We’ve all wondered at some point: why doesn’t God grant our requests right away? This question arises in the hearts of adults and children alike, whether they are seasoned in their faith or newly discovering it. After all, if God can do anything, why delay? Surely, nothing is too difficult for Him. While the mysteries of God’s providence are beyond our full understanding, reflecting on this question can offer some insight.

Imagine asking for cake at every meal. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner—sweets without end. Would that be good for us? Of course not. Much like a loving parent, God sometimes withholds immediate gratification for our own well-being. Parents say, “If you behave, you’ll get a treat,” or “No dessert until you finish your vegetables.” This isn’t cruelty; it’s care. In the same way, God’s delays can be expressions of His love, guiding us to grow and mature.

Saint Justin Popović once said, “God listens and fulfills the prayers of a person when that person fulfills His commandments.” Saint John Chrysostom echoes this sentiment: “Listen to God in His commandments, and He will listen to you in your prayers.” Our relationship with God is not transactional but transformative. He desires our growth into people of virtue and compassion, not just comfort.

Sometimes, we ask for things that are not ultimately good for us. How often do we reflect later and thank God for unanswered prayers, realizing that what we had wished for could have led to greater trouble? God’s “no” or “not yet” can be His way of saving us from our own shortsightedness. As we mature, spiritually and emotionally, our prayers align more closely with His will. This wisdom often comes only after persistent prayer and reflection.

Another reason for delay could be our approach to prayer itself. Are we asking or demanding? True prayer requires patience, humility, and persistence. God desires not just to fulfill requests but to cultivate a life of prayer within us—a habit that changes our very being. Through continued prayer, our souls are shaped, and we draw closer to Him.

God is not a vending machine, nor is He an online service delivering exactly what we “order.” He is our Creator, our loving Father, holding our lives in His hands and desiring only what is good for us. His timing, though often inscrutable, is perfect.

The next time you feel that your prayers go unanswered, consider this: perhaps God is preparing something greater for you, something that will nourish your soul far beyond the immediate satisfaction of a simple request.

Original article: radiovera.ru/pochemu-gospod-srazu-ne-ispolnjaet-prosby-marija-chugreeva.html