First of all, we should be thankful that the Lord sometimes says ‘no’ to our prayers.  He is the one who declares “the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10) and ALWAYS knows what is best for us.  It is love for us that would cause the Lord to deny us the things we ask Him for.  We read in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  As I already stated, the Lord ALWAYS knows what is best for us, even when we do not.  We are very limited in our thinking and in our foresight, but the Lord is omniscient (He knows everything) and will answer our prayers accordingly.

Let’s consider the words of 1 John 5:14 which says, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”  The thought here is that when we give the Lord our requests, He will hear, or listen to us, when our requests are in agreement with His holy and perfect will.  That really makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?  We who are parents have often denied our children’s requests when we know their desires are not what is really helpful to them.  If your toddler asked for a knife to play with, you would certainly deny this request because putting a dangerous tool in the hands of a young child would be disastrous. 

In 2 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul was given “a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” (Verse 7).  This ‘thorn’ was given to Paul to keep him humble in sight of all the great ways the Lord used him and gave him incredible experiences.  Paul asked the Lord three times to take away this infirmity (verse 8).  However, for his own good, the Lord denied Paul’s request and allowed that infirmity to remain.  The Lord said ‘no’ to Paul so that He might give him something even better than what he asked for.  We read in verse 9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  What a wonderful message for Paul to learn.  If the Lord had given Paul what he asked for, he would not have learned this valuable lesson. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  When we realize the Lord loves us and ministers to us exactly as we need, we will be able to constantly rejoice in Him.  We will constantly pray…understanding that He will answer according to His perfect will.  We will be able to thank Him for everything that He allows in our lives. 

• In 2 Samuel 12:15-19, we have the account of David’s son who was very sick.  David prayed and prayed that the Lord would heal his son.  Because of David’s sin, the Lord did not heal him.
• In Deuteronomy 3:25-26, Moses pleaded with the Lord to allow him to enter the promised land…Canaan.  Because of Moses’ disobedience, the Lord would not allow Moses to go in.

There are different reasons the Lord may tell us ‘no’ when we give Him our cares.  Let us trust Him well enough to know God has a reason and a purpose when He tells us ‘no.’  My dear brother or sister in Christ, may we learn to trust the Lord and be thankful to Him for everything He allows in our lives, even when He does not give us what we ask for.  (CC)  (712.6)