THE ISSUE of unanswered prayers has been a thorny topic in Christian life.
When prayers go unanswered, is it a situation of lack of faith?
Can we persuade a sovereign God who knows all things to change his mind or alter his plan?
And if not, what is the point of making our requests known to Him?
However, the Bible commands us to be anxious for nothing, but with prayers, supplications, and thanksgiving, we should make our requests known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
BOTH SCRIPTURES and experience teach us that prayer can make a real difference in human events.
And if in doubt, consider Abraham's intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18:16-33, and Hezekiah's prayer for the extension of his life or the church's plea for the release of Peter from prison (Isaiah 38; Acts 12:1-19).
Elijah was a man like us. When he prayed that it would not rain, no rain fell on the ground for three and a half years.
And when he prayed again, the ground produced crops (James 5:17-18).
Prayer is a must!
THERE ARE times that our petitions go unanswered.
Paul's repeated request that the thorn in his flesh is removed is a case in mind (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
Another example is David's prayer that the life of his and Bathsheba's child be spared (2 Sam. 12:15-23)
Why were some saints enabled 'to subdue kingdoms, shut the mouth of lions and escape death while others were sawed in two and stoned to death?' (Heb. 11:33&37)
The power of prayer is a mystery.
LIFE IS a lot about how we show up in difficult situations—it reveals us through our response and reaction.
However, courage is choosing faith in the face of unanswered prayer.
To get the desired outcome from prayer, you must understand that it is not first and foremost talking to God; it's listening to God – Leslie Ludy.
Prayer isn't about an outcome—it is a relationship.
Courage is chosing faith in the face of unanswered prayer
OUR PROBLEM while waiting for answers is not fear itself, but how we respond to the situation.
Is waiting easy? No. Can you be uncertain and anxious? Yes.
What does God want you to do? He desires that you trust Him with all your heart and lean not on your understanding.
In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. (Prov. 3:5-6)
Unanswered prayer does not mean that God cares less; in fact, he cares more.
If God gives us some of the things we want, they will destroy us.
Sometimes, God's greatest gift might be unanswered prayer.
WHEN WE brag that we have fasted and prayed and he has not answered us, we say that our holiness and works should get our prayers answered.
But that's not how God does His stuff. Instead, God responds to his Son—and this is how the Father would be seen in the Son (John 14:13).
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
PRAYER IS a place of vulnerability—and where we exhale. So there is nothing wrong with pouring your pain into Him.
Anything besides God's Will is off the table when we pray.
And the greatest tragedy in life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer – F.B. Mayer.