Unanswered Prayers

I heard a song on the way home from work last night by Garth Brooks.  Unanswered Prayers.  The song describes the scene of a man running into his old flame.  The person he thought was everything he wanted.  In the end it turned out that God knew better. 

I really felt a lot of conviction in the chorus of that song.  It left me wondering how many of my unanswered prayers, or the "no" answers actually are for my benefit.  For my greater good. (Here's a clue to the answer of that question...ALL OF THEM!)   And why do I constantly forget this fact!  LOL 

"Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs

That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers"

Garth Brooks

So think about the greatest, biggest, deepest prayer requests that you've had over the years.  The ones that went unanswered, where the answer was no or wait for something different.  Maybe like me, you still have many unanswered prayers, small ones and life sized ones.  Can you remember that God knows best?  Can you let go and rest in His care?  Can you say thank you Jesus for unanswered prayer? 

Our Pastor was teaching on Ephesians this past Sunday.  Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  This ties in perfectly to trusting God when we don't get our prayers answered soon enough, or in the way we think they should be.  1 Corinthians 2:9....No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.  Our loving heavenly Father always has the better plan.  We can trustingly, willingly, and joyfully submit to His loving, wise plans. 

Thank You Lord for prayers that You don't answer "yes" to.  The times You don't give me what I want or what I think I need.  Your wisdom is always so much higher and greater than mine.  Forgive me my doubts and fits when I don't get my way.  Help me to learn how to live with "unanswered prayers."  Your heart is always love, Your ways are always good.  Lord, it's hard to let go of what I want, what I think should be.  Please give me, and all who read this the grace to hand over our desires and our lives to You.  We are lost without Your love and wisdom.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Think about your own "unanswered prayers."  Hand them over to Jesus and give thanks.