1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:07,280 Speaker 1: Life Audio. Teach Us to Praise brought to you by 2 00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:10,719 Speaker 1: Life Audio and is a part of our Faith Toolkit series. 3 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:20,160 Speaker 1: For more inspirational faith affirming podcasts, visit lifeaudio dot com. 4 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:23,840 Speaker 2: Welcome back, friend. You are listening to the Teach Us 5 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:27,960 Speaker 2: to Pray podcast, where we teach believers practical, in real 6 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:31,200 Speaker 2: life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship 7 00:00:31,240 --> 00:00:35,480 Speaker 2: with God through the power of prayer. I'm Christina Patterson, 8 00:00:35,960 --> 00:00:39,120 Speaker 2: host of the Teach Us to Pray podcast and founder 9 00:00:39,200 --> 00:00:43,200 Speaker 2: of Beloved Women, where I encourage, equip and empower women 10 00:00:43,560 --> 00:00:46,120 Speaker 2: in the love of Jesus Christ and the truth of 11 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:49,440 Speaker 2: God's Word. And I say this in every episode and 12 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:52,520 Speaker 2: this episode is no different. But it is an honor 13 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:56,760 Speaker 2: of mine to share with you the power of prayer 14 00:00:56,920 --> 00:01:02,160 Speaker 2: in our lives as believers. And there's nothing more powerful 15 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 2: than when our prayers are heard and answered by God. Oftentimes, however, 16 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:14,520 Speaker 2: we wonder if God really answers our prayers. We wonder 17 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:18,160 Speaker 2: if He really hears us. See. The thing is, we 18 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:21,160 Speaker 2: often think that if we don't get what we want, 19 00:01:21,480 --> 00:01:25,080 Speaker 2: if we don't get what we've asked for, then God 20 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:31,959 Speaker 2: hasn't answered our prayers. But God always answers our prayers, 21 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:35,959 Speaker 2: and that's what I want to talk about today. We just, however, 22 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:39,959 Speaker 2: need the spiritual eyes to hear him and the spiritual 23 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:44,440 Speaker 2: hearts to trust the way that He answers, because there 24 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:48,000 Speaker 2: are three ways that God will always answer our prayers 25 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 2: with either a no, a yes, or maybe, and it's 26 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:59,840 Speaker 2: up to us to receive his answer and trust him 27 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:03,440 Speaker 2: with it. So we are starting a three part series 28 00:02:03,760 --> 00:02:07,880 Speaker 2: on the three ways that God answers our prayers. Today 29 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:10,639 Speaker 2: we're going to talk about how God answers our prayers 30 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:22,480 Speaker 2: sometimes with a no. The first way that God will 31 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:28,040 Speaker 2: answer our prayers, specifically our petition to him our ask 32 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:32,520 Speaker 2: is with a no. Of course, this is not the 33 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:35,639 Speaker 2: answer that any of us wants, which is why I'm 34 00:02:35,639 --> 00:02:38,919 Speaker 2: starting with the no answer first, because generally we want 35 00:02:38,960 --> 00:02:40,960 Speaker 2: to start with the bad news before we start getting 36 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 2: into the good news and getting what we want. But 37 00:02:44,440 --> 00:02:47,680 Speaker 2: it's real that sometimes we will ask for something of 38 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:52,960 Speaker 2: the Lord and his answer will be no. And it's 39 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:56,880 Speaker 2: important for us to realize and remember that our prayers 40 00:02:56,960 --> 00:03:00,360 Speaker 2: are not to treat God like he's some genie and 41 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:04,080 Speaker 2: he is just out to grant our every wish. That's 42 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 2: not what prayer is about. Prayer is about connecting with 43 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:12,880 Speaker 2: the God of the universe, the God that connected us 44 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:18,640 Speaker 2: so that we can be filled up and spiritually alive. Now, 45 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:21,240 Speaker 2: sometimes when we come to God and we make our 46 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 2: requests as we should, the Bible tells us to cast 47 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 2: our cares on him and to pour out our hearts 48 00:03:27,240 --> 00:03:32,920 Speaker 2: to him. And sometimes when we do that, God might 49 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 2: say no, that's not for you. And what I want 50 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,640 Speaker 2: to encourage you with is that when God says no, 51 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:47,440 Speaker 2: he doesn't take it lightly. It doesn't mean that he 52 00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 2: doesn't care about what you want. It doesn't mean that 53 00:03:50,040 --> 00:03:54,520 Speaker 2: he doesn't care about what you're crying out for. It 54 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:59,000 Speaker 2: just means he had other plans and it's up to 55 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:04,440 Speaker 2: us to choose if we'll trust him in that. And 56 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:07,760 Speaker 2: I know that some of you have received some really 57 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:15,040 Speaker 2: hard nos that are