(January 29, 2023) Maureen McQuillan seeks to comfort a distressed sister…

Dear Pastor Maureen

I’m going through a difficult time. I’ve prayed and prayed but don’t seem to be getting answers, or help. I want to  believe that I can trust God but I just feel He hasn’t heard my prayer. My heart is sobbing, I cry myself to sleep. Doesn’t God care? I am a Christian, I have accepted Jesus. Bella.

Dear Bella

Oh yes, God does hear our prayers… your prayers, and yes, He does care! I’ll be open, honest with you, won’t mislead you… becoming a Christian doesn’t mean we’ll have a carefree life. Yes, we will have a good life, sins forgiven and an assurance that we’re heaven-bound. But… presently we’re still here and things can go wrong, even for God’s children! Accidents, sicknesses, disappointments, marriage and family troubles, sudden loss of loved ones, even disasters.

But we can keep trusting God, we can bank on His love, provision, protection in that He will help us and bring us through whatever the issue is! Your prayers are heard by God (1John 5:14-15, 1 Peter 3:12). 1 Peter 5:7 is particularly precious: ‘Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.’

As regards having to wait on God’s answer and timing, Romans 8:25, encourages,  ‘But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. That word ‘patiently’ means, believe it or not,  to cheerfully endure.’ But, of course, we humans can find it hard to endure! Hebrews 13:6 helps here: ‘So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. “’ And other scriptures also encourage us not to be fearful.

Another great help with patience is the Holy Spirit Himself… patience is one aspect of His fruit (Galatians 5:22ESB). You have but to ask the Spirit who is your greatest friend (John 14:16Mge).

And God does see your tears. I’ve shed some too. I often recall Hannah… she wept bitterly (1 Samuel 1:10,17) and God hear her and in His timing He answered her prayer.

I always say that no matter what is going down, we can keep praying (not long prayers, just talking to God as His children)… and then trust Him. Trust, by the way, is simply leaving it all with Him. Although, this can mean waiting! The answer doesn’t always come immediately, but it comes in God’s good time, and in a perfect way.

I know – I’ve had my own challenges, but when the answer came – His answer, His timing, His way – I could praise my God! Actually I’ve learned to praise Him even in the asking.

Words from an old song come to mind… ‘Does Jesus care… Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,’

So, Bella, hang in there! Faith grows as we put it into action. You’ll be all the stronger in your faith. God has heard… the answer is on the way.

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Got a question for Pr Maureen or Dr Robert McQuillan? Email either: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com
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