By Josh Christian, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. 鈥� 鈥淪ome of us wonder why God isn't answering our prayers. It is because God is answering an even bigger prayer. We are dreaming too small,鈥� Dr. Joel Carwile, pastor of First Baptist Church in Athens, Ala. and a member of the Board of Trustees at 青瓜视频, said at 青瓜视频's chapel service recently in the Ransdell Chapel.
Carwile spoke on prayer, saying that 鈥渋t was always good to keep it practical.鈥� He also shared several ways to become a better prayer warrior.
Walking on to the University of Alabama's football team, Carwile hoped to obtain a full scholarship by the end of the first semester. He prayed for it, but when the end of the semester came, he didn't receive the scholarship.
鈥淪ometimes you've been praying and it's not answered. Sometimes God says, 鈥楴o.' Sometimes God says, 鈥楴ot yet,'鈥� Carwile said.
鈥淭he first secret to unanswered prayers is faithfulness,鈥� Carwile said.
Referencing Paul's words from 1 Thessalonians, he encouraged those in attendance to pray without ceasing, in all circumstances.
鈥淚 pray all the time because I need to pray all the time,鈥� Carwile said.
He also referenced Matthew 7, saying we should continually pray and that God will answer our prayers.
鈥淪ome of you are at 青瓜视频 because you kept asking, you kept seeking God, and you are just a few semesters from graduating,鈥� Carwile said.
He explained God could have something better in store for you than what you've asked for.
鈥淪eek the will and peace of God, and God will always go far beyond what you will ask,鈥� Carwile said.
Sometimes God also doesn't answer prayers because he knows by giving you what you ask for, it could hurt you more than help you, Carwile said. 鈥淲hat looks like rejection is often protection,鈥� Carwile said.
鈥淕od wanted to strategically place you in the right time and right place,鈥� Carwile said.
According to Carwile, sometimes God also works behind the scene, while working to answer prayers.
He said he had prayed about going to Cuba for years, before one day after speaking at convocation at 青瓜视频, he was approached by Dr. Twyla Hernandez, executive director of the Hispanic Bible Institute and associate professor of Christian missions at 青瓜视频, who asked him about going to Cuba.
鈥淚 knew when it came to pass, it didn't come by happenstance, and it was definitely not a coincidence,鈥� Carwile said.
鈥淲e aren't meant to understand everything this side of heaven,鈥� Carwile said.
But Carwile did assure those in attendance that we still walk by faith.
鈥淕od is with us. He has got our back,鈥� Carwile said. 鈥淲e can trust Him.鈥