“I prayed, but God didn’t answer.”

So many times, I've heard this statement, and I’ve even uttered it a time or two, but is it true? Are there times when God answers prayers and times when He doesn’t? And if so, how does God decide whose prayers to answer and whose to ignore?

Based on the Scripture, I believe God answers every prayer though not always in the affirmative. Sometimes God says “yes,” but other times, He says, “no,” or even “wait.” Naturally, we long for that affirmative answer--for God to give us what we ask for--but we must have faith that when God doesn’t give us what we want, He has a reason. Perhaps He’s protecting us from harm, or maybe He has something better in store. The point is, God answers prayer.

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. - Jeremiah 33:3

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. - John 15:7

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. - Isaiah 65:24

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. - John 15:16

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. - Micah 7:7

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. - Psalm 50:15

 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. - I John 5: 14-15

Some may wonder what difference it makes whether we say “God didn’t answer my prayer,” or “God said no.” The results are still the same, right? Circumstantially, yes, the results are the same. But the point of view and the distinction between God not answering or God not responding in the affirmative can have a significant impact on our faith and spiritual walk.

If we feel God didn’t answer our prayer, then what’s the point of praying? Why put ourselves through that if He doesn’t hear and answer prayer? This mindset drives a wedge between God and us because it seems as if God has some hidden agenda or is playing favorites by answering the prayers of others while ignoring us. It can also lead us to question our salvation or spiritual standing, thinking maybe God didn’t answer because we’re doing something wrong. The outcome is stress, confusion, and doubt.

On the other hand, if we believe God answered every prayer but chose not to answer our prayer in the affirmative, we can know God had a reason. According to the Bible, our desires may not be in God’s will and could be detrimental to our spiritual walk. The Scriptures also teach how God’s timing is always perfect, and it could be He will give us what we ask but only at the right time. God’s Word also promises us all things work together for the good of those who love God and walk according to His will. The phrase “all things” includes not getting the things for which we ask.  

When God says no, we trust there is a reason. If God simply doesn’t answer, we wonder if He even cares. Do you see the difference?

I think it’s important to point out here that not everyone in the Bible got what they asked for. Not all of God’s children get the miracle for which they’re hoping. Both James and John the Baptist died in prison. God refused to take away Paul’s thorn. When Mary and Martha sent for Jesus, he delayed and only showed up after Lazarus was dead. And check out this passage:

 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. - Luke 4:25-27

Jesus made it very clear that though many were suffering, not all of them were saved. Elijah was able to help one widow. Just one. Elisha was able to save one leper, but only one. God did not allow them to heal or save everyone. Why? I can’t tell you that, for God’s ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not my thoughts. What I can tell you is God is good, just, and holy. He makes no mistakes and is not a respecter of persons. He never acts without reason even though we seldom understand what those reasons are.

Why am I telling you this? These devotions are supposed to be uplifting and encouraging, right? Can we find comfort in knowing God doesn’t always give us what we ask for? If you’ve ever prayed a prayer and not gotten the thing you sought, then you know the answer to that question. Yes, there is comfort in knowing God doesn’t always answer in the affirmative. Why? Because it shows us He loves us enough to give us what we need and not only what we want. But also, seeing the track record of some who prayed and received while others prayed and didn’t receive helps us to know we’re not alone. There’s not something wrong with us. God has not singled us out and said, “Nope, I’m not giving you anything!” Even Paul and John the Baptist, two of the greatest men who ever walked the earth, felt the sting of that tiny little word, “no.” Not because God is cruel and uncaring but rather because He has a plan above and beyond what we can understand. He sees the big picture; we don’t. He knows where all the pieces fit. God knows the what, when, and the how.

And what do we know? We know God answers prayer but not always in the way we expect. But that’s okay because even when God says, “no,” we have the hope of a greater “yes.”

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