If you fast and do not receive the answer, maybe it is not because the door is closed but because you are not at the right door. So, seek that door. Seek the life principle attached to that situation. Sometimes, we pray the wrong prayer. How will I pray and fast for my farm to yield crops while I have not even sown the crops? So, I need to check the life principle that requires me to sow the farm first. How can I take a twenty-one-day fast for an examination that I did not study for? God hates laziness but blesses our efforts. (Genesis 3:19 NIV; Deuteronomy 25:4 NIV; Proverbs 12:24, NIV; Proverbs 10:4 NIV; Proverbs 6:10 NIV)
Who, then, is a lazy person? Proverbs 26:13–16 (NIV) has the best answer. In verse 16, we notice that a lazy person is even unwilling to seek the proper knowledge that may help them in that situation.
How can I be arrogant and disrespectful to people but want to grow in life? (Matthew 5:5 NIV)
If you want, you can pray all day: If you lack wisdom, nothing will happen. This world is built on pillars called wisdom. Some people will only get it at old age, but it is before us. (Proverbs 1: 20–33 NIV) Sometimes, we gain it after many trials.
The children of this world (unbelievers) use life principles to prosper. He who said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God,” (Matthew 5:8 NIV) also said, “Blessed are the meek for they shall possess the earth.” (Matthew 5:5 NIV) They prosper by wisdom, not necessarily through sin, for whoever prospers through sin has a future downfall.
But if you close your mind to wisdom while other people use long-established life principles to prosper, don’t be jealous later. Don’t imprison your mind and regret later.
Secondly, your fast may not be answered because it is not the right timing. If that prayer or fasting is answered now, it may affect you negatively. Just because Mr. Tambe has a car, it doesn’t mean that you should have one now. Buying that car now may be the serpent that will destabilize your finances or future projects; meanwhile, it was a blessing (bread) to Mr. Tambe. (Luke 11:10–13 NIV)
Unanswered prayers are messages from God. When prayers seem unanswered, remember to be still and trust God. If your prayers are unanswered, you should seek the right action, maybe praying again.
Don’t be angry when your prayers are unanswered, but make way for the seeking aspect while you continue praying or fasting. Prayer or fasting is not only about asking; for He who said, “ask” also said “seek” and “knock.”
This brings us to the attitude of prayer. We pray for the will of the all-wise God, not ours. (Matthew 6:10 NIV; Matthew 26:42 NIV) We see this attitude of prayer with David (2 Samuel 12:19–23 NIV), King Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:19 NIV), and Job (Job 2:9–10 NIV)
Prepare for the Module 2 Quiz.
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