unanswered prayer?

Photo credit:  our firstborn

"God answered my prayers!"

There were those words again.  

And honestly, they kind of stung.

Don't get me wrong.

I'm awed by the power of prayer.  

I love bringing hearts and needs and longings before the Holy God of the universe,

asking Him for the miracle that only He can do.

I relish in knowing that I'm helpless---
that I've got nothing----
and I need His mighty hand of intervention.

But the truth is this:

It seems we've become fond of acknowledging answered prayer only if God gives us what we asked; 

if He does things "our" way;

if we get our desired outcome.

But what about when He says no?

Has He then not answered?

Has He been unfaithful?

Has He been unfair?

We don't like to acknowledge it,

but there are times God answers our prayers with "no."

It's not because He doesn't love us.

It's not because He doesn't care.

It's not because He wants to make us miserable.

As a loving heavenly Father,

He desires His best in our lives.

His very best.
And as a loving parent,
He knows that His very best sometimes means "no."
For if He always gave us what we asked,
our tendency might be to glory in the gift,
rather than the Giver.
A life of comfort and ease and getting everything we desire
may never cause us to run headlong into His arms,
broken, needy, desperate for His touch.
And we may never discover that it's not the gift
that satisfies our longings,
fills our souls,
and completes us fully.
It is Him alone.

Our God---whether He gives us what we pray for or not---
always, always, always
answers our prayers.
Whether He says yes, no, or wait,
we can rest and be confident,
knowing He loves us and will always do what is best for us.

"Call to Me and I will answer you,

and will tell you great and mighty things

that you have not known."

Jeremiah 33:3