’unanswered’ Prayer

by PRASHER, G. | Category: Focus | Jun 2006

Under the heading, ‘Prayer that went unanswered’, a UK magazine report recently asserted that ‘when it comes to healing the sick, the power of prayer is not effective.’

This conclusion was drawn from the results of an elaborately organized study in the United States, costing $2.4 million. Three Christian congregations were asked to pray for 1800 heart surgery patients. Prayer was to continue for two weeks after the surgery took place. They were to ask God that the patient might have ‘a quick and healthy recovery, and no complications’.

The patients were divided into three groups: those who knew they were being prayed for; those prayed for without their knowledge; and those who were not prayed for at all. In both the second and third groups 52% suffered complications. So did 59% of those who knew they were being prayed for.

Scriptural examples of God’s working in direct response to prayer for healing bodily illness are instructive. They clearly illustrate that He acts according to His sovereign will in the circumstances of our individual lives. For example, when Hezekiah, king of Judah was sick and near death ‘…Isaiah the prophet … said to him, "Thus says the LORD: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’"‘ (Is.38:1)

Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD, and said, ‘"Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly’ (vv.2,3). Before Isaiah had left the palace court God’s word came to him again: ‘Go and tell Hezekiah ,’Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years"‘ (v.5).

By contrast, although the apostle Paul pleaded with the Lord three times to remove what he described as ‘a thorn in the flesh’, his request was not granted. (2 Cor.12:8,9). Paul came to understand that this was ‘lest [he] should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations’ he had received (verse 7).

The expression ‘unanswered prayer’ perhaps lends itself to misunderstanding. God’s response to Hezekiah’s supplication and tears we see clearly as answered prayer. Was not His negative response to Paul’s prayer equally an answer? We have to recognize that whether the answer to prayer for recovery from illness is positive or negative, God has heard our prayers:

And whether Thou dost give or not,

‘Tis love that grants, and love denies. (Anon.)

It has been helpfully said that ‘prayers of faith are answered, not simply because they are prayed in faith, but only if they are prayed in the will of God’. As we read in 1 John 5:14, ‘Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us’.

God is glorified when the believer’s faith remains unshaken despite disappointment when He does not grant the recovery from illness we naturally so much desire. For in infinite wisdom and love He sees so far beyond our limited understanding.

There is of course abundant Christian testimony to God’s remarkable working in response to prayer for healing from illness. Is it not true that all healing derives from Him through the processes built into our physical constitution? David’s words in verses 2 & 3 of the 103rd Psalm reflect this truth:

‘Bless the LORD, O my soul;

And forget not all His benefits:

Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases.’

In circumstances of serious illness the believer instinctively takes refuge in God, with earnest prayer that He may grant healing and restoration. Sometimes this may not be God’s will, but frequently He uses the medical treatment to bring about recovery. Even with cases where the patients’ survival seems medically improbable, there are at times dramatic recoveries following special exercise in prayer.

Thankfully let us pray without ceasing, assured that we have a God who hears and answers prayer.

‘Unto thee, O LORD, will I call; my rock, be not thou deaf unto me:

Lest, if thou be silent unto me,

I become like them that go down into the pit’. (Ps.28:1, RV)

PRASHER, G. | Jun 2006
Focus