Did You Forget Your Prayers? - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) April 24, 2026

Recently, a Christian movie I watched prompted me to ask the Lord to help me provide the assistance He wants given to those He sends my way. I understood this may not always be about money. There have been times when the Lord highlighted that a person's issue wasn't the lack of funds, but the lack of Him. It has always been my job to steer them appropriately.

Within minutes of that prayer, my phone rang, and I knew the caller needed help. I also knew what they were going to ask because of our past encounters. However, I was so focused on the film and wanted to finish it, so I didn't pick up. Thankfully, the Lord nudged me to call them back. They didn't pick up, so I happily kept watching my film.

When we spoke later, they explained what they needed. Although I knew it was coming, I confess it was an inconvenience as it would interfere with other plans. I agreed to help them nonetheless, as the Lord guided. Still, after the call, I briefly grumbled about the interruption their need would cause, but quickly repented as I know better than to complain and grumble.

I prayed for strength, and God helped me, so I was able to do what the person needed with ease. Someone actually lent a hand to get it done. Once completed, I thanked the Lord, and I didn't expect what happened next. He reminded me of the request I'd prayed earlier and showed me that He'd answered my prayer, only for me to grumble about my schedule being derailed. Through it all, He was gentle and kind in His correction.

Promptly, I repented and then praised Him for honoring my request. I'd said that prayer earnestly but without a lot of thought, if I'm to be honest. Yet, God took it seriously and answered it. This was a reminder that He takes prayers very seriously, even when we don't. It was also a lesson that though He's gracious, I can't afford to forget what I pray for. That failure can prevent me from recognizing when He has fulfilled my request. Please note that I'd written my prayer request in my journal shortly after praying. Still, I'd forgotten about it in the few minutes it took God to answer.

That said, are you keeping track of your prayer requests? Are you keeping track of those God answered? King David noted in Psalm 37:25 - I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. God is in the prayer-answering business. He may have us wait for the answer, and He can fulfill our petitions in ways we don't expect. Regardless of how things play out, God does not ignore prayers. We are told that the prayers of the saints are collected in golden bowls (Revelation 5:8). Plus, the prayers of the righteous are highly effective and powerful (James 5:16).

Here are some likely scenarios when it seems our prayers haven't been answered. We may have allowed disbelief, doubt, and fear to hinder our answers during the space between making the requests and seeing them fulfilled. We often forget the warning of James 1:6 - But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Or, in our ignorance of the word, we may have said a detestable prayer. There could also be sins we haven't addressed that stand in the way. And, as happened to me, we might forget our petition and thereby fail to recognize God's faithfulness when it comes.

Still, God is in the business of answering prayers, going big even when the requests seem minuscule. None of our prayers is insignificant to Him. Those who belong to Him are precious, and He delights in giving them reason to rejoice and testify about what He's done. If you believe that He knows the number of every hair on your head, then you have to believe that He's capable of keeping up with your countless prayers. And, He can answer them one by one.

So trust God to answer your prayers. Hold His hand to live righteously, improving day by day. Pray boldly according to His will and word. Then stand firm in faith and wait for His appointed time. Be sure to write down your request so you don't forget it, and watch the good Lord do what only He can do for your prayer subjects and yourself. God bless you, and don't forget what you've prayed for. He hasn't!

As you await fellowship at Noon EST, consider reading the Altar Call below and the following previous P&P messages:

1. Requirements to Receive

2. Look out for what you prayed for

3. The Answered Prayers You Don't See

4. Expect the Exceedingly and Abundantly

5. P&P 400: The God of Suddenly

6. The Impact of Your Relationship With God

7. God Is Waiting On You

8. God Isn't A One-Hit Wonder

9. The Small Things Can Have A Big Impact

10. Be About The Father's Business

11. How To Treat What God Reveals

12. Fruitfulness Brings Answered Prayers

13. Hold On To What You Have

14. Doubt Kills Prayers

15. A Pathway To Answered Prayers

16. Topic: Fear

17. Topic: Prayers & Petitions

18. Topic: The Wait