When God says No!

Do we pray to remind God of something He has forgotten or to give Him new information? There are some occasions when God almost never responds to prayers. The Scriptures clearly set forth the conditions for answered prayer. When we meet certain conditions, God will answer our prayers. There are several theological problems connected with the doctrine of prayer, but the practical problems boil down to just one: the problem of unanswered prayer. Why does God grant some requests and not others? Sometimes it seems that God shuts out our prayers, that the heavens are brass (Deuteronomy 28:23; Lamentations 3:8). Many people share Job’s frustration of crying to God day and night but receiving no reply (Job 31:35).

In the first part of this article, we will examine the hindrances for answered prayer. The second part illustrates how it is important to know that “No” may be a suitable answer of a loving God to your prayer, according to His will and for His glory. However, God does not hear all prayers.

“Wait”

God may answer by saying, “wait, be patient.” Without divine patience, we cannot bear fruit to the Lord.  Often people think that the Lord is slow in answering their prayers and giving justice to them, and they get impatient and do something about the problems themselves; or they seek human help, because their faith is not strong enough to wait for the Lord, in which case they lose their faith. God knows why. We cannot always understand His ways with our limited faculties. When Job was experiencing his trials, his wife could not understand why the Loving God was not quick in answering, and she asked, “Dost thou still retain thine integrity?” but Job said unto her, “Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” Job 2:9–10

Jehovah tested the people of Israel in leading them to the Red Sea with the Egyptian army behind them. Their faith and patience was on trial. In the last moment, He opened the way through the sea. He could have opened the way earlier but they would not have learned the lesson of trust and patience which was very important to them. Patience is important to us: “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36. God, who tested the patience of Noah, Abraham, Job, and the people of Israel, will today test our patience; and if we prove ourselves to be patient until the end, He will save us. He will deliver His people.

God sometimes delays giving His answer to give the person praying time to reflect on His words and ways. People thereby learn a special lesson that they would not learn if God granted the request immediately (Joshua 7:6–9; Psalm 77:10–12). Some of the lessons God teaches by withholding answers to prayer are patience (Job 7:11–21), His sovereignty (Job 40:4–5), and the folly of idolatry (Jeremiah 11:14). God may wait so we learn to persist in our asking (Genesis 30:22; 1 Chronicles 10:13–14; Isaiah 62:6–7), or to pray with greater fervency (1 Samuel 1:12–16). Then when He does grant the request, we appreciate the answer more. God may delay answering to strengthen the character of the one praying or to increase his faith (Job 7:11–21; Psalm 13:5–6; 27:7–14; Micah 7:7; Mark 5:35–43). God may also wait to allow time for a person to repent (Hosea 5:15; 7:14; Jeremiah 42:2–6; Joel 2:12–14). These are a few reasons God does not always answer prayers at once and why they may seem to go unanswered.

“The assurance is broad and unlimited, and He is faithful who has promised. When we do not receive the very things we asked for, at the time we ask, we are still to believe that the Lord hears and that He will answer our prayers. We are so erring and short-sighted that we sometimes ask for things that would not be a blessing to us, and our heavenly Father in love answers our prayers by giving us that which will be for our highest good—that which we ourselves would desire if with vision divinely enlightened we could see all things as they really are. When our prayers seem not to be answered, we are to cling to the promise; for the time of answering will surely come, and we shall receive the blessing we need most. But to claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the particular thing that we desire, is presumption. God is too wise to err, and too good to withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly. Then do not fear to trust Him, even though you do not see the immediate answer to your prayers. Rely upon His sure promise, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you.’ If we take counsel with our doubts and fears, or try to solve everything that we cannot see clearly, before we have faith, perplexities will only increase” –Steps to Christ, p. 97

When God does not answer, or says “No” to our prayers

It is helpful to understand what attitudes and actions of the person praying prevent God from answering prayer. It is also instructive to view the problem of unanswered prayer from God’s perspective to gain a comprehensive picture of the whole subject. Even when a person’s attitudes and actions are correct, his prayers may still go unanswered. We can understand more completely why God does not always answer our prayers as we might expect because God has given us a special revelation that enables us to see prayer as He does. It may be helpful to examine this problem from two perspectives, the human and the divine. From the human viewpoint it is fairly easy to uncover many reasons why God may not answer prayers. Some of these reasons involve improper attitudes, and others spring from improper actions.

