Is God listening to your prayers?

Do you feel like you pray and pray and God doesn't listen or answer your prayers? I think those of us who believe in God Almighty, our Creator, the Lord of the Universe, struggle with our unanswered prayers. We're praying for someone we love, who's in a bad situation, or is very ill or dying, or for someone who doesn't know the Lord. We're praying to God and asking God to do what we want Him to do. 'Please, comfort that person Lord, heal that person Lord, open their eyes to you Lord.'

Sometimes it seems like God is not listening at all. But, the further I grow in my faith, the stronger I feel that's it's not that simple. I believe He does here all of our prayers, but I think the Lord often doesn't answer our prayers when or how we want them answered.

Mark, Chapter 11 tells us "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." I have prayed that verse a lot these past 12 years, but always in the back of my mind I've thought "Well, maybe my faith isn't strong enough, or maybe I just don't believe enough that He is capable of healing me. What is wrong with me? Is it my fault I'm sick?" And, what about all those wonderfully, strong, Godly friends and family members of mine who have been praying for me for years and years. Is their faith not strong enough either? Are you really listening God?

It's so hard to wait on the Lord. I can tell you first hand about that. But in the waiting, I believe we get our strength.1 Peter 1:6 tell us to rejoice in our suffering. Rejoice? Come on Lord, how in the world am I supposed to rejoice when I am in intense pain. How do I rejoice when I'm suffering?"

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 

So, if I'm reading this right, my suffering can glorify God? When I reflect on it, why not? Jesus had to suffer abundantly at the hands of man and was nailed to a cross and died. His whole life and death brought Glory to God, and if I profess to believe in Jesus Christ, why should I be spared some suffering while walking this earth? It is my thought that through our suffering, God can use us to touch the lives of others. I can see clearly that He has used my circumstances over the years in a positive way. I can tell you assuredly, that it isn't easy when you feel bad most of the time, to keep a smile on your face. But I think that is the way the Lord wants me to live and that is the way I try to live. That is a gift He has given me and I am so thankful.:)


I believe that my miracle may be at hand. I believe that my earthly suffering at the hands of MS, may be drawing to a close, or at least it may be relieved! That, my friends is an answered prayer to the highest degree!! Thank you Jesus!

I am thrilled to report that I have an appt.with an interventional radiologist at in Tampa on 7/27 related to CCSVI and my MS. It's a first appointment, I know, but it's a beginning and it's hope. The right connections  have been made, and the wheels have been set in motion.

This is of God, I just know it. I feel it in every part of my being. Totally a God-thing, as I call them. Once I did the legwork, all the pieces have fallen together like clockwork. I did my part, now the Lord is really kicking it into gear. All the right doors have been opened and the Lord has closed the wrong doors. It is my belief that He getting ready to open up the floodgates! So, I am patiently waiting; ever trusting, always knowing that only He has the master plan and only He knows how this will all turn out.

Thank you friends, for all your love and continued prayers. Many of you have been praying for me for years, and others, only recently. God has heard all your prayers, and now in His perfect timing, I believe that He is beginning to move. Please continue to pray for the Lord to guide this process from start to finish. Pray that in all my words and actions I will bring Glory to Him!

So, please don't give up on God. Keep praying, keep seeking His face, keep seeking His counsel, keep reading His Word. He is there, although you may not always see Him. He's there, He is listening and He is still answering prayers in His perfect timing.

My Bible verses for today are above in red from the books of Mark and Peter.

My prayer for today:

Heavenly Father, gracious Lord,

Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for answered prayers. Lord, I know that you are right in the middle of what is happening in my life right now. I pray that you will give me patience. I pray you will guide the doctors in giving me the tests and treating me to find out if CCSVI is indeed part of my MS. I pray that some of my symptoms may be relieved so that I may spend more time living my life for your glory.

In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen

He is the potter, I am the clay :)

Do you ever stop to think how God can use you, right in your little corner of the world? I've been thinking about how each of our lives, each day, touches someone elses.

Many of us have a tremendous amount of exposure to other people each day through our jobs, school, family, friends, church, children or grandchildren. But for some of us, because of illness (like me) or other factors, our worlds are much smaller. But does that mean we can't reach out to someone, even though we can't physically see them? Does that mean that whatever we're going through in our lives, or whatever we're facing, we can't take the time to help someone else in their time of need?

I don't think so, and I don't think God wants us or anyone to go it alone. I think He wants to use us, if we will let him. He wants to be the potter, he just wants us to be a pile of clay :) He wants to mold us, and use us to His glory. But, are we letting him?

I believe through the internet, and specifically Facebook, the world has become a lot more connected, at least it has for me. Maybe it has for you too. I've talked to and connected with people I haven't heard from in years. I've renewed old friendships and made new friends too, pretty much everyday. I have tried, through my many contacts, to let the Lord use me for His glory each day.

That's not always easy, because "I" and my wants always seem to get in the way of Him and His wants.
I sometimes get going so fast and get so excited about something that's happening in my life, that I often don't take the time to take a breath and say....slow down Nick, WWJD? Do you do that sometimes?

I often drive myself crazy - and then I say to the Lord;  please slow me down, please help me to wait, help me to turn everything over to you, and let You mold me and this situation into whatever You want, in Your timing, Lord Jesus, not mine.

My daily prayers, especially these past several months, have centered around healing. Healing in my family and for my family and healing in my body. I believe that God is beginning to answer those prayers, slowly but surely. I believe He has and will continue to answer my prayers.

I believe God Almighty, my Creator, is using me, right here and right now. Are all my prayers answered? No, but I am still praying and still waiting on Him and His perfect timing. The Lord has blessed me with a tremendous amount of patience and I thank Him for that each day. One of His many gifts to me.Thank you Jesus :)

Are you letting God use you in your little corner of the world? I'd love to hear from you, please feel free to post a comment on Facebook, or right on this blog page. Blessings and love dear friends.

My verse for today is from Isaiah 64: 8

"Yet O Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter, we are all the work of Your Hand."

My prayer for today:

Dear Lord Jesus:

You are the Master and I am just a piece of clay formed from the ground. A pile formed from dust and I will return to dust. Use me each day I walk this earth to bring You glory. Help me to reach out in love to everyone I meet and see physically, and everyone I connect with through phone or the internet, because each of them Lord, also belongs to You. Each one of them needs You and Your unending love. Help me to spread Your love each day.

In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen