Unanswered Prayers
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.” Hebrews 3:12
In dealing with unanswered prayers, it was shared at her memorial service that Joy Dawson said, “I will not insult God with unbelief.” I’ve been “chewing” on that. It’s a simple statement, but a very profound one. God never promised us that He’d answer every single prayer we uttered, but He has promised us over and over again in the Word that we can have friendship, fellowship, and intimacy with Him. However, that relationship with Him will be hindered if our hearts are filled with any unbelief.
One of my treasures from the last difficult years is the precious fellowship I’ve had with the Lord. I’ve had to cling to Him in the midst of the difficulties and challenges. He has been my Rock, my Anchor, my Shelter as I’ve walked through the storms. He has held my hand, He has whispered encouragement into my heart, and He has guided my steps when I’ve not known the way to go. His mercies have been new every morning. His power has been made perfect in my utter weakness. His grace has been more than sufficient for every need. He has filled my heart so full to overflowing with His goodness that there is no room for doubt or unbelief. He has been so, so good to me!
When we don’t see immediate answers to prayer—or even more importantly, answers to prayers that we have lifted up for months, even years—the enemy loves to come and whisper his lies in our ears. Lies that God doesn’t care, and that He’s incapable of answering our prayers. He’ll say it in subtle ways, but he’ll do his best to lure us away from the Father. That’s why we have to continually press into the Lord in our relationship—come what may! We can’t allow any opening, any foothold for unbelief to enter in.
A powerful protection is proclaiming the promises of the Word, declaring them to ourselves and to the enemy. I have found that singing songs of worship of who God is lifts my emotions and my spirit when I’m feeling low. Speaking and singing the truth of who God is defeats the whispers of the enemy, and fills any crack where unbelief could enter in.
I can’t honestly say right at this moment that I would willingly go through these last difficult years again—the pain is a little too fresh. But I can say with absolute sureness that I wouldn’t have wanted to miss the richness of fellowship that has come as I’ve had to press into the Lord over and over again in the midst of the pain. The intimacy with Him is a precious gift that I wouldn’t have wanted to miss. I am beyond grateful for His closeness.
With all of God’s promises, there is no room for any unbelief in our hearts. God is good and faithful and will be by our side whatever we face!
Amen and thank you.
Life has it’s twists and unexpected turns, but God is faithful. Always.
Thank you for sharing. The quote “I will not insult God with unbelief” has been a good challenge to me. The last 5 months have been filled with unanswered prayers and situations where what I felt like God has said isn’t lining up with my reality. It has caused a tension. Thank you for that quote. May I too not insult God with unbelief.