I want us to talk about this issue as we have, in a way or two, experienced this before. Have you ever prayed for something and had no answer before? Heaven was silent. You heard nothing, and saw nothing. It could be that you prayed for a loved one to get well, or an irresponsible child to be responsible, or for a loved one to have a safe journey, or to get a job, or for a wonderful marriage etc. You prayed but the opposite happened. Some people get worried when such happens. Others get negative about the situation, cry, and some even stop attending church services, praying, studying God’s Word, etc.
What do you do when your prayer isn’t answered?
In 2 Samuel 12, God allowed the enemy to send a deadly illness to the child of David and Bathsheba. Bathsheba was Uriah’s wife. David got her pregnant, plotted the death of Uriah, and married her. This act was evil in the sight of God so He allowed the enemy to have his way. Like I always say, the enemy is a destroyer. When he gets the chance, he doesn’t miss. Satan knows how to hit his target.
David begged God to spare the child. He went without food and prayed for the child to get well. However, on the seventh day the child died. This was a shock for everybody. People began to wonder what David will do when he hears the news.
David heard the news but he surprised everybody. That is he got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the Lord. After that, he returned to the palace and was served food and ate.
The scripture encourages us to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
David didn’t get the answer he prayed for yet he worshiped the Lord. He didn’t get negative and moved about telling people how God had been unfair to him. He didn’t hold the view that God was unmerciful. He didn’t allow the death of his son to affect his relationship with God. David didn’t stop praying, or doing the things he loved doing for God. And he didn’t allow that situation to affect or have influence on his whole life. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the Lord. David later comforted Bathsheba, and slept with her. She became pregnant and gave birth to Solomon. Solomon was the Beloved of the Lord.
Friend when things don’t happen the way you prayed for, don’t give up, don’t be discouraged, and don’t be disappointed. God know best. Only trust that God has your best interest at heart and he will give you something better than what you prayed for if you believe. The feeling of hurt may come but don’t let that stop you from praising the name of the Lord. Don’t let that stop you from giving thanks. And don’t let that stop you from running your race well. Your best is yet to come.
God bless you
Uplifting Christ 
You and I are opn the same page today, my devotion for today comes from matthew 7:7-8 the answer to your question is SEEK, ASK< and KNOCk…God is amazing..
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So true. He is amazing. We’ve got to thank Him in all things.
God bless you dear
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It is True Uplifting Christ, we do give thanks that God is with us in all things but not for what we suffer or what makes us sad, if I was to do this with my Mum dieing it would make me unfeeling and cold hearted but I give thanks that God comforted me and showed me her deliverance by Scripture even before she died. I prayed and asked others to pray that the Spiritual seeds that were planted in her younger years, would bear good fruit and God assured me they would. Although we do not grieve as those in the world do because we have Eternal Hope we do have emotion Jesus cried and got the whip out etc.
King David did not give thanks for his babies death but that God knew best or He would have intervened and saved his son, he knew God was not punishing him because he knew He is Love and not a bitter revengeful God who would afflict his baby willingly (see below) and David also knew that he would be with his son in Heaven.
Lamentations 3: 33 For God doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
Christian Love from both of us – Anne
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Anne, I thank God that he comforted you when you needed it most. I said a prayer for your mum. After reading your comment on intercessory Prayer, I said a prayer for her. I had a strange feeling that day, then later in the day the question came up; what do you do when your prayer isn’t answered?
I wrote this message with you in mind. And I thank God the Holy Spirit directed me to put words together. I believed that you will read it some day. I thank God you did.
God knows Best, and I know, like you said, that one day, we will see her again. Keep on doing your Best for the Lord.
God bless you!
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Thank you Uplifting Christ for thinking of me and for your prayers, others were also lead at that time to write about God’s Love and comfort when we are hurting in the Storms of life and some even before which God lead me too like your message. I never prayed for Mum to be well although others did but I was pleased when she seemed to be getting better because she talked and laughed with me on the phone but if you read my last Post you will see that was a mystery as Mum could not talk because of the clot on her brain.
But other things also happened that showed God was close to me and was comforting me during my time in Sydney but also before and after. I hope to respond soon to all the People that I know prayed for Mum, my family and myself and thank them again because I believe like your prayers they were answered but not in the way that was expected but in the way that was needed and also what Mum would have wanted but more importantly what was best for her according to God’s foreknowledge.
I also feel this way about the loss of my 6 babies in my previous Marriage, but not about the first baby I aborted, this was not God’s will, sin never is but because of my heart repentance I know I’m forgiven. I realised later that my other babies would have suffered greatly had they lived, yes because of bad health but also through the troubled minds of both my husband and myself, we were both abused as Children and did not know how to really Love or have understanding of a child’s needs but they have only known Joy now and one day I will be united with all 7 of them the same as King David and his son, he prayed hoping his son would live but accepted that God knew best, God is not the Author of sickness and death but does work all things out for good in our lives and we give thanks continually that He does.
Yes I’m sad that I will not be able to share with Mum on this earth again and I will miss her but I rejoice that she is with The Lord as He assured me through Scripture and through His Peace in my heart now, how wonderful is our God of Love, Grace and Compassion .
Thank you again Uplifting Christ and God bless you greatly – Christian Love Anne
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Amen.
God bless you too
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Hi again Uplifting Christ, perhaps you can advise me about intercessory Prayer I have not heard about this Ministery or perhaps don’t reconise the name as I mostly refer to people by their Christian name if I know them not their Blog name, I feel it is more personal and being one in Christ Jesus this is needed, we may be strangers tn this earth as our home is in Heaven but we are to be friends in the Lord and united in The Holy Spirit but perhaps it is not a Blog your refering to.
Christian Love – Anne
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I was referring to intercessory prayer works (https://upliftingchrist.wordpress.com/2013/08/09/intercessory-prayer-works/). A post I published before you left for Sydney.
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