Unanswered Prayer
For the last four weeks we have been diving into tough questions that surround our faith. This Sunday is no exception with the question of WHY unanswered prayer. There isn’t one person among us who can’t relate to seeking God’s help and getting a quiet “no” in return. Gone undealt with, the unanswered prayer can create such disappointment and frustration that it has the potential to lead some to question their faith and confidence in God. As challenging as this topic is, both scripture and experience make it clear that not all our petitions are answered in a way that we prefer. David prayed for the life of his baby growing within Bathsheba with no avail and Paul pleaded with God to remove the thorn from his flesh without ever getting relief. The power of prayer is not a simple formula and it’s certainly not a test to see who has the most faith. Prayer is one of the believers’ greatest mysteries and most powerful weapons all at the same time.
There’s nothing wrong with being honest with God about our confusions and frustrations. The Psalms are filled with these very sentiments. The Lord doesn’t expect us to cover our hurts with plastic smiles. Let us be both honest and humble with God as we explore these very tough questions. We serve a God who has big shoulders and longs to walk with us in every season.
Not every tough question has a great (preferred) answer. But this Sunday, together, we will explore this very question of why there are unanswered prayers. As we seek to better understand the character and nature of God, we will more keenly see the truth. In the meantime, God’s working all things together for good to those who love Him – including unanswered prayers.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Ryan