Living with Unanswered Prayer

12 MAY

At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Daniel 9:23

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Matthew 6:5-15

Our vows and prayers cannot possibly gain us favor with God unless we are already embraced by Him; for in no other way do we find God's favor unless we first flee by faith to His loving kindness. Then, in reliance upon Christ as our Mediator and Advocate. we may dare to approach Him as a child to a parent. For these reasons our prayers are of no avail before God unless they are in some degree founded in faith, which alone reconciles us to God. We cannot be pleasing to Him without the pardon and remission of sins.

We observe also how the saints pleased God by enduring the failure to obtain their requests. Daniel endured trials for many years and was afflicted by much grief, yet he did not consider himself worthy of receiving anything by that labor. He might ave concluded that all his work was vain, for he prayed and perseveringly without effect. But the angel now meets Daniel and frankly testifies that Daniel has found acceptance with God. He is to understand that he has not suffered any repulse, even though he has failed to obtain the object of his earnest desires.

Likewise, we may become anxious in our thoughts and inclined to despair when there appears to be no profit or fruit of prayers, and we receive no open and immediate answer. We must then consider this instruction from the angel that even Daniel, who was most acceptable to God, was heard at length, even though he was not permitted to see with his eyes the object he wishes. Daniel died in exile and did not see the fulfillment of the prophet's prophecies concerning the happy state of the church.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: 

"Unanswered prayer" can be a tremendous burden. But it is not an indication that we are not accepted by God. Rather, we should persevere in prayer, knowing that if we are accepted with God, our prayers are heard even though we have not seen an answer yet.

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke