Pastor Ponderings #184: Unanswered Prayer

What would you suppose to be the greatest motivator to pray? I think my motivation to pray would come from two different places. The first is need. To my shame, I am often motivated to pray after I have lost all motivation by first trying to handle it myself. If I can’t seem to fix it, I resort to prayer. I have much to learn. The second motivator to pray is an answered prayer. Little will move you positively toward prayer like the spiritual boost of an answered prayer. Similarly, what is one of the greatest obstacles to prayer? Does anything sap you of motivation to pray like the feeling of having your prayers unanswered? There may be more going on than we suppose.

If the request is wrong, God’s answer may be no. That’s right, “no” qualifies as answered prayer. Some prayer requests are wrong no matter how well intentioned. God is too good to answer our short-sighted, self-serving, materialistic prayers with a yes. He loves us enough to answer with a no. The disciples were not immune to wrong-headed requests either. Remember how Peter asked the Lord on the mount of transfiguration to set up three tabernacles for Moses, Elijah and Jesus? His answer was no.

James and John wanted to flank Jesus’ throne and their answer was no. These same two disciples had another request for a town that wouldn’t host Jesus for night.

Luke 9:54 “And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?’”

If the timing is wrong, God may answer, slow. We live in a high-speed society. From instant messaging to instant coffee! Instant tellers, instant pudding and minute rice! From freeways to express lanes, supermarkets, digital photos and five-minute oil changes. We live with a microwave mentality. We can easily put God on the same short timeline treating him like a celestial vending machine demanding instant answers to prayer.

Hebrews 10:35 “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.”

Just like a wise parent doesn’t yield to their child’s every request, so God knows far better than to be pressured by our prayers when the timing is off. Delayed answers can test our faith; develop godly characteristics like patience, endurance, hope and submission. Delayed answers may also provide opportunity to adjust our requests or allow them to develop or come into better focus.

Your right request may be denied because of some wrong you’re engaging in. In these cases, the Lord may answer, grow. It is possible that we ourselves have become a barrier to answered prayers. You won’t receive an answer to requests that remains unmade. Prayerlessness may result from besetting sin, Isaiah 59:2. A rift in relationship may hinder your prayers, 1 Peter 3:7. Selfishness is a common factor in hindering prayers, James 4:3. An uncaring attitude will cause prayer to lose altitude, Proverbs 21:13.

There may be fewer prayers unanswered than we realize as we consider numerous answers that may be given, no, slow, or grow. I readily admit that my preferred answer is go. It is wise for me to search my motive and intent as I make my requests known to God. I am also well advised by the scriptures to express my needs with a healthy dose of praise and thanksgiving. Trusting God’s varied response will guard me against the discouraging illusion of unanswered prayer.