Sometimes God Answers Prayers Just Not In The Way We Expected

[LadyKay]

Several months ago a company my husband did work for was holding out on paying. We were running low on money and did not have enough to buy groceries for the week. I decided to just pray and not tell anyone about it. I had heard that this is how you let God take care of things. But praying and not saying anything to anybody else. I was not sure about all of that. But I said I would give it a try and see what happens. So I prayed and went to church that Sunday expecting someone to offer me some money for groceries. I thought well I prayed for grocery money, I am sure God would have told someone at church about it. But to my disappointment. No one offered me any money, I went home feeling all confused about why my prayer did not work. The next morning I was doing laundry still wondering why God didn't do as I wanted him to do when I got a phone call. The person calling asked me if I needed groceries. I told her yes. She then said she would take me to the store and buy my groceries for me. And so she did. So God did answer my prayer. Just not in the way I expected him to do.  

[R. Hartono]

1 hour ago, LadyKay said:

Several months ago a company my husband did work for was holding out on paying. We were running low on money and did not have enough to buy groceries for the week. I decided to just pray and not tell anyone about it. I had heard that this is how you let God take care of things. But praying and not saying anything to anybody else. I was not sure about all of that. But I said I would give it a try and see what happens. So I prayed and went to church that Sunday expecting someone to offer me some money for groceries. I thought well I prayed for grocery money, I am sure God would have told someone at church about it. But to my disappointment. No one offered me any money, I went home feeling all confused about why my prayer did not work. The next morning I was doing laundry still wondering why God didn't do as I wanted him to do when I got a phone call. The person calling asked me if I needed groceries. I told her yes. She then said she would take me to the store and buy my groceries for me. And so she did. So God did answer my prayer. Just not in the way I expected him to do.  

Who is that person who buy you groceries ?

How long will it last ?

[Debp]

6 hours ago, LadyKay said:

Several months ago a company my husband did work for was holding out on paying. We were running low on money and did not have enough to buy groceries for the week. I decided to just pray and not tell anyone about it. I had heard that this is how you let God take care of things. But praying and not saying anything to anybody else. I was not sure about all of that. But I said I would give it a try and see what happens. So I prayed and went to church that Sunday expecting someone to offer me some money for groceries. I thought well I prayed for grocery money, I am sure God would have told someone at church about it. But to my disappointment. No one offered me any money, I went home feeling all confused about why my prayer did not work. The next morning I was doing laundry still wondering why God didn't do as I wanted him to do when I got a phone call. The person calling asked me if I needed groceries. I told her yes. She then said she would take me to the store and buy my groceries for me. And so she did. So God did answer my prayer. Just not in the way I expected him to do.  

That's really great, a wonderful answer to prayer.

Once in a while a neighbor will get me an item from the store, and then they absolutely refuse to take any money for it.   Like last night, I managed to carry some groceries home.   I had needed milk but couldn't carry that weight, too.   So my young neighbor from Kenya was going for a run, and I asked if she could get me a half gallon of milk on the way home.   She wouldn't take any money although I offered three times, and she got me a whole gallon!

My other young neighbor, a guy, always tells me he will get me some groceries if I need anything.   And he has gotten me a few items over time....but then he doesn't want money either!   

I do reciprocate in other ways for their kindness.

[missmuffet]

16 hours ago, LadyKay said:

Several months ago a company my husband did work for was holding out on paying. We were running low on money and did not have enough to buy groceries for the week. I decided to just pray and not tell anyone about it. I had heard that this is how you let God take care of things. But praying and not saying anything to anybody else. I was not sure about all of that. But I said I would give it a try and see what happens. So I prayed and went to church that Sunday expecting someone to offer me some money for groceries. I thought well I prayed for grocery money, I am sure God would have told someone at church about it. But to my disappointment. No one offered me any money, I went home feeling all confused about why my prayer did not work. The next morning I was doing laundry still wondering why God didn't do as I wanted him to do when I got a phone call. The person calling asked me if I needed groceries. I told her yes. She then said she would take me to the store and buy my groceries for me. And so she did. So God did answer my prayer. Just not in the way I expected him to do.  

Yes, that is the way God sometimes works. 

[Figure of eighty]

True and sometimes God says no but we dont wanna hear it.

[BeauJangles]

26 minutes ago, Figure of eighty said:

True and sometimes God says no but we dont wanna hear it.

This is very true and it's understandable that we are sometimes disappointed. The important factor is this. That we do not turn our disappointment in the Lord. Our attitudes concerning God are essential. When our spiritual attitudes are poor or bad, then so can our lives also result in the same respect. We should never be of a mind that our Heavenly Father let us down. A lot of times our expectancies are not in the correct perspective. I'm assured the Lord longs for our hearts to be in the right place. This is primarily what He looks upon and how He sees us. In fact, I'm positive about it. Very much so as a matter of fact. 

13 hours ago, Debp said:

I do reciprocate in other ways for their kindness.

I attempt to do the same. Whether that is possible or not, I always ask that the Lord return and bless that kindness, act of mercy, compassion, or favor towards me. And I try to show and offer help and assistance towards strangers that are obviously in need. Not to score points for a reward from the Lord, but out of the kindness He's shown me, likewise I desire to do the same for others. Sometimes it may not appear to be a big thing, but it may to that person at the time. Most people are appreciative and I certainly try to show and adequately express my gratitude. I believe it is important that we do. 

I'm sorry. This sounds like I'm rambling.  It's been a most difficult time for me right now. 

[BeauJangles]

19 hours ago, R. Hartono said:

Who is that person who buy you groceries ?

How long will it last ?

This really shouldn't matter so much as appreciating the acts of kindness and His blessings. The oil in our spiritual lamps should continually be refilled by our continuance to pursue the Lord. In reality and in all truth, He is the one who replenishes us as we daily commune with Him and long for His presence. 

Edited September 29, 2020 by BeauJangles

[R. Hartono]

19 minutes ago, BeauJangles said:

This really shouldn't matter so much as appreciating the acts of kindness and His blessings. The oil in our spiritual lamps should continually be refilled by our continuance to pursue the Lord. In reality and in all truth, He is the one who replenishes us as we daily commune with Him and long for His presence. 

True.

Just asking whether that helper is a friend or relative, is it wrong ?

We need to be ready with answers if we post something 

 

Edited September 29, 2020 by R. Hartono

[Wayne222]

Great answer from the lord. I was short of money for groceries this week. After paying everything I would I think five dollars or so for the week. I was thinking of it and I felt the lord tell me you will have enough tomorrow.  Sometimes the holy spirit will speak and I recognize his voice. Anyway when I paid my bill the next day it was 65 dollars less then I thought so I had 70 dollars for groceries.  God told me . 

[JohnR7]

23 hours ago, Debp said:

I do reciprocate in other ways for their kindness.

It is becoming common for people to pay it forward now a days. I remember once when we were on vacation and running short of money. Someone paid for a meal for us. It was nice because that meant we could afford to ski the next day.  They explained to us about how someone did something nice for them and they wanted to pay it forward sense they could not repay the people that helped them. 

I think we have had that happen at the grocery store also. We ran a little short and was looking for something to put back and someone in line paid the extra amount for us. We did appreciate their kindness.   

Edited September 30, 2020 by JohnR7