Bible passage: Matthew 8:1-4 NLT
“Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.””
This passage highlights two main requirements for God to answer your prayer. Firstly, it must align with God’s will for your life; secondly, you must have faith. When the man with Leprosy approached Jesus, he demonstrated both of these conditions by having faith in Jesus’ ability to heal him while acknowledging that it could only happen if it aligned with God’s will. As a result, God miraculously healed him. However, it’s important to remember that even if we have unwavering faith, there may be times when our prayers go unanswered simply because they are not in God’s plan for us. In times like these, it’s easy to become disillusioned with God because of our disappointment. Although there’s nothing wrong with feeling disappointed, it should not result in you distancing yourself from God, but rather trusting and having faith in His word.
God declares in Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV), “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Romans 8:28 (NKJV) also states, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” These verses assure us that God has your best interests at heart and His plans are perfect, even when we don’t understand them.
Therefore, I urge you to believe that though you may not understand why God didn’t grant your request, He has His reasons, which are always for your ultimate benefit. Furthermore, remember that God often says no to our requests because He has something better in store for us.
Other encouraging bible passages:
- “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” – 1 John 5:14 NIV
- “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
