When Our Prayers Seem Unanswered

Some people say to me, “Meli, have you spent time every day praying? Prayer is a very special opportunity between us and God. We can tell God anything that is in our hearts: our joy, our desires, and even our grievances. If you have desires or want something to happen in your life then pray! Pray to God and ask for what is in your heart, and you will see that God will give it to you! All you have to do is to trust in God.” What a great joy to know that God will always listen to us. Many wonderful things and unforgettable experiences happen when we pray, and we are happy when God answers our prayers and gives us what we want. I often think that if God always answers my prayers and gives me what I want, of course I will be very happy. But that is not always the case. One thing that I know and believe is that God surely will answer my prayers and give what is best for me.

One day, when I prayed, I asked God for something. I told God that I really wanted it to happen in my life, and I had for a long time. However, God answered me, and I know God did not give me what I wanted. I became sad and wondered why. Even though it was a simple thing and not a big request, it meant a lot to me. But God did not grant my prayer. After some time passed and after some things happened, I realized that God did not give me what I wanted for my own good. I was grateful that God did not give me what I asked for at that time because if God had granted my prayer in the way I desired, I would have ended up sad and disappointed. God knew the best for me far beyond what I could know.

Even though many of my prayers are answered, there are also some things that I ask God for every day. Despite my prayers, God still has not answered me. In those times, I can feel as if God is silent when I pray. I wonder why God has not yet answered my prayers, and I can feel tempted to give up and stop praying for those things. It is difficult for me when I have asked and prayed for years, but it seems like God is silent and there is no answer.

Many times God answers my prayers immediately. When this happens, I feel joyful and grateful. But sometimes I have to wait for a while before God finally answers my prayer. During those times, I have learned to keep believing in God and to wait patiently, knowing that God will give me the right thing at the proper time. I have also learned to believe that time spent waiting on God will never be in vain.

God will always hear our prayers and will surely answer them. God will give us the right thing at the right time, as long as what we want and desire is according to God's will. But the right time for God is often not what we think is the right time, and God's will sometimes does not contain what we want. But whatever happens, we believe that God is good. God loves us, cares for us, and never leaves us. God knows what is best for us and works in all things to bring good to all who love God.