My dear daughter would not stop to ask that I get her a phone. The younger sister has even joined her in the pestering now. They would describe the kind of phone they want. The more they ask, the more I feel the emotion of a father who needs to grant the request of his children. But as I think deeply, I have to convince them it’s not yet time. I would get it for them when it’s time.

Friend, God does not normally give you what you are praying for, He gives you what you are ready for. This is one truth that every child of God must grasp. Don’t just see prayer as a tool to get God to do stuff, even the things He does not want to do. You cannot use faith against the God of faith (James 4:1-3).

“And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul” (Psalms 106:15). There is a way you can “disturb” God to a point that He gives you what you are asking even when He knows it’s not yet time for it. At that point, you are on a dangerous path. This is why you need to listen to the silent whisper of God’s Spirit in prayers and be content with what He is doing or not doing. May you not receive what would kill you in Jesus name (Psalms 106:15).

“Please give a son to me. If you do that, I will give him back to you for all of his life” (1 Samuel 1:11). God does not normally give you what you are asking for, He gives you what you are ready for. The subject of readiness is more important than just prayer. If prayer would do anything for you, it should get you ready. Prayer does not boycott process, it only empowers you to go through the process. The process is needed to handle the answer to your prayer.

“…the things God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). If you ask me; “What is God doing in and around your life now?” I would tell you that God is not preparing things for you; He is preparing you for things. How long would the answers to your prayers manifest you may want to ask? It is the extent to which you are prepared for its manifestation.

Like my daughters, rather than begging God, rather than pestering Him, why not ask Him to get you ready? Why not ask Him to show you areas in your life that you need to work on? Why not ask Him to help you to grow? Why not tell Him to fill up gaps in your life? Why not ask Him to get you ready for what you are asking? God does not give you what you ask for but what you are ready for.

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria