Encouragement for Unanswered Prayer

 By: Lauren Thomas

Unanswered prayer can be one of the most discouraging aspects of the Christian life. For those of us who believe what the Bible claims – that God is a good Father who longs to give good gifts – our faith is challenged when we fail to see the good things for which we have petitioned Him. How do we make sense of unanswered prayer? How do we reconcile the pain of it.

Hinderances to Prayer

 

While God doesn’t need you to do anything in order for Him to answer your prayers – He is, after all, ALL-POWERFUL – the Bible does clearly note several hinderances to prayer. And all these hindrances are our responsibility to address:

• Pride (vs. humbling ourselves) – James 4:6
• Sin/open rebellion/idolatry – Isaiah 59:2; Psalm 66:18; John 9:31
• Unbelief or lack of faith – Mark 9:14-29
• Lack of persistence – Luke 11:1-13; 18:1-8
• Unforgiveness in our hearts – Matthew 6:14-15
• Wrong motives – James 4:3

God is not a magic genie waiting for a perfectly formulated incantation before He does our bidding. Don't feel as though you must check all the boxes before He moves. However, what if an unanswered prayer is a kind invitation from the Father to address one of these hidden hinderances?

 

Improving the Odds

 

James 5:16 – along with many Old Testament passages – reminds us that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. While in Christ we have received “imputed” righteousness, this passage implies personal righteousness. Personal righteousness means that we are striving to obey God in all things.

 

Think of it this way: why would God listen to us if we aren’t listening to Him? Experiencing unanswered prayer is a great opportunity to evaluate whether or not we have been doing for God what we want him to do for us: listening to and acting on requests.

 

Delayed Answers

 

Sometimes God immediately answers our prayers, but we do not receive those answers until later. That’s what the book of Daniel teaches us. In Daniel 10:12-13, we read about an angelic messenger sent to give Daniel the answer to his prayer. This angel explains his 21-day delay: demonic activity.

 

We should find encouragement in this. When we find ourselves between our prayer and the answer, we would do well to remember that the answer may be on the way. Heaven’s armies could be actively fighting to bring us our answered prayer.

 

And Then There’s Free Will

 

This discussion would seem trite without bringing up the blessed and uncomfortable reality that God gives freewill. I might pray fervently and righteously for a loved one to come to know Jesus, but because God has given that person free will, my prayer will not supersede their free will. Should we cease to pray for the salvation of souls? No! That would be unbiblical. (See Luke 10:2; Romans 10:1; Exodus 32:32). Don’t stop praying for the unsaved!

 

For Our Good and His Glory

 

It is perhaps an oversimplification to say that God always answers one of three ways: yes, no, later. While there is truth to this, it also should be accompanied by the reminder that God is for us, that He loves us, that He is a good Father who wants to give us the best. When we remember that this is His heart toward us, it can help us to make sense of unanswered prayer.

 

Romans 8:28 reminds us that He works all things out for our good. He also works things out for His glory. As He should. Christianity is not about what we can get from God, but how we can glorify Him in our lives. He is good. His will is good. His will be done even when it hurts. Amen!

 

Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10 ESV

 

Reflection:

Has your faith ever been rocked by unanswered prayer? What did it take to restore your faith? Is there currently an unanswered prayer that you are struggling with? How might you apply what you have read above to that situation?