One of the issues, that believers in Christ often ignore, is the big elephant in the room-unanswered prayer. So many pastors have taught: Name it claim it, we win always win, speak a positive confession, that I believe it has robbed a portion of Christianity of common sense, and acknowledging truth.
Many prayers are solicited for loved ones, whom the doctors have given up on. These prayers are for the individual to be healed in the land of the living. If however the person dies, modern day church lingo has the family say this is that it’s a win win situation because now the is deceased whole and healed in heaven. While this is true, no one prays for anyone to be whole in the after life.
Prayers are solicited for healing in the earth. Consider the great King David. The bible tells us the prophet Nathan told king David his baby was going to die. David fasted and prayed for his infant son, but the child died. David’s prayer was not answered.
King Hezekiah was told by the Prophet Isaiah, to get his house in order and prepare for death. He turned his head to the wall, and prayed. The Lord sent the prophet back to the king to let him know He would live 15 more years. Hezekiah’s prayer was answered.
I was in a church where every morning during Intercessory prayer, we called out the name of our pastor, his wife, 3 children and his parents, for them to be healthy, wealthy and live long. In spite of the prayers, the pastor’s mother died , and he passed away about a year later. Both were under the age 70 which many believe according to Psalms 90 is the age we are promised.
If indeed our heavenly Father answered every single prayer as we prayed it, there would be no need for faith. He would be genie in the sky granting our every wish. I know first hand, that sometimes faith can be very difficult. And unanswered prayer can be disappointing.
When I saw my grandmother’s declining health, I prayed diligently to be able to give her a birthday party, and allow friends and family to drop by and extend well wishes. Her birthday came and went, with no provision being made. One month later, one of my cousins hosted a birthday party for her mother.
Family, friends and members of her church all came by. There was great food, and people gave her presents. Right in my face, my cousins was doing for her mother, what I prayed for and was unable to for my grandmother. A few months later my grandma and my cousin’s mom died a few days apart. There is no way to spin this situation into a win win. My prayer was not answered.
If you prayed for someone to be healed of cancer, or to breath without a respirator, and they die, this is unanswered prayer. It is time believers in Christ to mature, and lead others to Him because of what He did on the cross. We should not get people to come to church by making false claims regarding the word of God.
It is time for church leaders to acknowledge the elephant in the room- and let people know that not every prayer is answered in the way we expect. And there are some things you cannot spin. David’s baby died, but Hezekiah was granted 15 additional years of life. My cousin had a party for her mother, but I was unable to give one for my grandmother. This is simple truth, and not a negative confession.
