Do you feel like your prayers go unheard?  Or maybe that Jesus hears, but has not answered your prayers?  

I am not an expert in prayer or well-versed in theology, but I do know what has worked well for me.     

When I am struggling with feeling unheard, I ask myself this, “What is at the heart of why I want this prayer answered?”  In general, what is the focus of my prayer?

Am I continually focused on what I want, or how I would be better able to serve?  When my heart is open to serve and to love it is much easier to see the results of prayer.  It may take seconds, hours, days, months, or years, but my mindset and actions always play a part in seeing the results of being prayerful. 

In hindsight, I am able to see the power of prayer working.  The path becomes more clear as I see Jesus’ plan unfold.  The unique and often difficult experiences in life unfold and in hindsight, it becomes more clear why those challenges were important to my story.

When I am too focused on problems I miss opportunities.  If I am not seeing an opportunity or feeling peace through prayer, I again center myself on love.  

Any prayer can be answered at any time.  If I get discouraged regarding a particular issue I have been praying about, I immediately reevaluate my attitude and actions.  Am I not focusing on love, not serving, not having the right perspective to achieve the ultimate version of me that Jesus desires?

It is about me living a life of love and serving others.  About being prayerful, compassionate, and kind.  And about me changing my ways in order to serve Jesus.

It’s never about Jesus not answering my prayers.  There is a plan for me, and for all of us.  I may walk off track, but I also believe Jesus guides me back to my intended path.  There might be consequences I have to deal with, but there is also forgiveness.

What can I do differently that I’m not doing now in order to get closer to Jesus?  I don’t know the specifics, but I do know that it comes through love, compassion, kindness, prayer, forgiveness, and service.

If I’m not experiencing the life that I would like to experience, something needs to change.  That change starts with me.  I look at how I’m leading my life and where my thoughts and actions are leading.  And again surrender to Jesus.  

Jesus hears our prayers.  You have not gone unheard.  As I broadened my focus and prayer life to center on love my ability to see joy and feel peace continues to strengthen.  If you are not happy with the results of your prayers, try tweaking your thoughts and actions while continuing to give thanks to Jesus.     

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