Lots of us have had the frustrating experience of praying for something and not getting what we prayed for. Whether it be a job opportunity, a healing or simply just something that we really want.
It can be disheartening and we can find ourselves getting irritated and asking why wouldn’t a loving God who could give us anything we want, answer our prayers?
Is it beneficial
“I have the right to do anything you say, but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything, but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians chapter 6, verse 12.)
We have the right to ask God for anything we want, but are those things beneficial? We can really want something and believe for it, but if God knows it’s not beneficial for us, then He is likely to say no.
Some examples are: praying for plans to work out perfectly, praying for a reward or promotion of some kind or praying for perfect weather. Those are good enough things to pray for, but only God knows if getting what we pray for is going to help us in the long run, and that will determine His answer.
Earthly father
As children, we knew that our earthly fathers will not necessarily give us what we want all of the time. After all, if they did that, would we really learn to respect and obey them? Or would we just treat them like magical genies who existed to grant our wishes?
It’s the same with our heavenly Father. If God always said yes to our prayers and always gave us what we wanted, would we really give Him the honour and respect that He deserves? Or would we become demanding and disrespectful?
I have found that sometimes God has said no to me because He is trying to discipline me and lead me in the right direction like my Earthly father would.
Intentions
Another thing that comes into whether or not our prayers get answered is our intentions. If we pray for something out of sinful nature, then God is unlikely to answer our prayers because He knows our hearts.
“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah chapter 17, verse 10).
I could pray for God to give me a supermodel’s body and an expensive house, but because I am asking for those things out of greed and selfishness, I don’t expect God to give me those things. But what happens when God says no and you don’t understand the reason why?
Personal experiences
One of the clearest examples for me of when God said no, was when my baby son died. Despite the fact that I prayed and believed for him to survive, God’s answer was no. At that time, I was unable to understand why a loving God would let such a horrendous thing happen, but as time went on, I realized that sometimes when God says no, you have to wait until you see Him in heaven to get the answer.
“You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” (John chapter 13, verse 7). This doesn’t make the answer any easier to comprehend, but just accepting God’s plan and having faith to continue on until He shows you the next step is all that He asks of us in these challenging times.
Conclusion
So we as mere humans understand that God will say no occasionally, not because He is incapable of doing what we ask. But because He knows our heart and knows what is best for us. So His response to our prayers will always fall in line with the great plan He has for us.
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans for good and not for evil. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah chapter 29, verse 11).
My name is Kate and I love gardening, exercising, and being involved with my church social groups. I have loved to write from a young age, and took up poetry as a teenager. I have recently got married and am enjoying getting used to married life.