Why doesn't God answer my prayer right away?
Here's the answer:
God may answer your prayers with "Yes" or "No," but sometimes He says, "Wait."
Suppose you ask your parents if they'll let you start taking piano lessons. Instead of giving a yes or no answer right away, they say, "Maybe; we'll see. You'll have to wait."
Your parents don't ask you to wait because they are mean. Maybe they want to wait until you're more responsible to practice every day. They don't answer you right away for a good reason.
God also might not answer prayer right away, and He always has a good reason.
One reason God may not answer your prayer right away is because you need to turn from a sin in your life (see Bible Truth below).
Often, God says, "Wait," because He has a better plan. God wants to make your faith stronger as you keep believing Him, even when you don't see His answer.
God is all-powerful, so He can answer, "Yes," to any prayer that's in His plan for you. He is also all-good, so He will answer with what's best for you.
Since God knows what's best for you, ask for things in His will (what He wants). You can know what God wants by reading the Bible and asking Him to give you wisdom (James 1:5). Ask God for the strength to follow and obey Jesus.
If God doesn't answer your prayer right away, don't get discouraged. God may just be saying, "Wait." Keep praying for God's will to be done. Waiting helps you trust God because He knows the best time and best way to answer.
Bible Truth
"But your sins have separated you from your God. They have caused him to turn his face away from you. So he won't listen to you" (Isaiah 59:2).
"He himself carried our sins in his body on the cross. He did it so that we would die as far as sins are concerned. Then we would lead godly lives. His wounds have made you whole" (1 Peter 2:24).
"There is one thing we can be sure of when we come to God in prayer. If we ask anything in keeping with what he wants, he hears us. If we know that God hears what we ask for, we know that we have it" (1 John 5:14–15).
