not my words, but wholeheartedly my goal

 copied from a teaching by Pat Robertson, CBN

 There are times in the lives of all believers when prayers seem to go unanswered. We wonder why God hasn't responded to our pleas. Or has He, but we don't realize it? In Galatians 4:4-5, the apostle Paul says,"When the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons" (NASB)

  For centuries before the birth of Christ, people were crying out for their deliverance through God's Anointed One. For years, it seemed that God ignored their pleas. But He had a plan! During that time, the Roman Empire rose, law and civilization were established, and roads and language brought cultures together - all creating the perfect conditions for spreading the Gospel.

  Remember, Paul says, "In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son." The people's prayers were answered in the fullness of time. Prayers were answered when everything was ready. It was as though God said, "Okay, now it's time to answer your prayers." Now what does that mean for us today?

  First, we need to understand that it has to be the right time - it has to be in God's timing. Oftentimes, we are praying and crying out to God for an answer and expecting that answer immediately. But God says it's not time yet. He says, in the fullness of time, when the time is right, then you will receive your answer.

  Second, we must realize that sometimes prayers are not answered because we are not ready. One day we will be ready, but God says not yet. There may be burdens that He wants us to carry so that our muscles will be strengthened to accommodate these things. Furthermore, people may misconstrue God's signs. If the prayers of some people who are "in sin" are answered, they would take those answers as signals that God is putting a stamp of approval on what they're doing. However, God does not reward sinful behavior. He may not answer them while they remain in sin, because they could think the way to receive God's blessing is to continue on in that behavior. Those people are not ready to receive the blessing of God.

  Third, we have to believe that God's way is the best way. God does not want to keep good things from us. Rather, He keeps us from settling for second best. We often become frustrated because God doesn't give us what we want when we want it! But waiting for God's perfect plan and His perfect timing is always best. What are you asking of the Lord? What is your heart's  desire? If God isn't answering your prayers, could it mean that  it's not the right time? Is it because you're not ready? Or is it because God has something much better planned for you?

  His Word says that if you trust Him and open your mouth wide, He will fill it. He will take the burden from you. And He will bring you the desires of your heart. But there is a critically important condition to this: He will give it to you in His time. And when the time comes for His blessing, it will be absolutely perfect timing. His timing, His plan - they are beyond anything we could imagine on our own. Rely on Him and enjoy the rich blessings He has planned just for you! :)