Back then, when I felt like my prayers weren’t being answered, there was always this bubbling discontent that built up inside me – sulking at those unanswered prayers. They kept me waiting, completely defeated, for what seemed like an eternity.
I know how emotionally draining and debilitating it is to wait; months that turn into years with no end in sight. So whenever I heard pastors and other Christians say that God answers all prayers, I couldn’t understand what that really meant.
But then, as we mature in our walk with God, realizing what it means to live for Christ, our discontent and resentment at not getting what we want softens considerably – our frustrations at not having our prayers answered begin to diminish, replaced by a quiet contentment, the assurance that all will be well, even if we witness the opposite of what we expect or desire.
I remember that during my moment of crisis, I was so tired of fighting and struggling that I sat quietly in the corner of my room without saying a word. The Lord understood what was in my heart. I was letting go and wanting God to support me, to fight my battles because I was too tired and scared to do anything. It was in this moment of surrender that I found peace, because I knew I could trust God. He would support me through my most difficult seasons. And he did it.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. » Philippians 4:7 (KJV)
By His grace, we are more than capable of experiencing His glorious peace, having this inner calm even as our wishes increasingly elude us – even as the things we long for remain unfulfilled for countless seasons.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose. » Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
There is this secret knowledge that the world is not informed about, or probably they know it but they just cannot grasp it because it has not resonated with them: “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7 KJV).
In the past, when we were still so attached to the things of the world and totally unaware of the things of the Spirit, our peace is like a fragile thread tied to the changing currents of our life. But as our walk with God deepens, our peace is no longer at the mercy of the ever-changing circumstances of our lives. By saying this, I don’t mean that we don’t feel anxious or stressed at all, but our worries are more manageable since Christ came into our lives.
Finding peace when prayers go unanswered
The peace that comes from knowing that our lives are in God’s powerful hands allows us to live with confidence, a calm assurance that dispels our fears despite the chaos and uncertainties that beset us. It takes spiritual maturity to get there.
And while we are not impervious to the pain of life, easily marked by unanswered prayers, setbacks, and disappointments, we know that every unfulfilled wish and misstep transforms into a leap toward something greater.
For those who walk in the light of God’s truth, love, and grace, even the darkest seasons are transformed into life’s greatest blessings. God will never waste our tears and sorrows. He transforms our sorrows into seasons of spiritual renewal, allowing us to flourish as He shapes us into the image of His Son so that we can become a vessel of His love, light, and holiness.
Does God answer all prayers?
Yes, He does. When we have impure motives, God answers our prayers by withholding what we ask to refine our imperfect character. When we ask Him to grant our prayers for a visa to a highly favored country, God answers our prayers by ensuring that our application for entry is rejected and thwarted because He has higher aspirations for us in our country of birth.
That being said, God also answers prayers according to the desires of our hearts, but may require us to wait for a certain season. He makes us wait to be sure that our answered prayers will tip the scales in our favor, the kind of success that comes from above, a blessing beyond our wildest dreams, free from sorrow and distress.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; submit to him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight. » Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
What to do with unanswered prayers?
As we continue to walk in the light of God’s truth and grace, our intrinsic desire for control diminishes, allowing God to exercise His authority, influence, and dominion over our lives. As such, our prayers are easily transformed from “I want” to “Your will be done.”
You might say that’s easier said than done. You’re right, it might be, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach. I have read amazing stories of people who managed to maintain a calm, serene and light state of mind, even in the midst of life’s battles. This unfathomable peace of God remained steadfast even when prayers seemed to go unheeded.
When unanswered prayers are God’s redirection
More often than not, we have certain desires that we thought would serve our best interests, but which do not meet our expectations. As such, let us not find ourselves in the corner, sulking, getting angry because things did not go our way despite our earnest pleas and requests. For all we know, God is either saving us from making wrong turns or He has a much better plan in store for us.
Time and time again we have proven that we cannot trust our own wisdom or listen to our deceitful hearts. We are fallible humans, predisposed to making unwise choices and erroneous judgments. Thus, listening to God’s voice is not only wise, but also reflects our spiritual maturity, our unwavering faith, and our complete dependence on His grace.
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but who is in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore boldly approach the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16 KJV
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