Day 15: Sunday, January 19th

Today's Topic: Unanswered Prayers

Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NLT: 7Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Think about this: Here we see Paul asking God for something specific. He asked for a thorn to be removed from his side. Not once, not twice, but three times. God didn’t answer his prayer the way he wanted Him to. He simply said, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

Have you ever experienced a season like this? Where you asked God for something, but He didn’t give you the answer you were looking for? Maybe you have been experiencing mental struggles, difficult situations, physical battles, you have been praying for God to take them away, and you have been frustrated because it hasn’t happened. Maybe His answer to you is the same one that He gave Paul, “My grace is enough for you.” Sometimes God doesn’t answer by removing the situations we face. Instead, He makes us greater than the obstacle. As you fast and pray, be open to hear God, even when what He is saying isn’t the answer you were looking for. He might just be trying to help you grow!

Pray this prayer: Dear God, there are some unanswered prayers that I have been praying. I don’t understand why you haven’t given me the answer I have wanted to hear. Today I am open to grow. Let me hear what you are trying to teach me in this situation. Give me your grace to help me become greater. I won’t allow myself to be frustrated but will expand my capacity in this season.