All we have to do is ask


We are often told to pray about things we might be struggling with or when we need an answer to something, but how do we know when our prayers are answered? 

Before you read this, hear me, I am not a theologian, or an expert on scripture or prayer in any way, but I am someone who has needed His guidance many times, and found answers I needed in different ways. I want this to be encouragement for you. If you are having a hard time or need help or guidance, rest assured, He is listening and He wants you to come to him. Throughout my life, I have found my prayers are answered in a few specific ways: scripture, wise counsel, and divine providence. I hope my stories inspire you to ask AND receive.

Scripture: If you're struggling with something, I encourage you to find a bible study plan about the topic and complete it, maybe even more than one. When we let fear in, we are opening the door to anxiety, and God doesn't want that for us. I have found that when I am feeling anxious or scared about a situation or things unknown, I find hope and encouragement in His word. I don't mean sit down and read your bible. The amount of times I have attempted reading the bible with apps and podcasts and good intentions is slightly embarrassing... I don't operate that way. I will find inspiration in sermons at church on Sunday and maybe dig deeper in a book or chapter, or I will be more intentional, and use the bible app. This app has been so helpful for me in times of uncertainty, and I am here to remind you it's there for you, too. You can search any topic in the app, and you will most likely find a bible study plan that goes along with it. I love that it's on my device, so it's with me wherever I go. They are usually 3-10 day plans and each day takes maybe 5-10 minutes. It's worth that time; scripture is truth. Once you study scripture with a specific struggle in mind, you will begin to find the answers, hope, or the encouragement you're seeking. There is no shame in laying it down and giving it to God, in fact, that is exactly what He wants for us. Go to him, for he can give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Wise counsel: Another tool readily available to us when we are anxious and tired, is the body of Christ. This one can be tricky, but SO IMPACTFUL; it's tricky because you have to choose counsel carefully because the wrong person could lead you in the wrong direction. So be sure to surround yourself with God fearing individuals who believe in His plan for us and want to speak life into you. God wants our burdens to be shared, but be sure that who you're sharing them with will guide you lovingly and with God's word. When the spirit speaks through someone you love and trust, a peace washes over you. We are constantly looking for validation in this world, and what better way to find it than through a brother or sister in Christ. 

Divine providence: This type of guidance always brings tears to my eyes because it usually follows a prayer about something very specific. I think this might be the closest thing to hearing God's voice, and I wanted to be sure I included it because it just happened to me again over the weekend. Have you ever experienced this? Maybe you just prayed or talked to God about something and a song comes on that breathes hope in your lungs and suddenly you can't help but cry because you know God just did that.  Maybe you're wondering if you should embark on a particular journey, and you are invited to do that very thing by someone out of the blue. Maybe you are longing for something, and your need is fulfilled in a way you never expected. Maybe you see an act of kindness or something in nature that restores your faith in people or situations just after expressing anger or confusion. God is always there, he is for you, so please be open to what He has to say. 

He is listening, and he will not, and never will abandon you. Even if the present answer feels painful, God works all things together for good.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV


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