Who of us have not experienced unanswered prayer? And who of us have not wondered, why?
John Chrysostom says If God puts off answering us, it is solely to keep us near him for a longer time…
I
beg to differ. God is not a petulant child who needs attention so badly
that he would willingly inflict pain upon us. No, I do not agree with
this explanation at all. I believe it is rather that we grow into our
spiritual maturity, and God assists us not by denying our petitions, but
by enlightening us to truth.
If
all of our prayers went answered, well, our lives would be pretty rosy,
wouldn’t they? Think of the things we’ve prayed for: removal of pain
from our lives; health for all our loved ones; no loss or injury,
knowledge to always know the right thing to do. In a way, we are asking
to be removed from life itself, and live in an unreal world of euphoria.
God would be cruel to grant us such requests, as it would mean removing
us from reality.
Instead,
we are asked to witness our faith in the real world that we sometimes
do not like. In this, God is standing by us as we experience pain, loss,
anguish, and confusion. He isn’t giving them to us; life happens, and
he wants us to know loving him doesn’t remove us from such things. God is near to strengthen us to deal with them in faith and trust.
It
is through this reality that we become, in effect, living prophets. We
demonstrate how faith and trust in God does not negate life, but
fulfills it. We become more alive and aware of our challenges, not
protected from them. We bear witness that loving God gives us strength,
not illusions.
And
so, do not think that any prayer goes unanswered. Rather, think of
all the ways God answered prayer, and we did not realize it.
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