UNANSWERED PRAYER

The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why.

"Well, Honey," he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. "I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon."

"How come He doesn't answer it?" she asked.  

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First of all, a disclaimer. The above story is not about me.

Second, I have learned that in preaching, this old saying applies, "You please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can't please al of the people all of the time." I have had times when I finished a sermon and I thought, "Why did I preach that sermon," and I had someone tell me, it was the best sermon I had ever preached. I have also preached a sermon I thought was exceptionally good and had no positive comments at all about it.

Third, God always answers prayers. He may say "Okay." He may say "No." He may say "Not now." It may not be the answer we expect or want but He always answers our prayers.

May we always be confident that our God loves us and wants what is best for us, but that may not be what we think we want or need.

With love and concern,

Larry