What is the point of praying if we almost never get what we want? Honestly, how many things you have asked for were given to you exactly as you have asked it? Maybe they would’ve taken place whether you have prayed or not?
Such questions are natural. I’ve asked them myself. There wouldn’t be satisfying answers to those questions if the point of praying is simply to get what we want. But it is not. The point of prayer is to know God and to commune with Him. And as we do so, God molds and shapes us to become like His Son. I believe God answers EVERY ONE of our prayers. Just not the exact thing we have asked for. But something that would ultimately be better for us.
I’m with Tim Keller who said, “God gives you what you would’ve given yourself if you knew what God knew.” When I was younger, I have asked for a million dollars to be placed under my bed while I was sleeping. I claimed it by faith! But it wasn’t answered. Now that I’m older and hopefully wiser, I know that had I been given a million dollars back then, I would’ve wrecked my life and made a mess of myself and those around me.
“What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13)
The very fact that Jesus had to spell this out tells us that we do not always get what we want in prayer. (Why would we even think God gave us a scorpion when we asked for a fish if we always got what we wanted?) But the fact of the matter is that God hears our prayers and gives us what is needed for us to become like His Son.
Sometimes it’s through a spectacular answer to our prayer – like Jesus feeding the 5000.
Sometimes it’s through a “no”- like Jesus’ requested to pass the cup of death was denied.
Let’s keep praying. Keep asking. Keep knocking. Keep seeking. We will become more like Jesus as we do.
PH