Have you ever felt like God just hasn't answered your prayers about something specific?  Does it sometimes seem like God is out of touch with what you KNOW He should be doing when you make your requests to Him?

A number of years ago, I was certain that God wanted me to be in a certain business. By all appearances it had the potential to help my family to become financially stable, and for me to be self-employed.  The thought of it all seemed very attractive to me.  

I failed miserably!  

I fell flat on my face, and spent many months afterwards licking my wounds and wondering why God didn't answer my prayers to succeed in my business venture.  He could have allowed me to succeed, and I could have felt like He was actually listening to my prayers if He had allowed it to happen. 

I had prayed for His will, but was I really serious about desiring that His will actually be carried out?  

In retrospect, I probably wasn't that interested in His will, but more interested in Him "rubber-stamping" MY will.  I've often wondered how many well-meaning Christians actually believe that God isn't listening to them just because He doesn't answer their prayers in ways that they think He should.  

"No" is a legitimate answer...and so is "Wait."  

"Lord, help me to remember this reality when I think I know what is best for my situation.  Amen!'