A scholar several years ago actually counted all the prayers of the Bible and wrote a book about it. The publisher's preface to the book says there are 650 definite prayers in the Bible and 450 recorded answers. (See All The Prayers Of The Bible by Dr. Herbert Lockyer.)
Wonder how many of those answers were "no"? Most of us struggle with the "no" answer and puzzle over why others get positive answers and we don't.
We just had a friend die with cancer. He was prayed over many times, anointed with oil, and many tried their best to pray in faith. But he died. It seems the answer was "no".
And yet, we read optimistic verses throughout the Bible promising us affirmative answers. So, what's the problem?
Well, look at some of the rare "no" answers in the Bible.
Moses begged God to allow him to cross over the Jordan River and lead Israel into the promised land. But God said "Do not speak to me any more about this matter... you are not going to cross this Jordan." (Deuteronomy 3:26-27 NIV).
It seems that Moses lost his chance to lead Israel into the land because he had failed use his faith when causing water to come from the rock (Numbers 20:12). God was dishonored and Moses missed getting his answer.
Although the answer was "no", Moses later enjoyed the promised land when on the mountain top with Jesus and Elijah (Matthew 17:3).
In another case, King David prayed for his infant son to live, but he died. Although this child had never done anything in life, either good or bad, the whole relationship that produced him was toxic. David had stolen another man's wife and then had the man murdered. God's "no" answer must've had something to do with that situation.
Although the answer was "no", David still said, "Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." (2 Samuel 12:23 NIV). David saw the child again, this time joining him in the perfection of paradise.
And what about Paul's prayer for his thorn in the flesh? He says this "thorn" harassed him so he wouldn't become conceited after experiencing great revelations. He prayed three times for it to be removed, but God said, "no". He said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).
So, Paul dodged a ministry-crippling conceit but retained his thorn in the flesh.
Did you notice a common theme in these three stories? It seems that human failings shredded these prayers and made them unanswerable. But did you notice this... God answered all three with something better!
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