really challenging to walk through. You 58 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:19,080 Speaker 2: prayed that they would be healed. You prayed that that 59 00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:23,040 Speaker 2: financial strain wouldn't crush you. You prayed that you would 60 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:30,279 Speaker 2: get that opportunity, and it never happened. And I don't 61 00:04:30,279 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 2: want you to think that I'm taking this lightly, and 62 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 2: I'm just like, oh, sometimes God says no, Just have 63 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:39,560 Speaker 2: faith no, I'm not saying that. What I'm saying is 64 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:44,240 Speaker 2: that God's heart, even in his answer of a no, 65 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 2: is still for your good, because that's who he is. 66 00:04:52,040 --> 00:04:56,640 Speaker 2: Romans eight twenty eight says, and we know that for 67 00:04:56,800 --> 00:05:02,880 Speaker 2: those who love God, all things, all things work together 68 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:06,880 Speaker 2: for good for those who are called according to His purpose. 69 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 2: The scripture doesn't say it works out when you get 70 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:14,800 Speaker 2: a yes, or maybe it says all things. And that 71 00:05:14,839 --> 00:05:18,640 Speaker 2: means even when the answer to your prayer is no, 72 00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:22,840 Speaker 2: God is saying no because He's still working that situation 73 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:27,600 Speaker 2: out for your good and his glory. And I want 74 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:30,640 Speaker 2: to encourage you to know that we serve a God 75 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:37,159 Speaker 2: in Jesus Christ, who understands the tension and the pain 76 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:41,919 Speaker 2: and the suffering of receiving a no from God the Father, 77 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:47,479 Speaker 2: because he did too. Before his crucifixion, he prayed to 78 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 2: God that God would take this cup from him, that 79 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:53,920 Speaker 2: he wouldn't have to go on the cross. And God 80 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 2: didn't answer that prayer to his own beloved son. Why 81 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:03,360 Speaker 2: because he knew that it had to be done in 82 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 2: order for us to be saved. And so what did 83 00:06:07,839 --> 00:06:11,839 Speaker 2: Jesus say In Luke twenty two, verse forty two, he 84 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 2: makes his request, He says, if you're willing remove this 85 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:23,080 Speaker 2: cut for me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done. Now, 86 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:26,839 Speaker 2: God's will was not for his son to just suffer. 87 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:31,480 Speaker 2: His will was to bring salvation to the world. And 88 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:34,520 Speaker 2: in the same way, God's will is never for you 89 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 2: to be in pain or hurting or sick, but his 90 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 2: will is to use that for your sanctification, for His glory, 91 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 2: for your good. I've shared a little bit on this 92 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:54,800 Speaker 2: podcast about some health challenges that I've experienced, and last 93 00:06:54,920 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 2: year particularly, my family walked with me through a debilitate 94 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:06,600 Speaker 2: neck injury, and I was in so much pain, and 95 00:07:06,640 --> 00:07:10,160 Speaker 2: I wanted God to heal me right away, but instead 96 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 2: He walked with me through months of physical therapy, massage therapy, 97 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:18,560 Speaker 2: all kinds of medical care to get me back on 98 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:23,040 Speaker 2: my feet. And I remember thinking about how my children 99 00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:26,520 Speaker 2: were watching me go through this, and I'm processing them 100 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:31,720 Speaker 2: seeing their mother and so much pain. And I made 101 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:35,119 Speaker 2: a point to have a conversation with my daughter because 102 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:38,080 Speaker 2: I wanted to use it as a teaching moment with 103 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:42,880 Speaker 2: her to trust God even when bad things happen, to 104 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 2: trust Him even when his answer is no. In that moment, 105 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:52,280 Speaker 2: and I told her, I said, baby girl, you know, 106 00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:55,760 Speaker 2: mommy went through a lot of things this year, and 107 00:07:55,840 --> 00:07:58,280 Speaker 2: I was in a lot of pain. But I trust 108 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 2: that God has a heart for me, and I know 109 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:03,320 Speaker 2: that he wouldn't have me go through all that if 110 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 2: there wasn't a really good reason. And I don't know 111 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:09,680 Speaker 2: what that reason is. I don't know why our family 112 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 2: had to walk through all of that pain and suffering 113 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:16,640 Speaker 2: and