Unanswered prayers

[Sharon Isley]

I have been praying for a very serious situation for over a year. I've seen God do miracles, and I'm so grateful for that. But the miracles I've seen have been few and far between, and there has been nothing for the past 10 months. It is so hard to go on, when it seems that heaven is silent.

This is a situation of spiritual warfare. I read in the Bible how Jesus, and the disciples, were able to have total victory in similar situations. Why isn't that happening now? I've fasted, I've prayed, I've begged God for help. Her faith is growing weaker. Mine is feeling bruised.

In my head I know that God is working, we just can't see all that He is doing. I think of how Job must have felt, feeling like God had abandoned Him. Job didn't have a clue of what was going on behind the scenes. We don't either. I know my friend is in the middle of a battle between God and the enemy, and I know God won't let her go. I know He is the victor. But it is so hard to watch, and to see things seem to be more than she can endure.

Why doesn't God do even the smallest things I ask for? There are so many things I pray for in this situation, and I can see how the big things, God is working on them, and they may take time. But the little things that would make it more endurable, there is no answer.

I ask for sleep - but it doesn't come, because of recurring nightmares and flashbacks that wake her up as soon as she drifts off. I ask for muscle twitches to stop, but they continue, relentlessly.

Am I asking for the wrong things? How do I know what to pray for? I'm afraid to ask for anything any more, because the answer always seems to be no. God, what do You want me to do?

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Sharon, do you have access to "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster? You might find his discussion on what St. John of the Cross called the "Dark Night of the Soul" helpful.

[Sharon Isley]

Yes, I have that book, and have read it a couple of times. I will have to look that part up again. Thanks. I need all the suggestions I can get.

[Ian Gentles]

This is a hard question, one I have asked myself at times.
On one hand there is the teaching that we must endure, and I do agree with it, I see it in "Job" and in the lifes of countless saints.
However useing above argument is all too easy, and dosent fully answer the question you raise. We are living in a time when many seem pressed down with various troubles, sufferings, even just in NazNet, and many prayers seem to go unanswered. I would hope we can look at this question deeply rather than just seeking to explain it away! I feel we are loosing a proper understanding of prayer, how it should work, what it really is? I also think we might have to concider if God is unpleased with our western christianity at this moment in time? I feel I go to so many prayer gatherings these days where prayers seem to just bounce of the ceiling. I'm not seeking to be negative in any way, but like your good self would love to see deeper discussion on this subject!

[Sharon Isley]

One thing that is happening, is though the circumstances are not changing, my relationship with God is deepening. That is something that is worth all the pain I suffer. I'm not sure I can say that about my friend though. Her suffering is growing, and her faith is growing very fragile. I'd trade all I'm gaining if I could just help her.

[Ian Gentles]

I feel sometimes, when folks see nothing happening, though holding fast to their faith, they become despondant and spiritualy depressed. We all accept that God wont answer all our prayers as we would wish, but I feel folks are looking for more spiritual reality in their christian walk! I would suggest one of the things we can do is, show them total acceptance and love!