How does God respond to our petitions?

In a great scene from "Evan Almighty", God (played by Morgan Freeman) asks the following questions of Evan's wife, who has sort of given up on her husband since finding out that he believes he has been called by God to build an ark...

"Let me ask you something.

If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience?

Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient?

If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage,

or does he give him opportunities to be courageous?

If someone prayed for the family to be closer,

do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings,

or does he give them opportunities to love each other?"

It just reminded me of something we all know... God does not necessarily answer our prayers like we expect Him to.

But I need that reminder often. And as we watched that movie last night with our friends in Searcy, I smiled after this scene... 'cause there are so many times when I have my very specific idea of how God should answer me when I pray...

and this scene readjusts my vision...

God Bless!