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Why are prayers for myself not answered?

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Posted by: JeriRose12

I had a couple people tell me recently that the prayers I prayed for them were answered EXACTLY in the details I prayed. Why, then, are my own prayers for my own needs (one even the exact same issue) not answered?

Someone explained to me that when others are blessed we should be rejoicing rather than jealous. Jealousy can hold back a blessing....but it isn't that. I always rejoice with others, though I may go to God and ask why I'm not getting the answer to what I'm praying. When they get the thing I am praying for, I get excited thinking God will do it for me, too. But some things, like my healing, have been ongoing without the desired answer for years. I have seen countless others give the testimony of healing....

Someone gave the testimony of passing the drive test. I didn't.

Many have the testimony of sowing the seed and receiving a HUGE harvest, financially.

So, it isn't lack of faith, is it, when the exact thing I prayed for someone else was asnwered to the exact details of what I prayed? At least, it isn't lack of faith for them. (I admit that soemtimes I do pray with little faith for others, too [at least, I don't feel faith], yet it's still sometimes answered to the detial of what I prayed.) I know God is no respecter of persons; I know He will do it for me. Why, then, does it seem like others get the answers and I don't?

Any insights?

Jerena


Posted by: Christian Commando

Dearest Sis in Christ-

There is very good reason why.

First- God has mysterious ways- "His ways are not our ways".

Second- God has a time when all things will work out.

Third- God has a purpose- Theres a reason why something works out when it does.

Fourth- Patience- God builds our faith thru learning patience. When we think something is best answered in one way or at a certain time may not help us best.

Fifth- Glorifying God- All things we do should be for the purpose of Glorifying God. If this is our focus, it may be God has a special time and way in which a prayer will be answered that will not only Glorify God, but edify the Body in some way.

sixst- Our best interest- God loves us and wants to Bless us. But, God does not Bless everyone the same. Blessings come in most ways and times we do not expect, because how Hewill have it answered, will be best for us, yet Glorify Him in the end.

The Apostle Paul sked God to answer a prayer of deliverance from a "thorn in the flesh". This person following and messing up his ministry meetings, Paul prayed for God to remove. God said NO, but rather- "My Grace is sufficient for thee.

This lesson teaches us if God can be so loving to us, He will forgive for no reason- Grace- unearned- unmerited favor, we can be as loving, meek and forgiving to others as well. Which teaches us patience as well to wait on God's fulfillment of our prayers.

Fact is, when God finally does answer our prayers, we will be that much more Blessed in being joyous, excited, benefiting us more. You and I do not understand all things, thus, we can not comprehend why God waits or has some things work outas they do.

God answered prayers many times for me that I never thought was all that great. Until a ways further in the future, it turned out that answer to prayer actually benefited both me and certain others as well, bringing them to Truths of God, Salvation, etc.

This is why I sit quietly and wait for God's answer, as I continue serving Him as He opens oportunities. I quit pushing, because it takes that much longer for prayers to be answered otherwise. Out of the blue, they will be answered and in some way, you'll be supprised and excited over how it turns out.

Btw- Know that I failed the driving test 4 times myself. I was raised driving our Dad's 4 speed shift, and Mom made me use thier car- "automatic". The instructor kept telling me a mistake I'd make was a thousand dollar acident each time.

But finally, God lead Dad to let me fix up his pickup to be fully legal and use that. I passed with a 95 score. God knew I wasn't ready for the driving test which is why it didn't work out. When I was, He made it work so I'd have all things the best for me to pass the test.

I pray this helps-

God Bless!!


Posted by: The Anointed One

Quote:
Originally Posted by JeriRose12
I had a couple people tell me recently that the prayers I prayed for them were answered EXACTLY in the details I prayed. Why, then, are my own prayers for my own needs (one even the exact same issue) not answered?

