When The Door Slams
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 NIV
There is a great difference between unanswered prayer and ungranted petitions. Wishing is not real praying. We could have our wants granted and not have received an answer to prayer. The purpose of prayer is communion and conversation with God. The period of waiting for the granting of some request is often rewarded by a far greater gift than what we ask for. The LORD Himself. What is delayed or denied is according to a much greater plan and wisdom than we possess in our finite perception.
Think about this: A dry spell, when it seems that the LORD has departed from us is a sure sign that we are on the edge of a new level in our relationship with the LORD. The purpose of unanswered prayer is to lead us from hearsay to insight into a deeper faith.
The danger comes when we think we can ever be pure enough to deserve God's answers. That leads to pride. What is more, it becomes manipulation of the Almighty. We have all known times when the LORD has helped us when we least deserved it. And we know others whose lives are not spiritually blameless who are graciously cared for by the LORD. Petulant perfectionism is boldly contradicted by those times when He uses us to help others know or grow in Him while we still have problems in our own lives. We can empathize with people's needs because we are acutely aware of our own. The result is that we lead people to the LORD and not to ourselves!
Prayer starts with God. What seems to be unanswered prayer is...part of His instigation and invitation to communion and conversation with Him on a deeper level. He wants us to know Him more profoundly than ever. When we feel our prayers are not answered according to our specifications and timing, that feeling is really a longing for God and not just for what He can give or do for us. Thank God for those times. By them we know we have been called into a much more intimate relationship than we have ever known before!
Related Bible Texts: Romans 8:26-27; 2 Corinthians 1:3-9;12:7; 1 Peter 3:7; Revelation 8:3-4
Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Never Rest Ministries
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