In His Word, God encourages His children to pray to Him and also to expect that He will answer them (James 1:5; Jeremiah 33:3). Yet there are times when God says “no” to our prayer or request. Out of 29 of the most prominent prayers of the Bible, over half (17) of the “no’s” to prayers, were because of sin in that individual or the people as a whole. The other reasons for God to deny a prayer request was because that request was not according to God’s will; God would be glorified more in saying “no”. For instance, King Saul asked for God’s guidance and help in defeating an enemy, but because of Saul’s rebellion and disobedience, God did not respond. King David experienced the same negative response from God after his sin with Bathsheba and the death of his child. However, sin was not the only reason God said “no” to a prayer request. Sometimes He said “no” because it was not His will to answer “yes” to that request.

Jonah and Elijah both asked God to kill them during some difficult circumstances. God’s answer was “no” because it was not His will and He instead provided nourishment, safety and help for them. He had other plans for them. James and John in Mark 10:34 wanted to be in a high rank in the kingdom next to Jesus. But Jesus said “no” to that request, because it was up to God the Father to grant that petition.

Jesus asked God to take the cup of suffering from Him, but it was God’s will for Him to drink of that cup of the greatest sorrow and He submitted to God’s will.

“God knows the end from the beginning. He is acquainted with the hearts of all men. He reads every secret of the soul. He knows whether those for whom prayer is offered would or would not be able to endure the trials that would come upon them should they live. He knows whether their lives would be a blessing or a

curse to themselves and to the world. This is one reason why, while presenting our petitions with earnestness, we should say, ‘Nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done.’ Luke 22:42. Jesus added these words of submission to the wisdom and will of God when in the Garden of Gethsemane He pleaded, ‘O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me.’ Matthew 26:39. And if they were appropriate for Him, the Son of God, how much more are they becoming on the lips of finite, erring mortals!” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 230

“Prayer for the Sick Should Take Into Account God’s Will—In prayer for the sick it should be remembered that ‘we know not what we should pray for as we ought.’ Romans 8:26. We do not know whether the blessing we desire will be best or not. Therefore our prayers should include this thought: ‘Lord, thou knowest every secret of the soul. Thou art acquainted with these persons. Jesus, their Advocate, gave His life for them. His love for them is greater than ours can possibly be. If, therefore, it is for Thy glory and the good of the afflicted ones, we ask, in the name of Jesus, that they may be restored to health. If it be not Thy will that they may be restored, we ask that Thy grace may comfort and Thy presence sustain them in their sufferings.’” –Prayer, p. 232

Paul the Apostle also petitioned God three times to remove the thorn in his flesh and God said “no”. My grace shall be sufficient for you. God, as our Heavenly Father, wants to give His children those things or circumstances that will be for their good and which will glorify Him (Matthew 7:11). He desires that we pray at all times to Him and expect an answer from Him (Hebrews 11:6). However, He may say “no” to our request if His purpose and His will be better served in another way to glorify His name and be a witness to others. The three young Hebrews were saved from the fire (Daniel 3), but John the Baptist, as well as  many others, died as martyrs. Why? “We shall see that our seemingly unanswered prayers and disappointed hopes have been among our greatest blessings.”  –Help in Daily Living, p. 13

Examples:

