The Bible instructs us to pray. The equation of FAITH combined with PRAYER is powerful. When Jesus cursed the fig tree (Matthew 21:18-21), it quickly withered. The disciples asked Him how He was able to do this:
"Jesus replied, 'Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:20-22
When the father, in Matthew 17:14-20, brought his demon-possessed son to be healed, his disciples were unable to do so. When questioned, Jesus responded:
“Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20-21
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus said:
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24
So then, why do some prayers go unanswered? I do not have the answer to this question, however, we must choose to TRUST GOD (I am speaking to myself first!). He knows what is best for us and He loves us. PRAYER and FAITH are based on TRUST. Do we TRUST GOD? Do we TRUST in His LOVE for us? He is, after all, OUR FATHER, CREATOR and LORD. When the doors close and our prayers seem to go unanswered, remember that He who created the heavens and the earth has a good plan for our lives. Even though at present we may not be able to see it, let us choose to walk by FAITH as an act of TRUST. FAITH is the result of the putting TRUST into action. As a child trusts its parent, so too must we trust GOD.
"And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3
"Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." Isaiah 64:8
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13
When prayers go unanswered, how do you process it? Please share your comments and views with our readers at BGO by clicking on the comments link below. We'd love to hear from you!
12 comments:
Yes. It is truly hard to understand but definitely God has a reason for our 'unanswered prayers'. I read Genesis 39 today in my q.t. Though it does not say specifically, I think you would agree with me that Joseph did pray to God when he was thrown into prison unjustly. The scripture says prior to this that he had a vibrant relationship with God so I think we can assume that Joseph was praying to God during this time -- yet God did not take him out of prison, or send an angel right away to free him? It says God was with him (v.22) in prison. It seems clear God had a purpose in Joseph's detainment and not his immediate release, which I'm sure he must have been praying for. Do you agree? Look what happened to Joseph in the end!
WHY IS PRAYERS GOING UNANSWERED? TO RECEIVE ANSWERED PRAYER IS TO HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD. ONLY JESUS OPEN DOORS SO YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THE PERSON'S VOICE WHO HAS THE KEYS TO OPEN THE LOCKED DOOR. BODY, SOUL AND SPIRT ARE TAXED AND BOUGHT UNDER TRIBUTE TO PRAYER. THE SON OF MAN IN GETHSEMANE WAS IN AN AGONY OF PRAYER, WHICH ENGAGED HIS WHOLE BEING. (Luke 22:40-44).
For God to answer prayer one has to live a consecrated life which ever recognize God. It is a life of personal holiness which brings spiritual power into the heart and enlivens the entire inner man. It is when a man shuts his teeth and enters the closet with his mind closed to the entire world for hours and hours on end alone, without sustenance, just sitting alone in the closet, pressing on in dedicated prayer and waiting for an answer to prayer. You have to be like the Apostle Peter and the apostles who had the keys to open and close or like the prophets, like Moses, like king David who had the keys which was given to Solomon, that key is anointed. Daniel kneeled three times a day in prayer. Solomon kneeled in prayer at the dedication of the temple and our Lord in Gethsemane prostrated himself in that memorable season of praying just before his betrayal. In Psalm 119 the psalmist teaches this very truth in these words: ‘Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and seek him with the whole heart.’ When God opens no man can close that open door. So without the keys prayers go unanswered. It is a separation of one’s self to God, a devotion of all that he is and has to a sacred use. As the whole nature of man enters into prayer, so also all that belongs to man is the beneficiary of prayer. All of one’s being must be given to God in praying. All of man receive benefits of the same. Loving God should be as the air we breathe. God wants us to consecrate our daily actions into acts of prayer by offering them to Him as tokens of our love. It is the voluntary putting of one’s self in God’s hands to be used sacredly, holily, with sanctifying ends in view. The largest results in prayer come to him who gives himself, all of himself, all that belongs to himself, to God.
The Bible declares in Leviticus 20:6-8 to sanctify yourselves, therefore, and be ye holy, for I am the Lord your God. And ye shall keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord which sanctify you.
Remember in order to receive answers and to hear the voice of God one must live a life of prayer with full consecration. Living a life of prayer is satisfied with nothing else but an entire dedication of one’s self to God. It means not only to pray, but to pray habitually, and to pray more effectually and effectively, then and only then, you will hear the still soft voice of God. Thousands can testify to this statement that the entire man come into play in true, earnest effectual praying, so the entire man, soul, mind and body, receives the benefits of prayer.
