Does God answer prayer? Certainly, and often in quite dramatic ways. Yet, there are times when we pray and there is no answer. The reason could be that we are praying for something which is not God’s will. On the other hand, it might just be that we are not praying through for an answer… we are not being persistent.

Another viewpoint is that God responds to our needs, but not necessarily to our wants! I have certainly proved by personal experience that we have a Heavenly Father who cares for us and will supply us with the necessities of life. A recent experience was the purchase of a new car. My old car had served me well, but with over 700.000 Ks. on the clock it was costing me money in repairs and becoming unreliable. So, I started praying and looking, for a new car. There were numerous visits to car yards, enquiries and test drives. The right replacement vehicle just didn’t seem to be there! So, I just kept praying, still believing for a more recent model of my current car and which would have the latest technology. Finally, I found what I thought was the right car and made an offer. The weeks passed without an answer from the owner, and I began considering another vehicle that I wasn’t really happy with. Just as I was about to ring the other seller the owner rang to accept my offer!!

Jesus hinted at prayer requiring some tenacity on our part when he said there is the aspect of asking, but also the need to seek and finally the emphatic knocking on heaven’s door so to speak. We have all knocked on a door or rung a doorbell and walked away if there was no immediate answer. God is looking for a faith that doesn’t give up, depending totally on Him for the answer.

Ref. Matthew 7:7 NIV.