Sometimes, we don’t recognize God’s answer to our prayers because God’s answer was far bigger and grander than what we have asked for. We are like a small child who asked for a candy and God has given us the whole chain of candy stores, and because we haven’t received exactly what we prayed for, we think God has denied our request!

This was the case with the disciples even after Jesus was resurrected. They ask Jesus: “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). The disciples were still hung up on the idea of Jesus being a national savior to save Israel from the control of Rome. But Jesus had in mind to save the world, and convert Rome itself so that the whole world will follow Him not only for a few decades but forever!
Be very careful about pigeonholing God to fit your world view. You cannot tame God. You cannot fit Him in your back-pocket. You and your requests fit in His back-pocket… This means if God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want, it doesn’t mean that He doesn’t care or has not heard our prayers. It may be that God has something far greater in mind than what we have asked for.
When my girls ask for a Lego toy, I want to take them to Legoland!
PH