Curling: Some Things We'll Never Understand Series

Outside of the limits that are on prayer we also need to realize that God created the universe and most of us can’t even program our VCRs. This would lead me to believe that God is smarter then we are. Often prayers aren’t answered because it wouldn’t be in our best interest. Just for a minute ask yourself what would happen if every prayer you had ever prayed had been answered. Who would you be married to, what would you be doing for a career, where would you be living. Sometime we just have to believe that God knows best. Maybe St. Teresa of Avila had it right when she said There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers.

What should we do when our prayers aren’t answered?

That wasn’t all that helpful was it? Learning why our prayers might not be answered. So what do we do when the sick friend or loved one doesn’t seem to be getting any better, and the wayward child still hasn’t come back to God. Does the fact that there are limits on our prayers mean that we should just give up? By no means. Here are a few suggestions.

1. Be Patient

First of all and maybe most importantly, be patient. Many of the things that we pray for we expect to happen overnight. "Lord teach me to be patient" we pray one evening and expect to have the patience of Job by daybreak! Be patient!

2. Trust God’s Wisdom and Goodness

Be patient but also trust God’s wisdom. Every child knows that there are times when parents say "no" and demands that parents don’t fulfill. When it looks like a prayer isn’t being answered don’t get your knickers in a knot! God hasn’t fallen off His throne. The angels sent to guard you didn’t take a wrong turn on the trans-Canada and wind up in going to Florida for the winter. Whatever is happening for whatever reason God knows. Trust His wisdom and goodness.

3. Ask for Illumination

If a prayer isn’t being answered and God knows why and what’s happening then we should also ask for illumination. We’re often told "don’t question God." True, it isn’t healthy to doubt God’s intentions, but often I hear this kind of thing said of situations when we should ask God. If God knows then we might stand to learn something if we ask. Think about a child who begs continually to eat sweets. What would happen if they asked why? Think of what they might learn about nutrition and discipline and about always getting what we want! Think of how much more they could know than that "mean old mom won’t let me have what I want." It’s the same way with God. When we don’t get what we ask for it’s a good idea to ask for more information.

4. Keep Praying

Perhaps the best thing we can do when a prayer goes unanswered is to continue praying. Keep praying! It’s easy to get discouraged when a prayer hasn’t been answered. It gets hard to keep praying when we don’t see direct results, but we ought to keep praying because the Bible and our experience both tells us that God answers prayers. Every time we pray there is the real possibility that God will do something about our request. It’s a live possibility every time we pray!