Unanswered Prayers: Invitations from God?

Unanswered Prayers: Invitations from God?

Prayer is one of the most important aspects of a Christian's life. It is one of the three main means of God's grace, along with his word and fellowship. However, many of us struggle with prayer, finding it mysterious and difficult to understand. We read promises in Scripture about prayer, but when our prayers seem to go unanswered, we wonder what's wrong.

There are many reasons why we struggle with prayer. We may be distracted, lazy, busy, or overwhelmed. We may lack a clear plan or good examples. We may be opposed by the Adversary. But one of the main reasons is that we don't understand how prayer works, or rather, how it doesn't work.

The Mystery of Unanswered Prayers

When we pray, we often expect God to answer our prayers in the way we want and in the time we want. We may even claim promises like Mark 11:24, "Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." But when our prayers seem to go unanswered, we may feel disappointed, frustrated, or even angry.

When we experience unanswered prayers, we may wonder if there is something wrong with us or with God. We may question our faith, our worthiness, or God's love. We may even accuse God of being unfair, unfaithful, or unloving.

However, the mystery of unanswered prayers is not a new or unique problem. The Bible is full of stories of faithful people who prayed and yet didn't receive what they asked for. For example, Abraham prayed for a son for many years before Isaac was born (Genesis 15:2-3; 17:17-19). Moses prayed for the Israelites to be spared from God's wrath, but they still suffered (Exodus 32:11-14). David prayed for his sick child, but he died (2 Samuel 12:15-23).

Even Jesus himself experienced unanswered prayers. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane that the cup of suffering would be taken from him, but he still went to the cross (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46).

The Purpose of Unanswered Prayers

So if unanswered prayers are not a sign of God's absence, indifference, or injustice, what are they? The Bible teaches that unanswered prayers are actually invitations from God to trust him more deeply, to grow in faith, and to align our will with his.

First of all, unanswered prayers are invitations to trust God more deeply. When we pray and don't receive what we asked for, we are forced to confront our own limitations, our own desires, and our own expectations. We are reminded that God's ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). We are challenged to trust him even when we don't understand him, even when he seems distant or silent.

Secondly, unanswered prayers are invitations to grow in faith. When we pray and don't see immediate results, we are given the opportunity to exercise patience, perseverance, and obedience. We are reminded that faith is not a feeling but a choice, a decision to trust God's character and promises even when circumstances are against us. We are encouraged to keep praying, keep seeking, keep knocking, knowing that God hears us and answers us in his own way and time (Matthew 7:7-11).

Thirdly, unanswered prayers are invitations to align our will with God's. When we pray and don't receive what we asked for, we are forced to examine our motives, our priorities, and our values. We are challenged to surrender our own will to God's will, to seek his kingdom and righteousness first, and to trust that everything else will be added to us (Matthew 6:33). We are reminded that God's will is good, pleasing, and perfect, and that he works all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

The Example of Jesus

Perhaps the best example of how to respond to unanswered prayers is Jesus himself. As we mentioned earlier, Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane that the cup of suffering would be taken from him, but he still went to the cross. However, he didn't give up on prayer or on God. Instead, he submitted his will to God's will, saying, "Yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42).

Jesus also taught his disciples to pray with persistence and faith, knowing that God hears and answers their prayers. He told them the parable of the persistent widow who kept asking a judge for justice until he finally granted her request, saying, "Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly" (Luke 18:1-8).

Jesus also promised his disciples that if they asked anything in his name, he would do it, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13). However, he also warned them not to ask for selfish or sinful things, but to ask for things that are in accordance with his will and for the glory of God (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14-15).

The Hope of Answered Prayers

Finally, we need to remember that unanswered prayers are not the end of the story. God is still sovereign, loving, and faithful, even when we don't understand or see his ways. He is still at work in our lives, shaping us into the image of his Son, and using our prayers and our struggles for his glory and our good.

Moreover, God does answer prayers, sometimes in ways we don't expect or recognize. He may say "yes," "no," or "wait," but he always answers. He may answer with a different solution, a different perspective, or a different timing, but he always answers. He may even answer in ways that surpass our understanding, our imagination, or our wildest dreams (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Therefore, let us not give up on prayer, but let us persevere in faith, trusting that God hears us, loves us, and works for our good. Let us pray with humility, sincerity, and submission to God's will, knowing that he is our Father who delights in giving good gifts to his children (Matthew 7:11). Let us pray with thanksgiving, knowing that God has already given us the greatest gift of all, his Son, who has reconciled us to himself and given us access to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Conclusion

In conclusion, unanswered prayers are not a sign of God's absence, indifference, or injustice. They are actually invitations from God to trust him more deeply, to grow in faith, and to align our will with his. They are opportunities to persevere, to learn, and to worship God for who he is, not just for what he does. Therefore, let us embrace unanswered prayers as gifts from God, who knows what we need before we ask him and who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Let us also remember that God has given us his word, his Spirit, and his community to help us in our prayers. Let us study the Scriptures, meditate on God's promises, and pray in the Spirit, who intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express (Romans 8:26-27). Let us also pray with and for one another, sharing our burdens and joys, confessing our sins and forgiving one another, and encouraging one another to trust God more fully (James 5:16; Colossians 4:2-4).

May our prayers be a sweet aroma to God, a testimony of our faith, and a means of grace to ourselves and to others.