October 1, 2026
The chorus from a Garth Brooks 90s hit says:
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs
And just because He doesn’t answer doesn’t mean He don’t care
‘Cause some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
David faced a season in life when his friends turned to foes. Though a man of war, he also displayed mercy and compassion, interceding for his enemies: “I humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer kept returning to my bosom” (Psalm 35:14 NASB). Although difficult to interpret, David seems to be indicating that the desired answers to his supplications were not coming. As he continued, “Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages” (Psalm 35:17 NASB).
Truth be told, there is no such thing as an unanswered prayer. In many situations, God says go, sometimes it’s slow, and, on occasion, no. As excruciating as the slows can be, the nos are the hardest to accept. And yet, as I’ve learned many times, His nos are often better than His yesses.
Take, for example, a denominational position I was a candidate for several years ago. On the surface, it was a dream job–moving back to my home state and living in the same beloved town where I attended college. Despite a wonderful interview, I received an email informing me they had gone in a different direction. Surely, you’ve been there.
Though crushed at the time, looking back, it was the best thing that could have happened to me. Taking that job would have resulted in major uprooting and upheaval, both personally and professionally. In the end, I stayed in the pastorate, and in Georgia, where I have remained to this day.
It is possible that God’s no could be a result of disobedience. Such was the case for the Israelites entering the Promised Land when they failed to trust God. Moses himself was not allowed in, since he struck the rock instead of speaking to it.
In the New Testament, we read, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:3 NASB). Disciples James and John ran into this when they asked to sit on Jesus’ right and left in His glory” (Mark 10:35-40).
More than likely, however, God says no because He has something better in mind. Consider the apostle Paul. Embarking upon his Second Missionary Journey, he and his companions were planning to go to Asia Minor to spread the Word. God said no, sending them to Macedonia instead. The result of this divine change of plans was the Gospel being introduced into Europe. God closed a window and opened the door.
Paul asked God three times to remove “a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan” that he was enduring. God said no, saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB).
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me.” Aren't you glad God said no to that petition? Of course, Jesus continued by saying, “Yet not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42 NASB), after which He went to the cross and shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sin.
Do you feel as though your prayers are falling on deaf ears, getting no higher than the ceiling? Perhaps His answer is slow, in which case you “hunker down,” persevere through the process, and come out stronger on the other side.
Maybe God is saying no, which means He’s protecting you from bad, or maybe even good, because He’s got something better in mind, the best in fact. Don’t let “unanswered” prayers get you down. God’s got this. Blessings await.
___
Todd Gaddis is a semi-retired minister living in Athens. He continues to serve as an interim pastor and can be reached at jtoddgaddis@gmail.com.
Share with others
