I find it amazing how many of us cannot comprehend the fact that when God doesn’t answer our prayers, he is probably saying “no.” Christians today, feel that God is supposed to say “yes” to every one of our prayer request. However, if you think back to all of your prayer request, your life would be screwed up if God said “yes” to all of your prayers. You probably would have married the wrong person, got the wrong job, got into a different college, and lost a very good friend because of a misunderstanding.
Whenever we hit a wall, God is probably saying “no.” The gospel of John tells us it was the apostle Peter who drew his sword to defend Jesus by force. He had great difficulty accept Jesus’ “No” to his plan for a life and future without a crucifixion. In contrast, we read of Jesus’ submitting to the Father’s “No” that the cup of the cross be taken from him (Matt. 26:37-44).
Peter Scazzero writes in his book Daily Office, that we may want to use the following prayer to help you embrace God’s “yes” and “no” in your journey with him:
- I asked God for strength that I might achieve, I was made weak that I might learn to obey.
- I asked for health that I might do great things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
- I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise.
- I asked for power when I was young that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need for God.
- I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
- Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all people, most richly blessed.
What words speak to you most from the above prayer? Why?
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