Dear ,   

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (ESV)

I recently had a conversation with my niece regarding prayer. Her daughter, my 11 year old great niece, has recently struggled with the lack of positive answers to her prayers and was discouraged; thinking God wasn't listening.

As we talked I was reminded that although it may not be what we want to hear, God is not in the business of simply granting our wishes. He is sovereign and knows far more than we about every situation we may find ourselves in. Regardless of how we believe things should be, God knows how it needs to be and will bring everything to work for His glory.

Yes, it's okay to pray for what we want, but we must realize that our prayers must be according to God's will. We need to put our desires on the altar submitting ourselves to His perfect plan, wherever that may lead. Simpler to say than to do, as the path may not be one we would choose for ourselves, but if we give our desires to Him, and allow ourselves to rely upon His grace and guidance, we'll find that our prayers will become aligned with His, and the desires of our heart will be granted.

O God, help me today to let my wishes be transformed into those that seek your perfect plan for my life and for those whom I pray. Let me pray "Your will be done" and be filled with your absolute peace knowing You, and You alone, are above all.

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)