Let me start by saying right off the bat that God is all wise and all powerful and in His power and wisdom He will respond to a believers prayers in the way He chooses is best. So, we cannot discount or discredit miraculous answers to prayer today, HOWEVER, it is not the 'norm' for this to happen! Why not? Well as with everything in the Bible, one must recognize which dispensation we are in because this determines the modus operandi (the system of operation, the program, or the administration) in which God chooses to work today.
In the Kingdom program (for Israel), God dispensed out a very difference doctrine (set of conditions) than what He is dispensing out today in the Grace program (for the Gentiles). In short, where the Kingdom ways were focused on the external, the way of Grace puts focus on the internal. For Israel, God showed Himself in the physical (incarnate) and with might miracles and wonders (1Cor.1:22), but for us, God works not by sight but by faith (2Cor.5:7). Naturally, this applies to prayers too.
In the Kingdom program, the doctrine was,
Matt 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
For us, the Body of Christ today, Paul says,
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Phil.4:6 Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Can you see the difference? God operated differently in the Kingdom period. He said, ask whatever you will and I will do it! But in the Grace period God says we can make our requests known and God will provide us His peace, but it does not mean our infirmities or needs "will" be met. God told Paul that His 'grace' was sufficient.
Today, our thanksgiving and its resulting peace is part of the outflow of faith, faith that knows innately that God is in complete control, and will provide the outcome of that situation to be what He knows is for your best at that time.
Will God hear you prayer? Of course He will!
Will you know that He will answer based on your expectations? Absolutely not! He might answer you, He might not**, He might do it a different way, He might delay it.
Should this be of concern? Do I need to continue to bear the weight? No, never! Once you have prayed, it is in God's hands, and all you can do from then on out is trust Him and thank Him.
Will you know that He has your best in mind and will always remain in control for your good? Absolutely He will! He loves you more than you will EVER know!
God knows better, and He wants us to learn how to trust Him, and leave our petitions with Him. He can handle it any way He wants to, but one thing He does promise is that we can have peace that God always does what's right. Amen.
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** Even when God does not answer your prayer, it is an answer to prayer. When God does nothing to change a circumstance, then the act of doing nothing is what is best for the situation. God knows best. Have faith!
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