Whenever my young children would ask for something, it was typical for me to say, “What’s the magic word?” This was their cue to say “Please” as I attempted to teach them good manners. The longer it took them to say it, the longer it took to receive their request.

Did it work? I believe so as  people have told me how polite and respectful my (now) young adult children are. A simple “please” resulted in an almost instantaneous answer to their request. (Of course, puppy dog eyes and their sweet faces did move my heart and hand!)

Oh, how we humans love instantaneous!

I read so many verses in the Bible that have the word “suddenly” or “immediately” as the precursor to a miracle. “Suddenly,” the blind man was given his sight. “Suddenly,” the lame walked. “Immediately” the woman with the issue of blood was healed.

These stories can leave us in awe yet they may also spark the questions:

 “Where’s my suddenly? Where’s my immediately?” Where’s my miracle?”

While I cannot answer these questions in a blog post here’s what I can share about what I’ve learned (and am still learning) about our requests to our Father in heaven.

He does hear our prayers. In fact, He loves our prayers because He loves hearing our voices. Did you know that your voice has a unique sound? No one else’s voice is exactly like yours. So as soon as you speak, God knows it’s you. His ears perk up “immediately.” How utterly cool is that?

He does answer our prayers. He loves to bless His children with their heart’s desires and give us what we need (Philippians 4:19).  Just look at all of the people in the Bible who received their answers. Abraham and Sarah had a baby at the ripe old age of about 100 years old. Jonah got out of the belly of the fish. There’s not enough space here to name all of the people, but there are oodles of examples in God’s Word.

God doesn’t always answer our prayers when we ask Him. This is where we get into trouble. We may know that God hears us. We may know that God answers us, but what we don’t know is WHEN He will do it. That’s where things get dicey.

You see it’s not “magic words” or puppy dog eyes that move God’s hand. It’s our faith – our unshakeable faith knowing that He is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do. God doesn’t lie (Numbers 23:19) – ever.

What does all of this mean? What is faith…really. Well, here’s a very simple example. My name is Jennifer. There’s nothing you can say or do that will make me believe otherwise.

That’s how our faith has to be. Nothing anyone can say or do will convince us to not believe in God or His promises. Nothing. No bad medical report. No lost job. No bankruptcy. No failed marriage. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.

When nothing can shake your faith, nothing is impossible.

The Bible tells us that without faith it’s impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). At first glance that can sound condemning but that thinking couldn’t be further from the truth. What it’s really saying is that God wants you to trust Him with everything in your life  and when you do, ooo the blessings you will receive!

My young kids knew that when they asked me for something, most likely they would get it. Why? Because I loved them and they trusted me to do it. God is no different. Out of the abundance of His love for His children come blessings.

Now will these answers or blessings come the minute we ask? They certainly could. God is all powerful and He can do anything. There’s proof of it in His Word.

But I have to wonder if the “magic words” He’s waiting to hear from us are:

“I trust your timing God. I trust that You will answer my prayer at the perfect time. I trust that it will be exceedingly abundantly above anything I could ask or think because I trust You!”

Those words are not just polite recitations to move God’s hand but rather powerful confessions that draw us closer to Him.

That’s not magic my friend. That’s faith.

If you feel like your prayer life could use a makeover, then I encourage you to watch or listen to the Elevate The Day Podcast episode with ReJeanna Joliff, “The Power of Fervent Prayer.” Click here to listen or watch now.