The Mystery Of Unanswered Prayer
"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him".1 John 5:14-15 (KJV)
The above Scripture seems like the equivalent to a blank check. When we ask in the will of God, since the request is something He wants in the first place He should be even more interested in our receiving the answer than we are. God has promised to hear and answer all prayers that are within his will. If my prayer is for something covered in his word; He will answer it. right? So things like healing, provision, salvation for our loved ones, and physical protection should be shoo-ins right? Easy stuff.
Now we tip-toe lightly around the Elephant in the room. It is useless to ignore the obvious "Why then are there apparently unanswered prayers?"
There are several reasons for this, one is that sometimes we ask things of God for the wrong reasons. We put too much emphasis in "living our best life now" and lose sight of the eternal "big picture."
I'm not much of a "confess a million dollars and you will have it" kind of girl. You see God is not a Genie in a bottle to grant our wishes this is foolishness, and I won't insult him by entertaining such things. But He did promise to supply our needs, that's our needs, not our wants. Philippians 4:19 tells us that "God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus". But He's more like a practical Father who takes care of us than Santa Claus. In spite of what the television preachers say I've found God to be practical, and even a bit thrifty. I think sometimes it's more about the lesson He wants us to learn than anything else.
To pray successfully one needs to be aware of the condition of his heart. We can fool other people, but you can't hide fool God. Our own selfish agendas tend to get in our way. We trip over our pride and can't hear from our Father over the noise of our fears.James was talking about this sort of thing when he said in chapter five, verse three "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts"
We assume that the person praying is a believer, that they have confessed their sin to God, and believe that Jesus died to forgive that sin. But even a believer can get caught up in selfish attitudes or fear. Doubt and fear are major stumbling blocks, even Peter got in trouble when he began to doubt and Jesus was standing right before him on the water, John 6:19-21. Sometimes we ask for things that are in His plan but just not right now. Maybe he has a better Job, a different partner, a house more suited to your future needs. We need to be patient, he has his own time and place to work out his plans and promises.
So you see it's not always a matter of unanswered sometimes it's just timing. We live in an "instant" society and tend to think if the answer doesn't come immediately, it means the answer is no and we give up praying. We forget that God works outside time and will grant what He has promised at the point that will be best.
"The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent". 2 Peter 3:9.
I spent six months in the hospital in 2010, much of the time near death. Many Prayers were sent up in my behalf and it spite of them all I spent months hooked to tubes and machines. Prayer-lines were contacted all over the country, but I came home in a wheelchair unable to care for myself. But I lived, and slowly after months of rehabilitation I began to walk again and resumed my life. Did God heal me? Yes, but he did it his own way. It was a slow process and even now after three years it's still taking place. That's another little lesson I have learned, you cannot hurry God, He does things in his own time and way.
Now we tip-toe lightly around the Elephant in the room. It is useless to ignore the obvious "Why then are there apparently unanswered prayers?"
There are several reasons for this, one is that sometimes we ask things of God for the wrong reasons. We put too much emphasis in "living our best life now" and lose sight of the eternal "big picture."
I'm not much of a "confess a million dollars and you will have it" kind of girl. You see God is not a Genie in a bottle to grant our wishes this is foolishness, and I won't insult him by entertaining such things. But He did promise to supply our needs, that's our needs, not our wants. Philippians 4:19 tells us that "God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus". But He's more like a practical Father who takes care of us than Santa Claus. In spite of what the television preachers say I've found God to be practical, and even a bit thrifty. I think sometimes it's more about the lesson He wants us to learn than anything else.
To pray successfully one needs to be aware of the condition of his heart. We can fool other people, but you can't hide fool God. Our own selfish agendas tend to get in our way. We trip over our pride and can't hear from our Father over the noise of our fears.James was talking about this sort of thing when he said in chapter five, verse three "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts"
We assume that the person praying is a believer, that they have confessed their sin to God, and believe that Jesus died to forgive that sin. But even a believer can get caught up in selfish attitudes or fear. Doubt and fear are major stumbling blocks, even Peter got in trouble when he began to doubt and Jesus was standing right before him on the water, John 6:19-21. Sometimes we ask for things that are in His plan but just not right now. Maybe he has a better Job, a different partner, a house more suited to your future needs. We need to be patient, he has his own time and place to work out his plans and promises.
So you see it's not always a matter of unanswered sometimes it's just timing. We live in an "instant" society and tend to think if the answer doesn't come immediately, it means the answer is no and we give up praying. We forget that God works outside time and will grant what He has promised at the point that will be best.
"The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent". 2 Peter 3:9.
