“But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished”. (Acts 12:16).
When we pray for great things and receive answers from the Lord, sometimes it takes active faith to access these great blessings. Many have allowed what they prayed for to slip though their fingers due to certain inadequacies in their own lives which they have failed to address.
There are so many factors responsible for stagnant situations even after waiting on the Lord in prayers and we shall be exploring a few of them shortly and as highlighted in the word of God.
1)Unbelief
The brethren who prayed for the release of Peter couldn’t believe it when he appeared at their doorstep and kept knocking on the door. They had told Rhoda who announced his presence she was out of her mind, and that she probably had seen Peter’s angel. They did not believe that the very thing they prayed for was right at their door. (Acts 12:15).
Even Peter who was released did not believe he was freed and thought it was a dream. (Acts 12:9).
Rather for the brethren to be jubilant for answered prayers they reacted with abject unbelief and so is the reaction of some of us when we react with unbelief after prayers. But for the grace of God, many would have totally missed out on the answers to their prayers.
2)Comfortable with the Usual
We are too used to the usual and often not ready for the unusual; the miraculous journey God has prepared for us. To the man who walks with God, there should never be a dull moment.
“The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain”. (Deut. 1:6).
God had to speak to the children of Israel in this manner to warn them against being lured into the trap of being comfortable with the usual as they made their way to the promised land. Are you so comfortable with your physical and spiritual environment that you would miss God’s move in your life?
4)Routine prayers
Most times we utter prayers as a duty and not mixed with fervent faith in expectation of answers, especially in the case of prayers for unusual blessings.
“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it”. (Hebrews 4:2).
Prayer without expectant faith is a waste of time.
5)Fear
Fear is the greatest enemy of breakthroughs. Many who have spent months on their knees praying for transformation have been stopped right in their tracks due to fear of the unknown.
“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” (Exodus 13:17).
Here, God knew what fear could do to the children of Israel and had to devise a plot to keep them on track and from being fearful which could truncate his plan for their lives. How many times have we allowed fear and lack of faith from preventing us from going further into God’s plan and blessings for our lives? I bet a thousand times. This must stop and our watchword must be “ fear not”.
6)Doubts
Oftentimes we do not see the answer when it comes knocking. We rather want to see and touch the answers to our prayers not knowing that sometimes these answers come to us in apparels of opportunity that ought to be explored.
“So the other disciples told him (Thomas), “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25).
We must pray for the grace of God to see and seize the answers to our prayers when they eventually appear.
7)Laziness.
Many have made excuses due to laziness to rise and take answered opportunities by the horn and turn it around to serve their needs.
“How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man”. (Proverb 6:9-11).
Prayers will never take the place of hard work and the earlier we know this, the better for us as we seek the face of God.
8)Procrastination
Procrastination is often called the thief of time. Not seizing opportunities when they come our way will lead to a loss of fortune. Jesus knew too well that opportunities and seasons work hand in hand, and that there is a time for everything. Certain things may never be done or achieved in your own time but at the opportune time.
Jesus says, “As long as it is the day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work”. (John 9:4).
Readings
Hebrews 4
