Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Unanswered prayers


Have you ever heard the song "Unanswered Prayers" by Garth Brooks?

It's about a man who takes his wife back to a football game at his old high school and while they're there, they see his old high school girlfriend. He remember how he used to pray to God every night and ask that they would be together, and as he watches his wife talked to his old girlfriend, he realizes how thankful he is that God didn't answer his prayers the way he wanted.

We often wonder why God doesn't answer our prayers the way we want.

Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It says, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a hope and a future." (NLT)

God tells us that His plans for our lives are good.
Two things in that verse stand out to me. First, the plans are God’s. They are not ours. Sometimes our plans and His plans are the same, but sometimes they are not. We have trouble reconciling the two because we want God’s plans to go according to our plans. The second thing I notice is that God says his plans are “good and not for disaster”. No matter how it seems at the time, God’s plans are for our good. They will not destroy us; they will prosper us! God has promised that He will work things out for our good--

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

So, if God “interrupts” your plans to put His own into action, don’t worry. Be shocked, be surprised, be amazed or astounded, but don’t worry. He always has your good in mind and someday—maybe not right this second, but someday—you will realize how much better His plans were than yours and hopefully, you will thank Him for not giving you what you thought you wanted.

1 comment:

  1. This is great wisdom. The longer I live, the more I am thankful God did not answer some of my prayers as I prayed them.

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