven and forgive our sin and heal the land. As I have been focussing personally on this praying I am saying to the purify me, cleanse me throughly and let there be no wickedness in me, seeking His forgiveness and asking Him to make me a person after His own heart.
    These days our church team is involved with other christian NGO that is involved in ministry to the prostitutes. We have been distributing food grain packets to the most needly people as the Lord provides. One of the team members from NGO while doing this work triedlessly since almost 24th March the time our Govt. decleared lock out. He fall sick few days back and today he is tested Corona virus positive. His name is Stephen and his wife is bed ridden because of paralytice attack some years back. He has two grown up but still studying sons. We are seeking God for His healing touch to Stephen as well as his wife. I will appreciate your prayer support for his family and for His fast recovery. Mumbai city has 20 million population and half of the population lives in the slums and hence it is becoming difficult to control Corona virus transmission. It is spreading fast in the slums of Mumbai and so far we have more than 20 thousand cases and over more than 1000 people have died due to Corona virus. In other States of India the cases are being under control and we had in India so far over 3000 death. The lock down has been since 24th March and is extended untill 31st May. I will appreciate your prayers for our city as well as country which has idolatery. We have more than 360 milliond gods and godesses. Pray for people to know who Jesus is. Well we do have out reach ministry to the poorest of poor people in the slums and we reach out to them with the love of Christ to bring healing to the broken hearted. We also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacaton time. We would love to have young people from your family, friends or church circle to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. I am sure they will have a life changing experience. Looking forward to hear from you. Normally I seldomly revisit blog posts of Christians and hence I prefer to have communication via email and hence I am giving my email : dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede

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