Issue: I have been praying for something for years and it still has not happened, why is God not answering my prayer?

Insight: God knows everything including the future. It may be that this is not the right time for what you are asking Him for.

I will give you an example from my own life. God placed a call on my life to move to Kelowna, so when He confirmed this call to my heart I expected it to happen right away. We kept telling people we were moving and then it didn't happen. This brought me a lot of embarrassment and discouragement. I kept praying that God would make a way and then I would try to make the plans and they all would fall apart. Finally, last year I gave it completely over to God and sure enough within the year God had made a way and we moved. The reason my prayer was answered at that time was because God could not make the way if I kept trying to make it happen and refused to surrender it. Secondly, we weren't ready spiritually for the move before God made a way. God knew that so He waited.

Another reason for unanswered prayer is that it may not be in God's will for your life. When I was in Bible College I had planned out my entire future. God had a better plan for my life than the one I had, so He did not answer those prayers. He had a better plan, He did not want me to settle for second best.

Another reason is that answering it would not bring God glory. There are times that we ask for things that are selfish or that would make us look better to others. God will not answer those prayers either. He wants to see us grow stronger and mold our character, this will not happen if God gives us everything we ask for. Do parents give children everything they ask for? If they do the child becomes spoiled and as they leave home they expect everyone else to give them everything they need; however, when a parent says no to their child for their best then the child is taught how to be responsible with finances, and learns what is important in life.

If what you are praying for lines up with God's will for your life, it just may not be the right timing and just persevere. Abraham waited 25 years before he received a son, which God had promised him. Abraham tried to do it his own way, and had to change to be ready to receive the answer, and God received all the glory because Isaac was born to him and Sarah when they were well past the age of child bearing. Never give up!