Unanswered prayer
We All face a common problem – Prayers that seem to go unanswered.
If you are too busy to pray, then you are simply too busy!
Prayerlessness is one reason prayer is not answered. God cannot and will not answer a prayer that is not prayed!
Today’s Gospel that relates the story of Zacharias and Elisabeth, and the birth of John the Baptist, reveals a few reasons why prayer goes unanswered.
v. 6 SOMETIMES THE ANSWER IS DENIED
There are times when God will say “No” to the prayers we pray.
1 John 5:14-15 address another reason why our prayers are not answered. Prayer is not about getting our will done in Heaven, but about God getting His will done on earth!
v. 13 SOMETIMES THE ANSWER IS DELAYED
There are times when God says “wait” when we pray.
Zacharias and Elisabeth had been praying and praying and praying for years. When they were young they prayed for a son. As they grew older they continued to pray for a child. When the angel appeared and confirmed the answer, Zacharias had even ceased to believe that his prayer could or would be answered. Sometimes we think our prayers have gone unanswered. In reality, they have been heard and they have already been answered. It just isn’t God’s time to reveal the answer.
V. 15-17 SOMETIMES THE ANSWER IS DIFFERENT
Sometimes God says “watch”. Sometimes He will take our prayers and make them better!
If He withholds something from us or changes it to something different, it is because what we asked for wasn’t good for us. God always gives us His best when we leave the choices to Him! God provides for our best.
When prayer seems unanswered, be sure that your heart is right with God, Psa. 66:18; and be sure that you are asking according to His will. Advent invites us to enter the silence of Zechariah and to wait and see the Words of God come to their fulfillment at the proper time.
We All face a common problem – Prayers that seem to go unanswered.
If you are too busy to pray, then you are simply too busy!
Prayerlessness is one reason prayer is not answered. God cannot and will not answer a prayer that is not prayed!
Today’s Gospel that relates the story of Zacharias and Elisabeth, and the birth of John the Baptist, reveals a few reasons why prayer goes unanswered.
v. 6 SOMETIMES THE ANSWER IS DENIED
There are times when God will say “No” to the prayers we pray.
1 John 5:14-15 address another reason why our prayers are not answered. Prayer is not about getting our will done in Heaven, but about God getting His will done on earth!
v. 13 SOMETIMES THE ANSWER IS DELAYED
There are times when God says “wait” when we pray.
Zacharias and Elisabeth had been praying and praying and praying for years. When they were young they prayed for a son. As they grew older they continued to pray for a child. When the angel appeared and confirmed the answer, Zacharias had even ceased to believe that his prayer could or would be answered. Sometimes we think our prayers have gone unanswered. In reality, they have been heard and they have already been answered. It just isn’t God’s time to reveal the answer.
V. 15-17 SOMETIMES THE ANSWER IS DIFFERENT
Sometimes God says “watch”. Sometimes He will take our prayers and make them better!
If He withholds something from us or changes it to something different, it is because what we asked for wasn’t good for us. God always gives us His best when we leave the choices to Him! God provides for our best.
When prayer seems unanswered, be sure that your heart is right with God, Psa. 66:18; and be sure that you are asking according to His will. Advent invites us to enter the silence of Zechariah and to wait and see the Words of God come to their fulfillment at the proper time.
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