  1. King Saul prayed for guidance but God did not answer him. Saul had pronounced a curse on any of his army who ate before evening. Jonathan, unaware of the curse, had eaten. The lesson for us is we should be very careful about making vows. 1 Samuel 14:37
  2. King Saul prayed for help and guidance. Saul had removed so far from God that He no longer answered Saul’s prayers. Saul then sought an answer through a medium; this was a clear sin on his part. 1 Samuel 28:6–7
  3. David prayed for the life of his son. The son died because of David’s sin with Bathsheba. 2 Samuel 12:13–23. The lesson for us is that sin has its consequences.
  4. Elijah prayed that he might die. God had much more work for Elijah to do so it was not in God’s will for Elijah to die at that time. In the end Elijah did not die but was caught up into heaven by a whirlwind. 1 Kings 19:4; 2 Kings 2:11
  5. Jonah prayed that God would take his life as it was better to die than to live. God does not answer this type of prayer for there is a time to die, and we must wait for God’s timing, not ours. Also, Jonah had yet to accomplish the work God sent him to do. Jonah 4:3
  6. King Zedekiah prayed for help in defeating Nebuchadnezzar. God answered that He would not help because of the many sins of Israel. Jeremiah 21:2–3
  7. The disciples James and John with their mother requested the highest rank in the kingdom Jesus was to establish. Jesus’ answer was that this position was not His to give. But, they first were to be servants of one another before greatness would be given them. Mark 10:35–45. Jesus prayed, “May this cup be taken from Me.” He also prayed, “Your will be done.” It was the Father’s will that Jesus drink the cup of suffering for the sins of the world. Matthew 26:36–46; Philippians 2:5–8; Hebrews 2:9; 12:2–3; 13:12–13
  8. Paul prayed that his “thorn in the flesh” be removed. Paul’s thorn was not removed, so that Christ would be glorified, not himself, and to keep him from becoming proud. 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

God denies prayer requests of those who:

  1. Ask amiss. James 4:3
  2. Regard iniquity in the heart. Psalm 66:18
  3. Live in sin. Isaiah 59:2; John 9:31
  4. Offer unworthy service to God. Malachi 1:7–9
  5. Forsake God. Jeremiah 14:10, 12
  6. Reject the call of God. Proverbs 1:24–25, 28
  7. Hear not the law. Proverbs 28:9; Zechariah 7:11–13
  8. Are deaf to the cry of the poor. Proverbs 21:13
  9. Are blood shedders. Isaiah 1:15; 59:3
  10. Are idolaters. Jeremiah 11:11–14; Ezekiel 8:15–18
  11. Are wavering. James 1:6–7
  12. Are hypocrites. Job 27:8–9
  13. Are proud. Job 35:12–13
  14. Are self-righteous. Luke 18:11–12, 14
  15. Are the enemies of the saints. Psalm 18:40–41
  16. Cruelly oppress the saints. Micah 3:2–4
  17. Moses wants to go into the Promised Land. Deuteronomy 3:23–29

The Spirit of prophecy says that “if we withhold from Him that which is His own, how can we claim His blessing? If we are unfaithful stewards of earthly things, how can we expect Him to entrust us with the things of heaven? It may be that here is the secret of unanswered prayer.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 144. “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, to consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:3. These passages are chosen as the foundation of several discourses on the condition of prevailing prayer. Let us always pray, “Thy will be done.” We may not discern the secrets of God. He delivered Daniel but John the Baptist died in prison. Why? God is love. Some experiences and trials are allowed to purify us and to be recorded as encouragement to the following generations.

How can we know that God will answer our prayer? When we pray to God, we know that we have asked. We know that we have thought and spoken the words. But how do we know that God will indeed answer us? How can we make sure that He has heard us? Sometimes it seems as if, although we pray, we get no response. Heaven seems to be silent. Yet, while we may think we have no answer, having faith does not mean that our prayers will be answered in the exact way that we desire. We are to echo the thought of our Saviour, “Thy kingdom come, not Mine. Thy will be done, not Mine.” “Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:6–9. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11. God does not require us to give up anything that it is for our best interest to retain. In all that He does, He has the well-being of His children in view. Would that all who have not chosen Christ might realize that He has something vastly better to offer them than they are seeking for themselves. The Lord of the Universe, as a loving Father, knows what is best for us. Amen.

By  Victor Shumbusho – D R Congo