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WHEN GOD SAYS “NO”

While discussing prayer, it is imperative to explore the subject of unanswered prayers. Many of us have that one point of contention with God or that one complaint against God regarding some prayers not being answered. Why do prayers not get answered? The Bible gives us a few reasons in this context:

• Examine your motives:

James 4:1-3 NIV says “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” What is the motive behind our asks? When we seek God’s hand from a place of greed or lust, He does not grant us our requests. Sometimes, our requests are driven by wanting to compete or be better than someone else. Often, we idolize some things to a point that we prioritize it beyond our relationship with God.

• God’s timing may be different:

Genesis chapter 30 starts with Rachel being angry and resentful about not being able to conceive and have children. She did some things in haste in her frustration. In her haste and frustration, she failed to recognize that God’s timing is different from hers. By the end of the same chapter, we see this: “Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, ‘God has taken away my disgrace.’” If God is not answering your prayers, you need to wait. God’s delays are not always denials.

• Your unanswered prayer is a blessing in disguise:

Garth Brooks wrote this lovely song in 1990 that said “some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.” Usually, we are upset and disappointed when our prayers aren’t answered. But God in His wisdom answers some of our requests with a “no.” However, beneath every “no” is His protection and providence. We should always bear in mind that He is working with our best interests in mind.

In this context, Jesus outlines two scenarios:

- When we pray for something that will bring God glory, our requests are immediately approved.

- When we ask God for something that will make us a blessing to others, He is pleased by our request and promises to grant it to us. We are called not to be a consumer but a contributor.

May we recognize God’s purpose, protection, and providence behind every unanswered prayer!

Reflection time:

1. Make a list of all your prayer requests.

2. Write beside each of your requests the reason why you are asking God to grant you this request.

3. Examine if your requests would glorify God or would serve to be a blessing to others.

Have a little chat about all that you have written down with God.