I Thank God For The Unanswered Prayers, Too

“But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” 

(Micah 7:7 ESV)


Prayer has transformed my life. 

I’ve witnessed countless answered prayers. I’ve seen the Lord answer the prayers of friends and family. I’ve seen Him answer my own prayers. I’ve seen Him transform situations and people. I’ve experienced His provision. I’ve seen God move overnight, or within minutes, because of prayer.

But there’s also unanswered prayer. 

I’ve encountered this many times, and chances are, you have as well. You may have experienced the pain, confusion, or heartache of a particular circumstance in your life that, for some reason, seems to be immovable or unchanging even after years. 

There comes a point where you may think, God, I’ve done everything I could. What am I supposed to do now?

At the start of 2023, I don’t know where you are today or what unanswered prayers come to mind, but I can tell you this: In moments like these, you have the opportunity to encounter the richest, deepest lessons and transformation. There is more for you, even now — and you can be comforted and amazed at how much God can move in these seasons. 

Recently, the book of Daniel has reminded me of the tremendous power of prayer and worship. You’re probably familiar with the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego facing the fiery furnace, but there’s also so much wisdom and encouragement from the events that take place beforehand. In the first three chapters of Daniel, here’s what we can learn about how to show up faithfully and recognize God’s hand, even in the midst of prayers that seem to go unanswered:

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Is Your Breakthrough One Step Away?

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

(Mark 8:25 NIV)


Look up at the sky before or during a storm. What you’ll find are dense clouds covering every inch of the sky. No blue in sight. Probably no sun.

From the ground, there’s no way you can see what’s on the other side.

Different seasons in our lives can often feel this way. There may be times we encounter long, painful, and slow seasons. Seasons where we’re not just waiting for change but we need a change. A miracle, breakthrough, healing–an answer.

Seasons where the “other side” seems further and further from our grasp. Times when you have been praying about an unchanging situation for days, weeks, months, and years.

What happens when God doesn’t respond right away?

In Mark 8:22-26, we encounter a blind man in need of healing. However, instead of instantly healing him at once, Jesus heals him in two steps. In this prolonged moment, Jesus shows that the real process of restoration is way beyond our perception of time.
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I Feel No Connection to God | Ask LizMargaret #2

What do I do if I feel God’s not answering my prayers?

Did God create me to suffer?

Why did He create me at all?

Feeling distant from God can be a frustrating feeling. But you don’t have to stay there. In today’s Ask LizMargaret video, I’m tackling these tough questions and more.

Click below to watch my new YouTube video! Got a question? Submit an Ask LizMargaret question here.

Learn more about Ask LizMargaret here.

 

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The Reason You Are Unfulfilled

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. 

(Revelation 2:4-5a ESV)


I’ll tell you a juicy secret.

I’m guilty of something. And I realize that every believer is guilty of this, too, at some point in their faith.

In the midst of all the losses and gains in our lives, we forget our first love. standing alone_edit

A fulfilling relationship with Jesus Christ can easily stop at the moment of salvation. By that, I mean we invite Christ into our hearts, acknowledging our need for Him for eternal life. This saves us and secures us for heaven. But we need to know that salvation doesn’t stop there. It continues now in our relationship with Him. Just as you desperately needed God to save you from sin, you still desperately need him to be everything–above any earthly desire you currently have.

Are you finding it difficult to really give something to God? You can pray and pray over and over, submitting it to the Lord. And you should. We’re taught to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), to come boldly before the throne (Hebrews 4:16), to test every spirit–any thing or person that comes our way–to see if it is really from God (1 John 4:1).

But if you’re struggling with unfulfilled desires and deep longings that seem to remain unmet time and time again, you may be missing a crucial thing.

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