Thoughts for Life: #52 The Problem with Unanswered Prayer

Samuel Chadwick: It is many years since I first wrote on Unanswered Prayer. The problem became acute when the man for whom we were praying so earnestly and confidently died while we prayed.

The shock of it was overwhelming. It had never occurred to us that he might die. We had claimed the promise. We were absolutely sure of the Word. I do not think my faith was ever so sorely tried.(Google image, We will pray again)

We went back to the Word, and God gave me a message that has brought consolation to many, and through all the years it has been a stronghold for my trust.

Many years have passed since then, but the truth abides, and though it may involve some repetition, I want to pass on the message to others.

The Problem

There can be no doubt that God answers prayer. On this point the Scriptures speak plainly enough. Nothing could be more definite. All men are commanded to pray, at all times, in all places, and for all needs.

Assurances abound that prayer is heard. The promises are explicit, and the Scriptures are full of examples and encouragement. Christ's own word is, "Every one that asketh receiveth" (Matt. 7:8).

The scope of the promise is without limit of place (1 Tim. 2:8), time (Luke 18:1), or subject (John 16:23; Matt. 21:22; Phil. 4:6). Everything that concerns man is of interest to God, and is a proper subject for prayer.

God does not divide our needs into sacred and secular, spiritual and material. He who taught us to pray for the forgiveness of our sins taught us also to say, "Give us this day our daily bread."

Yet, as we have studied the subject, it has been made clear that there are conditions and limitations. There are laws of prayer. The unrestricted promises are hedged about with conditions.

We are commanded to pray for all men, but there were some for whom the prophet was forbidden to pray (Jer. 7:16, see also 1 John 5:15-16). It is possible to ask and not receive (Ps. 66:18; James 4:2-3).

Prayers that lack sincerity and faith cannot be heard. This is obvious. God judges by the heart. So do we. No one grants requests where these simple elements are wanting.

The sincerity must extend to both petition and petitioner. Eloquence is not prayer (Is. 29:13; John 9:31; James 4:6; 1 John 3:22)

Are all the Sincere, earnest, believing Prayers

of Good people Granted?

The answer of experience is, No. I have seen a distracted mother cling to the corpse of her child, refusing to believe it was dead. She had prayed. God had promised. She had believed. He heard, always heard.

How could her child die? When at last the truth has forced itself upon her protesting mind, the distress deepens at the thought God has not heard. There are many such days of desperate faith.

Is God angry, as in the case of David (2 Sam. 12:14-23), even though there can be no such cause? Can it be that He is indifferent? Can it be that He does not know? Has He forgotten? Is it any use to pray? It was with such thoughts as these that I turned to my Bible and found the answer in three respective cases:

1. Deuteronomy 3:23-27, where Moses prayed that he might go over into Canaan.
2. 1 Kings 19:4. Elijah's prayer that he might die.
3. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, in which Paul prayed for the removal of affliction.

These three men occupy a prominent place in Scripture, and yet each was denied his request. Their prayers are fairly representative and cover the ground of the problem. (pp. 125-127)

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THE PATH OF PRAYER
By Samuel Chadwick
(Click on the title to buy)

Used by the permission of

www.cliffcollege.ac.uk
(Italics added)

Let's pray-

"Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our help and in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. Thank You that You will make known to us the path of life. Thank You that in Your presence we are given fullness of joy and at Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Help me to set my mind and keep focused on the heavenly things above, not on the temporary things on the earth. Thank You that my new, real life is hidden with Christ in God, and one day I will be in the glorious presence of my Savior." (Prayer by Lisa Buffaloe in Dwelling in the shadow of His wings)

Today's Bible verses-

John 10:9-10, (AMP Jesus said, “I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security). The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].”

2 Corinthians 5:17-18, NLT) For those who come to Christ and make Him Lord of their lives, we have assurance that “anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.”

Today's quote-

~ Jenny Rae Armstrong: "The Christian life isn't meant to be lived alone. We were created to be in community with God and others, and when we isolate ourselves, physically and emotionally, we become unhealthy. Not only that, but the whole body takes a loss.

We need one another to cheer each other on in the work God gave us to do and to encourage one another when we're tempted to despair. 'To encourage' literally means 'to give courage,' and we need all the courage we can get to live the lives God has called us to.

Even Jesus didn't go it alone—He gathered a group of people to share life and ministry with, and He asked His closest friends to watch and pray with Him when He needed it most. If Jesus sought out that kind of support, certainly there's no shame in us doing so as well!

So let's be intentional about encouraging one another as we walk this journey together, so no one has to go it alone."

(Don't Go It Alone, in ODB end devotional, in "Speaking to Encourage" for June 2019)

Words of wisdom-

~ God's after you to show Himself in you as the hope of glory, one who carries the gospel.

~ You are unique to God. His purpose and plan align you to bring Him glory. Our Treasure is Jesus, Himself!

Today's popular post-

It's Time to Pray!

Carter Conlon: "My brother, my sister, if ever there was a time to pray, it is now, because evil is at the gate.

And if we do not pray, I want to ask you what kind of a country are we going to be giving to our children and our grandchildren?"

Upcoming posts-

To Be Like Jesus

6th- Saturday's post by James H. Cagle

#53 The Prayer of Moses

9th- Tuesday's post by Samuel Chadwick

#54 Juniper Tree Prayers
11th- Thursday's post by Samuel Chadwick

My Story- Part 1
13th- Saturday's post by Jean Oathout