While tragedies and losses can be difficult, it is often that God answers our prayers through these hard times.
God answers our prayers in a myriad of ways. Sometimes, God can answer our prayers in the most unlikely ways. We know that God answers all of our prayers, yet sometimes the answer is “yes,” but sometimes the answer is “no” or “not right now.” As Christians, we can trust in God to answer our prayers because we know He is our good, good Father.
Here are three ways God answers our prayers:
1. In Unexpected Ways
The first way God answers our prayers is in unexpected ways. Most of the prayers that I have prayed have been answered in unexpected ways. While I don’t claim to be a prayer warrior, I do pray often. Through our deepest and most honest prayers, we are better at seeing God’s answer. One prayer I had that was answered unexpectedly was when I was in college. I prayed for God to show me and lead me to where he wanted me to be after I graduated.
My first thought was that God was leading me to the mission field, yet God answered my prayer in a unique way. Instead of missionary work becoming my future, I enrolled in grad school. I had prayed for God to help me grow in Him, and although I thought that was through the mission field, it was actually through my time in graduate school. While I had the privilege of undergraduate studies, graduate studies helped me grow deeper in my knowledge of God. Maybe a few prayers of your own were answered in unexpected ways too.
Another time God answered one of my prayers unexpectedly was when I prayed for an opportunity to serve Him. After finishing undergrad and grad school, I was certain I would be able to find a job in my field. Despite endless job searching and applications, I didn’t receive any callbacks or emails from potential employers. Even though I wasn’t able to serve God through any of the ministries that I had applied for, I am now able to serve God through writing, and I enjoy it far better because I know I’m doing exactly what God wants me to be doing.
God often works in ways we don’t understand. Isaiah 55:8 tells us, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD.” Through this passage of Scripture, we are reminded that God’s thoughts and His ways are better than any of our own. While we only have a puzzle piece, God sees the whole picture. In your prayers, pray earnestly, and don’t be afraid to be specific in your prayers too. Even through specific prayers, God can still answer our prayers in unexpected ways.
2. Through Others
A second way God answers our prayers is through others. While this might sound a bit odd, know that it does happen. Think about how many times your pastor said exactly what you needed to hear on Sunday morning. Or maybe think of the time your friend helped point you back to Christ when you were struggling in your faith. Both of these scenarios have happened to me, and maybe they have happened to you too. Through others, God can answer our prayers.
My sister has helped me through numerous difficult times in my life. She has been the answer to a multitude of my prayers. I asked God for friends, yet my truest friend has been with me since day one. My sister has helped me in my struggles with depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and anorexia recovery. Even at my worst times, she always remains loyal to me and extends Jesus’ love in her actions. Maybe you have a friend just like my sister who has been your best friend through every high and every low.
After being diagnosed with the BRCA mutation earlier this year, I prayed for support and help through this difficult time. In addition to my sister extending extra care, my bosses gave me words of encouragement, hope, and lifted me up in prayers. Through my sisters and my bosses, I was able to feel known and loved during this particularly difficult season. It is often through others that God answers our prayers. Even though it might not be obvious at times, God does answer our prayers through loved ones in our lives.
3. Through Tragedies and Losses
A third way God answers our prayers is through tragedies and losses. While none of us want to go through difficult times, such as tragedies and losses, it is common for God to answer our prayers through these means. My mother was a Christian, yet most of our family was not Christian before her passing. My mom would often pray for us, and even though I have no physical proof of her praying for our salvation, I always have an inkling in my mind that she prayed for us. Through my mom’s passing, I came to know Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. It was through this tragedy that God’s greatness, compassion, and love finally breathed life into my bones.
Some of us don’t come to know Christ through ordinary means but rather through great tragedies or losses. Through these tragedies and losses, many prayers can be answered, such as helping others know Christ. Also, tragedies like chronic illnesses can be an answer to prayers. This might sound a bit peculiar, but sometimes, through illnesses, we can grow closer to Christ and be a brighter light for Him.
I have struggled with anorexia for twelve years, yet through my struggles, I have been able to help others hear the Gospel, such as through support groups and one-on-one conversations. I had prayed multiple times for opportunities to share the Gospel. Even though a mental illness such as anorexia is a terrible disease, God answered my prayer despite my illness of being able to help others know about Him. Maybe you have seen a few of your prayers answered through tragedies and losses. While tragedies and losses can be difficult, it is often that God answers our prayers through these hard times.
Waiting on God
Even though God doesn’t always answer our prayers with a “yes,” He still gives us an answer. Often we believe that if God doesn’t answer “yes” to our prayers that He didn’t answer our prayers. This is not true because God can still answer “no” or “not right now.” Through waiting for God, we need to strive to be patient. Psalm 27:14 tells us, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” It can be hard to wait on God, but it is vitally important that we wait for God to answer our prayers.
While our answer to prayer might not come in the most obvious of ways, your prayers are answered according to God’s will. He may answer your prayer in an unexpected way, He might answer your prayer through someone else in your life, or He might answer your prayers through tragedies and losses. It can be hard sometimes to see God answering our prayers if we aren’t actively looking for them. It is great to take time to look back at your history and take note of all the times God answered your prayers, as well as how He answered your prayer.
Through keeping a record of your prayers and how they were answered, you will be encouraged during difficult seasons of God’s past faithfulness. Even if God doesn’t answer your prayer right away, He will answer it in His timing. We can learn from the psalmist’s words as he writes, “Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God” (Psalm 38:15). Wait on the Lord, and He will answer your prayer in His own unique way.
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