Unanswered Prayer

Last updated on: August 29, 2018 at 10:15 am by Kathy Sherwin

Unanswered Prayer 2018-08-29T10:15:22-04:00 Kathy Sherwin

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Sometimes we pray for a certain thing, believing it will truly be good for us, only to realize that God’s unanswered prayer was actually a blessing in disguise.

Photo credit Prixel Creative / Lightstock

I can relate to Garth Brooks’ famous song “Unanswered Prayers”:

Sometimes I thank God, for unanswered prayers

Remember when you’re talkin’, to the man upstairs

And just because he doesn’t answer, doesn’t mean he don’t care

Some of God’s greatest gifts, are unanswered prayers

Granted this is a very “southern” way of stating a very profound reality, but – since I do live in the “south”, it’s exactly what I needed to hear and exactly the way I needed to hear it.

I heard Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth, say, “If God had answered her prayers when she was young, she would’ve married the wrong man – several times.”

I recall hearing the example, “Two teardrops were floating down the river of life. One asked the other, “Who are you?” The second teardrop replied, “I’m the teardrop from the girl who loved a man and lost him –– Who are you?” The first teardrop replied, “I’m the teardrop of the girl who got him.”

That’s how life goes, isn’t it? We cry over what we don’t have, not realizing that we would’ve cried twice as hard if God had given it to us. The expression “walking by faith” means trusting the plan God has for our life, even when we don’t have a clue how it will turn out. God reveals His plan on a need-to-know basis, I believe it’s because if He told us everything up front, we would argue with Him incessantly about it being the “wrong” plan. Bottom line – God knows what’s best for us and if we will only “trust Him, He will make our paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5-6).

Paul said, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” (Phil 4:11) Clearly, his contentment didn’t come from his surroundings, since he spent all but seven years of his ministry in prison.

So where did Paul’s contentment come from? He was confident in the knowledge that God “makes everything work out according to his plan.” Does it mean he understood every detail of God’s plan? No, but when he didn’t understand the plan, He trusted God’s plan!

Trusting God had a plan, despite his circumstances, is where Paul’s peace, joy, and contentment came from. You and I can have that same peace, joy, and contentment – if we simply trust God and His plan.

Do you believe God has a plan? Are you willing to trust it?

“He makes everything work out according to His plan.” Ephesians 1:11

Previous Post

August 27, 2018

Is It Time to Move On?

Next Post

August 31, 2018 Are You a SAGE Con?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Bible Study Communication Courage For Life Discipleship Emotional Growth Holy Week Leadership Personal Growth Real Life Stories Relationships Serving Others Spiritual Growth Uncategorized YouVersion

Select a Month May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What river did the Israelites cross to enter the Promised Land?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Euphrates River Red Sea Nile River Jordan River