Unanswered Prayer
Jesus says (in Mark 11:24) “I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.” We pray (granted with varying amounts of faith) and nothing happens . . . or it goes the other way.
But what if some of those unanswered prayers were actually answered? What if we want the answer to be what WE want so badly, we miss His answer? Or the answer is “NO” for now but “YES” in the long run or to the prayer we should have uttered.
Eighteenth century Scottish theologian P.T. Forsyth said “We shall come one day to a heaven where we shall gratefully know that some of God’s great refusals were sometimes the true answers to our truest prayer.” Sometimes our prayers are answered but we lack the eyes to see it. God sees the deeper intent of our prayers and responds to the greater need, which over time solves our spoken need. For example, we ask for healing, he might give us greater compassion. We know little of the ways and timing of God. We can’t fathom a timeless God who could have answered a prayer yesterday when we didn’t utter it until today. Or a prayer we utter today and we won’t see His answer until Heaven.
The toughest ones, at least for me, are the direct refusals. I pray for a ‘yes’, He answers ‘no’. I’m learning there’s a common denominator to these prayers . . . it’s a hesitation before I ask. A little lump in my throat. A pause that signals I’m about to ask for something outside of His will. If I can honestly then say “Father, I trust you. You know what I want . . . you know what I want to ask you for . . . but please just give me what I need instead. I know you love me and you know far better than I what’s best here. So I’m asking you to change what I want to match up with what you want me to have.” I get a strong sense of peace and release when I do that.
Louie Giglio says that how we see God may shape our lives more than anything else. Do you believe God is good, all the time? Do you believe God has your best interest at heart, no matter how your prayer is answered? With that kind of faith, it’s easier to trust Him when He says ‘no’.
I’ll end this with a truth: I don’t know how to square up unanswered prayer with Jesus’ words. It’s a mystery of God only to be fully understood in Heaven. I Cor. 13:12 promises…
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
God’s love isn’t a mystery. It’s abundant and available. Knowing I’m loved by an all-good, totally loving, fully just, timeless God gives me what I need to keep on believing ‘till the day when it’ll all be fully known. In the meantime, I’ll quote ‘Sonny’ from the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel:
“It will all work out in the end. If it hasn’t worked out yet, it’s not the end”
Amen
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Responses (5)
Hi Regi – thanks for one of those posts that addressed a personal issue. Been praying for what’s just call, “removal of some desires” (ok, “addictions”). It seems like He would want those to be removed from me also. I read 2 Cor 10:12, Mark 11:24. Both give promise but why no overcoming? Then you mention 1 Cor 13:12. Thanks. Good to be reminded that there will be a day when everything makes sense. For now, I think I will just count it all joy (best I can), and say, “Thanks, Regi”.
God bless you and your work.
BR
I have so little experience dealing with addiction. Although I have an addictive personality, God has somehow kept me from the depths before I surrendered to Him and since. My only word is ‘intentionality’ and ‘light’. Intentionally turning to Him every time an urge hits and calling out His name brings His presence to you. And where the Light is . . . where He is . . . the darkness cannot be. But it’s a moment by moment, over and over fight.
RC
My prayer is that God would restore my marriage. After years of not meeting each others needs very well, my wife abandoned her ministry and her family and is having an affair. I am owning my part in the break down of the marriage and am working with a counselor and some close friends to be a better me – the me God had always wanted. I believe God put our marriage together and I believe he hates divorce and wants to restore our marriage. I believe God wants my wife and I to be whole and healed from past wounds. but God cannot answer that prayer if she is unwilling to repent.
Wow Brian. I can’t imagine your pain, but I so admire your attitude. To work on the only variable you can control….you. Keep it up and try not to give up, no matter what.
Regi
The reciprocal effect of care has been amazing. the guys I have mentored over the years have rallied around me and support me with phone calls, text messages and invitations to hang out, pray, whatever. If not for them I would be overwhelmed