I spent six months in the hospital in 2010, much of the time near death. Many Prayers were sent up in my behalf and it spite of them all I spent months hooked to tubes and machines. Prayer-lines were contacted all over the country, but I came home in a wheelchair unable to care for myself. But I lived, and slowly after months of rehabilitation I began to walk again and resumed my life. Did God heal me? Yes, but he did it his own way. It was a slow process and even now after three years it's still taking place. That's another little lesson I have learned, you cannot hurry God, He does things in his own time and way.
One of the biggest hindrances to answers to prayer is lack of perseverance. Galatians 6:9 says “let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” We get tired, we get discouraged, we get distracted. Things happen and we give up without pressing through.
Then sometimes God answers just not in a way we expect. If I've learned anything on this journey it is you can't put God in a "box". He does things in his time and in His way.
There is even a school of thought that says if a person you pray for dies he is indeed healed in death, because a Christian receives a new body after death and lives in a perfect environment without defect or pain. Psalm 116:15 says "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints". In Christ death is a time of joy and victory, not the defeat we often see it to be. We must try to see things from God's prospective. He doesn't look at things like we do, but He sees the whole picture from beginning to end that is where faith and trust comes into play. He wants us to trust Him even when we don't understand.
God does answer prayer but he is God and we have to trust Him. Just because it is not what you expect don't discount His activity in your life. Remember what I said earlier He does it in His own time and in his own way. We have to hold to Him in faith and trust that whatever happens he loves us and is working things out for our good. Romans 8:28 tells us that "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose". Remember He does not see things like you see them.
We are instructed to use Scriptures as we press toward victory in prayer. We are to take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God and use it against the enemy. (Eph. 6:17)
We have the promises in God’s Word, we need to know them and claim them. Be persistent, be patient, don't quit. God has a “due season” Galatians 6:9 "let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not".
Ask yourself, what is God’s true purpose in answering our prayers? Jesus gives us the answer in John 14:13 when He says "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." But just what does God want to accomplish in us through prayer? Our Joy, Our loving Father wants to work true Joy in our lives that Joy that comes with the peace and security of resting in Him. Jesus told us a little about this in John 16:23-24 when He said... "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
God wants us to bring our needs to Him and He answers, (yes or no) according to His character and will. God will never grant requests contrary to His will, and his will always works for our good.
While we tend to believe that receiving a “Yes” would always make us happy, God never promised us happiness. Happiness is temporary, and too often based only on circumstances. God wants to give us something better, He wants to give us to have everlasting joy -- even in those times when He responds, “No, it will be done in My time, not yours. No, I will reveal My glory.”
In Luke 22:41-44, Jesus agonized over the events leading up to His death. Even in that desperate hour, His greatest desire was to do His Father's will, not avoid the suffering and pain (Hebrews 12:2). When we pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), God always responds, and every answer brings joy.
Then sometimes God answers just not in a way we expect. If I've learned anything on this journey it is you can't put God in a "box". He does things in his time and in His way.
There is even a school of thought that says if a person you pray for dies he is indeed healed in death, because a Christian receives a new body after death and lives in a perfect environment without defect or pain. Psalm 116:15 says "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints". In Christ death is a time of joy and victory, not the defeat we often see it to be. We must try to see things from God's prospective. He doesn't look at things like we do, but He sees the whole picture from beginning to end that is where faith and trust comes into play. He wants us to trust Him even when we don't understand.
God does answer prayer but he is God and we have to trust Him. Just because it is not what you expect don't discount His activity in your life. Remember what I said earlier He does it in His own time and in his own way. We have to hold to Him in faith and trust that whatever happens he loves us and is working things out for our good. Romans 8:28 tells us that "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose". Remember He does not see things like you see them.
We are instructed to use Scriptures as we press toward victory in prayer. We are to take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God and use it against the enemy. (Eph. 6:17)
We have the promises in God’s Word, we need to know them and claim them. Be persistent, be patient, don't quit. God has a “due season” Galatians 6:9 "let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not".
Ask yourself, what is God’s true purpose in answering our prayers? Jesus gives us the answer in John 14:13 when He says "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." But just what does God want to accomplish in us through prayer? Our Joy, Our loving Father wants to work true Joy in our lives that Joy that comes with the peace and security of resting in Him. Jesus told us a little about this in John 16:23-24 when He said... "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
God wants us to bring our needs to Him and He answers, (yes or no) according to His character and will. God will never grant requests contrary to His will, and his will always works for our good.
While we tend to believe that receiving a “Yes” would always make us happy, God never promised us happiness. Happiness is temporary, and too often based only on circumstances. God wants to give us something better, He wants to give us to have everlasting joy -- even in those times when He responds, “No, it will be done in My time, not yours. No, I will reveal My glory.”
In Luke 22:41-44, Jesus agonized over the events leading up to His death. Even in that desperate hour, His greatest desire was to do His Father's will, not avoid the suffering and pain (Hebrews 12:2). When we pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), God always responds, and every answer brings joy.