Bible Question:
19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18 I am preaching on prayer in a few weaks. There was a question on the forum about why does God not answer prayer. This did not seem to have a response. Colin Urquart takes this as a given in "Anything you ask". Solid Christians have experiences of unanswered prayer particularly about health issues. Could I have some views please. I accept the bible as truth but am struggling as in the meeting there are a number of people with unanswered prayer. Thanks Ian at Arras |
Bible Answer: Good morning Ian, Welcome to the forum. The key is praying in God's will. There are some things we pray about that we can know for sure that we are praying within God's will, i.e., the salvation of someone (Matthew 28:19-20 to state just one). In Matthew 6:10 Messiah teaches us to pray "...Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..." Revelation 21:4 tells us that in the world to come tears will be wiped away, there will no longer be any death, nor any mourning, or crying, or pain - so these things must be His will. James 5:14-15 tells us to pray for the sick and the Lord will hear and heal - this must be His will. Our problem is that if we don't SEE the results of our prayers immediately, we think God is not answering us. We forget that God answers in His time, and His time is not our time. Now, when it comes to things like should one change careers, move to a new state, start a new business, etc....these things must be in line with God's word and the intent must line up with God's word. And the person still must remember that if and when God answers in the positive, it will still be in His time (and sometimes He may say NO, and we just refuse to hear it) So you see? When you are praying in God's will you will get an answer (just not always the one desired, and not always in our time-frame). Sorry I couldn't help more, but others much more knowledgeable, I'm sure will be happy to answer you more fully. :-) Shalom Cheri |