Someone explained to me that when others are blessed we should be rejoicing rather than jealous. Jealousy can hold back a blessing....but it isn't that. I always rejoice with others, though I may go to God and ask why I'm not getting the answer to what I'm praying. When they get the thing I am praying for, I get excited thinking God will do it for me, too. But some things, like my healing, have been ongoing without the desired answer for years. I have seen countless others give the testimony of healing....

Someone gave the testimony of passing the drive test. I didn't.

Many have the testimony of sowing the seed and receiving a HUGE harvest, financially.

So, it isn't lack of faith, is it, when the exact thing I prayed for someone else was asnwered to the exact details of what I prayed? At least, it isn't lack of faith for them. (I admit that soemtimes I do pray with little faith for others, too [at least, I don't feel faith], yet it's still sometimes answered to the detial of what I prayed.) I know God is no respecter of persons; I know He will do it for me. Why, then, does it seem like others get the answers and I don't?

Any insights?

Jerena
I believe that God answers all of our prayers when we pray according to the Will of God which as outlined in His Word, and in the Name of Jesus as The New Testament Church is taught to pray. However, I believe that sometimes we have a challenge on the receiving end, which hinders us in receiving what we have petitioned God for. Picture if you will your favorite radio station. And that radio station operates on a certain frequency channel, and as long as you are tuned in to the frequency channel, you receive the broadcast clearly. The signal from the radio station itself never fails, but sometimes the tuning mechanism on the receiver gets off a little bit and you have to adjust it again in order to receive the signal clearly. With that said, Heaven never fails to send your answer when you come according to the Word of God and with the Name of Jesus, So I would ask God in my prayer time what adjustment do I need to make on the receiving end. The Bible declares in EPHESIANS Chapter 6 and Verse 8, that, "Knowing that whatsoever good that any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free," which reveals to us a principle of God that basically means this...WHAT YOU MAKE HAPPEN FOR OTHERS, GOD WILL MAKE HAPPEN FOR YOU. You do a lot of good on this board. You help, pray for, and encourage many people. God will cause the same to happen for you. Be Encouraged.


Posted by: JeriRose12

Thanks for the kind and wise replies. I know that I may not be ready to drive alone, so having a person with me is good to warn me if making a mistake. So, that's one thing I thought of. I know God's timing is perfect.... It's just hard waiting. (Leaving now but can post more later.)

Jerena


Posted by: Christian Commando

Sis-

The next time you start feeling impatient, remember my last 3 years now with this latest stretching of my faith in God thru Christ. But, more little things are coming to transition- my Grant work is finally all printed out, just need to get pics on to computer and added to the "Apendices" to show overall how serious I am with this.

Not to mention the gentleman who called me about this latest chuch and that School, we have talked further and have more to pray about. He believes God has shown him, me as an Administrator of the School, but also a Teacher of Christian students, possibly for Missionary work.

Since we had a Blizzard over this weekend, no Church, so the Pastor and I have not gotten back together about thier Church yet either. I don't have fear, but apprehension about switching over to being a Church Minister, from so many years as an Evangelistic one.

God Bless!