I pray that all who read these words be blessed with the favor of God for answered prayers. I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that prayers be answered in a timely, speedily manner in Jesus' name, Amen
I have had two life-changing + magnificent things happen in my life: I met my husband and I had a baby. I believe that both of these prayers were answered when I completely and unreservedly submitted the requests to God: affirming that God's will - and not my own be done. In both cases I was prepared to be single + childless. I believe to this day that I needed to give up my 2 idols (marriage + children) to get God's complete blessing in these areas.
I cannot say why some prayers go unanswered - like a nephew who lived only 7 days. We can only say God is God. And yes, He does have a plan for each of us.
Anonymous # 1,
Thanks for the scripture account of Joseph in Genesis 39. I guess that's the whole thing about the act of trusting GOD. Our walking by faith means that we acknowledge we don't always know what's best for us, nor do we have all the answers. GOD does. All the time, He was preparing Joseph for excellence, yet Joseph couldn't see it but he DID choose to trust GOD.
From you post I am also reminded that it is important to maintain our vibrant relationship with GOD despite our circumstances. It is important to praise Him in the storm and in the good weather.
Anonymous #2- Thank you for your words of wisdom and exhortation.
Anonymous # 3- Your testimony is powerful! It reminds me to "seek first the kingdom of GOD and His righteousness, and everything else will be added unto to me." Matthew 6:33. It speaks of surrender, which is key to both trust and faith.
This post and related comments are a confirmation of what I have been reading in the Word and thinking about ... trust and peace go hand in hand. Unanswered prayer can be frustrating. But one thing I often meditate on is, when we see the face of Jesus for the first time, in person, it will be so worth it ... we would know that THIS is the ONE who had all my days in His hands and decided with compassionate wisdom what was best for me ... and it will be WELL WORTH IT! Our greatest joy and reward will be in abiding in Him, trusting in Him and growing in relationship with and appreciation for Him ... not so much what we desire out of His hand ... this can be a hard truth in many situations... but I do believe that He will answer in His own perfect time and if the answer is no He will give us peace about it that we would not know if we don't release it and trust Him...
Beloved,
What wonderful truth you write! YES, IT WILL BE WORTH IT!!! You know, that gives me so much peace. The words I long to hear at the end of my life are, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant." I know we can trust GOD. It is funny, but after I behave as an ungrateful child who did not get what she asked for, I really that I really did. GOD answers in His wisdom...and thankfully forgives in His mercy!
You know, one interesting thing I have been wondering about for a while. I have heard many accounts of wonderful miracles on the mission field. Sometimes I wonder if the yoke of unbelief has us, in the 'first' world, bound and blinded. Is our faith really child-like?
Your thoughts...anyone?
Unanswered prayer is probably one of the biggest challenges for believers. As a single woman "of a particular age", I look back on the decades of prayer for God to send me a husband and children so I can have a family of my own to love. And as the years went by and opportunities were removed, I did not waver, knowing that God MUST have a plan for me.
Before we question "why God?" or "why not me God?" we should say "Thank you God". Had it not been for what I did not receive...my life would have been very different. Would it have taken me places I would most likely not have gone? Touched lives I most likely would not have come across? Where certain dreams or prayers go unanswered, GOD DOES fill that space/void with something wonderful. You feel you have SO much love inside to give and no one to give it to. But HE gives me people and children to love and to love me. He will say yes sometimes, not now, and no sometimes. You should thank HIM now. Or choose to wait for that day, month, or decade when HE reveals why. Trust in HIM for it all. You WILL have joy. GOD is great!
RubintheWest,
Wow, I am so very blessed by your testimony and words of wisdom! May God be praised and thanked forever and ever more!!! Yes, you make some very wise observations.
As you say, Let us praise Him in faith!
It makes me think if Hebrews 11:1
Faith in Action
1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Tash
Well how long is it before we decide it is an unanswered prayer? Months, years? I say He answers all of them, sometimes He says Wait! Sometimes He says Yes! Sometimes NO! They all are answered. We just think they are not answered because we didn't get the desired result. Just my 2 cents. Many people leave the fold because of so called unanswered prayer, but I don't try to make excuses for God. Sometimes God just says No, like a good parent. I have to trust Him more when He gives me what I ask for. Have a blessed day.
Anonymous,
I agree with you! We have been praying for salvation for family members for 11 years and are only now starting to see the fruits of those prayers. It is exciting and a good lesson on patience on this end.
Blessings
The entire package -post and comments have enriched me so very much. Thank you all for sharing.
What a blessing !
Post a Comment