Why do we have to wait so long for prayers to be answered

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Tis_Bearself said:
With respect to Mary and Joseph being bad parents and Jesus being an ungrateful 12-year-old, we have to remember that the Scriptures tell a very short version of the story and probably don’t capture every detail of what was going on (any more than the Wedding at Cana story does). As for Mary not checking with Joseph, my understanding is that the travels to Jerusalem involved Mary traveling in one part of a large caravan with the women and Joseph traveling in another part some distance away with the men, so any “checking with” would probably have been done when they were a day or a half day away from the city already, just due to the logistics of the travel. Plus, we all know how 12-year-olds can elude their parents; for all we know Jesus, being God’s son (and knowing he was God’s son as he said he must “be about his Father’s business”) might have even used some type of supernatural power to transport himself back to the Temple.

Anyway, I’m sorry that you and your parents have had to face some big challenges in life. My father was sick and disabled for years and I had to watch what my mom went through trying to help him and care for him. It was difficult. I’ve seen other people in that situation too and I feel for them all and agree with you that it is a big cross to carry. We all have our crosses to bear, though mine is different from yours.

We all have our times of feeling frustrated with God, like he’s just dumping too much on us or like we just feel so bad and God seems to be absent or uncaring. But if you talk to him often, you should also feel times when he’s there, helping you. I know that might sound pretty unbelievable when you’re feeling really low and annoyed with God, but it’s true. God cares about you even when he seems absent, cruel or frustrating. Please just keep talking to him. I will pray for you and your husband and ask God to please give you some more help. God bless you
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Oftentimes, it isn’t until I look back on situations where I’ve seen God’s hand at work in them. Sometimes I think that when we’re in the middle of a situation, I personally think that we can be overcome with worry, frustration, fear, and so on.

It isn’t until the situation may improve, be resolved, and so on, that we may then see that God was there helping us through it, but we may just have not seen it at that time, perhaps due to our feelings/human nature.

This has been my own personal experience.
 
On my part, I’ve had so many prayers answered I can’t even count them. I can’t even remember most of the things I’ve prayed for in my life because either the prayer has been directly answered in a positive way, or I’ve grown beyond the request (which is a way of God answering the prayer, too). On the other hand there are a couple things I’ve prayed many many years for that have never been answered. I keep praying nevertheless and count the many other blessings I’ve been given. God’s ways are not our ways, that’s for sure! A daily practice of gratitude for the many gifts from God He has given me usually shuts my whining up…🙂
 
I get what you are saying about praying for many years but it seems unanswered or no. However for me it is not about insisting onjust what I want. It is about not knowing if it is a yes…because if it is a no, then why should I continue praying for it? If God says no, the no it is. The problem is I do not know if it is a no. That has been my problem, not knowing whether I should continue praying for certain intentions or not.
 
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I think if it is not a clear “no” and you are still moved to pray about whatever it is you want, you should pray. God often answers only after a long time of prayer. But of course none of us know this answer.
 
Thanks for this reply.

I do have another question. If there is no clear no, but it seems that doors aren’t opening and obstacles just keep cropping up, and things not pushing through despite continuous efforts and trying different things and trying everything, can that be construed that God is saying no?
 
It might be God’s “no” and then again it might be God’s “wait.” If you really want whatever it is and believe it is a good thing to ask for, the best thing is to just keep praying. But also pray the way Jesus did in the Garden, “I want this, dear God, but your will be done over mine.”
 
I’d like to share something here. I had really difficulty in moving forward after my boyfriend and I broke up many years ago. I was praying to God to help us to go back together. Until I prayed that I just wanted to meet him to apologize. I thought God’s answer to my second petition was NO.

After several years, my mom and I went to the church in Manila, after praying there, I sat while waiting for my mother to finish her prayer. Then coincidentally, I saw him near me with his new partner. I knew that my prayer was granted by God. I did not try to talk with him but I got peace of mind and I never regretted that decision.

Also, I was able to apologize years later so even though we are just now acquaintances, I can say that at least we are in good terms now and he already forgave me. I am happy for him.

These videos may help you understand why we have to continue praying and trust God for His plans for us, (although I am still having difficulty and confusion about it, I keep on searching)



God bless you!
 
Thanks for sharing your story and the videos. If it is okay to ask, are you from the Philippines?
 
@fin you’re welcome. Yes, I am from the Philippines and I am Filipino.
 
Maybe God does answer yes to your prayer, just not in the exact way you were waiting for.
 
The fact that something is difficult does not mean it is wrong.

Many important things are hard. Nursing school is hard. Sitting up with a sick child for days is hard.

Staying with a chronically ill spouse is hard.

Look at the thing you are asking for. Will it keep you from heaven? Will it tempt you into sin? If the answer is “no”, then, it is likely something God wants you to figure out for yourself.
 
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