Posted by: Rmartel

I was thinking about this subject just before I read this post.
About 3 years ago I read a book by Michelle Hammond titled "Favor and Blessings of God" but nothing change in my life at that point; alhough I felt
the writer was sincere and mostly likely hearing from God. I basically did not get it. But it all seemed clear for Michelle Hammond. I at that time had a friend who challenged me to make more financially and this tended to aggravate me to no end;as it did not seem to work for me.He challenged me to get into contracting like he was in. The Lord did instruct me to make a tool box for my truck earlier on but I put that off; not knowing whether that was
the Lord or not.
I was comfortable and my little Bachlor suite was anointeds as well. I was thankful and I prayed for people and my prayers were answered. What
more could I possibly ask for? I had friends who were anointed as well
and felt quite blessed. My Job was quite hard physically and I would be tired at the end of the day. Sometimes very tired ;but always thankful.
I did desire to buy things for my children but did not have abundance
I helped people as well in need and had done so for some time.
I had seen other people get financially blessed but not so myself.
Could that mean the door of financial blessings was not open to me;but for others only.
My friend used to and continually talk about the Favor of God. Hmmmm?
Which I felt was biblical;when looking at Abraham whith all God blessed him with.
My friend went out on a limb and asked me to move to Calgary and work for him; Now I had prayed about this for some time with nothing from God ;other then the thought to build a tool box for the back of the truck.
Well boy was I thankful and could not belive the money I made as well as learning a different trade (Roofing). My Income multiplied many times over.
I was able to take my Wife as well as her and my children on vacation
to P.E.I ( Prince Edward Island)which costed about $10,000 dollars.
I was able to help others as well.
The unique thing about this was this profession was always there even before I was born;but I was ignorant to this fact.
Much has happened since then; and I have not regretted the move I made.
I now have my own buisness contracting. I am very thankful for what the Lord has done.
I am now reading a book by Joel Olsteen titled "Your best life now"
Some of the things he writes about have happened to me.
He writes God will meet you at your Faith; and thus if your old attitude is dictating your Faith as mine was ;he will meet you there.
He challenges people to get rid of their old wineskins (Old attitudes);the
thoughts of the enemy nothing good ever happens to me.
How can he put new wine or Revelations into our old wine skins?
Proclaim I have favor from God. How much more God wants to meet you at a higher level;like Jacob and the spotted livestock.
God truly does see all the Good things you do and does take notice and truly does want to bless you at a higher level.
After all he will meet you at your faith. We need to stretch our faith level
and say yes I can live in abundance as Jesus said "I choose you will have life in abundance.Do not say you are not worthy. God has not overlooked you. God knows how many times each of you have prayed for others ;and come to their aid.
Start to see things in the positive and declare God working in these situations activate him;when others are not. Do so in your own lifes.
Get a copy of Joel's Book. You may surprize yourselves.
"My people perish for lack of vision and lack of Knowledge. "
My friend told me his friend who cannot even read english ;a Jewish friend makes half a million a year in our profession. Quote "We ought to be ashamed of ourselves as we speak english and can write english."
So we need to stretch our Faith and see the visions for ourselves as well.
What is God showing you today? Are you as I was and not seeing it?
I once slept on a mat in a poor area of town ;in my brothers small Apt.
My brother was an alcohlic and very abusive to live with then.
Feeling abandoned by my God and feeling going thru Levitcus 26 the curses
not the blessings.
My children were in another house then and rarely did I see then. I was broken and also in legal divorce battles.
Even though all this was happening I felt very close to God and heard from him as well.
My problem was the circumstances dictated otherwise and I was prone to believe these circumstances rather then the promises of God . What a mistake and a loss of time disqualifying myself from the Blessings of God.
I did this by not taking hold of the blessings and promises of God by faith.
I prayed for others and there prayers were answered most of the time but not for myself sadly.
I was hearing form the Lord "Do not go by circumstances but had a hard
time to incorporate this in my life at the time.
Deep down I felt there was a God that listened to Joel Olsteen
and the likes of Juanita Bynum and Michelle Hammond but a void when it came to me.
Now after looking back I see things more clearly about he blessings and favor of God I see things happening out of the blue.
I believe my vision has changed dramatically as to believe doors will and are open to me.
I have been my own worst enemy and was being played on by the enemy
as to what was possible for me. Now I know like others in Joel Olsteens book as well as Kenneth Hagins wifes book on the same subject and of course Michelle Hammonds book "Blessings and Favor from God" that Gods Favor is for me as well.
Rmartel


Posted by: eagle4him

God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He does not show favoritism with prayers He answers, either. All prayers are answered, yes, yes but not right now or no. James says we have not because we ask not and when we ask we ask amiss, with selfish or improper motivation.

I believe that any prayer we pray according to God's will, if we believe it in our heart God will answer on our behalf. The problems I think has to do with our belief. At least this is so in my own case many times. I have great faith for God to answer prayers for others, but not for myself.

