Unanswered Prayers

Unanswered Prayers –
Perhaps there is nothing more difficult, more heartbreaking, more discouraging, than feeling like you have unanswered prayers. This may lead to feeling like God doesn’t hear, or doesn’t care, especially when your prayer is a cry from deep within your heart – something so incredibly important – a job so you can feed your family, a friend who desperately needs Jesus, a friend who is struggling with faith, a family member with a terminal illness – all those prayers during which you cry out, “God, this isn’t just anyone, this is my ________ (son, father, best friend, mother, etc.)

Often, it’s not so much a matter of doubting that God is powerful enough, or even doubting that He cares for you, but a struggle that develops when His ways are not your own, when He acts in ways you don’t understand. Isaiah 55 says, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord, ‘ as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” God sees all from the perspective of eternity. We only see today; we are so limited. Even when we think we understand how something should be, the truth is, only God can see everything, how all will pan out in the end.

I write this because I am currently facing my own “unanswered prayers.” I have some people close to me for whom I have been earnestly praying for months now. I know God is all-powerful, and I know He loves me, and cares for me. “Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you.” “One thing the Lord has spoken, two things have I heard; that you, O Lord, are loving, and you, O Lord, are strong.” I know God is faithful – He has been faithful numerous times before, and I believe He will be faithful again.

So, today, if you are facing a situation where your cries to God feel as though they go unanswered, take heart. God sees you; He hears your cries, and He cares. Don’t give up praying, but pray resting in the knowledge that God’s ways are higher than yours. James Dobson once wrote in his book Keeping the Faith when God Doesn’t Make Sense, “Jesus is always on time, even when He appears catastrophically late.” When Lazarus died, I’m sure Mary and Martha felt like Jesus didn’t care because He didn’t come when they sent word that Lazarus was sick. But Jesus had something better up His mighty sleeve – he wasn’t going to merely heal the sick, He was going to raise the dead! So, if Jesus appears catastrophically late in answering your prayers, He will work all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Continue to pray, take heart – “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” - Psalm 27:14

If you are in need of prayer, feel free to e-mail me at theologynerd330@gmail.com.