When God says NO
Many people have learned via religion that God answers us in three ways:
We are often taught that God sometimes says "Yes", sometimes "No", and sometimes "Maybe", and we interpret anything that isn't a "Yes" as one of the other two, using some unknown criteria.
The fact is that this is not Biblical. When God doesn't step in, that doesn't mean that answer is NO. Actually, when the answer is NO, it is because God has stepped in and said so -- clearly -- as in the following examples:
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 KJV
(8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
(9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Deuteronomy 3:23-26 KJV
(23) And I besought the LORD at that time, saying,
(24) O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to show thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?
(25) I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon.
(26) But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.
The Bible also teaches that God either answers "Yes" (more often than not) or "No" (this does happen on occasion), or simply doesn't answer (there's no evidence of any "maybe" in the Bible).
A "No" is a definitive NO, not silence that must be interpreted as "No". Case in point:
2 Samuel 5:22-25 ESV
(22) And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
(23) And when David inquired of the LORD, He said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees.
(24) And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines."
(25) And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.
Emphasis supplied.
You can look at the verses prior to these for when a "Yes" answer was previously given to the same question.
Outside of the "NO" examples above, there are a number of reasons why prayers don't get answered immediately that are sometimes glossed over.
- Lack of faith. (This is a key factor. God is not a genie. See: Matt 13:58; Hebrews 11:1; Luke 17:5-6; Matt 17:18-21; Mark 2:5)
- We should be sure to ask for forgiveness. (See: Mark 2:5-12; Matt 6:12)
- A need for a deep season of prayer, and possibly even fasting. (see: James 5:14-16; Mark 9:17-29)
- Need a better connection with God. (see: Acts 1:9; John 15:5,7,10)
- More than one prayer is needed. (see: 1 Kings 18:41-44)
- A request that is clearly not within God's plan. (see: Jonah 4:3. Too often we mask a lack of faith by saying, "it must not be God's will".)
- The prayer is actually being answered, but we just need to wait. (see: Daniel 10:12-14)
- The prayer is answered in a different way than requested. (see: Acts 16:7-10)
- We need to pray for others, and not just ourselves. (see: Job 42:10)
If we engage in daily fellowship with God (#4), then the potential for #6 goes waaaaay down. You wouldn't deliberately ask your parents for something you know they don't condone, and if you have a good connection with God, then the same will be true of requests made to Him. And we really need to spend more time praying for others. I know that's one of my issues.
God answers prayers, especially in accordance with James 5
I have learned to increase my faith, and to listen to the direction that God is leading. Sometimes the prayer I'm praying is going unanswered because I'm too busy worrying about the problem I have, and ignoring the direction I'm already being given.
(BTW, one of the best Bible resources you can use is eSword, and it's FREE)
-ASB
Andrew S. Baker aka ASB aka Logik!
Andrew S. Baker is a business-savvy, hands-on IT leader with expertise in mentoring people, mitigating risk, and integrating technology to drive innovation and maximize business results. He creates competitive advantage for organizations through effective IT leadership: implementation of processes and controls, and architecture of robust business solutions.
Mr. Baker has successfully led a number of high-performance technology teams in designing, deploying and maintaining secure, cost-effective computing environments for well-known companies, including Warner Music Group, The Princeton Review, Bear Stearns, About.com, and Lewco Securities.
For over a decade, Andrew has exhibited thought leadership on technology and business topics via mailing lists, technical forums, blogs, and professional networking groups, along with contributions to podcasts, webinars, and over 20 technical/business magazine articles. He also serves on several boards and committees for non-profit organizations, and within the Seventh-day Adventist church.
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