Prayer

People often pray for healing. And when they, or the person they pray for gets well, they say God answered my prayer. What about when they’re not healed?  Does that mean He didn’t answer the prayer? 

Paul prayed for healing from a thorn in his side. No one is sure what he meant by that but God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for you.” The problem was not removed.

Jesus prayed for another way, to not be crucified, but added, “But not my will.”

We pray for family and friends to be saved. Did God answer if they die without knowing Him? “Paul said he would rather be accursed if it could save his people.”

I think what we often miss when we pray is that this world is not our home.  Jesus said in this world we will have much tribulation and each day has enough trouble of its own. James said we should “consider it joy” when we suffer certain problems.  He added that we should ask for wisdom.

Jesus knew God’s will and Paul understood God’s sufficient grace. James knew that God gives wisdom to understand when we are healed and when we are not. 

So what’s the answer? How do we know if God answers our prayers?

I’ve often heard it said that God has three answers – yes, no and wait. I’ve never liked that explanation because it brings God down to a human level. If God’s ways are far above our ways, His thoughts beyond our comprehension, and His love beyond anything we can imagine, then His answers to prayer can’t be yes, no or wait. His one answer has to be trust Me.