When Prayers Don’t Seem to Work
The photo shows you my “prayer closet” at home where I most often have my dedicated time with God. It is here that I often get a word from the Lord about what I can write about. When I first started my blog I intended to post a new entry every week or two. I’ve slowed down a bit, partly because of life’s commitments but also because, honestly, I have been a little spiritually disabled for a few weeks recently. I won’t go into personal details, but a lot of people had been praying specifically about a medical situation in my family. It wasn’t a prayer for a miraculous healing or anything. Just a plea for an uncomplicated procedure, which in most cases this would have been. But instead, the procedure was not without complications and drama. In fact, it was a little scary and sad. Now, weeks later, all is well and we are very grateful for God’s protection and blessings. But still…He didn’t answer our prayers as we had asked.
What do we do when God does not answer our prayers like we believed He would? I’ve always surrendered unanswered prayers to a loving, sovereign God who sees the big picture and knows what is best for me and my loved ones. And when there is hardship, I know that all things work together for good for those of us who love God. And God comforts us in all our troubles so we can comfort others who are going through similar trials. But sometimes all those reminders just don’t bring the answers we need. Sometimes unanswered prayers are painful. There doesn’t seem to be any apparent good that can come from some situations. So many people were praying–and it wasn’t asking for a miracle. Just freedom from complications.
I have to admit that I was not only disappointed, but also a little angry at God. I am embarrassed to tell you that at one point I was out on a run thinking about all this and found myself telling God, “OK, Lord, I forgive you.” Really? I forgive GOD? How ridiculous. Thank YOU, Lord, for forgiving ME and for allowing me to sulk and question and feel all the feels when life in this fallen world disappoints.
The book of Psalms in the Bible is known for being a great place to go to find the words that connect to our hurting hearts. In fact, I’ve learned that 40% of the Psalms are laments–words of sorrow, fear, confusion and sometimes questioning what God is doing. You’ve likely heard the words of Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.”
We are not alone when we question God. And He knows our hearts and our thoughts anyway, so just let Him have it all. We must remember that this world is not our home and we just need to hang on to our eternal hope and trust that a loving Savior has purposes and plans for all He allows in our lives. As I continued to process my recent disappointment, I sensed the Spirit telling me, “But you don’t know what I’ve spared her from.” Perhaps that is what I need to keep in mind. I will not resist or hide from the Lord in the down times. I will keep going to my prayer closet because that is where things will begin to make sense. Bad things happen. God is still good. And He loves us even when we don’t feel it.
