“The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.” – F.B. Meyer
The Command to Pray
The Bible is clear that God desires “then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling” (1 Tim. 2:8). Jesus, in speaking to the disciples, “told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). It is the will of God that we pray and “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:18).
Praying in the Spirit
We must be praying consistently but also praying in the Spirit of God, which means to be “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Eph. 6:18). Praying is not easy. It is hard work for many, and we need help, but “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Rom. 8:26).
Unoffered Prayer
God cannot answer a prayer that’s never been uttered anymore than someone can answer a question that’s never been asked. The greatest tragedy is not unanswered prayer but the prayer that’s never been prayed. Paul admonishes us to “not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6).
Conclusion
Praying was a custom of the early church and perhaps was the reason that the church grew so rapidly in the first century (Acts 1:14), so “continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2) because the greatest tragedy of life isn’t really unanswered prayer–it is unoffered prayer.
Praying Consistently
The old saying “the family that prays together, stays together” is absolutely true. Bill Bright once estimated that daily prayer, led by the parents, lessens the likelihood of divorce; and when families stay together, the chances are so much greater that when their children marry, they’ll stay together, too. When families pray together, their children will be more likely to pray after they leave their homes and begin their own families. Prayer shows children the importance of keeping in daily contact with God and that they need God’s guidance and direction in their lives and that they must depend on God for everything in life. If God is aware of even the tiny sparrow that falls to the ground (Matthew 10:29), we can know and we can show our children (and grandchildren) that God cares about every facet of their lives and that they must be relying on Him for even the smallest details in their daily living experiences
by Jack Wellman
Our Lord never referred to unanswered prayer; he taught that prayers are always answered. He even implied that prayers were answered rightly because of the Heavenly Father's wisdom.
- Oswald Chambers
"I asked for strength that I might achieve.
He made me weak that I might obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things.
I was given grace that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I received nothing that I asked for.
All that I hoped for.
My prayer was answered."
---Author Unknown
Bible Study - Purpose in Prayer
Verse by verse Ministry
Taught by Stephen Armstrong
We continue our series on Godʼs sovereignty, THY WILL BE DONE A series examining scripture to learn what it teaches us about Godʼs work in this world and our partnership in His work Our topic for Week 2 is Godʼs Sovereignty in Prayer – a lesson I am calling “Shall I Hide …”
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