Does God Answer Prayer - May 10, 2007

I’ve been taught all my life that God loves us, that He hears our every prayer and answers them all. I believe that — and so do you.

So, what am I to feel about the recent medical news? For months, thousands of you, from every corner of the globe, have been praying for me and for my healing. And then, last Thursday and Friday, several hundred of you were involved in a twenty-four prayer vigil. You were praying at the very time that I was having an MRI to determine the effectiveness of my three months of chemotherapy.

When the word came, it was not good. The cancer continues to grow. The chemotherapy, with all the ravages it caused, was not effective. But what about prayer? Did God not hear — or did He choose not to respond?

I read an article yesterday in which the writer says that the Scripture promises us the same miracles that happened in Jesus’ day. Then he gives an example of praying for his wife’s healing from cancer and how God answered his prayer and his wife is cancer-free, nine years later. He also prayed for God to give them another child, after being told by doctors that his wife couldn’t conceive. But God heard and answered his prayer and they had a child.

If it were only that easy. Or maybe God has it in for me. Or maybe it is all wishful thinking. What are we to do about unanswered prayer? How are you supposed to feel when heaven is silent?

First of all, I’m not willing to state that God didn’t hear or respond to our prayers. Who knows the kind of healing that is taking place — for me and for you —mental, spiritual, and physical healing. Do we really know enough to say that God hasn’t responded to our prayers?

Go back and read the Psalms. Listen as the writers struggle with this whole issue of unanswered prayer and a God who seems distant, whose face seems to be hidden just when they need Him the most. But read on and listen as they gain confidence in the promises of God.

Lest you think I sound too pious, that I’m implying that I have resolved the problem of unanswered prayer, let me assure you differently. I struggle mightily with the issue. I am disappointed, not just for me, but for all of you who have prayed so diligently and fervently, only to face a silent heaven.

My experience over the years, along with the experience of millions of God’s children through the ages, assures me that God is a God of love who hears and responds to our prayers. God will not grant every request or take away every pain or struggle. But He will always be there to wrap us in His arms of love, to wipe away every tear, and to give us to strength to face another day.

Keep praying. Don’t give up. God hears and is responding to our prayers in ways we can’t understand. I believe this with all my life!