Is God

Preparing for
You to Be an
Answer to a
Prayer?
Is God preparing for you to be an answer to a
prayer?
We have an example of
one who was an answer to
prayer recorded in the
book of Psalms.
“He called down famine on the land and
destroyed all their supplies of food; and
He sent a man before them – Joseph, sold
as a slave.
“They bruised his feet with shackles, his
neck was put in irons, till what he foretold
came to pass, till the word of the LORD
proved him true.
“The king sent and released him, the ruler
of peoples set him free.
“He made him master of his
household, ruler over all he
possessed, to instruct his princes as
he pleased and teach his elders
wisdom. Then Israel entered Egypt;
Jacob lived as an alien in the land of
Ham.”
(Psalm 105:16-23)
How wonderful it is to receive an answer to
prayer. But there is something even more
wonderful – to be an answer to prayer. Have
you been an answer to prayer lately?
Joseph was. In verse 17 we read, "He sent
a man before them – Joseph, sold as a
slave." At the time, Joseph could not see
what God was doing. But God was
preparing him to be an answer to prayer.
He was going to use Joseph to protect the
people of Israel. If Joseph had not done
this, the nation might have perished.
In fact, it might never have come to exist.
And if the nation of Israel had never come
to exist, we wouldn't have a Bible, and we
wouldn't have a Savior.
God plans His work. We never have to
worry about what is going on, because
God knows. He is never caught off
guard, and He is never surprised. God
never says, "How did that happen?"
He chose Abraham and Isaac and Jacob
and Jacob's sons to accomplish some
great purposes in this world – to bear
witness of the true and living God, to give
us the Bible and the Savior.
God also works His plan. He uses people to
accomplish His purposes. We don't always
know what God is doing. He didn't send an
angel down to prison to explain to Joseph all
of His plans. Joseph worked and walked by
faith.
He went through trials and
dishonor, but he ultimately
triumphed. From trial to triumph,
from bondage to blessing,
Joseph was an answer to prayer.
You may be wondering today,
“Why am I going through this
experience? Why doesn't God
make life easier for me?”
Remember Joseph. God chose
him, prepared him and used him
as an answer to prayer.
God doesn't waste your trials. He
designs them for your good and His
glory. Perhaps you are going through
difficulties and trials today. Let God
prepare you for what He has prepared
for you. He might be planning to use you
as an answer to prayer.