GOD'S PURPOSE BEHIND AN UNANSWERED PRAYER

There is always a purpose behind everything: whether it’s good or bad. We all know this. But the problem arises when it comes to God: that is most of us do not accept the fact that there is a wonderful purpose behind everything God does. Many a times, we are aware of it but our thoughts let out, ‘what if (some negative thought)’. Bible clearly says that there is a time for everything and remember God’s timing is always perfect.

God never leaves our prayer unanswered. He always answers it with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or ‘wait’. Maybe our idea of ‘unanswered prayer’ is, God ‘not answering according to our desire’. Many a times we go to God with a heavy heart and God shows a ‘wait’ signal. The reason behind our suffering might be due to our own doings or the doings of others, whatever it is, remember that only God’s doings will take its effect, at last.

When we ponder about a small incident, from the Holy Bible, in Luke chapter 8, verses 28 to 39, we can talk about God’s way of answering our pleading or prayers.

The incident is about a certain man that Jesus met, who is possessed with many devils and he takes his abode in tombs.

·         In verse 28, when that man saw Jesus, he fell down before Him and cried out with a loud voice, “I beseech thee, torment me not”. Here,’ he fell down before Him’, shows a sign of worship, fear and a sort of humility too. The meaning of the word ‘beseech’ is: urgent request; to ask earnestly; to plead; to beg. To this Jesus answered with a ‘yes’.

·         In verse 31, we see that the devils ‘besought him that He would not command them to go into the deep”. Again there is a pleading. A ‘pleading’ can be taken as a ‘prayer’. To this also Jesus answered with a ‘yes’.

·         In verse 32, it is said that a herd of swine were feeding on the mountain and the devils “besought Him that he would suffer them to enter into them (herd of swine)”. Here, again we see a pleading or prayer. Jesus did say ‘yes’.

·         In verse 37, it is said that a multitude surrounding that region came to Jesus and asked Him to depart from them. Again we see a prayer made by the people to Jesus. To this prayer also Jesus answers ‘yes’.

·         But surprisingly in the verse 38, we see that the man out of whom the devils were departed places a plead. The verse goes like this, “Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought Him that he might be with Him: but Jesus sent Him away, saying” it continues in the next verse 39,” Return to thine own house and shew how great things God hath done unto thee”.

In the last two verses, we see that the man places a plead or prayer. But Jesus answered it with a ‘no’. The devils plead were being answered with ‘yes’ and the man’s prayer with a ‘no’. We know for sure that the man has made a right choice to be with Jesus. But yet Jesus rejects his prayer. Why God did so? Here only you have to understand that there is a God’s purpose behind an unanswered prayer. Here God not only wants him to get blessed but also others, through him. That’s why He sends him back. Surely through the man’s testimony many would have turned to Jesus in that town in which Jesus cannot enter. Isn’t this the greatest blessing, one can ever have?

So God’s ways are always ‘extra special’. And His purpose for you is also special. He will never fail you. Whatever He does is for your good. When you submit everything to the Lord without any second thought, with your entire faith in Him, that’s when miracles start happening. God loves you a lot and He will always do good things for you. So don’t get dejected or discouraged for you have a God who loves you more and who has engraved you in the palm of His hands. God will never fail you. You will have a blessed life.