“With all
prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in
view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the
saints.”
(Ephesians 6:18, NASB)
When we pray time and time again regarding the same need, our faith becomes sorely tried. So let’s talk about this problem.
Let’s first look at what we know to be absolute truth about prayer:
- God hears our prayers.
- We can pray any times, in any place, and for any and all of our needs.
- God cares about everything that concerns us.
In his book, The Path of Prayer, Samuel Chadwick mentions three important men in Scripture who prayed and whose request was refused. It would be good for us to look at these three men, and their prayer requests, to see what we can glean from their experience.
Moses. The man God chose to lead His people out of Egypt, and from slavery, into the land He had promised to them. Forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Forty years of dealing with a stubborn and complaining people. Yet he was refused his request to go over into Canaan.
“So is many heart set with a yearning that prays and aches for a work that is withheld.”
(from A Path of Prayer by Samuel Chadwick, page 88)
Elijah a mighty man of prayer. Sitting under a juniper tree, feeling depressed and in mental anguish, he prayed for the Lord to just take him home.
“Juniper trees make poor sanctuaries.”
(from A Path of Prayer by Samuel Chadwick, page 89)
Paul, an apostle, had an unidentified thorn in the flesh which he prayed three times for God to remove and was refused.
“He had to learn that affliction may be God’s messenger, as well as the messenger of Satan.”
(from A Path of Prayer by Samuel Chadwick, page 89)
What are the lessons we are to learn about prayers which are seemingly unanswered?
- Delays do not always mean a denial.
- Sometimes we just need to wait for God’s time.
- A refusal may mean God knows a better way, or has something better in store.
- Sometimes we may be called to endure and glory in adversity.
“In Glory shall we find out prayers have been interpreted according to the infinite wisdom and eternal love of God our Father who bids us pray.”
(from A Path of Prayer by Samuel Chadwick, page 90)
Pray at all times,
and petition for all the saints.
Photo taken by: David Tommasino
Prayers that aren't answered the way we wanted or when we wanted are some of the hardest things to deal with. Especially when the answer seems not only reasonable, but good. I'm reminded of all those people in Hebrews 11 who died without seeing the answer to their request or the fulfillment of the promise God made to them--yet they died in faith. I'm glad the Holy Spirit interprets our prayers to the Father. May we always live by faith, even when our longed-for answers don't come.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Barbara. I have always taken such comfort from Hebrews 11. From that chapter we learn that yes, some did receive the answers to prayer they longed for. And some did not. But they were all people of faith and reminds me that God's ways are not my own and they can often be a mystery. Even so, we are called to live by faith and trust Him always. I so appreciate that you shared!
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