What If God Does Not Answer My Prayer?

by September 7, 2015


This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. I John 5:14 (NIV)

Breathing deeply, I prayed the same prayer I had prayed for weeks. “Lord, please give me an answer.” I could not understand why God would not answer my prayer.

My husband, who had been perfectly healthy, was suddenly in a hospital bed surrounded by perplexed doctors. If the doctors could find the problem maybe they could begin treatment. I desperately wanted to know what was wreaking havoc on my soulmate’s body. I prepared myself for the worst. I knew the possibilities and played out every scenario in my mind.

Weeks passed, and I wondered if God had forgotten about my request.

There are many times in life when prayers go up, but answers seem captive high above the clouds. If only I could get in the exact place where the blessings rain down, then maybe God would pour out the answers I need. I know God is capable. I’ve seen Him answer before, but silence currently fills the space between my prayers and the anticipation of God’s reply.

The Bible tells us, He does hear and He does care. The answer I desire does not always come when and how I think it should. I’m learning God is bigger, and He knows better. Sometimes, it is in the waiting and the praying when I learn the most about who God is.

I am learning God is not a genie in a bottle swiftly releasing a magic potion at my beckoned call, but He does pour out endless grace and mercy when I feel like I cannot take one more thing. God is not an emergency contact that I call on when life gets too crazy to handle, but He is an ever-present help in the good days and the bad. The depth of His wisdom goes beyond what Google can offer and the width of His love reaches beyond any physical relationship on earth.

The truth is, God can do anything. We may never know why He answers some requests while others seem to get lost in translation. What we can know is that God listens and He hears. He sees and knows more than we will ever comprehend.

After months of praying and waiting, my husband finally recovered. Even more exciting than my husband’s recovery was what God did for me in the season of waiting. God drew me in so close to His heart, and I could feel His presence like never before. Sometimes unanswered prayer draws us nearer to the heart of God. Although it may seem like He is silent, His answer might be “wait.”

What do you do if it seems like God is not listening?

Keep praying.

Seek God for who He is.

Get close to Him.

Listen.

Wait.

God is bigger than the answer.

He is the answer.

His presence is worth the wait.

If you are waiting for your answer, God might be giving you a chance to get to know Him better than you ever have before. Do not be discouraged when God seems silent. When He answers, you will hear Him. The sound of His voice is peace.

If God has answered a long-awaited request in your life, I would love to rejoice with you! Please share your story in the comments below. You never know who will read your story and gain confidence and hope in our amazing God!

If you have a request that you would like someone to pray over please feel free to share that too! Your request will be prayed over this week. You are not alone and our God is able.

If this has been an encouragement to you, please LIKE, SHARE and COMMENT so others can be encouraged too!

Love & Blessings,

Micah

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About Micah Maddox

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  1. Wow! This is so amazing! Yesterday I was really struggling with some stuff and I was allowing myself to be brought down really low. I had a decision to make…..act or don’t act! First off I know that in this specific case God keeps telling me to wait on Him but I keep forgetting that. So not remembering that I need to just b waiting I make my decision to just return home. As soon as I did that all my anxiety and uneasiness instantly lifted! So Amazing! Then when I get back home I read a devotional that I usually read in the morning and it was an encouragement to basically just keep trusting God to see me through! Then this morning I read this one and I just couldn’t do anything but thank God bc He is so amazing and ALWAYS right on time! Just bc we don’t see Him working or hear His answer right away doesn’t mean anything! I’m so thankful to serve a God that is always on my side and I’m so thankful He allows me to keep falling and keeps helping me back up! And I’m so thankful for ppl like Micah that God uses to help us see Him! In Jesus name, AMEN!!!!!!

  3. Thank you for the timely reminder that “God is an Ever Present Help in Times of Trouble”! ~ Jackie T.

  4. How encouraging! Thanks for posting this, Micah. God ALWAYS answers prayer; just not always the way we want, and often, we don’t even recognize the answer, so it appears that it went unanswered. He loves us and never ignores our cries. I love the “emergency contact” thing. It made me think of when you fill out forms and it asks for the emergency contact. Maybe I’ll put God there next time!

  6. It’s always in those waiting periods that we learn the most, isn’t it? We can use that opportunity to draw so very near Him, just as you did. Thanks for sharing your story, I’m so glad your husband got well! Such a scary time, I’m sure.
    Good connecting with you today! #rara

  7. Micah, reading your post took me back to last year watching my husband lay in a hospital bed waiting and waiting for more answers myself. And I loved this in your post “God is bigger than the answer. He is the answer.” He taught me a lot about seeking Him instead of asking why during those really long days. Thank you for your encouragement and sweet reminder today.

    1. Stephanie, sounds like we have something in common. Yes, seeking Him is really what it’s all about. I’m so glad you shared that with me! Thank you!

  8. God has carried us through cancer, job loss, teenage angst, eating disorders, mental health issues (suicide attempt, depression and bipolar disorder). I know without a doubt he’ll keep holding us close and drawing us to him as we await each new challenge that presents itself. Our God is more than able!

  9. So happy to be visiting from next door at #SmallWonder to have a chance to read your wise words. “it is in the waiting and the praying when I learn the most about who God is”…this I find so true. And I love when you said God is the answer..sometimes all He wants of us to ‘seek first the kingdom’. I love your post and so grateful your husband is well. Blessings!

  10. It is so hard when it seems that God is silent. But we usually end up closer to Him in the waiting. Its so important to persevere in our prayer life! Thank you for the encouragement, so glad your husband is feeling better!

  12. Thanks for sharing your post! Having to wait can be so hard! Thank you for the encouragement you shared to day. It’s so true that he draws us closer to him in the waiting. We may not like it or understand it, but God is always doing what is best for us.

  13. Micah, this is very beautiful and very true! Thank you for sharing this encouragement on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! We are glad to have you join us :)

  18. Wow! Someone just shared your post with me. This is so timely for me because I am in a waiting period right now. I have been praying for a good caregiver for my 87 year-old mother for several months. It hasn’t happened yet, but I know that God is going to provide. The waiting gets hard at times, but He is faithful to those who love Him. I am so glad that your husband recovered from his illness. Blessings to you, Micah! I just love this!

    1. Diane, thank you so much for reading! I’m so glad you stopped in! I will pray for you to find the perfect caregiver at the perfect time!

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