the challenges and the obstacles that came with it. 114 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:20,880 Speaker 2: But I do trust the heart of the Father, and 115 00:08:20,960 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 2: maybe that was it. Maybe that was God's reason to 116 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:27,600 Speaker 2: get me to trust him even in the dark. And 117 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 2: maybe God's no to your prayer is an opportunity for 118 00:08:32,080 --> 00:08:36,120 Speaker 2: you to trust Him even when things aren't going well. 119 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:39,920 Speaker 2: And if there's one thing that I've learned from that 120 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:45,280 Speaker 2: dark season, is that even in the dark, God is 121 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:51,440 Speaker 2: for you. Romans eight thirty seven through thirty nine says no, 122 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 2: and all these things we are more than conquerors through 123 00:08:56,240 --> 00:09:01,680 Speaker 2: Him who loved us. I am sure that neither death 124 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:06,080 Speaker 2: nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor 125 00:09:06,120 --> 00:09:09,200 Speaker 2: things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor death, nor 126 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:12,800 Speaker 2: anything else in all creation will be able to separate 127 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:17,840 Speaker 2: us from the love of God in Christ Jesus Our Lord. 128 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:23,320 Speaker 2: I remember reading this scripture in college and it just 129 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:26,920 Speaker 2: meaning so much to me because it provided such a 130 00:09:27,040 --> 00:09:31,000 Speaker 2: solid foundation for my faith that there was nothing I 131 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:34,079 Speaker 2: could do, there was nothing anyone else can do, there 132 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:37,600 Speaker 2: was nothing that could happen to me that could separate 133 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:43,280 Speaker 2: me from God's love. And that meant everything, and it 134 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:47,840 Speaker 2: still does, because it's that truth that will ground you 135 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:53,079 Speaker 2: when life turns upside down, when things don't go your 136 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:55,960 Speaker 2: way when you wanted to yes, but you got to know, 137 00:09:57,040 --> 00:10:00,679 Speaker 2: there's always that truth that you can stand on. God 138 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:06,400 Speaker 2: is with you, He's for you, and He's in you 139 00:10:06,880 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 2: through his Holy Spirit, even in dark seasons, even when 140 00:10:12,280 --> 00:10:16,760 Speaker 2: the answer is no. It is my hope that today's 141 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:20,320 Speaker 2: episode has provided you with insight and helpful tips on 142 00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:23,520 Speaker 2: how you can pray. Be sure to listen to our 143 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:27,960 Speaker 2: next episode, where we will talk about how sometimes God 144 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:31,400 Speaker 2: answers our prayers with the yes and how we should 145 00:10:31,440 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 2: respond accordingly. We have so much more to talk about 146 00:10:34,960 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 2: when it comes to prayer, so I hope that if 147 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:40,400 Speaker 2: you were encouraged by today's episode, you will share it 148 00:10:40,400 --> 00:10:42,880 Speaker 2: with a friend and subscribe so that you don't miss 149 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:45,760 Speaker 2: any future episodes of the Teach Us to Pray podcast, 150 00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:48,439 Speaker 2: where we will continue to learn how, just like breathing, 151 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:52,640 Speaker 2: prayer can become a natural, consistent, and life giving part 152 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:55,600 Speaker 2: of our everyday lives. Until then, be sure to connect 153 00:10:55,640 --> 00:10:58,559 Speaker 2: with me at Beloved Women dot org and check out 154 00:10:58,600 --> 00:11:02,000 Speaker 2: the show notes to download my free five day prayer guide. 155 00:11:02,040 --> 00:11:04,480 Speaker 2: I also want to invite you to study the Bible 156 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:07,800 Speaker 2: with me by downloading the Beloved Women app available in 157 00:11:07,880 --> 00:11:12,360 Speaker 2: the Apple and Google play stores, or at Belovedwomen dot tv. 158 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for taking time to listen today. 159 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:17,880 Speaker 2: God bless you and I'll talk to you in the 160 00:11:17,960 --> 00:11:20,720 Speaker 2: next episode. 161 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 1: Teach Us to Pray is a production of Life Audio 162 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:34,360 Speaker 1: and the Salem Web Network. If you enjoyed this episode, 163 00:11:34,440 --> 00:11:36,720 Speaker 1: would you take a minute and leave us a review 164 00:11:36,720 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 1: in your podcast app? It really does help more people 165 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: like you find the podcast To hear more from Christina Patterson, 166 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:48,560 Speaker 1: be sure to check out her fantastic site Belovedwomen dot org. 167 00:11:49,760 --> 00:11:53,960 Speaker 1: A special thanks to Kelly Gibbons, Steven Sanders, and Stephen 168 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:58,000 Speaker 1: McGarvey for their production and editing on this episode. You 169 00:11:58,000 --> 00:12:10,400 Speaker 1: can find more podcasts like this over at lifeaudio dot com.