Unanswered Prayer?

(From the "Heart of God" Devotionals by
 Cherie Hill . . . to be published in 2011)

I can assure you that I hear your every prayer.

Your words never fall on deaf ears.

I am here, I am listening, and I’m at work.

I realize that faith leaves you with more questions than answers.

More room for doubt than belief.

I urge you to “lean not unto your own understanding,”

but to trust in Mine.

Trust my Word: I always answer prayer.

(Matthew 7:8; 1 John 5:14-15)

I have not given you prayer so that
you might seek My will in order
 to serve your own.

There is no such thing as Me
being “almost” sovereign . . .

I answer your prayers according to
 My love, mercy, and grace.

I work out My plans in your life to serve
My greater purposes.

You may be someone else’s
“seemingly” unanswered prayer.

I have everything under control,
even if it seems like nothing is.

I ask you, can you trust me if I never answer you?

I have blessed you
 with the trials you face.

I have trusted you enough
 to threaten your faith.

Now, take hold of your faith

and see your troubles as coming from My hand.

I am with you always.

My grace will carry you,
when you’re too weak to go on.

Place your faith in Me,
 not your circumstances.

I’m working it all out for
YOUR good and MY glory.

****************************************

Now we see things imperfectly,

like puzzling reflections

in a mirror, but then we will see everything
 with perfect clarity.

All that I know now is partial
and incomplete,
but then I will know

everything completely,

just as God now knows me completely."

1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT)