{ Prayer, Part One // When God Doesn't Answer }

Since I grew up in a strong Christian home, the emphasis on the importance of prayer has always been strong. I don’t remember a time where my family hasn’t gathered in the living room to begin or end our day with prayer. It’s always been a routine to wake up, pray, live my day and then mumble a few words to God before I fall asleep.

     Recently, however, I haven’t just been praying to God twice or thrice a day. As my life has begun to fill with new responsibilities, problems, and ever-present drama, I often find myself crying out to Him. To be honest, I can’t imagine my life without someone to talk to like Him. I feel sorry for those who do not know or do not wish to know Him. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t ask God for strength whenever I’m facing a trial!

     I used to think that praying was a ritual; that there was a right and a wrong way to do it. I always thought I was expected to use fancy words and phrases when I prayed instead of speaking the words that I felt in my heart. As I have begun to read my Bible more and spend time with Him, praying has become easier. Depending on what I’m praying about, I feel as if I’m talking to my father (which He is), a counselor, (which He is) or a dear friend (which He is!). He is a confidential outlet, an ever-present ear, and a non-judgmental source of encouragement.

     Sometimes I find myself frustrated with Him when He doesn’t answer a prayer of mine (at least, not in the way I would like him too). For example, last year my mom signed us up to attend Heritage (a co-op in our area) in the fall. I was extremely reluctant to go; I’m not a big fan of change and I wasn’t looking forward to being the “new girl”. Besides, I already had tons of friends at my youth group and I was confident in my standing in the world. I didn’t want something new to shake up my life. So I begged my mom to let me stay home, but she wouldn’t hear of it.

    The day before Heritage was supposed to start, our family was supposed to go to the co-op campus to tour the building so we would be comfortable the first day of school. When we arrived, a girl came up and started talking to me, a smile on her face. She introduced herself and gave me her number after we had chatted for a couple minutes, and I left with a strange feeling in my heart. Perhaps I would like it here, after all.

    The year proceeded and I continued to make friend after friend at Heritage, and I found myself genuinely enjoying my time there. When I started to have some trouble with the “friends” at youth group, my friends at co-op were the ones that helped me through it. I don’t know what I would’ve done without them!

    As I was laying in bed pondering over recent events, I bolted upright. Oh my gosh, I thought. If God had “answered” my prayer and didn’t make me go to Heritage, I wouldn’t have any of the genuine friends that I do now and I would be miserable at youth group. God did answer my prayer . . . just not in the way I wanted at the time. How glad I was that I hadn’t gotten what I wanted!

     This is just one example of how our desires and our wills aren’t what God desires and wills for our lives. He wants the very best for us, even if that means letting us be unhappy at the time. So if you’re praying fervently for something not to happen in your life, and God lets it happen anyway, don’t get angry at Him. He has a plan and will work through whatever situations are going on. Trust Him, and always remember that He hears our prayers and ALWAYS answers them—even if it’s not in the way we want at the time.

Love you girlies! Hope this post was inspiring in some shape or form:) im hopefully back to stay, sorry i've been gone for so long! <3 missed you guys 

-em