God does answer prayer, but I've learnt that He can answer quite differently from what we have experienced previously or how we think He will, and the answers can be instant or become apparent over time.
For example, when Jesus and his disciples found themselves in the middle of a furious storm and Jesus stood up and spoke to the wind and the waves, they instantly died down and were completely calm. (Mark 4:37-40)
However, on another occasion, when Jesus and his disciples were walking along the road, Jesus was hungry and came to a fig tree with no fruit. He spoke to the fig tree and said, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again". The fig tree, however, didn't suddenly shrivel up instantly before Jesus and his disciple's eyes.
Nothing looked like it had changed at all, yet on returning the next morning along "that road again, they all saw the fig tree had withered from the roots. "Peter remembered and said to Jesus "Rabbi, look! The tree you cursed has withered!" (Mark 11:14; 20-21)
Likewise, sometimes in life, our circumstances will not look like they are lining up or be what we had planned, and we are left with more questions than answers and feel confused and disappointed.
However, it is important in this space to acknowledge that we don't know everything, but God does. I've learnt that setbacks are temporary, and even if you feel like you have lost ground in a skirmish, you will eventually win because God is faithful; to finish what He's started.
The best thing you can do is keep walking and continually fix your eyes and heart on Jesus and seek him as to what steps and direction to take.
Even when something difficult or disappointing happens, or you can't see anything physically changing, God is working behind the scenes, at the root of the issue and inside you, and you can expect something amazing to happen in your life.
As I say, if it's not good yet, God's not done yet". (Romans 8:28 NIV)
Today I want to encourage you to keep believing and don't give up because God wants to exceed whatever you are believing and dreaming for.
And remember, His answer may look slightly different from what you initially thought. But He has a perfect plan and is the God of abundance, constantly thinking up new ways to lavish his love upon you and to exceed your expectations. (1 Peter 5:7; 1 John 3:1; Ephesians 3:20 Amp)
Take heart and trust God's faithfulness and goodness as you keep believing and praising Him for your answers and the dreams in your heart.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8)
"He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he." (Duet 32:4)
Prayer: Lord, I hold onto your promises, and I choose to thank you for everything you are doing. Even if I can't see any answers or change, that doesn't mean nothing is happening. Please help me to stand on your word and to keep believing what you say about my life. In Jesus name, amen.