#2 - WHY GOD SAYS NO

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." - Matthew 21:22

During the past four years or so, my youth group at church has had three or four youth pastors come in and work with us. The position wasn't meant to be temporary, but God seemed to have other plans. It's not that we're terribly behaved teenagers, or that we disrespect the youth leaders all the time. It's simply that God called them to leave and move somewhere different.

I think that all of the teenagers in my youth group, Sunday School class, Bible study, etc. know that God only wants what is best for us. However, people coming and going so many times in a short period of time can take a toll on someone. It definitely hurt our hearts. Some of us were angry, others saddened, and some didn't even blink at the news. Most of us, though, were sad - of course - but excited to see what God had in store for each of these families.

Every time that a youth pastor was leaving, we all prayed for God to change His mind and let them stay, or asked God why He was doing this to us (again). But that's not how it works. Sometimes, God just says "no". Christianity Today has an article called, "Five Ways God Answers Prayer", written by Luis Palau, and I feel as if this article explains what I'm trying to say better than I ever could. The points listed below are from this article, and I've sort of just summarized the paragraphs.

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Five Ways God Answers Prayer

1. "No, I love you too much."

Sometimes we pray for outrageous things, but sometimes it's not crazy. However, we can't always see the outcome, or "the big picture". God can, though, and He won't give us something we want if it will hurt us. However, people go through tough situations and circumstances, no matter their faith or religion. God will put us through these struggles for multiple reasons, but He has good intentions.

2. "Yes, but you'll have to wait."

Everyone wants immediate answers when they pray. But God doesn't always work that way. We have to be patient to get His best.

Matthew 7:7 - "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

3. "Yes, but not what you expected."

This especially occurs when you ask God to use you for His will and glory.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not into your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

4. "Yes, and here's more."

Have you ever wondered if the Lord really knows what you want and need? Well, here's the answer:

Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."

5. "Yes, I thought you'd never ask."

The simplest prayer can bring you the miracle you need.

James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail."

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My challenge to you is this: Trust God in all His decisions, especially the ones you are upset with or don't understand. After all, everything happens for a reason.

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