Have you ever prayed for something and not received an answer? Have you asked God to fix a problem but it didn’t get fixed? If so, have you wondered what is happening or are you just frustrated with prayer because it doesn’t work?
Prayer is a conversation between you and God. When prayer doesn’t seem to work, it’s because we aren’t understanding the way prayer works in our lives. We tend to see prayer as something that will fix everything or make us feel better right away – which makes us upset when it doesn’t happen that way. In many relationships we are frustrated because our expectations are not met the way we want them to be. If we do not want to be frustrated with God we need to understand how He responds to prayer. God tells us clearly that He hears the prayers of faithful believers (1 Peter 3:12). When we pray, God has three primary answers to prayer we need to be looking for.
Sometimes God says “Yes”
God loves to give good gifts to His children. Sometimes He gives them before we pray. God delights in seeing us rejoice in His goodness. In the James 1:17 we are told that every good and perfect gift comes from God. Other times He waits to see if we will ask. Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 7:7-8 that if they ask in accordance with God’s will, they will receive their request. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:32 that God knows what we need even before we ask it. Go to God and ask anything according to His will and He will say yes.
Sometimes God says “No”
Hearing God say “no” is hard. Sometimes we ask God to save a family member from death only to see them die anyway. At times we ask God for a promotion, a raise in income, a better relationship with a person, an opportunity we think would make us fulfilled, and many other similar things. Yet, God says “no”. How are we to understand it when this happens?
First, we need to remind ourselves of who said “no”. God is perfectly loving and good. He knows everything and we do not. He has a plan that will bring all thing together for good to those who love Him. At times we ask whether God is good for holding back something we want. What we should be asking is why God doesn’t see the thing we asked for as good for us.
Second, We need to remember that we are only promised to receive the things we pray for that are in accordance with God’s will. If it isn’t God is not going to give it to us.
Third, we need to understand that a “no” may not be a “no” forever. Sometimes it is a temporary “no” so that God can teach us something before He says “yes” at a later time.
Fourth, we need to admit our motives may be wrong. Jesus told His disciples that they did not get what they asked for at times because they wanted something for themselves. God wants to entrust us with good things to use for His glory. If He knows we intend to be selfish and squander the thing we pray for, He sometimes will withhold it. In that case can we really blame Him?
Sometimes God says “Wait”
We live in a culture that demands instant results. If we want to stream a movie we get frustrated if it buffers. If we go to a restaurant we get frustrated if the food takes a while to get to the table. We often forget that for things to be done right, sometimes we have to wait. God has a reason for waiting to answer. Sometimes He is teaching you to trust Him. He may also be helping you see the value of the thing you are asking for. God may be preparing the way for you to receive it. God doesn’t always tell us why we are waiting. He simply reminds us that God knows what we need. He will give the right thing at the right time. God is always worth waiting for!