In the past, whenever I felt that my prayers were not answered, I would feel a simmering discomfort inside me, and I would feel bad for my unanswered prayers. They made me wait for years in a state of complete defeat.
I know how mentally exhausting and debilitating waiting can be. Endless months turn into years. So whenever I heard pastors or fellow Christians blurt out, “God answers every prayer,” I couldn’t understand what that meant.
But then, as we mature in our walk with God and understand what it means to live for Christ, our discomfort and resentment at not getting what we want is alleviated quite dramatically. Our frustration over unanswered prayers begins to fade and is replaced by a quiet sense of contentment, a confidence that all will be well even in the face of the opposite of what we expect or desire.
I remember that at the moment of crisis, I was tired of fighting and fighting and just quietly sat in the corner of the room and did not say anything. The Lord understood what was in my heart. I was too tired and scared to do anything, so I let go and hoped God would get me through and fight the battle. It was in that moment of surrender that I found peace. Because I knew I could trust God. He got me through my toughest seasons. And he did.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (KJV)
By God’s grace, we can have this inner stillness and experience God’s glorious peace, even as our desires are pushed further and further out of reach, even as our longings remain unfulfilled for countless seasons.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
There is secret knowledge that the world does not know, or perhaps does know but cannot understand because it did not resonate with the heart. It is “the peace of God, which passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7 NKJV).
In the past, when we were still caught up in the things of the world and completely unaware of the things of the Spirit, our peace was like a fragile thread tied to the changing currents of life. But as our walk with God deepens, our peace is no longer at the mercy of the ever-changing circumstances of our lives. That doesn’t mean we don’t feel anxious or stressed at all. However, since Christ came into our lives, our worries have become more manageable than before.
Finding peace when prayers go unanswered
The peace that comes from knowing that our lives are in God’s mighty hands allows us to live with confidence, giving us a calming assurance that melts our fears despite the turmoil and anxiety that overtake us. Reaching this point requires spiritual maturity.
And while we are not immune to pain in life and are easily scarred by unanswered prayers, setbacks, and disappointments, there is something we know that every unfulfilled wish and stumbling block turns into a leap into something greater.
For those who walk in the light of God’s truth, love, and grace, even the darkest seasons become life’s greatest blessings. God never wastes our tears and heartache. God transforms our grief into a season of spiritual renewal, growing us into the image of His Son so that we can become vessels of His love, light, and holiness.
Does God answer all prayers?
Yes, that’s right. When we have impure motives, God answers our prayers by withholding what we ask in order to refine our flawed character. When we ask God to grant our prayers for a visa to our favorite country, God has a higher purpose for us in the land of our birth, and He answers our prayers by ensuring that our requests for entry are denied and blocked.
That being said, God answers our prayers according to the desires of our hearts, but He may also require us to wait for a season. God makes us wait to ensure that our answered prayers will turn the tide in our favor, a kind of success granted from above, a blessing beyond our dreams, unencumbered by sorrow and suffering.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways follow him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
What should I do about unanswered prayers?
As we continue to walk in the light of God’s truth and grace, our inherent desire for control fades, allowing God to exercise authority, influence, and control over our lives. Thus, our prayers easily change from “I desire” to “Thy will be done.”
It may be easier said than done. That may be true, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach. I have read amazing stories of people who were able to maintain a calm, calm, and lighthearted state of mind even in the midst of life’s battles. Even when it seemed like my prayers were going unanswered, God’s immense peace remained steadfast.
When unanswered prayers are divine guidance
Often we have certain aspirations that we thought would best serve our interests, but our expectations fall short. So let us not sink into a corner, sulking, or throwing a fit because things didn’t go our way, even though we burst through the gates of heaven with our fervent pleas and requests. For all we know, God is either leading us in the wrong direction or has a better plan.
We have proven time and time again that we cannot trust our own wisdom or listen to our own deceitful hearts. We are fallible humans, prone to making unwise choices and bad decisions. Therefore, listening to God’s voice is not only wise, but also a reflection of our spiritual maturity, unwavering faith, and complete dependence on God’s grace.
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but who was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16 NKJV
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/fizkes
Liz Pineda holds a degree in English Education from Assumption University in the Philippines. She is an English teacher by trade, but currently works as a freelance writer for online publications and e-commerce websites. Although she enjoys writing for a variety of niches, she still finds creating content for the Christian community the most fulfilling.
