Is God Ignoring Your Prayers?
We’ve recently changed how we do our weekly blog posts. And we’ve appreciated all the great responses! So, we will keep it up. Instead of having a single, long-form post, we will link to a blog post that’s from our archives, and then share the full content of two of our most popular recent social media posts.
Enjoy!
Archive Post:
Why Does God Ignore My Prayers?
Maybe I should have called this one, Why Doesn’t God Answer My Prayers My Way? Or perhaps, Why Isn’t God Paying Attention to Me?
Have you been there? I know I have. I asked for something in prayer. A LOT. And then it didn’t happen. In fact, the exact opposite happened. At that point you just want to ask the question: Why Did God Ignore My Prayer? Click here to find out why you sometimes don’t get what you want…and why you might be thankful!
Social Media Post 1:
So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
Luke 21:31-33 ESV
Ok, that middle verse has caused a lot of consternation among Jesus followers. Jesus had just been talking about the events of the very last days before His return and then describing the time of His actual return. So the context of “this generation” does not mean the generation of His listeners, but the generation of people who “see these things taking place”. He is saying, once the end times events truly begin, there will probably be fewer than 40 years until the return of Christ. Of course, that leads to the next burning question, “Are we in the end times?”. If you’re interested, click here for an entire blog post to fill in the details and put your mind at ease!
Social Media Post 2:
And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
-Luke 22:20 ESV
This is the institution by our Savior of the sacrament of Communion. And as we do it, we appreciate the solemnity of the moment. But let’s think through what He was telling His disciples, and by extension, us. The cup is representative of the new covenant that was soon to be established by His blood given for us. Please don’t miss this. He was telling His devout Jewish followers that every part of the law, the central set of requirements in their faith system, was about to be completely fulfilled. That they were no longer going to be responsible for keeping the old covenant in their own strength, but that a new covenant, the final, perfect covenant was about to be established. No more legalism based on keeping outside rules, but rather the love of God would flow from within thanks to the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Beloved, it is easy to slip back into a works based, rule following religion. But that’s not the new covenant. That religion died when Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross. No, we obey and teach others because of the love that now lives inside us thanks to the beautiful Holy Spirit. Let us focus our efforts on helping others to grow closer to God, how to love Him more, and we will soon see the realization of the new covenant in their lives.
If you have follow-up thoughts, feel free to reach out to me directly via our contact form. Also, if you’d like to learn more about me and why I create all this content about following Jesus, check out my About page. Finally, if you love the content and would like to support this work, please visit Troy Stoneking (buymeacoffee.com).
Love you Jesus follower!