Unanswered Prayers

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for answering our prayers, even when we don’t realize you’re answering them. Thank you for answering our prayers in ways better than we have asked you to answer them.

Thank you for the mystery of your love, and your mercy, and your compassion, and please fill our hearts with the trust, and the faith, and the strength we need to hold fast to you, even in times of darkness and confusion when it feels like no prayers are being answered. We love you, Lord Jesus, and we are so grateful that we will be celebrating the Resurrection soon on Easter day.

Until then, help us hold faster in this Lent so that we can celebrate all the more joyfully when Easter comes. Amen. In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

What do I mean by unanswered prayer? When God says no or not now to a need I have. The need may be marriage, money, healing or an opportunity. My understanding of God’s best for my life is incomplete, because I do not know the complete landscape of my life like the Lord does.

I walk in life’s parade with limited vision, while Jesus is atop a skyscraper and sees the beginning and the end of the parade. He sees the unhealthy outcome of a relationship I would love to engage in, but the Spirit protects my heart with a no. I may think I’m ready for a career transition, but Christ knows what’s best for me is to go deeper in relationships where I am, in order to grow my soul.