Creator, Father, King #181

I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.

HAVE YOU EVER PRAYED . . . and prayed . . . and prayed for something—only to feel like your words vanished like the morning mist?

You’re not alone. Some of the greatest saints of the Bible prayed for months, years, or even decades, waiting for God to answer their anguished pleas. King David, ancient Israel’s greatest monarch, was among them. He experienced many severe trials in life, and in Psalm 22:1-2, he expressed the heartache of seemingly unanswered prayer:

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.

As we continue our study on prayer, we need to consider a burning question: What happens when it seems like God isn’t answering our prayers? Or when it feels like he doesn’t hear at all?

What’s It Mean?

First, it’s important to remember that God always hears the prayers of believers. He never ignores his people. As 1 Peter 3:12 says, “The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.”

But some things can hinder our prayers, such as unconfessed sin (Psalm 66:18), lack of faith (James 1:5-7), or improper motives (James 4:3). However, don’t equate unanswered prayer with negligence or indifference on God’s part. And remember, God’s timing is not like ours (2 Peter 3:8). He is eternal and sees all time—past, present, and future—concurrently. To teach us trust and patience, he often asks us to wait.

Sometimes, God just tells us no. He did this to the apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 12:1-10). And we have to be okay with that—he is God, and we are not!

But what about David in Psalm 22? Did God leave Israel’s king hanging without an answer? No. Here’s what David said in verse 24: “He has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.”

God always answers the prayers of the righteous. His answers might not always be what we want, or according to our timetable, but they are always in alignment with his sovereign will, which is best for us.

Now What?

Read Luke 18:1-8, Jesus’ parable about persisting in prayer.

Did You Know?

Jesus quoted David’s cry of anguish in Psalm 22:1 on the cross.