It had been churning in my mind for the longest time.
How long does one wait for a prayer to be answered?
How long does one trust for the prayer to be answered?
How long before one realises that God is answering the prayer in a different way altogether?
I've been reading many books these past few months.. Was just telling YY that i go thru these "read-all-I can" phases. Seldom does this happen, but when it does, i can finish up to 2 books a week.
Just a month ago, i came across a book with a very interesting title, " When God Doesn't Answer Your Prayer" by Jerry Sittser. I picked it up, because it resonated with my heart's condition at that time. I flipped, and read about Jerry Sittser's story. He & his wife had been praying for a child for many years. Then when they had almost given up praying 8 years later, God gave them 4 children(!) one after another over a span of 6 years! Every night, he would pray for the protection of his precious children, his family. He remembers early that September morning, praying for them, only to find himself in a horrible and tragic nightmare hours later. A drunk driver collided with his car, killing his wife, 4 year old daughter and mother, leaving him to care for his 3 other young children who survived the crash. He groped, searched, wrestled, struggled and asked God, “Why wasn’t my prayer answered?” Jerry shares honestly and openly the pain he felt, the despair and disillusionment, but still hanging on to his faith and his God to continue this life.
I know of many in my midst who have had their share of unanswered prayers. Some still coping with the sudden loss of a loved one. Some still healing from a broken heart. Some waiting for a glimmer of hope for their job, their relationship, their ministry. Mothers waiting for their wayward sons to return. Wives / husbands praying for their spouses to be healed.
I have earnestly asked God for a prayer to be answered. A simple request. A simple task for such a mighty Creator God. A miracle He has worked around the world a billion times over. I have bargained, negotiated, persuaded, even begged God. But till now, heaven seems silent.
Jerry Sittser shed some light as he discovered over the years, that sometimes unanswered prayer is not due to our “lack of faith” or because we didn’t pray the “right way”. God has a greater will and plan that He sees, but often we don’t. So in some sense, unanswered prayers are His answers to our prayers.
Ironically, I am currently working on a song entitled Supreme. Right after Faithful God was written, the phrase and tune “Supreme, You alone are God Supreme” started ringing incessantly in my mind. I believe that God speaks to uniquely to individuals. For me, God uses the songs he wants me to write to teach ME lessons that I myself need to learn.
When I say, God is supreme, I am proclaiming that He is the greatest, the ultimate, the highest in authority. When I say, God is supreme, I am advocating that He is sovereign; He is in control. When I say, God is supreme, I am not the king, He is. When I say, God is supreme, I am no longer my master, He is.
And if i say, God is supreme, He has every right as God and Lord and King to answer prayers as and when He wants to.
For me, I should hope and trust that my Supreme God will work out only the very best for me in His best time and plan.
