When God Answers ‘No’ to Our Prayers

Ask Pastor John
Episode: 1226

[puddin]

Sometimes when I think about all the times that God has directly said 'no' to something that I have asked for, it helps me to remember all the things that I don't ask for and that I don't even realize I need that he says 'yes' to every day.

[elishawilliams]

I love it when God says "No" because I understand He is a good Father and will not always give me my way but instead in His sovereignty will give me what is good in His sight.

[dwightwilliams]

I have been praying to God for a wife. It's over 13 years praying, but nothing happens. I am now 33 years old with no children. I begged God to many times in prayers. I have seen other people who don't pray and find good wives except for me. I feel rejected by God and it hurts to my soul to the core till I am spiritually scared.

[fruitofspirit]

I was really struggling when listening to this, was even writing at the time. Thank you, Dr. Piper.
One Still Prayer

I’m empty. All is nothing.
And answers fade to black.
I’ve lost my way
and cannot say
I’ll find which road leads back.

For what door is there to open?
And what word will I receive?
What will be found if do seek,
when I clearly don’t believe?

And yet, You tell me, “Ask…”
and yet You say to seek;
yet still, You say the door will open
by a spirit – lowly, meek.

As so I ask once more,
and strive to so discern…
all that can be sought about You,
and what all I must learn.

And then in some despair,
a churning hunger feeds…
as I humbly cast my cares,
and found You’ve met my needs.

I don’t deserve Your faithfulness.
I haven’t earned Your favor.
And yet it beams
like peaceful streams
from a brook that I now savor.

Your Light outshines my darkest hour.
You Word, a lamp, for this strayed lamb;
all within Your grace and power –
that I know You, Great I AM.

Let me pray this prayer once more,
if by it, I might see…
and hear,
You near
so I won’t fear
and “still” forever be.

-M. Leanne Todd

References to the Holy Bible:
Line 12 – Matthew 7:7-8
Line 13 – Matthew 11:28-29
Line 19 – Matthew 5:6
Line 20 – 1 Peter 5:7
Line 21 – Matthew 6:7-8
Line 23 – Ephesians 2:8
Line 25 – Psalm 23:2, Psalm 42:1
Line 27 – John 8:12
Line 28 – Psalm 119:105, Matthew 18:12
Line 30 – Exodus 3:14, Mark 14:61-62
Line 32 – Matthew 13:16
Line 34 – James 4:8
Line 36 – Psalm 46:10

[jennybarrier]

In 38 years God has told me no many times. Many times I tried to force things. I even attempted suicide twice and was addicted to drugs for a bit because I couldn't force my "yes". But God was always Faithful and I slowly realized that when He says no He ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, has something so much better planned for us. Something I could have never even imagined. Please just hold on if He tells you no. He loves us so much and some times He says no to us, even our greatest dreams at times, because our greatest dreams truly pale in comparison to His smallest plans. Hold on. He loves you. Just hold on. Please. And I love you too! I pray anyone who sees this video have a renewal of strength, patience and determination in the Lord. Much love and prayers!

[kamalkj]

Thank you for all the resources. Truly blessing my walk with God

[rtteague]

John piper is such a wonderful image of what Christ looks like and the Lord our God has blessed pastor john with such I good biblical sence through the holy spirit praise God

[bigfigism]

God always answers my prayers...unfortunately its ..."no no no no no no no and NO!"

[pangochick]

Wow! This was the most clear explanation I've ever heard on 'unanswered' prayer - very impactful for building my faith. Thank you so much for this! God bless you and your ministry for bringing these teachings to us 🙏🏽

[guest]

I needed to hear this. I have never looked at Genesis 17:15-20 the way he explained it before today. I keep seeking You Lord for the desires of my heart. Amen.

[dimitrysan]

I feel like when God says “no” it’s not really a no but more like I have something better for you. But He will not let you go empty handed, instead He’ll give you something you didn’t ask for which is BETTER than what you asked for!

😞🤲🏾 Lord help me to be patient.

[stefc]

The title of the video kinda reads funny if you read the whole header as a complete sentence. :D

[iamnotamouseok]

I'm not one to pray for things. For objects, for wealth or fame.
My prayers have been centered on my family's health and/or their relationship with God, as well as my own.
I struggle with mental illness, ADHD and a mild form of autism. The ADHD means that while I can read through a book that has my interest in a day, when I try to focus and read the Bible, i retain nothing. My eyes slide the page and I comprehend none of it. I found some online bible studies by Dave Reid, so I can at least listen to the bible if I can't make myself read it, but even then my distractible mind wanders, thinking of anything other than scripture. I pray to God to help me, give me the motivation to read and understand scripture. Let it be so that I read and internalize the Word as eagerly as I read fiction. My flesh is weak, even weaker than most. Father, I beg, don't let me be led astray by seeking easy entertainment over your word.
I pray this often. It's been about a month and a half since I had a painful moment of clarity and realized how dangerously I was living, lukewarm, on the broad path. But I'm not changing. I'm still easily distracted, hungering for entertainment and seeking it over God's teachings. I have many moments where I wonder if my prayers aren't real enough, aren't sincere enough. But I don't know how to *mean* it any more than I already do.
Part of me wonders if this is a lesson from God, to teach me to be patient and wait on him. The rest of me worries that such a thought is a product of my own laziness, that I'm sitting back and expecting Him to do all the work.
Please, if you read through this, I beg you to pray for my. I need guidance.

[Yesica]

The end was especially powerful. Thanks.

[edrosa]

So in my particular case I’ll just continue to experience and see never ending suffering… very comforting

[beverlypettigrew]

Well God's answer to my prayer is NO. My family will be homeless! God please show us what we need to do now. 🙏💔🙏💔😪😪

[roc]

I'm starting to believe that the purpose of our prayers we're not designed for us to ask for things that we want to receive. If God is all-knowing and knows what we need before we ask and knows the beginning from the end and will only give us the things that he knows are good for us I don't believe that he's ever intended to really answer prayers for us. I believe the prayer was just to push us to have dialogue with him. I believe God is going to do what he's going to do in our life when he's ready no matter what we ask and when we ask. I believe this is the reason why he goes silent it seems from us at times. Here's our prayers but he knows in some cases our prayers don't align with what he's already planning to do.

[Yesica]

This will be a hard one to listen to. I just want a full time/permanent job.

[vitawater]

No, standard response in my prayer life. I don't pray anymore

[joshuaanaya]

I was literally just thinking about this topic and the video showed up in my feed