What to Do When God Doesn’t Answer Your Prayers: Finding Hope and Faith
Youth Director Tyler Renteria
Miracles are occurrences that show God's involvement in our lives. They are powerful reminders of His presence and ability to change our circumstances. Understanding miracles in scripture and expecting God to perform miracles in our lives can strengthen our faith. This article will explore what happens when it feels like God doesn't answer our prayers by looking at the story of Lazarus in John 11. Click the link above for the full message.
The Story of Lazarus
In John 11, we find one of the last miracles Jesus performed before His death and resurrection. Lazarus, a friend of Jesus, falls ill, and his sisters, Mary and Martha, send word to Jesus. Instead of rushing to heal Lazarus, Jesus waits two days before starting His journey to see them. By the time Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been dead for four days.
John 11: 20-35 (NLT)
When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” Then she returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, “The Teacher is here and wants to see you.” So Mary immediately went to him. Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Then Jesus wept.
Comparing the Responses of Mary and Martha
Mary and Martha both pursued Jesus in their time of need, but they did so in different ways. Neither approach was wrong, as each sister demonstrated faith in Jesus.
Martha's Approach
Martha was the first to run out and meet Jesus.
She was more action-oriented and intellectual.
She expressed her faith in Jesus's power and identity as the Messiah.
Mary's Approach
Mary waited for Jesus to call for her.
She was more emotional and sought comfort in Jesus's presence.
She fell at Jesus's feet, expressing her grief and belief in His power.
Both sisters believed in Jesus's power, but they had different ways of expressing their faith and dealing with their grief.
How Do We Respond When God Doesn't Do What We Want?
When our prayers seem unanswered, we may react with anger or fear. It's natural to feel this way, but we need to trust God and feel His peace. God doesn't always provide the miracles we want, but He promises a purpose-filled life, a life on mission, and a joyful life, even though it may not be easy.
God's Promises
God does not promise a life free from pain.
He promises to be with us in our pain.
John 16:33 (NLT): "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
God Is With Us in Our Pain
“God is near to the brokenhearted and rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18). It can be comforting to know that God is with us in our pain, but sometimes we would rather have Him fix our problems than sit with us through them.
Story: Learning to Sit in the Pain
In marriage, I have learned that trying to fix my wife's problems isn't always the best approach. Even when I feel like I have the best solution for whatever conflict or struggle she’s having, I’ve found it’s not the best to bring a solution to those problems in the moment. Sometimes, she needs me to simply sit with her in her pain. Similarly, God meets us in our pain, and we need to allow Him to comfort us rather than expecting Him to fix everything immediately.
Jesus Feels Our Pain
When Jesus saw Mary and the others weeping, He was deeply troubled and wept with them. Jesus not only sees our pain but feels it with us. This empathy is a powerful aspect of His love and presence in our lives.
Story: My First Storm with Jesus
Early in my walk with Jesus, I prayed for my grandmother's healing, but she still passed away. I was an emotional wreck, but God met me in my pain. He didn't fix the situation, but He was with me, providing comfort and strength.
Pursuing Jesus in the Storms of Life
We often find ourselves in one of three places: in a storm, leaving a storm, or entering one. It's crucial to turn to Jesus during these times, even when we are tempted to seek comfort elsewhere. That’s why it is so important to pursue Jesus in ALL seasons because we will always be at some point in this cycle, needing Jesus at all times.
Jesus Moments Lead to More Jesus Moments
When we pursue Jesus's presence, He reveals more of Himself to us. Turning to Him in our struggles leads to greater experiences of His goodness and glory.
Identifying with Biblical Characters
Many of us identify with characters or stories from the Bible. In the story of Lazarus, we might aspire to have faith like Martha, who trusted Jesus as the Messiah. However, we shouldn't overlook the faith of Mary, who needed to process her emotions before coming to Jesus. Both sisters ended up in Jesus's presence before the miracle occurred.
Key Takeaway
In times of crisis and pain, the most important thing is to end with Jesus. Take the time to heal and process your emotions, but always seek His presence.
Call to Action
If you are struggling to move towards Jesus right now, remember that He is with you. One of my favorite quotes by Rick Warren is, "Because God is with you all the time, no place is any closer to God than the place you are right now." Call out to Him because He sees your pain and wants to walk with you through the storm.
Further Reading
Other Links
Want to hear more? Check out last week’s message titled, "Does God Even Care?” on YouTube by Pastor Kyle Veach from View Church on a similar topic.