| The Joy of Service |
Chapter 12 |
Page 8 |
Another case of perplexity in many lives is in the not answering of prayers. The promises that prayers will be answered seem clear and direct as we read them; and yet, when we make our requests, the things we ask for are not given to us. Many persons are sorely perplexed on this account, and sometimes they even begin to doubt that prayer is heard and answered at all.
But it is important that the Bible teaching on the subject of prayer shall be well understood. Much of our perplexity comes from an imperfect understanding of the Divine words. The whole truth concerning the matter of prayer may not be found in any one passage. The teaching certainly is not that every request made by any one in prayer shall be granted. This would indicate that God had abdicated His place as Lord of the universe. Then, God is not like an over indulgent parent who gives his child everything he asks for. There are many foolish prayers for things which would not be blessing if they were given; our Father will not answer these, however urgently the requests are pressed. There are prayers also to which answers come, but come in a form different from that in which the suppliant expected to receive them. We ask to have the burden taken away, and instead, God strengthens us that we may still carry it. This really is a better answer than we sought. There are prayers, too, whose answers are long delayed; to grant them at once would be to give us unripe fruit, which would only harm us.
The key of all perplexities concerning prayers is found in the reference of all our requests, however urgent, to the wisdom of God, asking Him to consider them, and to do for us what is best, to give or to withhold, to grant what we ask or something else if that is better. If we thus exercise faith in asking, we shall not be perplexed in the answering or the not answering of our requests.
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