Unanswered Prayers

Unanswered Prayers

Scripture Reading: John 11:1-44

Focus Verse: John 11:11  “Then He said, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.”

Have you ever prayed a prayer, maybe even the same prayer for a long time?  And did it seem like God was not listening?  I can imagine this is how Mary and Martha must have felt.  They sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick, but Jesus did nothing to help Lazarus get well.  Then we read that Lazarus died from his illness.  Mary and Martha must have felt that Jesus had let them down.  Many times when hardships and difficulties happen to us we ask “where is God?  Why didn’t He do something?"  It looked like Jesus had forgotten about His friends, but really He was planning one of His greatest miracles.

Several things we should remember when we think our prayers are unanswered.  First, God’s timing is always perfect.  He’s never late, and He’s never early, He’s always right on time.  Secondly, Jesus identifies with us.  He knows how we feel.  Hebrews 4:15 says,  “Jesus faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.”  and Hebrews 12:2 says that he endured the cross, despising shame.  Jesus experienced sorrow and pain. And third, God is all powerful.  He is in control of everything in our lives.  2 Corinthians 12:9 This should give us great peace and comfort in our times of trouble.

You see Mary and Martha wanted Jesus to come to heal Lazarus, but Jesus wanted to do something much more spectacular.  Jesus waited in order to raise Lazarus from the dead, so in order to do that He had to let Lazarus die.  When Lazarus walked out of that tomb after being dead for four days, God received a lot of glory and praise!  Let’s remember that God answers prayer in three ways: yes, no, and wait.  And the wait answer is always followed by a yes or no.  So don’t be discouraged, there are really no unanswered prayers.  We just need to be patient, and see what God is up to.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries