Does God really answer prayers?
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There are seasons in our lives when we pray and we pray and we think, 'God is not hearing my prayers!' The pain and disappointment we experience when what we hoped for does not come to pass can be unbearable. 
 
A lot of our disappointment however, comes from a MAJOR misunderstanding about the nature of prayer. A lot of the point of prayer is to conform our will to God's will. Its the real us meeting the real Him. It's not about shooting up flares to get things from God. We don't all of a sudden get God's attention when we pray or fast. Some may even go as far as to conclude that because their prayers aren't answered there is no God. When we pray, however, there are at least FOUR ANSWERS. 
 
The first answer is NO. We may not like it, but at times this is his answer. 
The second answer is SLOW, slow down Joel, and this is difficult because we want answers and we want them now!
The third answer is GROW, God Is wanting to use this season and experience to grow you through your difficulties, suffering, an trials. 
The fourth answer is GO. Yes, God will do what we ask. This is amazing, but it is just one of at least four possibilities!
 
Friends, God ALWAYS answers prayers. It just may not be the answer we are looking for. But if we trust that He is good, just, and loving-- we know that he is not capricious and will always look out for our best interest. No, slow, grow, go. Let's keep seeking his face in prayer, friends!
 
-Pastor Joel
 

Let us pray for you! Submit your prayer requests in our new App or at llcf.org/prayer under the "Requests" button! Join our weekly Thursday 8-8:30 AM Zoom prayer call HERE!

 

PASTORAL PRAYER REQUESTS

  1. PRAY FOR ALL those who were saved and baptized during Easter at our church! We want to make sure they follow Jesus all thee days of their lives. Pray that as we invite them to take the next steps like our upcoming Become Class starting on 4/21, many people would register and grow in their faith. 
  2. PRAY FOR OUR MISSIONS! As we read through Romans, we know that one of the goals of Paul was to use Rome as a staging ground for the gospel to spread to Spain. God has made Light & Life into an incredible staging ground for the gospel to go forth to Indonesia, Philippines, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ethiopia, and many more places! Take a moment to pray for one of those locations. 

ALL CHURCH PRAYER REQUEST

  1. Jade McMillen | My mom is likely having gallbladder surgery within the next month. Please pray I can get the time off from work so that I can care for her. Ronnie Velasquez | Prayer to lead me in the direction God wants me to pursue for my career. Thank you.
  2. Niia Bermudez | Back in the hospital. I had several complications, but will soon be scheduled for a robotic surgery to remove kidney stones.
  3. Braden Pollack | Please pray for me for a healthy recovery.
  4. Darryl Poston | My wife and I have a few medical tests to be done on April 30th and May 1st. We have seen God work medically in our lives, children, and grandchildren. 
  5. Turae Conley | Prayers for my father in dealing with cancer and my daughter. She's still living in the car, and she told me her Faith is wavering.
  6. Keysha Taimi | Please pray for my sister Kelly Turner, she is purchasing a home for the first time! She wants guidance and confirmation that the home will be Christ-approved!❤️ 
  7. Michael C | Lots of stress and anxiety.
  8. Lani Silvan | I'm asking favor so that my paperwork and fingerprinting for the new job go smoothly with no hiccups and that I can start sooner rather than later with a new client.  
  9. Richard Nelson | My Father, My God please blanket my family with Your Love, Your Peace, Your Joy, and Your Grace. That we all would be brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ! 
  10. Ruth Robbins | Pray these kids (newborn baby Logan Joseph and his 5-year-old sister) come to the Lord Jesus early!
  11. Benjamin Okenwa | I need prayers for a sound mind this season and believing God for fulfillment of his promises to me this year.
  12. Alex Sanchez | I'm just looking for a job so please pray that I do soon.
  13. Tammy Marler | Please continue to keep our family in prayer and pray for Bryan who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Please pray for Justin to find the job God intends for him.  
  14. Joji Silo | Please pray for our problems in our lands here in the Philippines, squatters build houses and one tenant encroached on the land. 
  15. Rhonda Hendricks | Burden of feeling helpless at times. And defeated against life circumstances.
  16. Christina Rendon | My husband is fighting a case and has court on May 6 please pray for us. It is a serious matter, and we are unsure of what the outcome will be and how it will affect our whole life. 
  17. Maggie Elizondo | Please pray for God's will in my life and in my home and in my family. In Jesus name Amen!! Blessings to all my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
  18. Holli Applegate | Please pray for Zack and Carolina, who lost their one month old son, as he was born with a brain hemorrhage.
  19. Michelle ValdiviaPraying that I remember God's blessings, be patient with His time and am strong to continue to lead my sad friend down the Lord's peaceful path.
  20. Nicky KellyPrayer for Tony and Carrie - for their marriage, finances, and safety/protection for them and their little girls.
  21. Joel Silva | Pray for the Mitchell Family as they mourn the loss of Michael Mitchell (43) due to illness.
  22. Jamie Sharp | Continued prayer for Kevin. He is having sluggish speech and getting confused with answering questions. He is also very tired and falling asleep mid-conversation.  
 
ALL CHURCH PRAISE REPORT
  1. Mike Gipson | This is a praise report and it's due and part that I made you aware of a young man who used to work for me who had cancer and the praise report is that he is healed. thank you so much once again.
  2. Ruth Robbins | Birth of Logan Joseph was very successful. He & his mom are doing great. His 5-year-old sister is wild about him.
  3. Jamie Sharp | Praise God! Kevin went from a medically induced coma Monday morning to complete removal of machines and eating by Wednesday night. God is so faithful!
  4. Linda J | I thank God that He is healing me in His time. I thank God for the easing of pain thus far and realize He is able to do the utmost in the future.
  5. Jade McMillen | Also here's a praise report! A family friend just got baptized today and today marks 5 years since my brother and I were! God is GREAT!!!
 
This message was sent from joels@llcf.org to joels@llcf.org
5951 Downey Avenue, Long Beach, CA, 90805

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