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When God Says "No" to Your Earnest Prayers
Before reading this article, please read/reread 2Corinthians 12:7-10.
If we have prayed very much in our lives, there have likely been times that though we prayed sincerely, earnestly, and consistently for something- perhaps the restoration of health for a sick/dying loved one, or a new or better car/home/job/whatever, the answer from God was apparently “No.” Been there, done that, right? But when this happens for some, they lose faith in prayer, or even in God altogether, and quit (praying and/or believing). Usually, we overlook all the other blessings He has and continues to shower upon us, or what He gives instead of that for which we asked. The apostle Paul helps us in those times that God says “No”…
It is indeed unfortunate that some folks look at 2Corinthians 12:7ff and seem to fixate on Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” and what exactly it was. If that’s you, please note v.10 where, I believe, he identifies this “thorn” as “weaknesses… insults… distresses… persecutions… difficulties” with which, after God said “No,” he was then “well content.” Now, with that out of the way- at least as much as I intend to move it, let’s take a closer look at what God gave the apostle instead of removing “the thorn.”
Understanding of its purpose, vv.7,9. Remember that Paul is chronicling this event from his past (the verb “entreated” is in past tense, as is God’s reply). Why is this important? Paul now, as he writes to the Corinthians in hindsight and with the obvious advantage of revelation (cf. v.9), understands the purpose and benefit of the thorn. But he surely didn’t “get it” while he was earnestly entreating the Lord those three times! It was only with additional revelation from God and time that he understood the purpose and benefit of the presence of the thorn. So, when God says “No” to our sincere pleas, we probably need to seek answers from His Word, and give it some time. Perhaps then we, too, will understand why God refused our request… and be in a better position to “see” what He supplied instead.
Humility, v.7. Paul had been abundantly blessed by God. Because “of the greatness of the revelations” (cf.vv.1-4,7), God deemed this thorn not only beneficial but necessary to “keep me from exalting myself” (note he mentions this twice in v.7!). It kept him humble. We, too, have been greatly blessed by God with knowledge, understanding, and wisdom regarding His revelation. Additionally, we are “blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” Ephesians 1:3! Perhaps, we, like Paul, need to hear “No” from time to time to keep from exalting ourselves. We love our children, and want to say “Yes” to their every request. But we know that’s not good for them. God, our great Heavenly Father, loves and wants “the best” for us too… and sometimes, that means saying “No”- perhaps to just help us be humble.
Trust, vv.7-10. I cited all four of these verses for a reason. What becomes readily apparent from reading all of them together is this: Through the thorn remaining, Paul learned to trust God. He learned to trust Him regarding what was best. He learned to trust God for protection from this potentially deadly thorn. Basically, he learned to trust God regarding the things that he (Paul) could not control. We need those lessons also. And we may be getting opportunities to trust God when He says “No” to our prayers too!
Sufficient Grace, v.9. We probably understand the concept grace fairly well, while its magnitude surely escapes our mental grasp. But the “unmerited favor” God extended to Paul to deal with this thorn is also said to be “sufficient,” v.9. We think of “sufficient” as merely “enough.” The Greek word from which it is translated (arkeo) is defined as “to be possessed of unfailing strength” (Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon). Think about that. Paul is being promised, along with the continuing presence of the thorn, the “unfailing strength” of God grace to deal with it! We look at Acts 14:19-21 and wonder how in the world Paul was able to get up from being stoned, dragged out of the city, and left for dead and continue preaching. The answer is simple: It wasn’t from “in the world” that he got such strength but “out of the heavens”- he was “possessed of unfailing strength” of God’s “sufficient” grace! When we ask God to “remove” our obstacles, and He says “No,” remember this, get back up, and keep going because He has given you of His magnificent grace the strength to overcome!
Perfected Weakness, v.9. I know that sounds like a contradiction. It isn’t because we think of “weakness” as an “imperfection,” but in in this spiritual application, “perfected” isn’t “flawless.” Instead, teleo (the word from which “perfected” is translated) refers to “being brought to an end; finished; completed” (Ibid). We are, thus, not “perfected” by becoming “flawless” but whole, complete, finished. And when does such occur? When we learn to lean not our own strength or flawlessness and allow our weaknesses to be aided and supported by God’s grace and power. And how do we come to such a realization? You got it: By trusting and relying on God’s “sufficient grace” to overcome our “thorns” rather than asking Him to remove them! That’s exactly what Paul did when he, through God’s refusal, learned that “when I am weak” (in myself), then “I am strong” (through God’s sufficient grace and power), v.10b.
Contentment, v.10. The lack of contentment with God’s provisions implies some not-so-attractive conclusions: 1) that we know what is best for us better than God; 2) that we know ourselves and our capabilities better than God; and, 3) that God is to serve our purposes rather than the other way around. Of course, none of those is true; and worse, they spiritually destructive, physically demoralizing, and make us just plain miserable. But with contentment- even with our “thorns,” enables our trust and reliance on God to bring “great gain,” cf. 1Timothy 6:10. Which in turn, allows us to not only “deal” with our “thorns,” but to be “well-content” in so doing… and perhaps even to be thankful for them!
So, when God says “No” to your earnest, sincere, and consistent prayer, instead of losing your faith in prayer or Him, reread this text (2Corinthians 12:7-10), and remember to look for what He gave you instead of your request: Understanding, Humility, opportunities to Trust and be Perfected in Him, and be Well-Content even with your “thorns”!
- Prayer_When_God_says_No.pdf (100.75 kB)