God is changing that in me though, and has even instructed me to lay my own hands on my head and command my headache to go away, and it did!

Lord I pray for boldness in faith for our sister here to ask for whatever she desires in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ and it shall be done for her according to Your riches and for Your glory.

Prophecy now in Jesus name, that which You desire and it shall be done. I declare this today, in heaven, now Lord, bring it down to earth.

Speak God's word over your circumstances, and believe in your heart and it is God's responsibility to make it happen, then, not yours!


Posted by: JeriRose12

Another insight came to me in regards to this. God is balancing out my prayers. Over here I prayed for finances, let's say. And over here I prayed for patience, for instance. Well, I may have to be patient in waiting for the finances, so I can think the finances prayer is not being answered, when it is as good as done. But right now, He is working on the patience answer. I notice He answers prayers for character or anoointing much more readily than some of the others, especially those that represent a want.

It came to me, as well, that if I prayed to get a license, but, all through that time (as working on getting one) was praying for safety, He might delay the license to keep me safe. I think having a person with me to warn me when doing something dangerous is probably what He has in mind for now, until I get my corners better (still not always sure where to go in sequence, and sometimes get rattled and do something risky).

It is not an issue of not declaring or prophesying over myself. I do lay hands on myself many times, anoint myself with oil.... I just have no clue why some prayers for myself are on delay for so long. But then, Paul did get the "My grace is sufficient" answer. But I see others get healed, etc. or the exact thing I'm praying over myself with the same faith...or so I assume. Same God with the same power, anyway. Same ability to do it for me as everyone else. I know I am as worthy as the next guy, and God is no respector of persons. I tell Him that many, many times.

Here's an example: I pray peace on some and they say they felt total peace as a result. I pray peace for myself and struggle to feel it in ceratin situations. Same God. Same prayer.

Anyhow, it matter not, in the sense that God is in control and He has the best in store for me. (The anointing is increasing as I write this, and that's the most important thing I'm praying for, so praise the Lord!). I know that I know that I know that it's all working together for my good.

I simply want to know further strategies in prayer, so keep on replying with any insights God gives you.

I also had the "stand"ing prayer explained to me a few days ago -- that is as I meditated on those scriptures truth opened up to me. The Bible says we are to put on the armor and having done all STAND. It says STAND sitll and see the salvation of God. We are to STAND in the gap. Why does he ask us to stand? Because it implies standing our ground...not giving up faith NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR THE ANSWER TO MANIFEST.

JeriRose


Posted by: Christian Commando

Let me ask you this tho Sis-

You brought up about others getting thier liscense right away, where yours has taken time. True.... but-

What about how you have been improving in your driving skills? Has God not answered those prayers? From your updates, yes, its taken awhile, but yes, you've improved immensely. So, God will answer your prayer for the license, its evident in His answers to your improved driving.

Your right on about the "stand" Concept of God. Never give up hope or faith in God to answer prayers that are inline with Him.

Eagle4him is very close on the "answers" part, but let us remember God's answering "no" is not always because we ask amiss, when the apostle Paul had good reason to ask God to remove the "thorn in the flesh", God said "no", for "My Grace is sufficient for thee".

So, even tho Paul was being buffeted by this "messenger of Satan", Paul was not delivered from that, because God was teaching him temperance and patience, in dealing with that irritation following him around and messing up his meetings.

God Bless!!


Posted by: JeriRose12

Yes, and really I've only been driving since last Novemeber....that makes it about six months. I just really wanted a quick time frame, because I'm eager to get going on so many things in my life right now! A license would free me up to focus on the other areas.... But, again, God's knows, and in His time I will get a license. Many have driven a couple years or so (in my family) before passing the drive test. Funny, how I've waited thirty years since first starting to drive at 15 1/2 years old...and now I want it yesterday! God waits on us a loooooooooooooooooooooooooong time sometimes, then we wonder why He is taking so long.

Thanks for the insight, CC.

Jerena